350 Transactions op the American Institute. 



September 15, 1868. 



Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the cliair ; Mr. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



Insects — Pbematuee Buds. 



Mr. J. "W. Staples, JSTewbui^li, Orange county, N. Y.— Why do 

 the leaves of so many apple trees turn brown and fall this year? 

 Will this injure tlie fruit ? I notice, too, that dormant buds of cur- 

 rants and the Antwei-p raspberries are bursting. Can such buds per- 

 fect fruit next year ? Is there any remedy for the white grub ? 



The Chair.' — Of course, when the leaves of fruit trees or vines 

 perish the fruit also must perish. 



Dr. Trimble.— I suppose this condition is owing to the weather, 

 that is, the long, heavy rains. Still, this is only a confession of oui* 

 ignorance. Plant lice often cause the leaves to fall, but Ihave not 

 noticed their presence or tliat of any other kind of insects to produce 

 this result. As to the grub, little can be said, because I do not know 

 what kind is referred to. If it is the white grub with black head, 

 there is no known remedy but to summer fallow. Some recommend 

 salt, but they will live and perfect thousands in salt. 



Mr. Quinn. — When buds start in the fall they cannot bear fruit 

 the next year, but there are almost always reserved buds from which 

 a partial crop may be expected. 



Inquiries were made about the ravages of catterpillars, and Dr. 

 Trimble said there are a great many kinds ; those here this year 

 are not likely to stay more than a year or so, when they will be 

 followed by other kinds which may be less destructive. 



The special sul)ject for the day being manures, the following paper 

 was read by Mr. James A. Whitney, of the American Artisan. 



Aktificial Fertilizeks and Their Uses. 

 The term artificial fertilizers, as commonly employed, is sufficiently 

 comprehensive to embrace nearly all fertilizing materials other than 

 those which, like barn-yard manure, have been in immemorial use, 

 and such may be divided into two great classes ; first, those which 

 may be properly called manures, inasmuch as they yield the elements 

 whicli enter into the composition of the plants ; and second, those 

 wdiich increase the productiveness of the soil by chemical or mechani- 

 cal action. The first of these classes may be again divided into two 

 others, mineral and oi'ganic manures, and these latter in their turn 



