316 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Prof. Mapes. — Not unless the acetic acid is neutralized — it is not bene- 

 ficial to any soil, and to some would be very injurious. I think the most 

 of the manurial value is in the seeds. None of the Jersey farmers 

 esteem it. 



Dr. Trimble. — My observation leads me to the conclusion that the most 

 of the manurial value comes from the droppings of the hogs that have 

 rooted over the pomace in search of apple seeds. I do not believe that new 

 pomace is worth anything whatever for manure. 



Native Fruits in Wisconsin. 



Mr. David R. Beal, of New Richmond, St. Croix county, Wis., thinks that 

 some of the native fruits of that State are well worthy of cultivation, and 

 ought to be collected and experimented upon. He says: " Of the cherry, 

 tliere is a species growing here wild on bushes, but little larger than cur- 

 rant bushes; the bush resembles the flowering almond very much, and 

 blossoms in tim same way — that is, along the whole length of the branch. 

 The fruit is very large for wild fruit, about the size of the ox-heart; flavor 

 somewhat like the choke cherry, but not so astringent; ripens in August, 

 «olor, black." 



Mr. Prince said that this fruit is really a plum, and not a cherry. 



Mr. Beal writes further: 



" I have planted some pits from these cherries, which came up and are 

 doing well. I also transplanted some, which are likewise doing well. They 

 would be easy to propagate by layers, as I see that where a branch hap- 

 pens to be lying on the ground, it readily takes root. Now, if you would 

 like to procure seed or plants from said trees or shrubs, I will be happy to 

 forward them to you. Of the plums, the best way to begin a course of 

 cultivation would be to procure seed from the best and then plant, and 

 select the best, destroying the poor, so that the pollen shall mix with nono 

 but good varieties, or plant in close proximity to excellent known varieties, 

 so that the pollen may mix. But we cannot experiment in that way here, 

 as the plum will not succeed with us, on account of our winters, which 

 are too dry." 



Mr. Beal also sent two specimens of fibrous plants called Indian hemp, 

 which Mr. Prince says is the Apocynum cannabinum and Apocynum andro- 

 sfemifolium — both perennials that may be mown annually, and perhaps 

 may prove valuable acquisitions. 



How to Keep Grapes. 



Mr. Solon Robinson read the following letter from Mr. Samuel Mitchel, 

 Cameron Mills, Steuben county, March 30: 



" I send 3^ou a few Isabella grapes, which you will oblige me by present- 

 ing to the Farmers' Club as a sample of the length of time this fruit will 

 keep perfect when properly cared for. They were put up in boxes one 

 foot square and six inches deep, containing three layers of grapes with 

 sheets of common newspaper between. They were packed as they were 

 picked from the vines, and placed in a cool cellar, and not opened until 

 this spring, when they appeared almost as fresh as when first picked. You 

 will perceive that most of the stems are yet fresh and green, and the 







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