REPORTS OF COUNTY SOCIETIES. 365 



The Snyder is our most reliable blackberry, while the Erie pro- 

 mises little, though it has not been thoroughly tested. 



In '86 and '87 the raspberry bushes through this section were 

 badly affected with anthracnose, but for some reason they escaped its 

 attack this season and are now in excellent condition and almost en- 

 tirely free from it. 



The Shaffer seems most subject to this disease, some bushes hav- 

 ing been killed to the ground, while the Gregg seems least so. 



Considering the destruction of these fungus diseases of the rasp- 

 berry, we think the plan of raking out and burning the trimmings more 

 safe than that practiced by some growers of cutting them up and work- 

 ing them into the soil. 



In the planting of the raspberry the tendency here is toward the 

 hedge-row system. Of course it has its disadvantages, but for field 

 culture it seems to be preferable. 



We are more convinced than ever that, to raise raspberries pro- 

 fitably, we must plant close, manure heavily, prune close and renew 

 plantation often. 



E. L. Pollard. 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 



* 



Hugo, Mo. January 25, 1890. 

 L. A. Goodman, Westport, Mo. : 



Bear Sir: Owing to my misfortune of almost losing my hearing, 

 which I have reported to you before, I could not attend to my duties 

 as a presiding officer, in fact, I could not even take part in the discus- 

 sions any more, for which reason but few meetings were held by our 

 society during summer and fall, nevertheless fruit-growing has taken 

 a good start here, and is pushed with great vigor. 



About the members not answering questions, I feel like I should 

 put iu a few words for them. With a very few exceptions, they are all 

 Germans, who can neither read nor write in English, in fact, the most of 

 them cannot understand the English language. I am sure the most of 

 them would answer questions if they could. They are excellent horti- 

 culturists, that is, whatever they do in the way of culture is well done. 

 They are all planting plants and trees as fast as they are able to buy 

 them. New orchards will be set out the coming season, varying from 

 one to twelve acres each. 



The past summer was the first time that any fruit was shipped 

 from here, which found a ready market at good prices. Most of it 



