3l8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS ' 



Jonathan, Red Asti^achan, and White Bellflower, were very slightly 

 injured; and the Maiden's Blush and Rambo, badly. 



The Secretary submitted the following, and moved its adoption, viz : 



Resolved — That we recommend the Morello as a stock on which to work the 

 less hardy and finer varieties of cherries. 



Mr. Willis suggested a modification, to include those only that will 

 not overgrow — which was accepted by the mover. 



Mr. Grouse objected to the Morello on account of its sprouting qual- 

 ities, and suggested that the Mahaleb was also a slow grower, and would 

 make as good a stock. . * 



July, 27. 

 Society met at the residence of Mr. Louis Stracke, in Warsaw. 



A ramble over the grounds of Mr. Stracke reveals what drainage and 

 deep culture will do. His 1300 pears, all under-drained, and thoroughly 

 cultivated, look green and healthy; while his grapes, under-drained 

 and trenched, are looking extremely well — especially an acre of two-year- 

 old Delawares. 



President Hammond requested Dr. Hay to take the chair, which he 

 did, and called the meeting to order, stating that the subject for discussion 

 to-day is, " Small Fruits — Modes of Culture." 



The Secretary said he would set the ball rolling by mentioning rasp- 

 berry culture. He had formerly allowed the canes to grow too long. 

 The true system is to cut or pinch back the new shoots as soon as they 

 reach a height of three feet, or even less. This will be late in June; 

 they will then throw out lateral shoots. These side shoots should also 

 be shortened as soon as they reach one foot or fifteen inches in length. 

 This shortening in causes the plants to grow more stubby, and they stand 

 up better, besides yielding a larger quantity of fruit. In th.is way they 

 require little or no staking; though a single wire run along tlie row two 

 feet or two and a half from the ground, furnishes a good support. They 

 should be tied to it with a coarse string or bark. As soon as the fruit is 

 off, the bearing wood should be cut away. This treatment, with good 

 cultivation and thorough mulching, will ensure a good crop of raspber- 

 ries or blackberries. 



The red sorts, such as do not take root from the tips, but sucker so 

 profusely, he had long ago discarded ; but believed that by close atten- 

 tion and free use of the knife and hoe, good crops of these also might 

 be had. 



Mr. Chittenden combatted the idea of cutting back, as requiring too 

 much time and instanced the cultivation of the Red Antwerp and 

 Golden Cap, in cases where they were allowed to do as they pleased 

 — good crops being the result. Ilad tried cutting back and cultivating, 

 both with raspberry and Lawton blackberry, and should do so no 

 more. 



