JULY 10 
MOOUE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
223 
FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY OF WESTERN 
NEW YORK 
This Society commenced its Summer Session 
at Rochester on the 30th of June. The President, 
H. P. Norton, Esq., of Brockport, took the chair 
at 11 A. M., and called the Society to order. P. 
Barry, Rochester; W. B. Smith, Syracuse; C. L. 
Hoag, Lockport; T. G. Yeomans, Walworth, and 
S. L. Fuller, of Livingston County, were appoint¬ 
ed a Committee to report subjects for discussion, 
when the Convention took a recess until 2 o’clock. 
The recess was improved by the members in 
examining the fruits on the tables, and in discus¬ 
sing their comparative merits. The display of 
fruits was not large, and the strawberries, on ac¬ 
count of the dry weather, were smaller than usual. 
The cherries were very poor. 
Hooker, Farlky & Co., exhibited 16 varieties of Strawberries ; 
Ellwanger & Burry 19 ot Strawberries and 8 of Cheriics ; C. P. Bis- 
scll A Salter 4 of Strawbcriics, 3 of Cherries and 2 of Foreign Grapes; 
E. W. Sylvester 4 of Strawberries; G. Newland 7 Strawberries; C W. 
Seelye 2 Strawberries; Mrs. M. Goodman 3 Strawberries; A Frost & 
Co. 10 of Strawberries and 11 of Cherries; Joseph Duquet 2 varieties 
of Strawberries; H. E. Hooker & Co. collection of Strawberries. 
The Society again assembled at 2 o’clock, when 
the Committee appointed for the purpose, reported 
the following subjects for discussion: 
1. STRAwmtRRiES—Which of the new American and foreign 
strawberries are worthy of general or extensive cultivation! Which 
for amateurs, and which lor market! 2. The best time to plant and 
the best manner of cultivation for amateurs and for market gardenors. 
3. Cherries and Peaches— What is the cause of the prevailing 
sickly appearance of the peach and cherry trees, and of the compar¬ 
ative failuie of the crops of fruit I 
4. Sommer Pruning or the Pear—Is it nece-sary, and if so, at 
what time should it be performed, turd in what manner f 
6. Curcuijo—Is there any better way to repel the attacks of the 
curculio than to shake them off upon a bheet and kill them ! 
These questions were taken up fo'r discussion in 
about the order in which they are reported. 
STRAWBERRIES. 
P. Barry, in answer to a question, replied that 
the Committee meant by new, those varieties whose 
characters were not well known and established— 
those about which information is needed, as to 
quality or productiveness. 
Longworth's Prolific. 
H. E. Hooker, would like the opinions of gentle¬ 
men present on Longworth's Prolific. 
W. B. Smith, of Syracuse, cultivated this variety. 
It was hardy and quite prolific. 
Dr. Sylvester, of Lyons, found it of medium 
quality and size, and a good bearer. 
Mr. Barry said the varieties of strawberries had 
increased so much lately, that it was difficult to 
make out small lists of the best sorts. Most we 
want to know is the comparative value of each— 
or the value of particular varieties with reference 
to some standard of merit, so that we may learn 
what kinds have sufficient merit to be retained 
and cultivated, and what should be rejected. 
Mr. Hooker thought that the strawberry season 
waB so short—only about two weeks—it was use¬ 
less either for amateurs or market growers, to grow 
twenty or thirty varieties. Five or six varieties 
are enough, and he would like to have Dr. Sylves¬ 
ter say whether he would retain this sort in a col¬ 
lection of five? 
Dr. Sylvester thought he could select five bet¬ 
ter sorts. 
Jenny IAniL 
Mr. Barry would recommend Jenny Lind. It is 
a fair fruit in size and quality, and several days 
earlier than Early Scarlet. Its earliness makes it 
very valuable, as it both hastens and prolongs the 
Strawberry season. 
Hooker. 
C. L. Hoag, of Lockport, considered the Hooker 
one of the best strawberries. For quality it sur¬ 
passed anything he had cultivated. It is equal in 
flavor to Burr's New Pine. 
Mr. Hooker proved it for several years in his 
own grounds, before offering it for sale. Thought 
it then the best variety he had—consider it now 
the best for amateurs. The berries continue to 
ripen for a long time, which is an advantage to 
those who grow for family use, but a disadvantage 
to those who grow for market, as its color is 
against it, being too dark to please the public eye. 
Some kinds, too, would bear larger crops. As the 
crown is above ground, when grown in hills it is 
apt to be injured in winter unless slightly protected. 
This is not the case, however, when it is grown in 
beds or masses. 
Austin Pinney, of Clarkson, considered the 
Hooker one of the finest berries—if compelled to 
grow but one, thought he would select this, as 
there was nothing superior to it for amateurs, 
though perhaps a little too tender for market The 
Cushing he considered an excellent market berry. 
Mr. Newland, of Palmyra, liked the Hooker welL 
Started with about two dozen plants in the spring 
of 1857, and this year grew about two bushels of 
fruit. [The specimens of Hooker shown by Mr. N. 
were very large and uniform, beautiful specimen?.] 
Wilson's Albany. 
H. E. Hooker considered this a remarkably pro¬ 
ductive fruit—superior in this respect to most, if 
not all others. The crown is low, and it passed 
through last winter in the finest possible condition. 
Clusters of fruit very large, size of berries medium, 
flavor second rate. The berry seemed to be toler¬ 
ably firm, skin thin. 
Mr. Barry asked Mr. Hooker whieh he consid¬ 
ered the best, the Hooker or Wilson's Albany ? 
Mr. Hooker thought the Hooker best for ama¬ 
teurs; the other might be best for market. 
Edward Frost considered Wilson's Albany the 
most hardy and productive, but the Hooker of de¬ 
cidedly the best flavor. 
Genesee. 
This variety Mr. Hooker had found hardy, pro¬ 
ductive, and of fair quality. 
Dr. Sylvester had cultivated it for six years, 
and found it of good quality, and highly produc¬ 
tive. 
Scott's Seedling, Moyamensing, Pennsylvania, and 
Brighton Pine. 
Mr. Barry inquired if members present would 
state their experience as to the value of these 
sorts. Scott's Seedling is distinct, a beautiful 
berry, remarkably productive, but hollow and dry. 
Edward Frost found Scott's Seedling to be a 
great hearer, of fine color, and a good grower. 
Mr. Hooker also said Scott's Seedling was very 
productive, but of very poor flavor. Moyamensing 
and Pennsylvania were good bearers. 
Mr. Barry asked if Burr's New Pine and Hovey's 
Seedling were not the best pistillate sorts now 
grown ? 
Mr. Hooker considered the Crimson Cone, su¬ 
perior to either, and one of best pistillate sorts 
we have. Burr's New Pine suffers in the winter. 
Mr. Newland said, Hovey's Seedling bears no 
comparison to the Crimson Cone as a profitable 
fruit. 
Dr. Sylvester said his experience was in favor 
of Burr's New Pine and Hovey's Seedling, and he 
considered these varieties the best, although he had 
never cultivated the Crimson Cone. Found the 
Pine perfectly hardy in the most exposed localities, 
and had picked bushels of them the present season. 
Peabody's Seedling. 
T. G. Yeoman’s, of Walworth, had a few on exhi¬ 
bition. Had only a few plants. They met his ex¬ 
pectations, though they were not very high flavor¬ 
ed. Had not sufficient experience to form an esti¬ 
mate of its value. 
Mr. Newland obtained seven plants in the 
spring of 1867; put them in good soil; they grew 
well, and now he has several thousand plants. It 
forms runners very rapidly, and the plants, in a bed, 
are apt to become crowded. Flavor of the fruit very 
good, but not equal to the representations. Size, 
large. From present experience, would consider 
it a very good variety. 
Dr. Sylvester had fruited it, and considered it 
pretty good. 
European Varieties. 
The opinions of members on the New Foreign 
Varieties were now called for, and Geo. Ellwanger 
recommended the Triomphe de Gand, as one of the 
best of this class, both for amateurs and growers 
for market. It was a beautiful, very large berry, 
firm in flesh, and in quality might be ranked, per¬ 
haps, second-rate. In market this large fruit would 
bring much more per quart than smaller sorts. 
Mr. Hooker did not think they would sell for 
much more than smaller kinds—doubted if Tri¬ 
omphe de Gand would sell for three cents a quart 
more than Genesee, and as they are generally shy 
bearers, he hardly thought they could be grown 
profitably. 
Mr. Barry said the foreign varieties had been 
cultivated only to a very limited extent. The 
British Queen, and some other varieties introduced 
some years since, proved very poor bearers here. 
The later importations of foreign sorts had done 
better. In many places, both at the East and West, 
we hear favorable reports of the Triomphe de Gand, 
—both as to hardiness and productiveness. The 
speaker had fruited forty kinds of foreign straw¬ 
berries, and while most of them were unworthy of 
cultivation here, two or three, he had no doubt* 
would succeed. Amateurp, at least, should try 
these large sorts. 
Mr. Newland was much in favor of large berries. 
They sold better than small ones in market, and 
cost much less to pick. 
Dr. Sylvester had grown some foreign sorts, 
and thought well of the Cremont Perpetual, which 
he had cultivated for a number of years. 
Best Time and Mode of Planting. 
I)r. Sylvester preferred a strong soil, but not 
too heavy, deeply trenched and well manured.— 
Spring is the best time for transplanting. Allow 
the plants to form runners, ^!id in about three 
years they become a mass of plants. Then mark 
off the bed into rows, and with the spade dig under 
each alternate space. This is done immediately 
after the crop is gathered. The space thus dug, is 
filled up during the summer with runners from the 
rows left. The next summer, after the crop is 
gathered, dig up the spaces left the previous year. 
This is repeated every season, so that one-half the 
bed is two years old, and the other one year. 
Mr. Barry considered spring the best time for 
planting, though plants may be successfully put 
out as late as middle of July, with proper care._ 
To secure fine fruit, the plants should be kept in 
rows. All amateurs should do this. When the 
plants are allowed to run into a mass, they become 
choked with weeds, which it is almost impossible 
to eradicate, and young, feeble plants, and the bed 
soon becomes worthless. On an extensive scale 
for market, it is thought by many it will not pay, 
but horse culture might be made use of to mellow 
the soil and keep down the weeds between the 
rows. The ground should always be well trenched 
and well manured, 
H. E. Hooker would agree with Mr. Barry, as to 
the plan for amateurs, but cultivating for market 
was a very different thing. Preferred to turn over 
a clover sod, and put the plants in rows four feet 
apart, and one foot apart in the rows. Cultivate 
with the horse until the runners spread, so that it is 
impossible to do so without destroying the plants, 
and then depend on the hoe. Liked very early 
planting, in the spring, and before the plants had 
made much growth. 
C. L. Hoag said that Dr. Ward had stated, before 
the Farmer's Club of New York, that the poorer the 
soil the better the strawberries, and his experience 
was not at variance with this theory, ai the straw¬ 
berries he had grown on the richest soil produced 
the most foliage, but the least fruit. 
Mr. Newland would not cultivate a variety that 
would not bear a rich soil, and he considered a rich 
soil necessary to produce a large crop. Always 
cultivated strawberries in the richest soil he had, 
and in addition gave heavy dressings of manure! 
Preferred planting in the spring, thoagh do it 
sometimes in the summer. Allow the plants to 
run into a mass. Think the greatest crop is pro¬ 
duced in this way, and the cleanest berries. The 
specimens are larger when grown in rows. 
A. Pinney asked if it was not possible to make 
the soil too rich. 
Mr. Newland said that he had never committed 
that mistake, nor did he expect to, put on as much 
manure as he would. Had some specimens now 
growing on the edge of a manure heap, and they 
were all the better for it 
Mr. Hoag said one of his neighbors, in Lockport, 
who had the reputation of growing the very finest 
strawberries, which sold above the market price, 
always planted in the poorest soil he could find. 
Mr. Doolittle, of Oaks Corners, stated that the 
best strawberries he ever saw were grown on a 
hard-paD, where the surface had been taken off to 
the depth of a foot. 
Dr. Sylvester’s experience was in favor of a 
rich soil and heavy manuring. Preferred growing 
strawberries in a mass, as it saved mulching, and 
he thought the berries were richer when grown in 
the shade of their own leaves. 
The discussion on strawberries having closed, it 
was proposed that each person present should hand 
in a list of what he considered the five best varie¬ 
ties for market, and the five best for amateur cul¬ 
ture. The following is the result of the vote: 
Fon Amateurs. 
Hooker. .12 
Burr's New Fine,. 7 
Early Scarlet,. 7 
Hovey's Seedling,. 4 
Wilson's Albany. 4 
Genesee,.6 
Jenny Lind,.2 
McAvoy’s Superior,.2 
Triomphe do Guild,.2 
Peabody's Seedling,. 2 
Tiollope’s Victoiia,. 2 
Walker,. 1 
Ci imson Cone,. 1 
Cushing,. 1 
Chilian. 1 
Richardson’s Cambridge,.1 
Longworth's Prolific.I 
For Market. 
Eaily Scarlet,. 8 
Crimson Cone,. 7 
Wilson's Albany,. 7 
Genesee, .5 
Hooker,. 4 
Hovey. 4 
Cuslnng,. 2 
Scott's Seedling,. 2 
Iowa,. 2 
Longworth's Prolific,. 2 
Burr’s New Pine,.2 
Walker. 1 
Cremont,. 1 
Peabody. 1 
Ti iomphe do Gand. I 
Chilian,. 1 
DISEASES OF THE PEACH AND CHERRY. 
H. N. Langworthy was not aware that the cher¬ 
ry had suffered materially from the curl of the leaf. 
Supposed that the evaporating vessels became dis¬ 
eased by the cold and wet weather in the spring, so 
that the process could not go on naturally and the 
thickening and curl of the leaf was the conse¬ 
quence. 
Mr. Barry said that the cherry, which had never 
before failed in this section, had become diseased 
and sickly—the fruit was a failure, and many of 
the trees would die. Last year the crop was in¬ 
ferior and this year, we have none. The peach 
tree is equally diseased or enfeebled. The cause 
was undoubtedly the extraordinary severity of 
several past winters. The trees became black at 
the heart, and though vitality enough remained to 
keep up a growth, the constitution of the tree was 
very much enfeebled. When to this was added the 
the two past unfavorable springs, the ruin of the 
trees was completed. The old and diseased trees 
should be replaced by those young and vigorous. 
There was no cause for discouragement The finest 
climates in the world, even Florida and Italy, have 
periodical changes and extremities, which destroy 
staple crops. 
Mr. Hooker hardly thought the damage could 
be charged to the cold winter two winters ago, as 
the buds in nursery trees are affected in the same 
way and die. 
VV. P. Townsend, did not think the subject of 
vegetable physiology was sufficiently understood 
to settle this question. His theory was that the 
unusually warm weather in the months of March 
and April caused the sap to flow freely; the cold 
weather following caused a check, and stagnation 
and finally putrifaction of the juices was the result 
Dr. Sylvester charged the diseased state of the 
peach trees to severe cold. On February the 5th, 
1850, the thermometer fell to 31° below zero at 
Lyons. In the spring the trees proved to be very 
much injured—the wood being dark colored, and 
sometimes almost black. Some died, yet most 
lived. If the trees that survived are examined 
now, the center wood will be found to be discolor¬ 
ed and black, while the wood on the outside, form¬ 
ed since, will be of a white, healthy color. The 
trees bore medium crops last year, but they were not 
healthy, never having recovered from the injury, 
and the gum oozes from every pore. Early this 
spring we had very warm weather, succeeded by 
cold. On Sunday evening, the Kith of May, the 
thermometer was 8° above freezing, and the week 
previous, when the thermometer was so low that 
freezing was apprehended, he had his men bring 
up old logs and start thirteen fires in one of his 
peach orchards. The smoke ascended in a column 
from these fires, but on becoming cooled it de¬ 
scended, and enveloped the whole orchard. The 
thermometer went down to just the freezing point, 
but iu other orchards not protected by fires, it was 
three degrees lower. The promise is that full half 
a crop will be given by this orchard, while in the 
others there will be very few peaches. 
W. P. Townsend said the curl of the leaf of the 
peach had been increasing for 15 or 20 years, and 
it generally commenced after or during cold storms 
from the north-east. 
Several members observed that the outside rows 
of trees, particularly on the north east and west 
sides bore little fruit even when there was a good 
crop in the interior of the orchard, showing the 
necessity of protection. 
SUMMER PRUNING TIIE PEAH. 
Mr. Townsend some 0 years ago planted about 
1,000 standard pear trees, a great pari being Bart- 
letts. Spent au hour or so once a week pleasantly 
in the orchard examining the trees and pinching 
off the ends of the shoots where it seemed neces¬ 
sary to check the growth of any rampant shoot 
and secure a good lorm. Most of the trees came 
into bearing in three years. Pinching increases 
the tendency to produce fruit. Standard Bartlett’s 
are very apt to lose their leader. The side shoots 
should be pinched back so as to secure a good 
leader. 
Mr. Ellwanger practiced summer pruning, or 
pinching to some extent. It was often of advant¬ 
age in giving a desirable form to the tree, in throw¬ 
ing the growth where it was needed, and checking 
over-vigorous shoots, that otherwise would rob 
their neighbors of their needed share of nourish¬ 
ment. 
the curculio. 
Mr. Ellwanger knew no better way to destroy 
tlie curculio and save the plums than shaking the 
trees. Invariably had a good crop on their grounds, 
as many present knew. Early in spring spade the 
ground deeply, soon after the blossoms fall com¬ 
mence jarring the trees every day, catching the 
insects in a sheet. When they begin to get scarce, 
after a week or so, every other day will answer.— 
Still later only jar the trees once a week, or so, to 
shake down the damaged fruit, and they are swept 
up and carried away. Two boys who might be 
hired for three or four shillings a day, if engaged 
for a couple of weeks could take care of an orch¬ 
ard of four hundred trees and ensure a crop of 
fruit After this an hour or two every week would 
answer. The large varieties of plums sell well, and 
at a high price, and would pay for this labor. Knew 
of no better method to destroy them or keep them 
in check. 
Mr. Hooker, thought thi3 plan would pay where 
enough trees were grown to make it au object- 
amateurs with a few trees were apt to neglect them. 
Knew from experience that the method practiced 
by Mr. Ellwanger would save the fruit. 
The President inquired if pears had not been 
injured by the curculio. 
Mr. Ellwanger Etated that the summer before 
last they were very seriously injured. Put salt and 
ashes around the trees—a light dressing—early in 
the spriDg, and the effect he thought was decidedly 
good. Cherries are much injured with the curculio. 
C. 8. Cole knew a person in the West who had a 
small apricot orchard of 150 trees, and by shaking 
the trees, as before described, he had received good 
crops, and they yielded him a large revenue. 
Benj. Fish had used salt when the trees were in 
flower, with good effect, and saved both plums and 
cherries. [Care must be exercised in the use of 
salt; a little too much will kill the trees.] 
SUMMER PRUNING THE GRAPE. 
W. I’. Townsend had visited the grounds of 
Josiah Salter, and was pleased with his plan of 
pruning. After the fruit sets he cuts back to 
within three leaves of the last bunch, and cuts out 
all laterals to the last leaf, leaving one leaf to elab¬ 
orate sap, and to prevent the bursting of the new 
bud. 
John Crane, of Lockport, and given consider¬ 
able attention to the summer pruning of the grape, | 
and had yet to learn that summer pruning was of | 
any benefit to the Isbella. It injures its vigor, and | 
if followed up the vine is soon ruined. A better 
way is to take out every other shoot, and let the 
branches that bear the fruit grow as far as they 
will. The habit of this vine is such that it needs 
much foliage to elaborate the sap. 
Mr. Salter being called upon to explain the 
mode of pruning he practiced, responded by say¬ 
ing:—“I usually train and prune my Isabella vines 
to what is called the Double Spur System . That is, 
after the first year’s growth (they may be allowed 
to grow at random tlie first year,) they are pruned 
back to about a foot in length. When they begin 
to grow, in the spring of the second year, I secure 
two of the best shoots to the trellis and train them 
at an oblique angle and break out all others. These 
two shoots are allowed to grow to their full length; 
but during their growth, from the axil of every leaf 
will be produced a small lateral, which is pinched 
back to one leaf, when that leaf is about 3 inches 
in diameter, being especially careful to preserve 
the large leaf on tho main cane from injuiry. In 
the course of two or three weeks these laterals 
will have made a second growth which is pinched 
back to the same leaf. When these laterals begin 
to turn brown at their base they are cut clean out, 
but not before, as the bud would be liable to be 
forced into growth from the axil of the large leaf 
on tho main cane, which should be especially pre¬ 
served for bearing fruit the next year. During 
their growth the main canes are tied to the trellis 
exactly where I want them to grow, and all ten¬ 
drils cut off. At the winter pruning of the third 
year (last week in February, or first in March,) 
these main canes are brought down in a horizontal 
position, and tied to the lower bar of the trellis and 
pruned back to three or four feet in length accord¬ 
ing to strength. I then commence at the fork of 
the vine ami cut out two or three buds for about 
nine inches in length on the main cane each way 
diverging from the fork; then leave one good bud 
and disbud again for a distance of eighteen inches, 
which will take out about two buds and leave one, 
tho future upright canes being eighteen inches 
apart These upright, main canes will produce 
grapes, but it is not advisable to allow them to ri¬ 
pen more than one bunch each; the others to be 
cut off. These canes are tied straight and perpen¬ 
dicular, and the laterals managed as last year. The 
horizontal cane is extended from year to year 
until the trellis is filled, according to the distance 
tlie vines are planted apart, whether six or twelve 
feet. 
At the winter pruning of the fourth year, the 
upright canes are disbudded somewhat different¬ 
ly. They are pruned back to three or four feet iu 
length, I then commence at the bottom and cut 
out two or three of the smallest buds, then leave 
two good buds, one on each side of the cane, then 
cut out two, one on each side, and leave the next 
two, and cut out the next two, and so on to tho 
whole length of the cane; and so of all the up¬ 
right canes. Each of the buds that are left will 
grow and bear fruit. Just when the bunches begin 
to flower I tie all the young shoots to the trellis, 
and cut them back to about three leaves beyond 
the highest hunch. It will then force laterals 
which, in two or three weeks, are pinched in to one 
leaf as before. This summer pinching leaves each 
shoot seven to nine leaves in length, and each with 
a lateral, which make fourteen to eighteen leaves 
to a bearing shoot, which is quite sufficient to pre¬ 
serve the vines in perfect health and tborongly ri¬ 
pen the wood and fruit. The summer pruning 
must not be so severe as to expose the green fruit 
to the sun. 
At the next winter pruning the bearing shoots 
are pruned back to the lowest good bud leaving a 
spur two or three buds in length, and from this 
spur two shoots are trained, one, the best from the 
highest bud of the spur and tied in a horizontal 
position to bear fruit; the other from tho lowest 
bud of the spur is tied at an oblique angle and not 
allowed to bear fruit, but is to furnish a good 
healthy spur for fruiting the following year. These 
shoots receive their summer pruniug as in previ¬ 
ous years. At the next winter pruning the bear¬ 
ing shoot and spur is cut clean out to the baso of 
the nonbearing shoot, which is pruned back to two 
or three buds, to form a spur as in the previous 
winter. By this mode of training a vine may bo 
kept in perfect health and productiveness for any 
length of time, always excepting winter killings 
and other accidents, and is certainly more sightly 
than when allowed to grow at will over tree or 
trellis, without any system of pruning or training.” 
Mr. JonNSON, of Naples, considered summer prun¬ 
ing important. Most of the grape-growers cut back 
the fruit branches to within two or three leaves of 
the fruit. It is right to cut off the laterals, leaving 
only one leaf. After some experience in this way, 
allowed the fruit-bearing branches of a few vines 
to take their course without cutting back, and then 
the fruit was best—much better than where they 
were cut back to two or three buds beyond tho 
fruit. However, he believed in severe and syste¬ 
matic pruning. 
H. N. Langworthy believed the vine should be 
kept under control, by regular and systematic 
pruning, and the renewal system he thought well of. 
Had commenced to train in this way. 
Mr. Peck, of Naples, pruned in winter to within 
two bnds of the old wood. In summer when in 
blossom, clipped off the ends of the bearing shoots. 
Did not cut within three or four leaves of the last 
bunch, and sometimes left four or five. Let the 
laterals take their course. Found the fruit ripen 
best when the laterals are permitted to grow. The 
natural inclination of the vine is to bear heaviest 
at the top. Found no benefit from burying the 
vines in winter. 
Sundry other matters were discussed, to which 
we may allude hereafter. At 12 o’clock, ou the 
second day the Society adjourned, to meet again 
in Rochester for the fall session. 
Destruction of Grass in the London Parks.— 
The people of London are becoming alarmed at the 
destruction of glass in their fine parks, and the 
question, “what can be done for the London 
parks?” is asked by all, and answered satisfactorily 
by none. The following, from the Gardener's 
Chronicle, will show the nature and extent of the 
evil. The parks “are suffering from tho inroads 
of a most formidable enemy, and seem likely to be 
grassless in a few weeks, unless some means can 
be found of destroying their destroyer. One would 
think they were mangy. All about Stafford House 
in the Green Park, and in the Regent’s Park, the 
turf is vanishing. If you walk over the ground you 
see little except dirty tufts of a tow-like substance 
— the remains of the herbage that has perished — 
with holes between, through which the enemy re¬ 
treats to his subterranean quarters. The park 
keepers say that this goes on in circles constantly 
widening, that the surface in the early morning is 
alive with leather-coated grubs, and that when you 
raise the soil in the afternoon millions are found a 
few inches below the surface. ‘Daddy Longlegs’ 
is the parent of this horde, which sets at defiance 
all ordinary means of extermination. The Board 
of Works is doing its best to meet the difficulty, 
but we fear with smali success, for none of the so- 
called remedies that have hitherto been tried have 
been found of use. Rolling does no good, for the 
soil is too yielding to resist the pressure of the 
grubs, which are so tough as merely to be squeezed 
into the ground.” 
In consequence of the space occupied by the 
proceedings of the Fruit Growers’ Convention, we 
are compelled to omit several articles, among 
others, one from “ R. R. 8.,” about the pear con¬ 
troversy. 
GRAPE CULTURE.-SUMMER PRUNING. 
Messrs. Eds.: —Some time since I made a pro¬ 
mise to one of your correspondents, to give a 
statement in the Rural of my practice in summer 
pruning, in good time for this season’s operations. 
Please permit mo to redeem that promise. In 
doing so I shall give tho substance of an article 
commanicated by me to the Rural four or five 
years ago. 
While some cultivators maintain that all sum¬ 
mer pruning of the vine is needless, being contrary 
to nature, and practice accordingly, by far the 
larger number of them, so far as I am informed, in¬ 
sist that a severe summer pruning is necessary in 
order to promote tho proper development and 
perfection of tlie fruit My own practice, for seve¬ 
ral years past, has been to go between the two ex¬ 
tremes of no summer pruning at all, and the 
severe pruning frequently practiced. And it is 
simply this:—To lay in upon the trellis all the fruit¬ 
bearing branches that there is room for without 
crowding, and let them grow uncut to the end of 
the season. The remaining branches, for which 
there is no room on the trellis, are cut off some 
three joints above the last cluster of fruit, when the 
fruit is about the size of peas—in ordinary seasons 
about the second week in July. 
I cut them off, not because I believe the fruit 
upon these branches will be benefited by so doing, 
for I believe no such thing— it will be injured— 
but I do it to prevent a greater injury—to get them 
out of tlie way—to prevent their crowding the 
other portions of the vine, and thus causing an in¬ 
jury to the fruit growing upon other branches. I 
think that the heaviest and best filled clusters on 
any vine thus treated are always found upon the 
uncut branches. 
Hence the conviction is irresistible that in theory 
the advocates of no summer pruning have the 
argument—are in the right—though for the reason 
already stated their theory cannot be successfully 
carried out in actual practice. Had I trellis room 
sufficient to allow of the disposal of all the bearing 
branches, without crowding them too much, I 
would neither practice summer pruning nor ad¬ 
vise others to do any, except to pinch off all the 
lateral branches or suckers growing upon the bear¬ 
ing branches. These should be taken off as fast as 
they grow, one or two joints from their base or 
starting point. They should never be taken off be¬ 
low the first bud; for if this is done, the bud at the 
base of the sucker on the main branch will “ push,” 
grow and produce the next year's crop of fruit this 
season, which will be rather too soon. 
The fruit branches after being shortened are 
allowed to hang off horizontally or in a downward 
position. This leaves the trellis more open and 
admits the rays of the sun and the air to penetrate 
the trellis to a greater extent than if they were tied 
in upon the trellis. Not that it is necessary that 
the rays of the sun should have full access to the 
fruit, for this is not important — indeed those clus¬ 
ters that are wholly shielded from the rays of the 
sun are tho best colored generally; hut the leaf 
opposite the cluster should, in all oases, he fully ex¬ 
posed to the sun’s rays. As to the air, there is no 
danger of securing too free a circulation of it 
among the fruit and foliage for the good of both. 
Tho practice often resorted to of pulling off the 
leaves to let in the rays of the sun upon the fruit, 
to ripen it, only defeats the end intended to he ac¬ 
complished, and cannot he too earnestly discoun¬ 
tenanced. E. A. McKay. 
Naples, June, 1868. 
BLANC MANGE-GRAHAM CAKES, &c. 
Messrs. Eds.: —As I am very much benefited 
with the column devoted to Domestic Economy in 
the Rural, I wish to add a little of my knowledge, 
hoping others may be interested. 
Blanc Mange.—A Farmer’s Daughter, of Cay¬ 
uga Co., wishes to know how to cook Iceland Moss. 
Take a double-handful of moss, put it in a basin 
on the stove hearth, add about 3 pints or 2 quarts 
of new milk, let it remain about 2 hours, gradual¬ 
ly becoming heated, stir frequently, then squeeze 
the mixture through a pretty thick cloth, and add 
3 pints new milk; 1 pint cream; a little salt.— 
Sweeten very sweet with white sugar. Put it in a 
porcelain kettle or new pan, stirring constantly 
over a slow fire. Let it boil 1 or 2 minutes, then 
flavor with extract of lemon. Rinse your moulds 
with cold water, put in the mixture and set away 
to cool. When cold, you will have a superior ar¬ 
ticle of Blanc Mange. 
Graham Cake.— One quart of flour; 1 table¬ 
spoon of butter; 2 teaspoons of cream tartar; 1 
teaspoon soda; sufficient sweet milk to wet up— 
mix soft. If you like them sweetened, add one 
cup of sugar, 
I also send a recipe for making Soda Biaccrri:, 
which they make use of at the Elmira Water Cure, 
together with the Graham Biscuit. One cup of 
sugar; 1 tablespoon of butter; 2 teaspoons of 
cream tartar; 1 teaspoon of soda; 2 eggs; 1 cup 
of sweet milk—stir about as stiff as Cup Cake. 
Oak Orchard, N. Y., 1858. Martha.. 
PUDDING RECIPES. 
Messrs. Eds.:—T he following recipes I have 
found very delicious: 
Plum-Pudding. —One pound good brown sugar; 
1 pound suet; 1 pound raisins; 1 pound currants; 
G eggs: i pint brandy; £ pint wine; 1 pint milk; 
2 nutmegs; 1| pounds of flour. Boil G hours. 
Pudding Sauce. —Mix two cups of pulverized 
sugar with one cup of butter, and then add a tea¬ 
cup of Madeira wine and a half a cup of brandy, 
a little at a time alternately. Put the mixture into 
a tin pail, and that in a kettle of boiling water, 
stirring briskly all the time. 
Flour Pudding.—' Two cup3 of sweet cream; 2 
cups flour; 3 eggs; a little salt. Bake an hour and 
a quarter, oi boil two hours. 
Cup Pudding. —One cup flour; 1 pint milk; 4 
eggs. Bake in cups in a quick oven. 
Rice Pudding. —Boil 1 small teacup of rice, add 
1 quart of milk and a cup of sugar, and 3 eggs.— 
Bake half an hour in a quick oven. 
Lyons, N. Y., 1858. A Yov.vu Housekeeper. 
