SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 251 



are to be educated; and now by directing public sentiment towards the estab- 

 lishment of delightful parks and pleasure grounds, where all may enjoy some 

 little communion at least with the beautiful in nature which is designed for 

 our happiness. I trust, Mr. President, as the years pass by and your society 

 shall observe the abundant fruits of your efiorts in this direction, you will feel 

 richly repaid for all your labors to promote that which is good. 



And now my friends having but simply introduced this subject for your con- 

 sideration and discussion, I trust you will not only look favorably upon the 

 question, but by earnest effort aid in a move to convert some of our unsightly 

 fair grounds into beautiful places of pleasure and resort, and thus add another 

 and very important public benefit to the list of those you have been instru- 

 mental in promoting. 



Several gentlemen entered heartily into the discussion following this paper, 

 urging that fair grounds near our cities and villages be utilized in such a way 

 as to make them attractive places of resort throughout the year, and by such 

 arrangement add to the value of property for resident purposes in the vicinity 

 of these grounds. 



Is it safe to prune grapes in the spring ? was a query from the question box, 

 to which E. D. Graham responded, saying he had pruned in the spring when 

 they bled profusely, but with no bad result ; also when vines were frozen, but 

 then had heavy crop. Others advocated fall pruning but said no harm came 

 from cutting in the spring, and or e advocated the latter because then it is 

 known exactly how much live wood is left. 



Why are fruits better north ? was a question referred to Prof. Bailey- He 

 said: The problem is not yet solved, but is presumed to be on account of the 

 upward current of the temperature at time of ripening. Northern fruits are 

 more highly colored, because the sunlight is brighter than at the south, there 

 being not so much moisture in the air. The smaller the fruits the better the 

 flavor, provided they are well developed. 



ESPALIER TRAINING OF FRUIT TREES 



Wae treated in a short paper by George Taylor which closed the afternoon 

 session. 



Mr Taylor said: 



As I have walked around our towns and cities and looking at many of the 

 grounds and buildings which are especially occupied by the mechanical and 

 working classes, I have thought that there was a great scope for an improve- 

 ment not only in the economizing of space by growing many of the various 

 fruits and vegetables, but also in giving to the house and surroundings a more 

 neat and tidy appearance; and so the cultivation of fruit trees on what is known 

 as the Espalier system would be just the thing adapted to the situation. 



Everything in this country, especially in our Western States, is comparatively 

 new; many of our towns and cities have sprung up so rapidly and in the midst 

 of so many other improvements, that the working men have never had their 

 attention properly directed to the outside improvements of their homes and it 

 is a well ascertained fact that the homes of our laboring and industrial classes, 

 are very much superior for their ample space and conveniency than are those of 

 the various countries of Europe. 



I can here introduce this subject of Espalier culture with the more confi- 

 dence, as I had a considerable practical experience in this mode of fruit culture 



