398 TBANSACTIONS OF THE KANKAKEE 



apple was hardy. The Mann apple with me is not hardy. The Ro- 

 man Stem, the Haas, the Wealthy, the Duchess and some of the 

 Russets might do very well. 



Mr. Cooper — It will not be long till our old orchards will be 

 gone, and if we are to have apples we must plant new orchards. 

 Plant on new ground, if possible; and, if not convenient to do 

 so, then dig up the ©Id trees, break up the ground thoroughly, 

 manure it well, and replant with the hardiest and best varieties we 

 can get, cultivate well, take good care of them, and we shall yet be 

 able to raise apples here. 



GRAPES. 



Mr. Cunningham — 1 am now pruning my vines and cutting out 

 considerable old wood, but still leaving more wood than I shall prob- 

 ably need; will thin them out in the spring where necessary when I 

 put up my vines. As you know, the top of my trellis is ten feet 

 from the ground, and I have much the best grapes on the top vine, 

 and, wherever the vines are not too thick, no rot or mildew; where 

 the vines are crowded; have both rot and mildew. Question: What 

 is the advantage of fall pruning? Answer: None particularly, only 

 we generally have more time in the fall than in spring. 



Mr. Cooper — I have generally pruned my vines in the fall, but 

 last fall I neglected to do so and pruned in the spring, and my vines 

 bled profusely. I thought it might affect my crop of grapes, but it 

 did not, for I never had such a crop in yield and quality. Will it 

 affect the vines hereafter? 



The Secretary was of the opinion from his observation and ex- 

 perience, that bleeding did not hurt the vines in the least. Other 

 members were of the same opinion. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



As to winter protection of strawberries, Mr. Cunningham said 

 there was nothing better than wild slough grass. It would last two 

 years and could be put on the plants any time after the plants cease 

 growing till the ground is frozen hard. 



The President said he had been experimenting with covering of 

 strawberries. He has covered about one-third of his patch with 

 maple leaves, another portion with pine leaves and the balance with 



