SUMMER MEETING AT BROOKFIELD. 167 



The meeting was called to order after the dinner hour to receive 

 reports from committees on orchards, small fruits, vineyards, flowers, 

 etc., and to discuss horticultural subjects as presented— best methods 

 in planting, cultivating, harvesting and marketing the various fruits for 

 best results. 



Reports of the several committees make the following impression : 

 The condition of small fruit gardens is unusually good, with prospect 

 of abundant crop of the various berries. Strawberries are now at their 

 zenith for the season, and are bringing $3 per crate to parties who 

 handle them well. 



Vineyards are unusually vigorous and setting an over-crop of fruit, 

 which must be thinned to get best results. 



Flower gardens were never so beautiful and attractive as now. 

 Roses are especially fine and very abundant. 



Orchards in most vigorous growing shape, with but little sign yet 

 of insect enemies, which may come later as usual. The average apple 

 prospect is light. Peaches up to full crop that must be thinned. Plums 

 abundant. Cherries not full, but fine. Pears below last year's yield ; 

 trees putting on heavy growth of new wood, and no complaint of blight. 



The display of fruits and flowers was attractive and enjoyed by all. 

 The strawberries were very large and fine. Bubach No. 5 was largest, 

 and seems to be the boss berry this time hereabouts. 



The roses, pansies and other flowers by the lady members were 

 rare offerings of beauty and fragrance. The following premiums were 

 awarded : 



To best collection strawberries, twelve varieties, by Geo. E. Davis, 

 $2.50 ; second to J. Kirchgraber, $1.50. Best quart Bubach, G. W. Hop- 

 pins, 50 cts. Best quart Windsoi Chief, Geo. E. Davis, 50 cents. Best 

 quart Cumberland, G. W. Hopkins, 50 cts. Best quart Sharpless, E. H. 

 Lair, 50 cts. Best quart cherries, J. Kirchgraber, 25 cts. Best basket 

 cut flowers, Miss Lindsey, 50 cts. Best collection roses, fifty-two varie- 

 ties, to Mrs. D. S. Holman, 75 cts. Best collection ever-blooming roses, 

 twelve varieties, to Mrs. Wade Burden, 50 cts. Best floral design, Miss 

 Rosa Holman, 50 cts. Best plate potatoes, J. Kirchgraber, 25 cts. 



Upon call for essays, Miss Lindsey responded with a most accept- 

 able paper upon the birds — their habits and utility about our homes, 

 and specially as helpers in horticultural battles with insect enemies. 

 But here is the paper to speak for itself: 



BIRDS. 



The subject of this essay was first suggested to me while listening 

 to the joyous notes of my numerous choir these bright spring mornings. 



