202 TEANSACTIONS OF THE ALTON-SOUTHEEN 



Mr. Jackson had not removed mulch from strawberry planta- 

 tions, as he wished to hold the crop back as much as possible. Some 

 buds on the blackberry canes killed, but enough left for a crop. All 

 varieties of raspberry plants in good condition. Consider the 

 Taylor one of the best blackberries we have; it is apt to overbear 

 and needs close pruning and good culture. 



The different growers were asked what varieties of strawberries 

 they would plant this season, with the following result: 



Mr. Jackson — Sharpless and Jersey Queen. 



Mr. Davis — Miner, Downing and his seedling. 



Mr. Browne — Capt. Jack and Sharpless. 



Mr. Riehl — Capt. Jack and Crescent. 



OENAMENTAL PLANTING. 



Dr. James recommended a lawn planted with shade and orna- 

 mental trees and shrubs, with flower buds near the house. 



Mr. Riehl — Fruit growers and farmers who cannot spend mucii 

 time or money in ornamenting grounds will get the best results from 

 a lawn planted with trees, with clumps of shrubs in the proper 

 places and some nice beds with perennial flowers. To make a good 

 lawn in this climate is not an easy matter, as it is usually done; but 

 if the ground is properly prepared, that is, enriched and made fine 

 and smoothed, and after the seed is sown cover the whole surface 

 thinly with fine stable manure, success is certain. 



The committee on fruits exhibited made the following report: 



Your committee find on the table the following samples of 

 apples from Geo. W. Hilliard, of Brighton: Fine samples of Pen- 

 nock, Northern Spy, Winesap, Janet; also one sample unknown, a 

 very fine yellow apple. Mr. Hilliard also had on hand some very 

 good cider, which the committee pronounced very good. 



Mr. Rogers, who had lately returned from a trip through Cali- 

 fornia, gave an account of what he there saw, picturing the Golden 

 State as the very paradise of the horticulturist, and made some of us 

 feel like going there; but some of the members thought even Cali- 

 fornia was not entirely without drawbacks. 



