Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-07-17

The Horticultural Society met, July 10, at
the Off e of DIR. W. A. Gordon, who occupied
the chair.
REPORTS.
Mr.. Maitland reported the crop of small
fruits as having been good. Late dry weather
caused a shortage in raspberries of about
twenty per cent. The blackberry crop is also
decreased by drouth. The growth of plants
is fair, though strawberries are backward
and will set runners late. He believed that
rust on the blach berry was caused by impov-
erished soil. He had Wachusetts, Kittatlning
aud Snyder and found Kittatining the best in
flavor.
DIR. Gordon reported a full crop of black
berries.
MIR. Maitland reported a fine crop of apples;
fruit looking well and trees FILL.
Mr.. Teubner reported grapes as doing we'll,
making a splendid growth. His vines were
almost exempt from rot, SO far, though in
some places rot appeared early in the season,
but stopped before getting serious.
DISCUSSIONS ON SMALL FRUITS
Mr.. Maitland said that of all his varieties of
strawberries, the Crescent paid best; next,
the Chas. Downing. The Crystal City was
the earliest, and bore we'll, though GA poor
soil.
DR.. Gordon inquired about the quality of
his soil.
Mr.. Maitland, in reply, stated that his was
sO-called white oak land. He had iOund that
old soil. well manfred, was better than new
soil. The latter caused 100 rank u growth.
His.plan was 10 manure in the fall and turn
under AT once, He had experimental on u
small scale with fertilizers. Used manure on
some aud bone meal on others. Compared
with those not fortified the manure showed
Beneficial results first. but the effects of bone
meal was more lasting, though some three
mouths in showing results.
DR.. Alexander stated that bone uecomposes
slowly, hence it requires more time to become
available rs plant food.
Mr.. Maitland considered bone meal the best
fertilizer, especially if mixed with dried blood,
firstly, because Il contained no seed of w eeds,
as III manure; secondly, because it acts at
just about the time when plants require
the most snstenance, that is. fruiling time 4;
thirdly, it is easily applied.
DR.. Gordon mad experimental with salt on
d piece OF weeds strawberry plants, spreading
q full handful Of it on a piece two feet square,
and it seemed to inJure both. He believed
that il salt was applied sufi lent to kill weeds,
it would also kill strawberry plants.
Mr.. Teubner gave as his experience that
Crystal CITY was earliest and had some good
sized berries. TIE Crescent was the most
prolific berry, but the Triumph of Cumber-
land paid best. 1t ripened with the Crescent
and continued to bear for a greater length of
time than any other variety. while the berries
were perfect in size, and from large to very
large, with no Gull, hence brought nearly
double prices. He found that some varieties.
for instance the Wilson, Captain Jack and
some Others would not d, we'll except on
rich soil. The Crescent aud Triumph would
succeed even on moderate soil. 1t would not
do In large beds TO allow the plants to cover
all of the ground. Space should be left for a
path, or the pickers Will ira mp down too
many plants.
MIR. Maitland said that raspberry patches
should have roads crOsswise every 40 or 50
yards for convenience in picking and apply
lug manure and preventing ssary
walking back and forth, as in long rows.
! Or. Alexander thought boards good for