18 



THE ILLINOIS FARMER. 



Jar. 



Dr. Warder reported on the name, it being the 

 white willow, or aaliz alba ot Grey. In the re- 

 port he Bftjs that it cannot, in the bundle of 

 cnttiogs, be distinguished from some of our na- 

 - tive willows, and recommends caution in their 

 purchase. 



This closed the discussion of one of the most 

 important questions ever taken up by this society. 

 The debates were animated, statistical and argu- 

 mentatire, and the whole subject most thoroughly 

 Bifted. In the commencement of the debate 

 there were several doubters, but as proof 



after proof came out in its favor, they one by 



one gave in to the array of facts, and ceased all 



further opposition. 

 Dnring the winter millions of cuttings will be 



sold to go to all parts ef the prairie country. 



We have not time to write out all that was said 



in regard to the fence making tree, but will do 



so at some future time. 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



Dr. Andrews of Rockford, read an essay on 

 grape culture, in which he took some new ground. 



That the idea that grapes cannot grow in our 

 soil without a large amount of bones, dead cat- 

 tle and other rich manures is an error. The soil 

 is sufficiently rich. He has fruited the Golden 

 Chasselas in his garden in the open air for the 

 past three years, and would recommend the trial 

 of foreign grapes together with native sorts. He 

 thinks with ti inter protection all grapes of both 

 countries can be successfully grown. High land 

 should be selected, for the grape delights in air 

 and sunshine. Plant shallow — first year grow 

 one shoot, the fault is to grow too much. When 

 too much fruit is allowed to a vine, the lipening 

 is retarded and of less value. Shade retards ri- 

 pening, therefore the roots should be exposed to 

 the sun. 



The Delaware, Hartford Prolific, Concord and 

 Diana can be planted anywhere, and need little 

 care. The Delaware he would place at the head 

 of the list as the most valuable. This may all 

 be well enough for Rockford, but we happen to 

 know that this grape will not do equally well in 

 all parts of the State. In our own grounds it is 

 among the least valuable as yet. 



It was moved to strike the Delaware from the 

 list, for general culture. While it was admitted 

 that on all limestone soil it does well, and to be 

 recommended, but on freestone soil has not given 

 80 good satisfaction. 



* Messrs Dunlap, Dr. Shroder, Shepherd, Bald- 

 win and Sherman participated. 



Dr. Warder has had the Delaware for the last 

 ten years, and up to this date has not been able 

 to produce a sufficient quantity to set before a 

 friend. Though thus unsuccessful his neighbors 

 had succeeded. At Kelly's Island it has grown 

 well, and fruits abundantly and large quantities 

 have been sent to New York city and sold at a 

 high price. Before putting the question to vote, 

 it was withdrawn with a view to give this highly 

 popular grape a further trial in the different 

 soils of the State. 



PRUNING AND GRAFTING THE GRAPB. 



Dr. Warder said that grafting the grape was 

 an easy and certain process. Uses pieces of 

 roots. Mr. Andrews had stated that without se- 

 vere pruning grapes would not fruit well. Dr. 

 Warder would ask how it was that the wild 

 grapes of our river bottoms bore good crops, 

 they certainiy are not much pruned ? How is it 

 that the Isabella grows over trellises and high 

 trees and fruits so abundantly? If this is so, 

 may we may not prune too much ? All of this 

 but proves that different grapes require different 

 treatment, and while some will do well severely 

 pruned, others will not. The Doctor illustrated 

 pruning with chalk in hand, and as we cannot 

 follow without drawings, our readers will be 

 compelled to forego the information so valuable 

 to grape growers. Dr. Schroder went through 

 with pruning with the real vine, much to the sat- 

 isfaction of the members. The interest mani- 

 fested in this department is but an index of the 

 stronghold that fruit growing has now attained ; 

 and the time cannot be distant when our markets 

 will be better supplied with, at least, the small 

 fruits. 



ASH LEAVED MAPLE. 



The ash leaved maple of our river bottoms, 

 also known as the box elder, was recommended 

 by some for its sugar producing qualities, but 

 the testimony was not sufficient to warrant the 

 Society to take action on it. Somebody says 

 that its sap is as valuable as that of the sugar 

 maple for sugar, and large quantities can be made 

 from it ; all of which needs further proof. 



EVENING SESSION. 



First in order was the essay on apple culture 

 by S. G. Minkler of Specie Grove. A valuable 

 and interesting paper. 



A committee of five were appointed to attend 

 the meeting of the Missouri Fruit Growers As- 

 sociation, at St. Louis, on the second Tuesday 

 in January next, consisting of Messrs. Flagg, 



