FRUITS AND FLOWERS. 319 



summer shortening, and from some years' experience are per- 

 fectly satisfied that we have larger and better ripened fruit. 



Thinning the Fruit. — The Isabella vine, when in a vigorous 

 state, frequently shows double the number of bunches it is able 

 to ripen in perfection without weakening and lessening the crop 

 in succeeding years ; two bunches upon a strong shoot, and but 

 one on a weaker, should remain. The outer bunch or bunches 

 should be taken off. You will by this method obtain larger 

 fruit on those left. Bleeding of the vine in spring is often a 

 source of much anxiety ; we have never as yet noticed any bad 

 effects resulting from this bleeding of the laterals, either in the 

 growth of the vine or crop of fruit. 



On a visit to Vermont, a few years since, in midsummer, we 

 examined some twenty sugar maple trees, part of them having 

 been tapped in March of that year. We could not see a particle 

 of difference in the length of growth between those from which 

 sap had been extracted and the others. Since that time we met 

 with the remark of the celebrated Duhamel, who says : " This 

 bleeding of the laterals in the grape vine does not seemingly 

 injure the growth or crop of fruit." 



J. M. Ives, Chairman. 



From the Report of the Cotnmittee on^Floioers. 

 So far as the cultivation of flowers is concerned, there has 

 been in our day, a vast improvement, both in variety and mag- 

 nificence, over those cultivated a generation ago. All parts of 

 the world have been explored to add new attractions to the 

 green-house and flower border, where we have an example of 

 universal brotherhood assembled from every nation under the 

 heaven, the like whereof is unknown to humanity. In this 

 desire for new and ever varying forms, are we not in danger of 

 becoming altogether too fickle and wavering in our taste ? True 

 taste lies in a keen perception of nature. A flower should be 

 esteemed less for its rarity tiian for its intrinsic beauty. 



" Beauty is truth, truth beauty, that Is aU 

 Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know." 



A beautiful thing is forever a beautiful thing, and in no wise 

 subject to fashion or caprice. We like occasionally to renew 



