ILLINOIS HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 207 



ORCHARDS. 



Apples were reported as still promising a large crop, very free 

 from insects, except the early varieties, which were small, and not 

 very good. Sops of Wine was an exception, being fair and smooth. 



Pears were variable, some members reported a good crop, others 

 a small crop. 



Some of the members complained of the Weaver plum not 

 setting a full crop, though blooming full in the spring; which, it 

 was thought, might be owing to the season, or that the trees were 

 young yet and another season it may do better. It was said that no 

 plum is free from the attacks of the Curculio, though some will bear 

 in spite of its attacks. 



VINEYARDS. 



Mr. Browne — A month ago the prospect was fine, but soon 

 after the rot appeared, and where not bagged it has been very bad. 

 Where bagged in time, or where trained high, so the grapes could 

 dry readily, or where well covered with foliage, the grapes were free 

 from rot. Several members had bagged some of their grapes, and, 

 so far, all reported it a success; cost, about one cent per pound. It 

 was thought the improvement in appearance and cjuality would pay 

 the cost, even were there no rot. 



Mr. Riggs reported that he had cut down his vineyard last 



year intending to destroy it, so that he had no grapes on his 



place and no rot. This year he had staked and tied up the canes, 

 and, so far, they were entirely free from rot. 



Mr. Jackson showed a branch of Concord grape — one bunch 

 was bagged and the other not. The one not bagged had consider- 

 able rot on it, while the one in the bag, when opened, was found to 

 be perfectly sound. 



Mr. Me Pike has advocated cutting down the vines low to the 

 ground, and this year cut low down underground, and, as a result, 

 only about five per cent, of the vines so cut have thrown up new 

 canes, while those cut above ground are all alive. When asked the 

 reason for cutting so low he co-uld give none, and admitted that there 

 were no good reasons for doing so, and might even be a damage. 



It was stated that Norton's Virginia and Cynthiana never rot- 

 ted, and were of excellent quality. 



