* 

 286 TRANSACTIONS OF THE KANKAKEE 



Quite a number of the citizens of Manteno favored us witii their 

 presence. 



The forenoon was agreeably passed by the company in friendly 

 converse: music and flowers contributing to the enjoyment. 



At half-past one the guests, numbering about a hundred mem- 

 bers and friends of the Society, were invited to partake of an excel- 

 lent dinner, Avhich did great credit, as our picnic tables always have 

 done, to the culinary skill of our lady members. The tables were 

 tastefully decorated with cut-flowers, also furnished and arranged by 

 the ladies. 



At three o'clock President Milo Barnard called the meeting to 

 order. Minutes of last meeting approved. The report of the Vege- 

 table Committee was then read by Committeeman L. E. Cunningham, 

 as follows: 



VEGETABLES. 



BY L. E. CUNNINGHAM. 



Mr. President: 



As you are aware, the spring had been very backward, so cold 

 that horticulture, so far as gardening is concerned, has been severely 

 chilled, and I am compelled to report that the chill is still unbroken. 

 However, there is nothing very discouraging in the prospect, for all 

 seeds planted are germinating fully up to the average season. Pota- 

 toes planted are coming up very evenly, and far above the average 

 acreage is now in the ground. A fortune is anticipated at twenty- 

 five cents per bushel, and but little trouble expected from the beetle. 

 I having seen but one living bug, and that one didn't live long after 

 discovery. I will say here that I have planted fifteen varieties of 

 potatoes, all upon rich soil, and all will get cultivation thorough and 

 equal, and next October, health permitting, I expect to give the 

 Society a full and detailed account of my experiment. The grapes 

 are badly injured as far as I can learn: strawberries never looked 

 better with me than this spring, much later than last year and prom- 

 ising a good yield of fruit. I believe I promised our horticultural 

 friends (at our last meeting) a good crop of cherries, and I renew 

 the promise, nothing occurring to prevent hereafter. Raspberries 

 are very promising. I am obliged to report against the prevailing 

 opinion on the hardiness of tbe Snyder blackberry, stating that the 

 Lawton stood the severity of the winter much better than the Sny- 

 der; this may seem strange, but nevertheless it is true with reference 

 to my own fruit gardens. For all kinds of fruit (except grapes) our 

 prospect is rarely ever better at this time of the year. 



