Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-02-03
LOCAL. NEWS.
PROF.. PORTER.

Ais EARLY Efforts in His New Home
Among the Agricuiturists aud
p1OrticuIturists The Delaware
Peach Tree brought 10 the Front
HOners For the New Man.
Prof. E. D. Porter, formerly of Della
ware College, has been duly installed as
Professor of Agriculture IL the University
of Minnesota, aud already he Is making
his abilities known among the agricultural
oraanjz atoms OF the State. At the annual
winter meeting of the Minnesota Slate
horticultural Society, its President, j. T.
Grimes, according to- the account of the
Minr eapolis Farmers Uaion. "said il
afforded him much pleasure to introduce
to the society Prof. Porter, the new head
OF the agricultural college, whose services
have been happily secured by the board of
regents of tbs State University and who
has acoeptsd professorship in the
university.
prof. Porter returned his grateful
thanks for the warm reception given to
him by the society. A perfect stranger,
he should be obliged to become acquainted
before no could Participate in the discus
sions of tue society. Prof Porter, by his
Rentlemaniy bearing, made most favor
able impression on every member Of the
society
During the first day of the society's
meeting il went into discussion as 10 the
Effect of low temperature on fruit trges
In this discussion Prof. Porter Joined,
saying that he thought theories ehonld be
left out and facts investigated He then
went iuto the cause of winter killing, and
said some plants have the pc Ser to resis,
freezing.
Upon subject close to the interest of
Delaware farmers he said:
Peach trees will freeze ut 20o below at 50
and l0o below the fruit and bearing wood is
destroyed. If the bearing wood has ripened
thoroughly the tree can support severe cold
Different trees can stand different degrees of
cold The germ of the fruit il often killed as
this wear in Delaware. When o
sudden change occurs from cold to heat
whole orchards have been destroyed, the trees
losing their bark en- the side on which the
sun strikes the tree.
One of the members of the society it,
quired what the chemical process was that
takes place WHEN the tree Is killed.
Prof. Porter explained that the trans
fusion of sap from one cell TO another
ceases when the walls are ruptured. The
flow of the sap has generally ceased, the
growth has matured, and hut little sap
remains in the cell, the exhaustion OF
which is not sufficient to kill the tree.
Why Vitality is destroyed by low TEN
perature is au unsolved question
The Professor participated in number
of other discussions of the society which,
Oh the third day of the session, 10 response
TO an invitation extended through him.
met in the chapel of the University. After
the society had been welcomed to the
University, President Folwel introduced
to the students Mr.. Porter, the new pro-
fessur of agriculture. Prof. Porter ap
peared on the platform, and made brief
response, which was kindly received by
the students
This meeting was held during the third
week in January, aud the Professor Just
about that time settled down TO the work
of his new position
The anL ual meeting OF the Minnesota
Amber. Dane Association was began on iht
20 ii of January at Minneapolis, and Mr.,
Porter was present The Discussion was
upon the subject Of sugsr-makiDg, the
growing of the cane. Nc. Mr. Porter was
called upon Tor his views, aud the Union
renorts him ttua;
In 1855 he experimental with sorgho seed
he had syrup like tar in appearance and
taste. The juice was extracted i'll Il primitive
way and boiled in IL sugar kettle. In 1865
manufactured some 10000 gallons of syrup.
Imported many varieties of 5eed. The surgho
has nearly died out IN the east, but the sugar
beet has taken its place The manner OF cul-
tivation aud the sti resemble each othel
very much III these two productions. Thinks
the difficulty is in soil and fertilizers Tho
heterogeneous elements in manure increase the
yield, but render the process of extraction
more difficult. We must be careful what soil
we choose, as We may get an increased guam
tity from the field, but less yield from thu
product itself Eariy cultivation ii very
essential. Fall blowing is preferable on sandy
loan; clay loan should be plOwed in spring
and Immediately planted. Time is well
expended i'll the preparation of TIE soil. Gel
it as fine us possible drill if possible anG
keep the TOMS straight. Plant thick and cut
out afterwards. From three to five canes art
left III II hill.
From the reports of members of the
association it would APPEAR that the bust
ness of raising sugar cane and MAXIM
sugar in Minnesota has a promising futur'
before it. After iha discussion had beer
concluded ;Ge gceromry read his report
which concluded Ms follows:
Az We have tried to enlarge our idea on thi
subject the field of labor hasbecome 80 larg
fill the postiou of secretary, who has NOR
talent time and interest -one who Is ldentl
fed in measure with yonr interests. and ha
II love for the cause that has no bounds shOr
of perfect success. and would most cordial
recommend Prof. Porter, from the asrcnl
tural department of our State University
man who has been experimenting in sorghum
and cane culture for the past IL OF 10 years
and who would do the ullile of secretary .
this association Justice, and capable OF writ
ing up your reports i'll Il manner most accept
able to your members.
Aud where he election oil ara wa9 hel
Mr. Porter was selected IA S cre,niy At
Treasurer of the Sooi ty. He vas ais
appointed chemical and ana'y tic4l expel
of the Association.
Thus it will be seen that Pcof Porte
has mada rapid progress IN his new hrl
and has very soon b come recognize d 4
citizen of the State who mas the intere'
OF the enterprising people OF Ainneso'
i'll mind To those who knew the P:'
fesaor here this will ha most wtlcou
news, and they will jim III in wishin
him all the success possible in his ne
sphere of usefulness