]^30 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



the Captain said, he thought 1u' would not thin to the extent of Dr. Hull's 

 practice, but tliat hi- would manure heavily so as to stimulate the tree, 

 and thus enable it to carry a heavier crop. What is the experience of 

 peach growers in this respect. 



Mr. Phenix — What kind of manure would he apply — and when 

 apply it } 



Mr. Flagg — I suppose stable manure, applied early in spring. 



Mr. Earle — To what extent is it advisable to thin ? 



Mr. Flagg — Dr. Hull's idea is, — about five hundred peaches to a 

 full grown tree. 



Mr. Brown — A gentleman at South Pass told me he stimulated 

 his trees with special manures, and his fruit is very fine. I am inclined 

 to think that Dr. Hull pushes thinning to an extreme. I am not sure. 

 It seems to me tiial this is the case. But his trees being root-pruned 

 would not carry as much fruit. 



That Dr. Hull's system is necessary to the production of market 

 peaches, I have no doubt. It is just as necessary to prune the peach 

 tree as to prune the grape vine, and for the same reason; but I have 

 talked so much, and written so much upon this subject, that I don't 

 want to think much more about it. 



The President — I would ask if gentlemen are familiar with 

 Dr. Hull's new Curculio catcher. 



All peach growers know that unless some plan is adopted to destroy 

 the Curculio, their "occupation is gone." It is known also that 

 Dr. Hull has been one of our foremost men, in the measures adopted in 

 destroying this insect. His original wheelbarrow machine was cumber- 

 some, but this season he has so simplified and improved it, that he can 

 easily go over three hundred trees before breakfast. — (laughter). 



Mr. Earle — What time does he take breakfast ? (renewed laughter.) 



The President continued his remarks, giving a minute description 

 of the machine, and of the manner and ease and despatch with which it 

 is worked. 



The machine is carried on the shoulders, and weighs from four to 

 seven pounds. It is understood that the Doctor has a patent upon 

 his improved machine. 



Mr. Brown — There were serious objections to the old machine. 

 It injured the tree, and then when the stem of the tree became large and 



