099 TRANSACTIONS OF THE NORTHERN 



set. They proved so valuable that cions were constantly being cut from 

 them and wildly disseminated for top-grafting, as most of our trees at 

 that time were seedlings. Subsequently when the Pittsford nurseries 

 were started, and still later when the Rochester nurseries were established. 

 they were sold very largely and were in almost every orchard in western 

 New York under that name. 



About the year eighteen forty the Postmaster at Perry, Mr. C. P. 

 Bailey, and the Hon. Win. Patterson, then in Congress from that district 

 and neither of them knowing one apple from another by its name, re- 

 ceived Mr. Downing's circulars requesting them to forward valuable spec- 

 imens of fruit from their vicinity. Both of these gentlemen sent this 

 apple to Mr. Downing and hence the name " Bailey or Patterson Sweet." 



I can name orchards in Western New York where this apple is now 

 growing under both names, the one on trees top-grafted by myself years 

 ago and the other on trees from the local nurseries. 



My orchards are all planted and each variety set in squares as com- 

 pactly as possible, and space is left on the plats for interlining and such 

 notes as "Left to grass at such time," "Pruned May, Oct., Feb.," or as 

 the case may be, " Soap-washed May twentieth eighteen sixty-eight and 

 eighteen sixty-nine" etc., "Whitewashed August fifteenth, eighteen sev- 

 enty," " Borer found," " Five bushels apples eighteen seventy-one," etc., 

 are often found thereon. 



These observations enable me to find the results of my experiments 

 and treatment generally and to profit thereby, and it is from these obser- 

 vations that I have come to the conclusions herein embraced. 



To recapitulate, let me say in order to succeed in the orchard, we 

 must have first-class western-grown stock, thoroughly prepared and 

 suitable ground, well set and thoroughly cultivated trees with careful 

 watching and washing, and never allow grass to take the place of mel- 

 low soil. 



T think as a society we should not recommend any variety, but if we 

 do we should also insist on some system of cultivation and the kind of 

 soil to place it in, and in all of our discussion of varieties it should be a 

 point to state these things in full. M. B. Spafford. 



A discussion followed, lasting fully an hour, in which the principal 

 theme handled was the destructive habits of rabbits and the best reme- 

 dies to be adopted in preventing their ravages. 



The President called the attention to the differences of opinion 

 existing in regard to different varieties of apples, and gave as his own 

 observation that certain varieties were different in their bearing qualities 

 in different localities. 



Adjourned till Wednesday m.orning. nine o'clock. 



