318 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Solon Robinson expressed a most decided opinion that it never 

 would be done, and wished to leave that opinion as a prophecy. 

 He thought some of the impetuosity of inventors needed an 

 honest expression of opinion, as well against their projects as all 

 in their favor. He had no faith in steam plowing and spading. 



One of the regular subjects of the day was now called up for 

 discussion. This was the general subject of 



SMALL FRUITS. 



Prof. Mapes — If we would get at the true market value of small 

 fruits grown in this country, no doubt it would equal the value 

 of the cotton crop. It would astonish all who live in this city to 

 learn the quantity of berries brought into the city. It is estimated 

 that Drew & French, only one commission house, will sell this 

 season a hundred thousand dollars' worth of berries and small 

 fruits. The enormous quantity of peaches received in the city 

 may be guessed at, when we learn that the Camden and Amboy 

 railroad have received $1,400 freight in one day, at eight cents a 

 basket, for peaches. 



Mr. Lawton was called upon to state his manner of cultivating 

 the Lawton blackberries. He said he would plant the roots in 

 rows ten feet apart, and four feet between plants, and cultivate 

 two or three rows of potatoes between the rows. They will bear 

 some berries the next year after setting, and come to maturity in 

 three years. I always cut away one-third of the new growth. 

 The berries set upon the vines ripen from two to five per cent a 

 day, and each plant will grow an average of three hundred ber- 

 ries. The plants need no training or support, and will grow, the 

 first year, about four feet long. It has been suggested that this 

 variety of blackberries would deteriorate, but they have not done 

 so with me. The advantage of this variety is its long continu- 

 ance in bearing. 



Prof. Mapes — I have settled down upon this plan : First, to 

 throw out a furrow with a two-way plow, and run a subsoil plow 

 in the bottova of that furrow, and I manure highly. I do not 

 plant so far apart as Mr. Lawton, and I trim closely, and utse the 



