356 TRiLNSACTIOJsS OF THE 



growth. One-fourth, perhaps, of the hind is occupied by the house, hiwn and grove, 

 and a small orchard and vinej'ard, planted by the former proprietor. 



The whole of this tract of 10 acres is underdrained with tile, from the manufactory 

 at Whitehall, Illinois. The depth of the drain is four feet, distance apart an average 

 of 40 feet; size of pipe two inches for the minor drains, three inches for the main one. 



The heavy rains of Sunday had so tilled the soil with water, that the main drain was 

 discharging at the rate of probably three or four gallons per minute, while the surface 

 had been dry enough to work ever since Tuesday morning. Similar land, not under- 

 drained, would not have been as fit for the plow in less than a week. 



One portion of this tract is planted with a pear oi'chard of 1300 trees— standard and 

 dwarf, obtained from Elwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y., spring of 1867. The 

 distance is 10 feet each way, in squares, every other tree in each alternate row being a 

 standard, thus throwing the standards 23 feet apart. Mr. Stracke thinks that if, in 

 time, the dwarfs should fail, the standards will be at a proper distance to occupy the 

 ground. 



The varieties are well selected, being as follows : 



Bartletts, 225; B. d'Anjou, 125; Belle Lucrative, 130; BuflFum, 75; Howell, 50; 

 Seckels, 95; Duchesse, 100; Bon de Jersey, 130; Flemish Beauty, 50; and some eight 

 or ten other sorts. 



This pear orchard seems to be quite a pet with its proprietor, and receives from him 

 considerable care and attention; and well it may. We seldom see so fine a prospect 

 for a healthy and productive pear orchard. Every tree is kept properly pinched back, 

 and its branches trained to the requisite shape. 



Mr. Stracke 's grapes are young, planted one year ago last flill. They number 2400 

 vines, divided as follows: Delawares, lOJO; ionas, 750; Ives' Seedling, 350; the 

 remainder principally Concords and Norton's Virginia. The Ives presented the most 

 healthy appearance, the growth being fine, and the foliage remarkably healthy and 

 green. The Ionas and Delawares had made good growth, but the foliage did not look 

 so w^ell, that of the latter showing considerable mildew. 



This vineyard, besides the uuderdraining previously mentioned, was trenched Avith 

 the spade all over to the depth of two feet, at a cost of near $200 per acre. 



Keturuing to the house, some discussion was had .on Mr. Stracke's mode of culture. 



Dr. Warner inquired — I wish to ascertain Mr. Stracke's reason for pinching the 

 pear trees as he does . 



Mr. Stracke— I do it for several reasons. First, to induce fruit-bearing; second, to 

 improve the shape of the tree; third, to harden and mature the wood; and fourth, to 

 prevent blight I 



Members generally concur in the opinion that pinching back is a good preventive of 

 blight; and it was suggested that to the good drainage of the land, the remarkable free- 

 dom of these trees from blight and all other diseases, is in a great degree to be attributed. 



[Queries by the Secretary— Is it desirable to stimulate fruit-bearing in trees yet so 

 young? and is it not too early in the season (last of July) to pinch for hardening and 

 ripening the wood?] 



All members present concurred in saying that ]\Ir. Stracke's grapes are very superior 

 and of better growth than others of the same age and varieties in the neighborhood. 



