TRANSACTIONS OF ALTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 31^ 



within one year. I will say no more, but leave it with you to adopt suitable 

 resolutions in respect for the dead and in sympathy for the bereaved family. 



G. W. HiLLiARD (of Brighton) was appointed Committee on Orchards, 

 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Huggins. 



The subject of pruning the apple orchard was again revived, in which 

 Messrs. Snedecker, Hilliard, Starr, Long and others took part. The 

 prevailing feeling was that some pruning was necessary, but that the 

 danger was pruning too much. 



There was an interesting discussion upon the orchard, which cannot 

 be given, as it would make this report entirely too long. 



Mr. HoLLisTER presented the following, on 



HOT-BEDS, AND HOW TO USE THEM. 



No horticulturist can do without them. To attempt to make vege- 

 tables for the home or distant market without them, is equivalent to no 

 profit in the business. Hence, to have such hot-beds as will prove the 

 best in all circumstances is a proposition none will gainsay. 



The present winter, "lingering in the lap of spring," has been the 

 most trying in the use of hot-beds within our experience, and failure and 

 serious loss are already written to the debit of profit and loss account. 



In the usual manner of constructing hot-beds with fermenting manure, 

 and their use, the drawbacks have been more serious than common, not- 

 withstanding we have had so mild a winter, up to March ist. Previous 

 to that time it was plain sailing and fair success. Since that time, how- 

 ever, the excessive amount of rain and snow has flooded these beds so 

 much as to destroy, to a great extent, the heating power, and create a 

 condition of things unfavorable to plant-growth, and very favorable to 

 insect and fungoid growth. 



Many lettuce and tomato plants have been lost — the effects of the 

 long, dark and continued dampness — notwithstanding the most skillful 

 experience to prevent disaster. We are led to ask, What is the remedy? 



Our experiences are worth but little if they do not cause us to inquire 

 what we can do, and we cast about us anxiously for some better way. 



To begin, then. If we must use manure hot-beds, there must be 

 good drainage. The surface water must be carried off more rapidly, or 

 we shall always fail when such seasons come. The construction of such 

 beds, especially for tender plants, must be more carefully attended to; 

 the manure should be more thoroughly mixed and turned over before 

 making the bed, and about a cart-load of sawdust, already treated, should 

 be mixed with the other material for each bed. Boards should be so 

 placed on the lining around the bed as to shed the water from the bed all 

 around, and the boards to cover should be sufficient to extend over the 

 whole bed, and so arranged as to carry the water away to the best advan- 

 tage. These few suggestions, if heeded, will save from much "vexation 

 of spirit." 



