32 



breeding; also, that some animals have been so highly inbred that they are de- 

 generating, having passed the zenith of their prosperity. 



T. L. Foote thinks this may apply to horses but not to cattle. 



M. I. Wheeler thinks results will be decidedly different where ihe sire is of 

 one breed and the dam of another, than where the sire is of the latter breed, 

 and the dam of the former. After further discussion the meeting adjourned. 



An Institute was held at the Town Hall, Great Barrington, on Wednesday, 

 February 25th. 



Mr. George Cruikshanks of Fitchburg addressed the meeting on "The 

 Cultivation of Small Fruits and Flowers." ?Ie spoke first of tiie Strawberry, 

 the king of small fruits, which is found in almost every clime. We learn of its 

 cultivation in 1660. In 1806 Mr. Keene of England began experimenting in its 

 improvement, and for a long time Keene's seedlings were the best known for 

 cultivation under glass. In 1834 Charles Hovey brought improved varieties to 

 America. The strawberry requires good, deep, moist soil; nothing better than 

 thoroughly rotted bai-nyard manure. The ground must be kept free from grass 

 and weeds. The plants should be set three feet by one foot apart, or they may 

 be set two feet apart each way. Cut away all runners. If necessary water 

 freely to last for several days at a time. After bearing fork out all weeds. 

 When the ground begins to freeze cover lightly with straw or evergreen branches. 

 Raspberries set four feet apart; blackberries six feet apart in rows. Currants 

 do best in deep, rich, moist soil. Plant four foot apart each way, trim to 

 twelve or fourteen inches high. Mulching may be removed after bearing. Old 

 manure to be applied in fall, and spaded in in the spring. The speaker advo- 

 cated the cultivation of the black currant for its medicinal qualities, and the 

 gooseberry as a substitute for the cranberry. Grape culture is mentioned at a 

 very early date. The vines live to a great age. There is one in Burgundy over 

 400 years old. The soil required should be dry rather than wet. There are 

 many places on a farm where they can be grown to advantage. They may be 

 set six feet apart and trained to horizontal wire; strip off shoots to two or three 

 leaves, and continue through the season. Prune after fall of the leaf, before 

 winter sets in. To prevent mildew or black rot, api)ly the Bordeaux mixture. 

 It is prepared by dissolving 6 pounds of sulphate of copper in 16 gallons of water, 

 and 4 pounds of lime in 4 gallons of water, when cool mix, and apply with a 

 syringe. Before the foliage appears there may be used 19 pounds of Sulphate 

 of Copper in 22 gallons of water, with 33 pounds of lime in 6 gallons of water. 

 The Werden grape is a week to ten days earlier than the Concord, and is better; 

 also, Moore's Early. Other varieties were recommended. 



For potted plants, old sods mixed with one-third barn manure, run through 

 a course seive; small roots requir<e fine soil. If pots are too large the soil will 

 sour; use small pots and change to next size when required. In spring put 

 cuttings in pots, plunge in ground till fall. «hen prune away part. To see if 

 plants are watered enough rap on the side of the pot with knuckle; if dry, it 

 will sound hollow. For drainage put coarse pieces of sod or moss in bottom of 

 plants. For roses the soil cannot be too rich. A list of the most desirable 

 house plants, roses and shrubs was given by the speaker. 



After a vote of thanks to Mr. Cruikshanks for his very interesting and 

 instructive address the institute was dissolved. 



Henry T. Robbixs, Secretary. 



