Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-02-13

Horticultural Society.

Horticultural Society.
The meeting of Feb. 9th, was held at the
Office Of DIR. w. A. Gordon, the president,
who presided.
On motion of Mr.. Maitland, the reading of
the minutes was dispensed with during the
beginning Of the meeting.
The president appointed the following
standing committees for the ensuing year:
Small fruits, Geo. F., Maitland and K. NJ.
McChesney.
Stone fruits, James Aull.
Orchards, Geo. F. Maitland and James
Aull.
Vineyards, Chas. Teubner and A.. A..
Lesueur.
Vegetables, Fred Meet.
Flowers, Mrs. NJ. v. Gordon and Mrs. j.
F. Shultz.
Ornamentals, Mrs. F. Grady and Chas.
Teubner.
Entomology, DR.. j. B. Alexander.
Botany, C. F. Lane.
The duties of these committees are, to
report at each meeting the condition Of trees,
plants and the fruit crop; damage by insects
or the influence Of weather; new varieties of
trees and other items of interest.
The secretary stated that quite a number
Of members were still in arrears with dues.
which if paid would enable the society
to procure some necessary books on
horticulture, l.. e., "DOwning's Fruits
of North America" q useful work for
identifying fruit. The secretary read a letter
from the secretary Of the State Horticultural
Society, requesting the cooperation of this
| SOpiafv in q GRAND frrif sbnu nf thio sfafa
(by counties) at the next st. Louis fair.
Mr.. Maitland said the idea was u good one,
and of incalculable benefit to the stale, and
that Lafayette county could make II good
showing. He moved that this society pledge
itself to use its utmost endesvors to get up q
display of fruit second to none, which was
adopted.
The secretary also read q letter from the
secretary Of the state society, offering to send
q report Of the proceedings of the state socie-
ty to each member of this society. He added
that he possessed one Of the reports. and that
it contained over 400 pages of very useful in
formation on all kinds of fruits.
The minutes of the previous meeting were
then read and approved.
Mrs. j. F. Shultz was admitted as q mem
Der.
No essay or subject selected for this meet
Ing, q rambling discussion took place.
Mr.. Maitland said that top-grafting large
apple trees was generally unsatisfactory in
this warm climate, except In u moist season.
MIR. Teubner said that in grating large
trees, the operation should extend over sew
eral seasons. grating only a third or one
half of the limbs at q time, because If all
J limbs are cut off and grated at one opera
ton, the tree receives too severe q check.
inexperienced persons generally neglected
the gratis by falling to promptly remove the
new growth which crowds about and smoth-
ers the gratis.
Mr.. Maitland said that in removing water
sprouts or old trees, a few should be left, as
| they tend to rejuvenste the tree.
DR.. Gordon stated that he left a few water
sprouts, and had fine fruit on them.
!, Mr.. Aull several years ago removed all
water-sprouts, and some very large ones,
and since has had little or no fruit.
DR.. Gordon's experience was similar to
Mr.. Aulps. He asked if manure was benef-
cial to apple trees.
Mr.. Maitland claimed that manure was
beneficial for old trees, but not for young
ones; our soil was rich enough for the latter,
and if made too rich, they made too much
wood growth. Flowing up long standing
sod in an orchard would also be of benefit.
Mr.. Teubner found that with all our rich
soil. many farmers persisted in planting trees
on some poor place on their farm, because it
amt fit for anything else they say. On such
ground and on old worn out soil, even young
trees should be fed. but with well rotted
manure or ashes and also mulched. Trees
, just planted do best II well mulched.
Mr.. Maitland thought the gooseberry and
currant should be grown more. They pro-
duce we'll on proper soil, and the currants
are one of the most luscious dessert fruits.
= Red and white mixed lock tempting on the
b table. They sold we'll too.
> Mr.. Teubner said currants do best on a
clayey soil; they should be mulched, and do
we'll on the north side of q fence. Goose
berries do we'll in most soils, want plenty Of
sun and should be pruned. 1t does not pay
u to plant them for market.
Mr.. Maitland pruned currants which CAV e
" a beautiful crop the year after. though they
had not borne before.
Mr.. Aull asked If raspberry canes required
stalking the first year. His trailed on the
ground.
Mr.. Teubner said 1t was best to stake such
. to keep berries off the ground. As the plants
grew older they sent up stronger canes, and
then didn't require stalking.
y Mr.. Maitland used q stake, to the top Of
ii which a wire 2 to 3 feet long is fastened with
a staple, into which the other end of the wire
u Is hooked after passing around the canes.
When the old canes are to be cut out. the wire
n can be unlocked and the new canes looped
up again.
It DR.. Gordon thought it was best to top the
young canes rather low, rs it made them
stronger and stockier.
Mr.. Teubner gave his first experience in
y keeping celery. Had used q high bOOt box
" set it on end: put in alternately a layer Of
ss moist sand and a layer of celery, packing the
= plants closely and filing all spaces with sand
toIthe top of the box, which, when full. was
let down on its bottom, which brought the
celery into an upright position. the leaves
extending above the box. The plants were
% taken from the bleaching ridges late in the
fall, and at this date are as fresh, crisp snd
~ well favored as in fall. The top leaves had