Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-08-21
horticultural Society.

The Society met at DIR. GordOn's office, DR..
Gordon presiding.
DIR. }. b. Alexander read a very interesting
paper on the Instincts of Plants" lie des-
cribed the habits as also the peculiar actions
of Il number of different plants to prove his
assertions.
On motion of Mr.. Maitland, DR.. Alexander
was voted the thanks of the society for his
Instructive paper.
DIR. Alexander stated, in addition to his
paper, that the instinct of plants was not fall
liable like that possessed by animals; animals
were often led astray by their instinct. There
was a certain insect which usually deposits
its larvae upon decaying fish, which had thus
been led to deposit it also on a fish geranium.
MIR. Maitland said that mnch was yet to be
discovered regarding plant life. One of the
most Ito HIM remarkable plants, and nearly
approaching to animal life in action, was the
Venus Fly Trap (dionaea muscipuLa), which,
with its hand shaped leaves Caught and then
fed upon flies.
DIR. Gordon found additional matter for
reflection in the fact that through the trunk
of a tree food intended for fruit of Its kind
may pass, and yet be changed into fruit of
another kind, as for instance, when the pear
and apple are grown upon the same tree, or
peach and plum, or plum and cherry.
MIR. Teubner, in answer to a question.
stated that although trees of one kind could
be grated and budied upon another, and
thus produce the different- kinds of fruit on
one body, The kinds so managed must belong
to the same family. The pear and the ample.
and the peach and plum are closely related,
hence Will succeed. UncOngenial plants NAV
be united for n brief tiiue, but will not sue
coed.
DR.. Alexander said that natures chemistry
0vercame many seemingly conflicting inter
ests. Thus the food supplied by the roots IS
changed by the chemical labratory of the
Tree lis leaves, into food for The apple or the
pear, a. needed.
Dr.. Gordon exhibited some excellent sam
pies OF grapes OF his growing, Hartford,
Perkins. both early, and Martha and Con-
cord. The Perkins is au old VARIETY. but
probably not much known here. 1t is of a
pale amber color, very fragrant, the o!or re-
semhling musk sweet, pleasant to eat. II
was quite an unexpected treat and reli.bed
by all.
Mr.. Teubner showed how budding Is done
having brought some peach limbs and buds
for the purpose. He stated that large trees
could be changed into some other variety by
budding even more easily than by grating,
but only the same seasons growth could he
operated on. The proper time for budding
was from The latter part Of July TO the end
OF August for peaches; cherries, pulms and
pears should be budded earlier, rs their bark
does not slip late in the season. He had
budded peaches As late AS October, hut it is
best done IN August, because then the bark
slips easily.
DIR. Alexander presented the society with n
iabulaled record of the temperature, rainfall.
storms and other useful data regarding the
weather for the months of July from 1878 to
1856 inclusive, and promised to furnish one
at the end of each month. 1t is a yery useful
paper for reference and was much apprecia-
ted by the members, II will be found else
where in this paper.