138 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Of all things nothing is so necessary as thorough drainage. Grape- 

 vines may possibly succeed in almost all other situations, and mature 

 a crop of fruit under almost all circumstances, however adverse, but with 

 wet feet never ; therefore, if there is not good natural drainage, then it 

 must be artificially secured, or we may hope against hope, as we never 

 will see a realization of our fondest dreams. 



Claiming indulgence for occypying your time with these rambling 

 remarks, and sincerely regretting my inability to be present at the session 

 of our Society at Champaign, 



I remain, fraterually yours, 



E. C. HATHEWAY. 



DISCUSSION ON MR. HATHEWAY'S PAPER. 



After a desultory discussion, in which Messrs. McWhorter, Hays and 

 others took part, 



Mr. Riley said : There is one fact that I would mention that per- 

 haps would aid Mr. Hatheway and some others. I think he referred to 

 one insect — the leaf-hopper as "thrip," which should not be called 

 "thrip," but "leaf-hopper." The best preventive measure to that 

 insect is the application of some sticky substance to the stalks, in the 

 winter time or early spring ; or the hanging of paper sheets, or any thing 

 that has a broad surface, covered with a sticky substance. Mr. Hathe- 

 way expresses very little faith in destroying insects by any thing except by 

 hand. I protest against that. If he will try 'io prevent \kitm he will do 

 more good than in that way. Now, by the use of soft soap and other ma- 

 terials on the posts erected on vineyards, he will accomplish a vast amount 

 of good. 



I mention this because it is a feasible plan. A good way to destroy 

 leaf-hoppers is to take a torch through the vineyard, and have some one 

 with you to disturb them, and you will find they fly to the torch and are 

 very soon destroyed. The insect that is frequently called " thrip '' is the 

 little "leaf-hopper" which is not more than 3-iooths of an inch long. 

 It injures the leaf by puncturing, and becomes very numerous. Entomo- 

 logically the term "thrip'' is applied to insects that are beneficial rather 

 than injurious. 



There are various other terms used in the report which are not 

 strictly correct, but it is hardly wortli while to mention them. 



PLUM CULTURE. 



At the request of the Secretary, Mr .Greene read the following paper 

 on Plum Culture. 



