222 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



S. Miller — We grafted in the wild vines when we had no other 

 young vines into which to graft. 



Mr. Jaeger contends that we can grow the foreign kinds by graft- 

 ing in natives and spraying to prevent mildew and rot. He sent me 

 two bunches of perfect grapes of this kind. If you keep the foliage 

 healthy the vines will be hardy. It is unripe wood that dies. The late- 

 grown' green wood in the fall freezes, and in consequence the whole 

 vine becomes diseased. 



Jaeger's No. 50 is a magnificent black grape, medium size, very 

 fine, spicy, too tender to ship, 



Husmann's is a good work on the grape. He is making a new edi- 

 tion, which will be preferable. I think early grapes will be more pro- 

 fitable with us than late ones. They can be marketed before the New 

 York grapes. We must spray for the benefit of the foliage. Sacking 

 is a great deal of trouble. I have a way of protecting grapes from rot, 

 but not from birds : take a circular piece of paper, cut out a triangle, 

 and pin the paper over the bunch. 



Mr. Porter — Paraffine paper will last longer than common paper ; 

 it withstands rains. 



An invitation from the School for the Deaf and Dumb was re- 

 ceived, asking the Society to visit the school at 7:45 a. m. 



The Society accepted the invitation, and asked the school to visit 

 the hall and see the fruit on exhibition at 12:30. 



The officers of the State Insane Asylum invited the Society to 

 visit that Institution. 



The invitation was acknowledged and thanks extended, but it was 

 found impracticable to visit the asylum in a body. The members were 

 requested to go as they could get time. 



THE KEIFFER AND GARBER PEAR— THE LE CONTE FOR FRUIT AND 



AS A STOCK. 



R. J. BAGBY. 



The Keiffer is so well known it needs no description. Since people have quit 

 trying to eat them before they are ripe, it is conceded by all to be a very good pear, 

 both for general use and for market, and is probably more profitably grown in 

 this State for market than any other variety. Care should be used in marketing 

 them. Let them color before shipment, and they will then reach the consumer in 

 an eatable condition. The pear orchards that we see at the present time in East- 

 ern Missouri are largely of this variety. In the Illinois fruit belt, in Marion and 

 surrounding counties, large bearing orchards are to be seen exclusively of Keiffer. 

 They are on the St. Louis and Chicago markets from September till December in 

 large quantities, and as sufficient proof of profit to growers, we find them being 

 more largely planted each year in East Missouri and in Central Illinois for thes© 

 markets than all other varieties combined. It has not only taken the front place 

 among pears in this section, but ranks in the front for profit to the general fruit- 



