PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 245 



like a disJvgTCoablc tenant, it is difficult to get rid of. If properly trained, 

 it is a beautiful ornament, loaded with fragrant llowers. It blooms at in- 

 tervals during the season, and retains its leaves nearly all winter. In 

 pruning, all the young wood of this season's growth should be entirely 

 removed. In training, copper wire should be used, as it is not liable to 

 rust, and will last several years. These variations in the cliaracters of 

 plants call for a corresponding variation in their pruning, and all that is 

 necessary to acquire a thorough knowledge of their structure and habits is 

 careful observation ; and while we are pruning we should remember that 

 nature may have designed that the plant should exert all its strength in 

 perfecting seed wherewith to perpetuate its species, while we desire that 

 its powers should be diverted from its natural channels to perfect that 

 part which we think is of more value to us than that which is designed by 

 nature. 



Mr. Cavenach illustrated his remarks by pruning a great variety of 

 shrubs. 



Dr. Warder asked in relation to pruning gooseberries and blackberries? 



Mr. Cavenach. — Gooseberries will not need renewing every third year, 

 as some persons suppose, if the old wood is carefully cut out every spring. 

 Blackberries should be pruned in March, by removing all the old wood and 

 shortening the young branches. I do not recommend autumn pruning of 

 blackberry or raspberry bushes. 



The mention of blackberry bushes called up the new variety known as 

 Kittany, discovered a few years since growing wild upon the mountains of 

 Sussex county, N. J., which, it is believed by those acquainted with it, will 

 tiitirely supersede the variety known as the Lawton. 



Dr. Sylvester. — I have seen this new blackberry. I think it will be one 

 of the best known for canning purposes. 



On motion of Mr. Carpenter, the thanks of the Club were presented to 

 Mr. Cavenach for his interesting and instructive dissertation upon pruning 

 and that he be requested to furnish a copy of his remarks for our Transac- 

 tions. 



Fruit Trees by the Roadside. 



Mr. G. Candee, Fi)rt Butler, Wayne county, N. Y., wants the Club to 

 urge upon the people of the State to plant the road with fruit trees. He 

 -a)'s: "If they were set with cherry, apple, pear, plum or peach trees, 

 ■ ach neighborhood selecting varieties adapted to their locality, I believe 

 the small outlay would improve the State more than the same amount 

 appropriated in any other way. Let each owner or occupant set along the 

 highway occupied by them^ and the work would be done with trifling 

 expense to each. It would do much to improve the vandals, and help sus- 

 tain the law prohibiting cattle trespassing in the highway." 



How to Build a Cheap House in a New Country. 



Mr. Thomas Tasker, Scott Township, Steuben county, Indiana, writes as 

 follows: 



" I yee by the proceedings of your Club that D. M. Strong of Minnesota, 

 wants to know the best way to make building brick; and as no one has 



