Repoets of Local Societies. 237 



planted the AVealthv, a new apple in this locality; others have 

 now more trees than they can protect from the ravages of the 

 Tent caterpillar, and are waiting to see if this troublesome pest 

 Avill ever take its final departure. Concerning its destruction, 

 we have learned that any remed}- that will kill the worms or 

 destroy the eggs, without injury to the trees, is a good one. 

 Sprinkling with soap suds or poisoning the foliage is the most 

 effectual after the worms commence feeding; but we believe if 

 any fruit grower will destroy all the eggs that can be found 

 upon the trees in winter and early spring, and then with the- 

 same viijilance continue the destruction of the tents or nests of 

 young worms, they can nearly all be destroyed before the foliage 

 vv fruit buds are injured. 



The strawberry crop was much injured by the severe winter, in 

 some gardens entirely killed, even when well covered; in others 

 there was a fair crop in spots where not killed. Various reasons 

 were assigned for their destruction; either too much covering, or 

 too little, or removed too soon, or not soon enough in spring, 

 was thought to be the cause, AVhether we shall ever learn 

 to guess the exact amount of protection needed to carry the 

 strawberry through our capricious winter is quite a problem. 



Red raspberries were very abundant the past summer; some 

 of our members consider them more hardy than the black cap, 

 and think they continue longer in the fruiting season. Black 

 caps in this locality have not done as well as formerly, either 

 fur want of proper culture, or the severe winter. 



The Ancient Briton Blackberry set two years since has not yet 

 borne much fruit; several have set this variety and another year 

 will test its bearing qualities and adaptation to this climate. 

 Last spring the society purchased a new blackberry, known as 

 Stone's Hardy, a variety which has been thoroughly tested in 

 AVisconsin; a portion of them grew well and we have high hopes 

 of feasting on their delicious fruit. 



Grapes set two years since have made a fair growth with few 

 exceptions. The most successful grape grower in our society 

 trims his vines in the fall, lays them down soon after the ground 

 freezes, puts the trimming on the vines and covers with marsh 

 hay. Although the last winter was very severe, his vines win- 



