PROCEEDINGS OP THE FARMERS' CLUB. * 157 



October 6, 1863. 

 Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the chair. 



Effects of the Borer on Fruit Trees. 



The discussion was opened by the Secretary reading a letter from H. 

 Thayer, Blackstoae, Mass., in which he attributes the failure to grow 

 choice poaches, as was formerly done in New Eng'lund, to the effects of the 

 borer, which not only destroys peach, but almost every other kind of fruit 

 trees. He thinks that F. N. Thayer of that place has discovered a perfect 

 remedy for this pest, but does not tell us what it is, but that it is easier 

 and more effectual than digging out the animal, or scalding or applying 

 any kind of wash. " Trees in orchards where the borer was numerous, 

 treated with this remedy, were unmolested, remaining vigorous, while the 

 others were nearly ruined. Well may fruit growers feel encouraged if the , 

 operations of this destructive insect can be checked. I am certain this 

 discovery will be effectual and come into universal use." Not unless it is 

 made universally known by a free dispensation of the secret, because so 

 long as it is kept by the discoverer, with an intention of making money 

 out of it, if that is his object, people will bo so suspicious of humbug, they 

 will pay no attention to the matter, and will probably disbelieve the state- 

 ments. 



A Cultivated Native Grape of Long Island 



Was presented by N. S. Saxton, which althijugh a little odorous of the 

 fox, was considered a 'very good grape, being very sweet, juicy, and of 

 large size, with a tender red skin. It was pronounced by Wm. R. Prince, 

 the old red grape of the woods, but others thought if it was so, it had been 

 like the Catawba, Isabella, Concord and Hartford Prolific, greatly improved 

 by cultivation, as it is less foxy than wild grapes, and as it is very hardy, 

 where others fail, is worthy of attention. 



The Rev. Mr. Weaver presented a specimen of grapes from the garden 

 of Mr. Norton, Jersey City, somewhat resembling the Isabella, though not 

 as large, and those who tasted thought it -a decidedly better grape. This 

 Mr. Prince said, was the Troy grape, or, as it is called there, the Hamburg, 

 and probably a seedling Isabella, of whicli there are several in cultivation, 

 nearly like the original. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter stated that he had just visited Charles Downing, at 

 Newburg, N. Y., 60 miles above this city, who has over one hundred sorts 

 of grapes in bearing this year, in his experimental garden. Among those 

 which are very promising at that place, Mr. Carpenter said he would name 

 Morcereau, York Madeira, Miller's Black, Hyde's Eliza, Raabe, Elsinboro, 

 Groveling, all above Isabella and Catawba. The Creveling ripens three 

 weeks earlier than Isabella. The Delaware is in perfection at Newburg. 

 Mr. Mace, whose place is near Mr. Downing's, has 3,000 vines, nearly all 

 young, and expects to sell 18,000 pounds of fruit, which he contracted to 

 sell at 20 cents a pound; the retail price in this city is 40 and 50 cents 

 a pound. Another very valuable grape is Allen's hybrid, which is nearly 

 equal to the sorts usually produced under glass. Perhaps the two best 

 grapes known for out-door culture, are the two new ones produced by Dr. 

 Grant, to be sent out next year from his groat propagating houses at lona, 

 uader the name of Israella, named in honor of his wife, and lona, the name 



