360 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



earlier than the Isabella, and will produce good ripe fruit, where It cannot 

 be obtained from either the Isabella or Catawba. The quality of the fruit 

 is sufficiently certified by some of the best amateur grape culturists in this 

 country. The reason that we have not any as extensive vineyards of these 

 improved varieties, as we have of Isabellas and Catawbas, is simply because 

 the demand for garden culture has heretofore absorbed all the plants that 

 could be produced. Vineyards sufficient to supply the great demand for 

 these varieties are now beginning to be planted, and the fruit will be intro- 

 duced into market in a few years, and then it will be seen which is preferred 

 by the pviblic. 



Mr. Cavenach exhibited a specimen of a vine, trained by a Mr, Suydara, 

 of Brooklyn, by a system of layering and long extension of the vine, and 

 showed wherein the system was erroneous, and not calculated to give satia- 

 action to those induced to adopt it. 



"VVm. S. Carpenter. — My place is 27 miles north-east of this city, in a val- 

 ley, not highly elevated above tide-water, and I cannot get my Isabellas 

 and Catawbas to ripen with the utmost attention that I can give them. 



John Harrold. — The same thing is true with us at Hempstead, L. I., 

 while Delawares have ripened perfectly. 



Mr. Cavenach. — The reason that some of the grape-viees in the city do 

 not grow any better, is that they are saturated all winter with soap suds 

 and kitchen slops, I would never trim vines later than February, and 

 earlier is much better. 



The subject was still further discussed by several persons, without elicit- 

 ing any important new information for the people. 



CULTIVATION OF FRUIT TREES. 



The following letter upon this subject was introduced by Solon Robin- 

 son: 



" Millions of young fruit trees sent west during the past few years have 

 perished. This has generally been ascribed to the severity of our winters. 

 But the apple tree used to be regarded as especially hardy, and when in 

 good condition able to bear the severest cold unharmed. 



" There is another circumstance ; many of our best varieties of apples 

 show indications of degenerating in quality. Many trees of the Baldwin, 

 Swan, pippin, and some other varieties, fail to ripen their fruit well, and it 

 decays early with the bitter rot. 



" Other facts I could mention, but they will undoubtedly be brought out 

 in a discussion of the general subject by the Club, should it be kind enough 

 to take it up. It is one that very deeply interests farmers and all classes 

 of men who wish to cultivate fruit, whether for the market or private use ; 

 and I am satisfied that the present mode of rearing and planting fruit trees 

 caunot long be depended upon. I could wish, therefore, that the Farmer's 

 Club of the American Institute would take for discussion the question: 



" Whether the present system of cultivation of fruit trees is not injurious 

 to their constitution and permanent health." 



