HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 229 



blackberry patches was enough to discourage the most stalwart 

 horticulturist. But it seems that from nearly all misfortunes we 

 can learn some useful lesson, or get some theory or idea confirmed, 

 and in this case there is no exception to the rule. For instance, 

 our strawberries that were not mulched were in full bloom and 

 nearly all destroyed. Those uncovered about the 1st of May were 

 badly injured, while those uncovered about May 10th produced 

 about an average crop, so that we harvested about 1,400 boxes that 

 sold quickly at 12| to 15 cents per box. We had An. Briton, Tay- 

 lor's Prolific, Stone's Hardy and Snyder in bearing. Ancient 

 Briton and Taylors Prolific yielded the best, and were least in- 

 jured by frost. All were badly injured by drouth, so that we got 

 but 400 boxes from ^ acre. 



All the new growth was in fine condition last fall and is well cov- 

 ered. 



Owing to the blight the previous season red raspberries were a 

 failure in our district, so far as I know, most of the canes being 

 dead in the spring. 



Grape vines generally produced well. The Worden for quality 

 and earliness is taking the lead and produced some very fine grapes 

 last season. Concord yielded well but was not fully ripened when 

 the frost came. 



Of the new kinds of fruits tried by us the past season we report 

 favorably on Bubach No. 5, and we think Jessie will do well. 



Crabapples were scarce except around Hutchinson where they 

 were quite plenty. There are some crabapple orchards around 

 this town containing large trees in fair condition. 



Wild plums produced a fair crop but seem to be rapidly disap- 

 pearing. 



• APICULTURE. 



This profession had more novices added to it the past season 

 than ever before. The air was full of bees. The old pastures and 

 roadsides were covered with white clover blossoms and the Linden 

 was loaded down with bloom. 



One old gentleman's single swarm increased to eight, six of 

 which he assured us were in good condition for wintering. Surely 

 this is destined to be a land flowing with milk aod honey, with 

 strawberries and cream thrown in. 



Mr. Barrett. I think you had better waive my report for this 

 reason: I didn't understand my duties at the outset, and have not 

 been able to cull those facts that are necessary to give the required 

 report. I cannot say anything further than I have said, but if the 

 executive committee insist that I make a report I will furnish one 

 in the future. 



Mr. Wilcox. At the last meeting of this society one year ago 

 after we had considered the advisability of extending the good in- 

 fluences of this society and trying to give outside horticulturists 

 some of its advantages, a motion was made to amend the constitu- 

 tion in such a manner as to give auxiliary societies, that were in- 



