TRANSACTIONS OF NORTHERN ILL. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 343 



A discussion upon "pears in grass" and pears in cultivation ensued, 

 but resulted in nothing new, as many members had blight on trees in 

 grass to an equal extent, proportionately, as on trees in cultivation. 



Mr. Scott said he had been offered from fifteen to tliirty dollars in 

 different years, for the fruit upon a single Flemish Beauty Pear tree. It 

 stands on high ground with gravelly subsoil. Pear trees are more exempt 

 from blight when old than while young. 



A member asked Mr. Wier for a list of pears which were not injured 

 by the last winter, and he presented the following : 



Pears that withstood last 7vinter almost perfectly : Berkett, Howell, 

 Clapp's Favorite, Mt. Vernon, Flemish Beauty, Buffam, Buerre d. Anjou. 



The Secretary read the following communication : 



Sporting of the Grapl Vine. — There have been several statements published of 

 the grape vine sporting or changing the identity of its fruit ; but I believe they have not 

 clearly demonstrated it. 



I have a row of twenty vines that had jireviously borne two crops of Taylor's 

 Bullet fruit. Last spring they set remarkably full of fruit for that variety, but when the 

 fruit ripened it was all very small, black, sour grapes ; a portion of it was borne on the 

 spurs of the vines that had previously borne the Bullet fruit. The vines stood out un- 

 protected last winter, but they did not ajjpear to be materially injured, and have made 

 their usual strong growth. My other vines, that were protected, have l)orne the liullet 

 fruit as usual. The Bullet has not proved of much account with me, except for stocks 

 to graft other varieties upon. The Delaware does not take so freely to the Clinton as it 

 does when grafted on the Bullet, or wild vines; they give a stronger growth, larger 

 bunches, and more perfect fruit. A friend examining my grafted fruit last season, re- 

 marked that it appeared more like ears of corn than bunches of Delaware grapes ; the 

 fruit was so compact on the bunches as to press it into the shape of ears of our western 

 com. P. MANNY. 



The President announced as the topic for discussion 



THE CHERRY. 



Mr. Woodard — I get the nicest Early Richmond cherries from 

 trees grafted on Mahaleb stocks. Those grafted on the Morello overbear, 

 and consequently the fruit is not as large and fine. 



Mr. Ellsworth — Trees on the Morello stock show feebleness after 

 a few year's bearing, while those on Mahaleb are vigorous, long-lived 

 trees. The time is not far distant when this stock will be most popular. 



Mr. Galusha — At an early day I made a careful study of trees 

 worked upon each of these stocks ; gave my preference to the Mahaleb, 

 and have never changed my mind. While trees ujjon this stock do not 

 bear full crops as young as those on the Morello. yet they make larger, 

 better trees; have larger, better foliage and fruit; and when they attain 

 sufficient size and strength to sustain crops, will bear as full crops as it is 

 safe for any trees to bear ; and what is an im])ortant item, they ilo not 

 cover the ground with suckers as Morello stocks do. I have always found 

 it hardy. 



