Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-04-27


delivered from the drains during the longest
drouth. Aeration was a more Characteristic
term than draining. Deep drsins we're best.
Fifty feet apart and FIVE feet deep were better
than twenty FIVE feet apart and bot -four feet
deep Where there were no outlets, drains
could be run into wells. He had noticed at
Rochester that the benefits Of draining we're
in exact proportion to the depth and fre'
quency Of the drains.
Mr.. s. Miller had drained into swells success.
fully. His experience of draining SO far had
been so beneficial, that if he had the capital to
command for the purpose, he would unJerdrain
even his hillsides, satisfied that in time it would
prove :he best investment he could make. There
were so many Neutrality-suspicious. for instance,
from the air in well'drained soils, never penetra
ted deeply.
Mr.. Baldwin stated that he had seen FIRE
grapes on the prairies where no drains were used
Mr.. S. Miller replied, that when soil was filled
with vegetable matter, as IN prairie soil, it par
took, in measure, of the nature of our under
drained soil. A soil naturally porous may be
said to be naturally drained.
Mr.. Grider remarked that Western i'm plements
as the Michigan plow and other subsoiling i'm
plements, showed that they, too, were alive to
the importance of draining.
Mr.. Lukens Pierce and A. w. Corson also
testified to the advantages of the practice.
Mr.. d. Miller did not believe much in under
draining, and it was besides, expensive. On the
contrary, the most productive trees he had inva'
riably found by the side of springs, streams, and
miJams.
Mr.. Grider called attention to the fact that Mr..
M. had lost sight Of the real effect of draining
Undertaking made ground moist in summer
not dry.
-. Al f.n
said Mr.. ID. Miler's observations confirmed the
advantages Of fdraining. He underdrained tract
Of clay land five years ago, to the extent of 30,
o0a feet of tile. The drains were only two and
a half feet deep. The ground was worthless
BEFORE producing nothing. No manure has since
been applied; but last season it produced, for the
first time, superior crop of grass. In heavy
clay soils his drains seemed imperative the first
year. 1t took season or two for the air to de-
compose the minerals in the soil, and for the
water to find regular channels to the drains.
Nh. Mlhaher had also noticed that fruit trees
have done well alongside of spring courses led
around hills; but always much best on the high.
est or hilly side.
Messrs. Grider, Harrison and S. Miller gave
farther observations to the good effects of the
principle.
DIR. Eshleman explained farther the Grating
moisture dep ,siting, and spring earthwarming
principles of the practice and had such good re-
suits from its employment, that grapes would
grow five or six feet the first season in such
ground and has had Delawares to make year s
growth OF sixteen feet, and Diana thirty eight
feet in the same way.
MIR. Saunders knew o market gardener in
whose underdraiDed ground vegetables we're
produced two weeks earlier than in that OF
bis neighbors.
Mr.. Heines thought that might be disaG.
vantage to fruit trees, especially peaches, in
bringing forth their buds too early.
Mr.. S. Miller thought weakness from de.
fcent draining rendered peach buds more
susceptible to injury FROM severe cold.
ARE COLD oRAPERIEs WORTHY THE ATTENTION
OF THE FARMER?
Mr.. S. Miller said it was o mistake 10
suppose these structures required very close
attention. A friend of his, who was an eugi.
neer, usually left a cheap winery he had
erected go all day without any attention, and
he had perfect success.
Mr.. Bartolett, farmer Of Chester county
said, in 1874 he put up against his house a
winery twelve by sixteen feet, at a cost ol
about thirty. four dollars. lie had frequently
given it no attention for several weeks, and
year before last particularly. Has very fine
crops. He had, he thought, as much as two
hundred pounds on some occasions from fouI
vines.
Mr.. Saunders spoke Of the increasing risk
of failure 10 pears, cherries, apples, &c, and
asked, What so certain as a crop of winery
grapes There was too much mystery made
Of grape growing-too much nonsense in
usual rules Of management. Borders three
feet deep were sufficient, and cost but little
AS for so much talk about soils, ary earth
that would grow good csbbages would grow
good grapes. He favored inside borders
made arrangements to keep the air moist as
heat increased, which also had good efiec,
on restraining mildew. No crop produced SC
much for go little outlay, and be hoped every
farmer would profit by Mr. Bartolett's expe
rieuce.
Mr.. Bartole,t said be had both an outside
and inside border. Thoug a border
wholly inside would at times get too dry
He laid down aud protected his vines ia
winter, until the spring opened and the buds
pushed. Kept the sashes shut, more or less
till all danger of frost was over, when they
we're left open altogether. lie used soap
suds and sulphur about three times a yeal
over tho leaves and about the winery, an6
attributed to it bis freedom from mildew.
MIR. Saunders remarked, with regard TO the
dying OF inside borders, that he had fouuC
one thorough watering year sufficient.
CRACKING OF THE PEAR AND BLIGHT.
Mr.. Saunders observed that be had giver
the subject much attention, and was satisfied
that cracking was owing solely to atmosphe
rc causes. Soil analysis was so indefinite
that no satisfactory result could be had
Two analysis on soil, taken bot few feet
from each other, would vary in elements and
in their proportions. This might be con-
sdered but "prscticals" view; but there
we're two classes of "prscticals"-those who
''practiced" and observed as they went, and
those who "practiced" what they we're taught
mere macbines. who never bestowed a
thought on what they we're doing Agreed
with Mr.. Harrison. tlat ripe wood was i'm
portsnt. Where wood was not wsl.ripened
partial shelter would mitigate or keep Of
crack and blight. The effect o: frost on sol,
wood was much the same as heat 10 summer
The moisture evspora.ed too rapidly, aud
disease or death ensued.
DR.. EshlemsD said it was eight years siIce
he had fret experimental on the special
manure theory on q Butter pear. He took
out the soil about il three feet wide aud three
feet dean and filed in will a comnnst in