Institute at Stratford 219 



At this point the contents of the question box were brought 

 forward for discussion. 



Q. "What are the best varieties of Japan plums for home 

 use ?" 



Mr. Butler: "The Abundance is the earHest good plum. 

 The so-called Earliest plum is very poor in quality. Berger and 

 Engre are also early, but worthless. Lutts and Red June both 

 ripen earlier than the Abundance, but are not equal to it for 

 quality. For a succession plant Burbank, Chabot, Satsuma, 

 Wickson and Hale." 



Mr. Perry: "I would add the Kerr, which is a fine early 

 yellow plum, ripening ahead of the Red June. Normand is an- 

 other yellow plum of great value. The new October Purple is 

 also very promising and is a wonderfully strong grower." 



Q. "Shall we plant gooseberries for profit ?" 



Mr. Butler: "No; they will sell only in a limited way." 



Q. "What are the best three varieties of strawberries for the 

 home half-acre ?" 



Mr. Butler named Michel's Early for earliest, Haviland or 

 Bubach for midseason, and Brandywine or Gandy for late. 

 Several present objected to Gandy on account of its acidity. 

 Mr. Beard said if Gandy is left to ripen thoroughly on the vines 

 it will not be acid. 



After giving an invitation to those present to become mem- 

 bers of the Society, the president announced an adjournment 

 for dinner. During the recess the ladies of the Grange served a 

 bountiful lunch, which all enjoyed. 



The meeting came to order again at 2 P. M., with an in- 

 creased attendance. A piano solo by Miss Seeley opened the 

 program. Miss Fanny Seeley, of Plattsville, gave a recitation 

 which was highly enjoyed, and she responded to an encore. In 

 the absence of J. H. Hale, Mr. George F. Piatt gave a brief 

 talk on "Agricultural Possibilities at Home and Elsewhere," 

 telling of his winter trip to Porto Rico. He said the island is in 

 an undeveloped state, but the advantages for successful fruit- and 

 vegetable -growing are promising. With irrigation it would be 

 a real paradise for gardeners, as the growing season is all the 

 year round, the banana being the staple food crop. Orange 

 culture offers great possibilities. There are no budded trees 



