ofe. Elliot 7t\ emorial ,* ,. 777T. .,.....■! ,, .» n ul ». u.» ■ ^. If n is % Presented by MRS. M. SCHUYLER ELLIOT. ) cta. I think they originated with Jewell. Some ten have borne, four or five of which are fine eating apples, which ripen in September. But Whitney's No. 20 is certainly the finest and most rapid growing tree I ever saw. The fruit is represented to be very superior. Brier Sweet does well and the fruit is very fine. Pears. — The Flemish Beauty is all we think of here. Those trees which stood the cold winter bore well the past year. Plums, tame and wild, were a total failure from the effects of the frosts last spring. Cherries. — The Early Richmond, common Red Morello and Kent- ish bore a larger crop than any for the last eight years. Annual Meeting — Report of Secretary. Ill Grapes are much neglected, and even ignored, as not one farmer in a hundred will listen or try to learn how to cultivate them, which I think as easy as hop culture. For varieties, I con- sider the Concord first for productiveness. I gathered nineteen pounds from one vine in 1877; last year only thirteen or fourteen pounds from a hill. Next, the Janesville produces well and comes into market first, making them very salable, though last spring the frost killed the first buds of the Janesville, while the other varieties escaped. For quality of fruit, I deem Roger's No. 9 and the Del- aware first; then comes Salem, Roger's Nos. 5, 15 and 19. The amount of grapes cultivated in this district is limited to small lots near the towns alone* the Fox river. I have about one acre set. **-> Small Fruits. — Strawberries — The Wilson is the leading variety, though few are raised for sale. Raspberries occupy an important part in most of our gardens for home consumption. The Mammoth Cluster leads, but Philadelphia Red and Purple Cane do well. Blackberries — But few are grown, mostly the Ancient Britain, A\hich endure the winter best. The amount of tree planting in this district is increasing in spite of hard times. Since the cold winter, trees have lived and •flourished better than before. The spring frost killed most of the apple and crab blos'soms, or fruit sets, north and west of us. We had no fire blight on pear, apple or crab, and but a small amount of codling- moth. o SEVENTH DISTRICT D. HUNTLEY, ATPLETON. Counties. — Outagamie, Shavmno and Waupaca. In my last report I stated that the winter had been favorable, and that we were expecting a good fruit season. But the hard winter is not the only enemy the fruit trees have to contend with. The apple trees blossomed very full, but were injured somewhat by a frost about that time or a little later. Still, I think there would have been as many left uninjured as the trees could have matured perfectly, or without injury from over-bearing; but as the apples began to appear, the trees were found to be infested with worms just hatching, and although we commenced killing immedi- ately, or as soon as discovered, still they continued to increase, and it soon became evident that the whole time must be given to the 8 — Hort. So. 112 "Wisconsin State Horticultueal Society. orchard in killing worms, or the apple crop would be a failure. Myself, with many others, devoted what time could be spared evenings, mornings, noonings, and occasionally an hour or two at other times, and still the worms increased; the result was about one-half or one-third of a crop on some of the best trees, and a total failure on others; perhaps one-fourth or one-fifth of a crop in all. In destroying the worms some adopted one plan and some another; using kerosene, soap suds, hot water, powder, burning with straw, etc., but the most successful method I heard of was killing by the hand, when clustered on limb or trunk of the tree. Many of our forest trees were perfectly stripped of leaves, espe- cially the basswood, which greatly diminished the yield of honey. Many of the twigs are now encircled with eggs, and I think they should all be destroyed before the hatching season commences. The last summer was a favorable one for the growth of young trees, and many more will be set the coming spring than for sev- eral years before; in fact the tree peddler is abroad, and making a specialty of some wonderful things, such as " pear trees grown on German stocks," at twelve dollars per dozen, which "are much more hardy than the hardiest iron clads and twice as profitable." Is it not strange that farmers do not buy direct from some well known nurseryman of their own state, or of responsible local agents. The old proved varieties are still the most in favor with the more intelligent. Of the new, the Tetofsky is looking the best of any. The Wealthy has not been fruited here yet. The Wal- bridge and Pewaukee do not meet the expectation, and will be set very sparingly in the future. The Ben Davis is such a nice grower and good bearer and keeper that more will be set in future than anv other new varietv, though we do not class it with the extra hardy. Cherries were a full crop, and also strawberries. The Wilson is the berry. Grapes were also a good crop; no mildew, or if it ap- pears, is immediately checked by the use of sulphur. Plums and pears not seen at all of late. No blight during last summer in this vicinity. The question is often asked among well informed fruit men, what is your best winter apple, all things considered, none being just satisfied with any that are hardy? The Golden Russet wilts badly, does not always ripen nicely, and is not good cooking. The Fameuse is the best, all things considered, and if picked early Annual Meeting — Report of Secretary 113 and carefully barreled, will last till nearly spring. It is as hardy as any except, perhaps, the Duchess. The crabs are hardy, of course, but we must have something better. I fruited two trees of the Minkler this season which are very nice. "Will report further next season. NINTH DISTRICT A. J. PHILLIPS, WEST SALEM. Counties. — La Crosse, Trempealeau, Jackson, Buffalo, and val- leys of Chippewa and St. Croix. This is hardly deserving the name it bears, as it is hardly a township report. Were reports made out by some qualified person in each county, they would be made more accurate and interesting. The prospect last spring, so far as I know and can hear in this district, was good for a fine crop of fruit, but a frost in May, after apples were formed on the trees, froze them up, and only in some high locations was there any left. With the exception of a few plates, my apples were the only ones on exhibition at the fair in La Crosse county. This state of things was general over the district, as far as I have been able to learn. Some trees were bought and set last spring, but the sales this fall have been very light, owing perhaps to the hard times and the low price of farm produce as much as to the failure and de- struction of the apple crop. Wild plums, too, were almost a total failure. The most exten- sive orchardist in this district, to my knowledge, was the late F. Fleischer, of La Crosse, who died last fall; he had some five thou- sand trees of many varieties set in his orchard, and Mr. Wilcox in- forms me that, as a general thing, the trees look well. He was located on a bluff and in a valley, near the city of La Crosse. His health failing in the editorial room, he commenced horticultural pursuits to obtain more out door exercise, but he did not com- mence soon enough; his disease was so seated that his new and pleasant occupation could not arrest it. There is also a vacant chair across the river from this district; P. A. Jewell has passed away, like many others, just as he was placed in a comfortable position to live, and just as he was beginning to see his hopes real- ized in the fruiting of new varieties, which he thought were espe- cially adapted to the northwest. Peace to his ashes! I think of him when I look at my fine Wealthy trees, which he sent me in the spring of 1875, and which fruited for the first time the past season. 114 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. Clark's Orange and Pewaukee bore some fine fruit the past season, in my orchard, also the No. 20 crab, which, when I tasted the fruit, made me glad that I ever formed the acquaintance of our friend Whitney. The Minnesota fruited, but not enough to give it a favorable report at this time. Our veteran friend Wilcox has moved or is moving his nursery from Trempealeau to La Crosse, showing by his actions that he has faith in high locations; hope he will succeed. I tried to have him come to this meeting, and if he had, I would have tried to have saddled this report on to him, as he is much better posted in the district than I am. I had a good crop, say fifty bushels, of Transcendents, and a fair crop of standard apples the past season; saved, no doubt, from frost by the high location. The greatest treat I have enjoyed the past season was a visit from friend Stickney. He gave me some en- couragement, and on his recommendation I will set fifty more pear trees next spring, Kellogg to the contrary notwithstanding. Mr. Wilcox visited my orchard, also Mr. Mathews, of the Northwestern nursery, at Baraboo. I believe this constitutes all the nurserymen I have seen on my grounds, and none of them advised me to stop, so I will try it another year. I find that a person engaged in hor- ticultural employments is always learning something new, especially if he or she are trying to inform themselves. I found out some- thing this winter that was new to me, and I will give the public the benefit of it, but don't want much said about it. A farmer in my town said to me: "Are you going to buy any trees for your neighbors this spring?" I said, "Yes, if they want them." " Well," he said, " I will give you three dollars for six good Bald- win trees; I bought a barrel of that fruit last fall, and I like it, as it is better than any apple I ever raised." I said, " I fear it is not hardy enough." He said, "yes it is;" and said he, " T have found out the whole secret of this business; nurserymen, knowing the value of the fruit, do not sell the trees broadcast over the country, but confine their sales near home, to their particular friends, thereby monopolizing the trade in that fruit." Being somewhat acquainted with a few nurserymen, the story looked so reasonable that I did not dispute him, and as he did not place me under bonds of secrecy, I tell it. From what information I can gather and what I have seen, trees went into winter in good shape, and everything looks favorable for Annual Meeting — Report of Secretary. 115 a fair crop in 1879. The thermometer has only been down to twenty-four degrees, at my place, but the present and continuing warm weather may start the trees too early. The only way is to hope for the best. ELEVENTH DISTRICT C. W. HUMPHREY, MITCHELL. Counties — Sheboygan, Calumet and Manitowoc, Had I been requested to make a report on fruit five or six years ago, I should have been as ready to tell you what I knew about fruit as the late Mr. Greeley was to tell " what he knew about farming." But times have changed, and men often change with them. There was a time when I thought I knew a great deal about fruit (apples), but recent developments have satisfied me that I don't know much about this subject. Once, without reserve, I should have been willing to give a good deal of advice, but now I can only slightly record my observations and my experience. In the first place, I live upon oak land, the native timber of which is white and red oak, with a good deal of hickory, iron wood, black cherry and, in fact, a good sprinkling of all kinds of timber. The soil is common to that kind of timber, and is what I call a light clay, or marl, of a calcareous nature, partaking some of sand and gravel, with a tenacious red clay and limestone, gravelly subsoil. From my observations fruit trees do as well, or better, on this kind of soil than on any other with which I am acquainted. It is said we often learn as much by a failure as a success. So we do. And knowledge thus acquired is often more expensive and lasting than successful knowledge. Thirty-one years ago last fall I set a few apple trees on the farm where I now live. Many of them are good, thrifty trees to-day. The English Golden Russet, the Russet with light colored speckled wood, and the Westfield Seek- No-Further are thrifty, good bearing trees. One early Sour Bough bears good crops every other year. The balance of the few trees first set have long since gone the way of all the earth. I do not know what varieties they were. I once thought protection was essential to successful fruit grow- ing; then I thought it was not; but now again I think it is. But on which side? that's the question. I would give, as my opinion, that the west, northwest and southwest are the points against which an apple orchard needs the most protection. Some of the best 116 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. orchards within my knowledge are fully exposed from the north- east, but the lands, also, on which the trees are planted descend considerably in the same direction, while the orchard sites are well protected from the southwest, and quite well from the west by natural barriers. These observations, coupled with my own expe- rience in my two orchards, lead me to think that western and south- western protection are the most effectual. My old orchard is quite well protected on the southwest and west by the site descending gently to the east, and also by the fences, building and natural shrubbery, which is not a little, about the house, while my young orchard, which was set when I thought I knew a thing or two, and fully exposed from the southwest and west, has nearly died out again and again; for it has been reset, some parts of it, as many as three times, and with most of the iron- clads at that. I should say, however, that one little corner of about a dozen trees, where the land descends a trifle to the northeast, the trees are all doing well. These trees are the Talman Sweet, Haas, and Westfield Seek-No-Further. Now for the old orchard. Here the trees are doing reasonably well. Still, the Fameuse that were set in the spring of 1862, all or nearly all have dead spots on the southwest side of the body, extending as much as half way round the trunk. These trees are all so low headed that the ends of the lower limbs lay upon the ground during the fruiting season. The St. Lawrence, fifteen in number, are all doing well, bearing each alternate year heavy crops of very fine fruit. The Benoni is thrifty and bears full crops. The Dominie is a very flattering grower but a very shy bearer. The fruit is excellent. The Rambo did well for about ten years, when it rapidly declined ; ditto the Keswick Codlin. The Colvert is healthy and a regular but moderate bearer. The Red Astrachan and Sops of Wine are good strong growers, and regular bearers, and produce yearly, remunerative crops. The Little Red Romanite is worthless as a fruit. It is well adapted for the boys to stone squirrels and hogs with, for nothing will eat the fruit. I have not grown the Tetofsky long enough to pronounce on its merits; so also of the Haas and Ben Davis. From my experience and observation, I would not recommend planting the latter in this locality. Some of the best trees among the old ones about here, are the Northern Spy, but I think their long life is generally traced Annual Meeting — Report of Secretary. 117 to the fact that they have stood in grass. The Yellow Bell Flower is a moderate grower and a tardy bearer. I have grown more bush- els of the Fameuse from the same number of trees than I have single apples of this variety, both trees planted at the same time, and both receiving the same care. The fruit is not fair. From my experience and observation, if I were called upon to select a list of apple trees to be planted in this locality, I would choose the following, to wit: Red Astrachan, Sops of Wine, St. Lawrence, Benoni, Fameuse, Dominie, Talman Sweet, Seek-No- Further, and English Golden Russet. I have set a good many pear trees, but they have all ended in failure and disappointment; only two remain as mementoes of my faith in this line. Several of them grew so as to bear fine fruit, flattering me only to disappoint. One Rositzer and one Flemish Beauty still maintain a precarious existence, the latter producing a little fruit each year. The common red, or sour, or Morello Cherry does well here, and bears regularly fair crops. Farmers have long since ceased setting any other. Plums are "Nix-come-rouse;" but very few in the county. But little or no attention is given to grapes, raspberries and blackberries. Strawberries are successfully cultivated in several localities as a market fruit. Of currants, all can have them in abundance, by a little effort. In this report I have not told you anything I don't know, and not much that I do. I regret I can't be with you, and hope your meet- ing will be both amusing and instructive. TWELFTH DISTRICT J. M. SMITH, GREEN BAY. Counties — Brown, Kewaunee, Door and Oconto. — My report from this district this season will be very short. It really seems as if the long night of discouragement in apple and pear growing in this portion of our state is about ended. People no longer pur- chase indiscriminately of any one who comes along, as they did twenty years since, neither do they refuse absolutely to purchase of any one, as they have generally done for a number of years past. A few of our standard trees when well set, on reasonably good loca- tions, and properly cared for, bid fair to become profitable. In fact, a few of them are already so. The crops of apples, pears, 118 "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. cberries, currants, strawberries, raspberries and wild blackberries were all good; the grape crop only moderate. Of apples, the Duchess holds its own at the head of the list, for a fall apple; Fameuse for early winter. If I were so situated that I could set an orchard of one thousand trees, I should surely make more than half of them Fameuse. The balance would be divided among very few varieties. Some Walbridge trees set lately in this district promise splendidly. I know of none in bearing about here. A few pear trees are also being set, principally of the Flemish Beauty. But very few strawberries are seen in our market except the Wilson. Of raspberries, the Doolittle, Miami and Phil- adelphia lead all others. No blackberries are cultivated about here. Currants, with reasonably good care, have not failed of a crop for more than twenty years. The red and white Dutch are the principal ones in cultivation. But few new varieties of grapes have been tried lately. A num- ber of those now under cultivation are doing so well wherever they have a fair chance, that it seems as if every farmer ought to be well supplied with this delicious fruit. Still such is not the case. In fact, but few of them have a reasonable supply of them. Dela- ware, Concord, Janesville, Rogers' Nos. 3, 4, 9, 15, 19 and some others, all do well. In fact, although we are yet in our infancy in fruit growing, I am satisfied that the time is coming, and I hope is not very far in the future, when this district will have an abun- dant supply of fruit, not only for home use, but for others in loca- tions not so well situated as ourselves for this purpose. Treasurer's Report. — The following communication was re- ceived from the treasurer: To the officers of the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society: Your treasurer wishes to report that the receipts and disburse- ments of the society for the past year have been as follows: 1878. Br. Or. Feb. 5. By balance $13119 Feb. 15. By cash from F. W Case, membership 29 00 Feb. 15. To voucher No. 100 $100 00 May 11 . To check to F. W. Case, postage 7 00 May 11 . By cash from F. W. Case, membership 3 00 June 3. To voucher No. 101, postage 10 00 Annual Meeting — Superintendent's Report. 119 1879. Dr. Cr. Feb. 4. To voucher No 102, printing $5 25 Feb. 4. Bymembership $5 00 Feb. 4. Balance 45 94 Total $168 19 $168 19 Respectfully submitted, Matt. Anderson, Treasurer. On motion, the report of the treasurer was accepted and adopted. The report of the superintendent at the fair was called for, and read as follows: EXHIBITION IN THE HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT AT THE STATE FAIR OF 1878. REPORT of the superintendent. Gentlemen of the State Horticultural Society: As the time for our exhibition drew near, great apprehension was felt by your superintendent, and many others, least the display of fruit should be very far from satisfactory. The remarkably fine promise of the early part of the season had been seriously blighted by hard frosts in May and the series of cold winds and storms that followed, and was still further impaired by extremes of heat in midsummer and excess of rain in the interior portion of the state, and severe droughts on the lake shore. With these facts in view, the out- look was rather discouraging, and this was intensified by the as- surance of the other officers of the fair that " our display would be a failure;" that " we would not need one-quarter of the hall as- signed us, and that we would be lost in such a large building." Urged on by our own fears and a desire to prove these prophecies false, extra efforts were made to draw out, at least, a creditable display of fruit and flowers. The appeals to our horticultural friends were well responded to, and the result was a happy disap- pointment to all. Our hall, 40 by 90 teet, was well filled; so well, in fact, that many of the exhibits were crowded into so small spaces, as not to show to advantage. It was frequently remarked by those passing through, that " the display was the finest on the ground," " better than it had ever been before." One noticeable feature of the exhibition was that some of our 120 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. oldest and best fruit growers were not represented in their usual places, as the accidents peculiar to the season had borne heavily upon them, but the extra efforts of others more than made up the deficiency. Two thousand plates were provided for the occasion, but this was not sufficient, and many collections were grouped on the tables alone. It is perhaps invidious to speak of individuals where all did so well, and should receive credit for their efforts; yet it is but just to speak of the fine display of apples shown by friends Peffer, Plumb, Kellogg and Palmer, among the professional cultivators, most of whom had on exhibition many varieties not entered for competition; also of Messrs, Phillips, Jeffreys, Lewis, Taylor, Willson, Martin, Sherman and Boyce, among the non-profes- sionals. The early date at which the fair was held, sadly affected the show of grapes, but most of the leading grape growers were pres- ent, and in their exhibits, well represented the capabilities of this state to produce this luscious fruit in abundance and of extra quality. Another remarkable feature of the exhibition was the unusual display of pears, both in numbers, variety and quality. Many of these exhibits were from what is termed the lake shore belt, but there were quite a number of fine collections from the interior and even the western borders of the state. One of the finest collec- tions of pears ever exhibited at our fairs, was that brought from the well known pear orchard near Green Bay. While this does not make it advisable to recommend the extensive cultivation of the pear, it shows us that there is good reason to hope for success in this direction. The remarkably fine exhibition of fruit from the northern part of the state should be mentioned in this connection. Some of the finest fruit, and that too of varieties regarded as not sufficiently hardy to be cultivated in the southern part of the state, even in the most favorable locations, were here to be seen, mature in size and of a superior quality, grown to very near, if not beyond, the limits where successful fruit culture is generally regarded as prac- ticable. The exhibitions of friends Phillips from La Crosse county, and Reynolds from Brown county, demonstrate the capabilities of the northern portion of the state for raising fruit, and give encour- Annual Meeting — Superintendent's Report. 121 agement to hope that when we learn the requisite conditions of soil and location and the proper culture, a large portion of our state that now depends on others for their fruit, wdl find that it can be raised at home; for surely there are many places where the like conditions can be found and like results secured. We were also greeted with the sight of a number of plates of a fruit that in days past has formed a prominent part of our exhibi- tions, but which, alas! has long since been shamefully deserted and given up to the tender mercies of the curculio. There were also a few specimens of home grown peaches on the tables, fair to look upon, but " sour grapes " to the fruit growers of Wisconsin. The exhibition of plants and flowers was very creditable. Prom- inent among the exhibitors of flowers, we would mention Mrs. Boyce of Lodi, Mrs. Mallory of Waukesha, Mrs. Robt. Boyd of Evansville, Miss Leitch, the Mrs. Marston, Heistand, Joy and Pit- man of Madison, Mrs. Leitch of Dane and Miss Kate Peffer of Pewaukee. The display made by Mr. Wm. Kitzrow, professional florist of Milwaukee, is worthy of commendation. The collection was large in number of varieties and choice in quality. It contributed much to the attractiveness of the hall; without it the display of green- house plants would have been meagre. The number of entries fails to giving a correct idea of the extent of the exhibition, as many exhibits were duplicated and others were far in excess of the number required, and many articles were placed on exhibition which were not entered for competition. In the professional department, the number of entries made was 1G7; in the non-professional, 361. The amount of premiums paid to pro- fessional cultivators, was $251; to non-professional, $317; total $'568. Certain things that transpired in connection with the manage- ment of the department make a few suggestions, pertaining to needed regulations for the future, pertinent to this report. Many of you are aware that on the second day of the exhibition it became necessary to provide more table room to properly display the fruit. As all the other space was occupied to the fullest capacity, it was found necessary to close the side entrance to the hall. The result proved that the interests of two or three hucksters engaged in. 122 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. selling pop, peanuts and cigars, in coops at the outside of the en- trance were of vastly more importance than the comfort and con- venience of the exhibition within, and consequently, the tables had to be removed and the door opened. Further, in certain states of the weather and direction of the wind, it was desirable to have this entrance closed in order to protect the plants and flowers, and to promote the comfort of those within; but as this would interfere with vested rights, the inconvenience and discomfort had to be en- dured. It therefore seems desirable, that, if arrangements are to be made by the society to take charge of the horticultural depart- ment in the future, it should be specified that the society should have full control of the hall and its surroundings, as far as may be necessary for the proper management of the department. Another suggestion is, that by giving more force and prom- inence to some of the rules governing the exhibition, better satis- faction would be given, and there would be less friction in its man- agement. There seems to have been a gradual increase of laxity in the strict enforcement of the rules, whether owing to the sensi- tiveness of the judges, or the lack of proper attention on the part of the superintendent, it occasions much dissatisfaction to exhibit- ors, and is alike impolite and unjust. To specify particular points: the rule that the article exhibited must be entered in the name of the party who raised or made it, is very apt to be disregarded, and there is no doubt, that at every fair, there are instances where the exhibitor is the collector, rather than the producer of the articles entered in his name. A strict observance of this rule should be insisted upon. So also with relation to the rule specifying the time at which the articles must be in their place on the tables; the least departure from it is a fruitful source of complaint and hard feeling. The rules governing entries and arrangement of the general exhibition are made by the Agricultural Society, and there may be instances where they, for some cause, deviate from the strict enforcement of them, which may give dissatisfaction; this is beyond our control, but by strictly enforcing the rules, as far as may be in our power, we will do much to relieve the dissatisfaction often felt and expressed. I would in this connection suggest, that we would probably secure a better observance of the rules on the part of exhibitors, and also a more prompt enforcement of them by the judges and officers of the department, if the most important ones Annual Meeting — Premiums Awarded. 123 were briefly but plainly stated in the notes at the head of our de- partment list of premiums. There is generally much delay in securing the proper arrange- ment of the floral display at our fairs, which is, in part, owing to the amount of time required to do this work satisfactory, and also to the perishable nature of the flowers, and I would suggest the ad- visability of extending the time for the final arrangement of cut flow- ers on the tables. If it were possible to extend this time until Tuesday evening at 6 P. M., or even Wednesday morning 9 A. M., with the strict enforcement of the regulation that at that hour the books are to be placed in the hands of the judges, and no addition or change will be allowed to the exhibits then on the tables, we would give better satisfaction to the exhibitors, and make it much easier for the judges to pass upon the merits of the exhibits, as they would be in a much more perfect condition. These considera- tions are respectfully submitted. The following is the list of premiums awarded in the fruit and flower department: Premiums Awarded in the Fruit and Flower Department of State Fair of 1878: Fruit by Professional Cultivators. APPLES. Best display of varieties, not to exceed 30, L. L. Kellogg, Janesville. $10 00 Second best, Win. Reid, North Prairie 7 50 Third best, N. N. Palmer, Brodhead 5 00 Best ten varieties adapted to the Northwest, Geo. P. Peffer, Pewaukee 7 00 Second best, L. L. Kellogg 5 00 Third best, Wm. Reid 3 00 Best five varieties adapted to the Northwest, J. C. Plumb, Milton. . . 3 CO Second best, L. L. Kellogg 2 00 Third best, N. N. Palmer 1 00 Best variety of winter, not to exceed ten, Geo. P. Peffer. 5 00 Second best, L. L. Kellogg 3 00 Third best, Wm. Reid 2 00 Best five varieties of winter, J. C. Plumb 3 00 Second best, Geo. P. Peffer 2 00 Third best, L. L. Kellogg 1 00 Best ten varieties, large and showy, L. L. Kellogg 5 00 Second best, Wm. Reid , 3 00 Third best, N . N. Palmer 2 00 Largest apple, J. C. Plumb 1 00 Heaviest apple, J. C. Plumb , 1 00 124 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. PEARS. Best display of varieties, Geo. P. Peffer $3 00 Second best, Wm, Reid 2 00 Third best, N. N. Palmer 1 00 Best three varieties, Geo P. Pefl'er 2 00 Second best, N. N. Palmer 1 00 Best Flemish Beauty, Wm. Reid 2 00 PLUMS. Best and greatest variety, Geo. P. Peffer $3 00 Third best, Wm. Reid 1 00 Best Miner, Geo. P. Peffer 2 00 Best native, or wild, Geo. P. Peffer 100 F. C. Curtis, A. J. Phiiips, W. Reynolds, Committee. GRAPES. Best and greatest display of varieties, C. H. Greenman, Wauwatosa. $10 00 Scond best, Wm. Reid 7 50 Third best, N. N. Palmer 5 00 Bast ten varieties, C. H. Greenman 7 50 Second best, Wm. Reid 5 00 Third best, N. N. Palmer 3 00 Best five varieties, J. C. Plumb 3 00 Second best, C. H. Greenman 2 00 Third best, N". 1ST. Palmer 1 00 Best three varieties. C. H. Greenman 3 00 Second best, J. C. Plumb 2 00 Third best, N. N. Palmer 1 00 Best two varieties, C. H. Greenman 2 00 Second best, Wm. Reid 1 00 Best single varietv. C. H. Greenman 2 00 Second best, Wm Reid 1 00 Best three buucbes of Concord on one cane, Wm. Reid 2 00 Second best, C. H. Greenman 1 00 Best three bunches of Delaware on one cane, Wm. Reid 2 00 Second best, C. H. Greenman , 1 00 Best single varietv, quality to rule, C. H. Greenman 3 00 Second best, Wm. Reid 2 00 Best show of foreign, Geo. P. Peffer 3 00 CRABS. Best and greatest varietv, named, N. N. Palmer $3 00 Second best. Wm. Reid 2 00 Third best, Geo. P. Peffer 1 00 Best plate Hyslop, H. Schuster, Middleton 1 00 Best plate Transcendent, N. N. Palmer 1 00 Best seedling, Geo. P. Peffer 2 00 Second best, J. C. Plumb 1 00 SWEEPSTAKES ON FRUIT. Best collection of fruit of all kinds, Geo. P. Peffer $7 50 Second best, L. L. Kellotrg 5 00 Third best, N. N. Palmer 3 00 D. T. Pilgrim, J. M. Smith, A. J. Philips, Committee. Annual Meeting — Premiums Awarded. 125 Fruit by Non- Professional Cultivators. Best and greatest displaj' of varieties, not to exceed thirty, A. J. Phil- ips, West Salem $10 00 Second best, P. J. Foster, Rock Spring 7 50 Third best, Henry Taylor, Middleton 5 00 Best ten varieties adapted to the northwest, A. J. Philips 7 00 Second best, Mrs. A. A. Boyce, Lodi 5 00 Third best, A. Sherman, Janesville. . 3 00 Best ten varieties, large and showy, H. C Willson, Madison 5 00 Second best, A. J. Philips 3 00 Third best, Mrs A. A. Boyce 2 00 Best five varieties adapted to tue northwest, A. J. Philips 3 00 Second best, E. D. Lewis, Lake Mills 2 00 Third best, A. Sherman 1 00 Best and largest variety of winter, not to exceed ten, A. J. Philips. . 5 00 Second best, L.Mirtin, Brown Co 3 00 Third best, Geo. Jeffery, Smithville 2 00 Best five varieties winter, A. J. Philips 3 00 Second best, L. Martin 2 00 Third best, E. D. Lewis 1 00 Largest apple, H. A. Lewis, Madison 1 00 Heaviest apple, H. C. Willson 1 00 PEARS. Best and greatest display of varieties, Geo. Jeffery $3 00 Second best, J. Y. Ozanne, Racine 2 00 Third best, L. Martin 1 00 Best three varieties, L. Martin 2 00 Second best, Geo. Jeftery 1 00 B^st Flemish Beauty, L Martin 2 00 PLUMS. Best and greatest variety, D. T. Pilgrim, West Granville $3 00 Second best, Geo. Jeffery 2 00 Third best, John Spaulding, Janesville 1 00 Best native or wild, D. T. Pilgrim , . 1 00 We find on exhibition, by P. J. Foster of Sauk county, a plate of Flemish Beauty pear3, which were not entered, but which are superior in size to any competing. Also, a fine collection of named apples, from James Barr of Jefferson, and a similar one from the Green County Agricultural Society. Also, a basket of peaches, grown in the city of Madison, by J. E. Scpaiers ■which are large, late and fine. All these exhibits are worthy of commendation in the opinion of the com- mittee. Geo. P. Peffer, W. W. Daniells, J. C. Plumb, Committee. GRAPES. Best and greatest display of varieties, V. Lowe, Palmyra $10 00 Secon 1 best, Isaac Adams, Door Creek 7 50 Third best, F. S. Lawrence, Janesville 5 00 Best ten varieties, V. Lowe 7 50 Second best, F. S. Lawrence 5 00 126 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. Best five varieties, V. Lowe $3 00 Best three varieties, V. Lowe 3 00 Second best, H. C. Willson 2 00 Best two varieties, H. C. "Willson 2 00 Second best, V. Lowe 1 00 Best single variety, V. Lowe 2 00 Second best, H. C. Willson 100 Best three bunches of Concord on one cane, H. C. Willson 2 00 Second best, V. Lowe 1 00 Best three bunches of Delaware on one cane, V. Lowe 2 00 Second best, Isaac Ad arns 1 00 Best single variety, quality to rule, V. Lowe 3 00 Second best, Isaac Adams 2 00 CRABS. Best and greatest variety named, A. J. Philips $3 00 Second best, II. C. Willson 2 GO Third best, Geo. Jeffery 1 00 Best plate Hyslop, A. J. Philips 1 00 Best plate Transcendent, A. J. Philips 1 00 Two seedling crabs exhibited by A. J. Philips, commended. SWEEPSTAKES ON FRUIT. Best collection of fruit of all kinds, Geo. Jeffery $7 50 .Second best, D. T. Pilgrim 5 00 M. J. Plumb, C. H. Greenman, N. N. Palmer, Committee. SEEDLING APPLES. Best seedling apple, A. J. Philips. Second best, A. J. Philips. C. H. Greenman, Geo. Jeffery, N. N. Palmer, Committee. NURSERY TREES. Best collection of nursery grown trees, quality to rule, J. C. Plumb, Dip. Best collection of evergreens, J. C. Plumb Dip. Best collection of fruit trees, J. C. Plumb Dip. Best collection of hardy flowering shrub?, J. C. Plumb Dip. Best collection of apple trees, J. C. Plumb Dip. C. H. Greenman, re than twenty varieties, Mrs. Robert Boyd 3 00 Second best, Miss Kate F. Peffer 2 00 Best ten named dahlias, Miss Kate F. Peffer 2 00 Second best, Mrs. John Joy 1 00 Best display of roses, Mrs. Geo. F. Brown, Madison 4 00 Best five named varieties ros^s, M rs. J. R. Heistaud, Madison 3 00 Best display verbenas, Mrs. Geo. F. Brown 2 00 Second best, Mrs. J. T. Marston 100 Best named verbenas, Mrs. J. C Squires, Madison 2 00 Second best, Miss Kate F. P. fter 1 00 Best show seedling verbenas, Mrs. J. T. Marston 2 00 Seco"d best, C Wildhagen 1 00 Best show asters, Mrs. W. G. Pitman, Ma'ison 2 00 9 — Hobt. So. 123 "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. Second best, C Wildhagen $1 00 Best show perennial phlox, Mrs. John Joy 1 00 Second best, Mrs. A. A. Boyce 50 Best show pansies, Miss Abbie Deards 1 00 Second best, Mrs. J. T. Marston 50 Best show double petunias, Mrs. A. A. Boyce 1 00 Best show dianthus, C. Wildhagen 1 00 Second best, Z. L. Welnian, Stoughton 50 Best show of gladiolas, Mrs. A. A. Boyce t 1 00 Second best, Mrs. John Joy 50 Best show phlox drurnmondii, Mrs. J. T. Marston 1 00 Second best, P. W. Brown 50 Best show lilies, Mrs. Geo. F. Brown 1 00 Best show stocks, Mrs. A. A. Boyce 1 00 Best show balsams, Mrs. John Joy 1 00 Second best, Miss L. Campbell, Madison 50 Best show greenhouse plants not less than twenty-five nor more than fifty, Mrs. John Joy 5 00 Best ten varieties green house plants in bloom, Mrs. W. G. Pitman. 3 00 Best ten geraniums, Mrs. John Joy 3 00 Second best, Mrs. W. G. Pitman 2 00 Best display of flowers raised by exhibitor, Mrs. A. A. Boyce 5 00 Second best, Miss Kate F. Pefter 3 00 Best display ornamental foliage plants, Mrs. W. G. Pitman 3 00 Second best, Mrs. L. F. Mailory 2 00 Geo. J. W. Kitzrow, Mrs. M. M. Davis, Mrs. H. R. Ryan, Committee. Special Premiums. JAMES VICE'S, OF ROCHESTER, N. Y. Best collection cut flowers, Mrs. W. G. Pitman $20 00 Second best, Mrs. L. F. Mailory 10 00 Third best, Mrs. Robert Boyd 5 00 Fourth best, Mrs. J R. Heistand Floral Chromo. Best ornamental floral work, Win. T. Leitch, Jr 5 00 MADISON HORTICULTURAL. SOCIETY'S. Best collection of wild flowers, ferns and mosse3, Miss C. W. Sharp, Madison Imported canary and gilt cage. Second best, Miss Kate F. Peffer Silver vase. Best collection of flowers, arranged and exhibited by boy or girl un- der sixteen years of age, Miss Jennie Leitch, Madison Silver pickle castor. Geo. J. W. Kitzrow, Mrs. H. R. Ryan, Committee. Respectfully submitted, F. W. CASE, Superintendent. The report of the superintendent was accepted and adopted. On motion, of Mr. Stickney, the committee on the revision of the premium list were instructed to give the main regulations govern- ing the entry and exhibition of articles in the fruit and flower de- Annual Meeting — Constitution. 129 partment, at the head of the list, and to extend the time for the final arrangement of cut flowers till Wednesday morning, 9 A. M. It was also decided to give the superintendent instructions to secure full control of the hall and its entrances for the horticultu- ral department at the fair, to be used so as best to promote the purposes of the exhibition. Constitution and By-Laws Amended. — The committee to whom was referred the amendment of the constitution and by-laws of the society reported, recommending the adoption of the fol- lowing: constitution. Art. I. This society shall be known as the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. Art. II. Its object shall be the advancement of the science of horticulture. Art. III. Its members shall consist of annual members, paying an annual fee of one dollar; of life members, paying a fee of ten dollars at one time; of honorary life members, who shall be dis- tinguished for merit in horticultural or kindred sciences, or who shall confer any particular benefit upon this society; and honorary annual members, who may, by vote, be invited to participate in the proceedings of the society. Art. IV. Its officers shall consist of a President, Vice-Pres- ident, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Superintendent, and an Executive Board, consisting of the fore- going officers and additional members, one from each congres- sional district of the state, five of whom shall constitute a quo- rum at anv of its meetings. In addition to the foresroins: offi- cers, the presidents of all local horticultural societies reporting to this society, shall be deemed honorary members and ex-offixio vice presidents of this society. All officers shall be elected by ballot and shall hold their office for one year thereafter, and until their successors are elected; provided, the additional executive members may be elected by the county or local horticultural soci- eties of their respective districts. Art. V. The society shall hold annual meetings, commencing on the Monday next preceding the first Tuesday in February, for the election of officers, for discussions and for the exhibition of 130 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. fruit; also one meeting during the fall, for the exhibition of fruits and for discussions, and such other meetings for discussion and ex- hibition as the executive committee may direct, at such time and place as the executive board shall designate. Art. VI. This constitution, with the accompanying by-laws, may be amended at any regular meeting, by a two-thirds vote of the members present. BY-LAWS. I. The president shall preside at meetings, and with the advice of the recording secretary, call all meetings of the society, and have a general supervision of the affairs of the society; and shall deliver an annual address upon some subject connected with horticulture. II. The vice-president shall act rm the absence or disability of the president, and perform the duties of the chief officer. III. The secretary shall attend to all the correspondence, shall record the proceedings of the society, preserve all papers belonging to the same, and superintend the publication of its reports. He shall also present a detailed report of the affairs of the society at its annual meeting. He shall also endeavor to secure reports from the various committees, and from local societies, of the condition and progress of horticulture of the various districts of the state, and report the same to this society. It shall be the duty of the secretary to make an annual report to the governor of the state, of the transactions of the society, according to the provisions of the statutes for state reports. IV. The treasurer shall keep an account of all moneys belonging to the society, and disburse the same on the written order of the president, countersigned by the secretary, and shall make an annual report of receipts and disbursements, and furnish the secretary with a copy of the same, on or before the first day of the annual meeting. The treasurer elect shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, give good and sufficient bonds for the faithful perform- ance of his duties, subject to the approval of the executive committee. V. The executive board may, subject to the approval of the society, manage all its affairs, and fill vacancies in the board of officers; three of their number, as designated by the president, shall constitute a finance committee. VI. It shall be the duty of the finance committee to settle with Annual Meeting. 131 the treasurer, and to examine and report upon all bills or claims against the society, which may have been presented and referred to them. VII. The standing committees of this society shall be as follows: 1st, Committee on Finance, consisting of three members; 2d, Com- mittee on Nomenclature, consisting of three members; 3d, Com- mittee of Observation, as now provided. Said committees to be appointed annually by the executive committee of the society. J. C. PLUMB, Chairman. "Which report was accepted, and the CDnstitution and by-laws were adopted. The president announced that the time for election of officers having arrived, the society would now proceed to the election of the officers for the ensuing year. The election was made in the usual form, by ballot, and the following persons were chosen: President. — J. M. Smith, of Green Bay. Vice President. — C. H. Greenman, of Wauwatosa. Recording Secretary. — P. W. Case, of Madison. Corresponding Secretary. — A. L. Hatch, of Ithaca. Treasurer. — M. Anderson, of Cross Plains. Superintendent. — D. T. Pilgrim, of West Granville. Additional members of Executive Committee. — J. S. Stickney, "Wauwatosa; A. J. Phillips, West Salem; A. G. Tuttle, Baraboo. The following persons were elected as Committee of Observation for the respective fruit districts: 1st District, D. T. Pilgrim, of West Granville. 2d " J. C. Plumb, of Milton. 3d " George Hill, of Fond duLac. 4th " A. L. Hatch, of Ithaca. 5th " E. W. Daniels, of Auroraville. 6th " C. W. Potter, of Mauston. 7th " D. Huntley, of Appleton. 8th " J. H. Felch, of Amherst. 9th " A. J. Phillips, of West Salem. 10th " G. W. Perry, of Superior. 11th " Hiram Smith, of Sheboygan. 12th " J. M. Smith, of Green Bay. 132 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. The president appointed as Committee on Nomenclature, J. 0. Plumb, B. B. Olds, George P. Peffer. On motion, the usual appropriation was voted to the secretary. Mr. Stickney stated that the premium offered by the society for a number of years for the best seedlings had not been produc- tive of very satisfactory results, in part on account of the condi- tions imposed, being next to impossible to bring samples of fruit for five successive years; in part, on account of inadequate compen- sation for the labor required, and because the desired qualities "were not definitely stated, and he moved that the same premium should be offered for the best seedling apple, said apple to be exhib- ited for three years; entries to be made annually, and premiums to be paid at the third exhibition; said apple to have better qualities as a tointer apple than any variety now on the recommended list/ which motion prevailed. Reports were read from the Brown county, Sauk county, Grand Chute, Lemonweir Valley and Janesville Horticultural societies. (Reports given with "proceedings of local societies" in present volume.) The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Stickney: JResolved, That in case we receive the appropriation asked for, our executive committee be authorized to appropriate from the same, such sum as they think best, not to exceed one hundred dol- lars, to promote the interest and usefulness of the summer meeting. Which resolution was adopted, and the society adjourned to meet in joint convention in the Assembly Chamber at 7:30 P. M.* Feb. 6, 9:30 P. M. The society met in the Agricultural Rooms for the transaction of unfinished business. The committee on revision of the premium list made their report, which was adopted. * The papers read in joint convention on horticultural subjects, and the discussions following, will be given under the head of " Papers read at An- nual Meeting." Annual Meeting. 133 On motion, Dr. P. H. Hoy, of Racine; J. Periam, of Chicago, and A. F. Hofer, of McGregor, Iowa, were made annual honorary members of the society. A resolution was passed requesting Dr. Hoy to act as Entomolo- gist for the society. In the absence of the secretary, Mr. Geo. J. Kellogg was elected secretary pro tern. Adjourned. Feb. 7, 5:30 P. M. The society met and the following report was made by the com- mittee on Fruit on Exhibition: REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUIT ON EXHIBITION. The committee on fruit find on the tables a fine collection of ap- ples by A. J. Phillips, of "West Salem, La Crosse county, that show great care in growing and handling, and also the advantage of high limestone ridges for fruit growing. The varieties are Pewaukee, Ben Davis, Wealthy, Willow Twig, Walbridge, Fameuse, Golden Russet, Alexander, Fall Spitzenberg, Ortley, Rawle's Janet, and Jonathan. The last three are seldom grown in that latitude. Mr. Phillips also showed four seedling apples. J. P. W. Hill, Windsor, Dane county, shows some seedling apples, called Leitch, and Hill's Red Winter, of fine size, excellent quality and very beautiful, which promise well for hardiness. J. C. Plumb shows six varieties of apples and two of winter Siberians, the General Grant and Lake Winter, the latter of ex- cellent quality. E. G. Mygatt, of Richmond, Illinois, shows fine specimens of Baldwins grown on top grafted trees; shown to commend top work- ing the tender varieties upon hardy stocks. M. E. Emerson, Door Creek, shows extra well grown specimens of Ben Davis and Stark. G. P. Peffer shows a new seedling apple, the Oakland, and five varieties Siberian crabs. Freeborn & Hatch, Ithaca, Richland county, show enormous sized Golden Russets, and well preserved specimens of grapes, which are supposed to be Rogers No. 3, and Wilder. 134 "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society, "VVm. Springer, Fremont, Wis., shows several varieties of the Waupaca county seedling apples of great beauty. Among them we find the Weyauwega, Wrightman and Flora, all very promising. G. J. Kellogg, Janesville, shows six varieties of apples, Willow,. Stark, Tallman, Grimes, Golden Russet and Barrett Russet. E. W. Daniels, of Waushara county, shows samples of an apple much resembling the R. I. Greening, and which the committee think must be that variety. C. H. Greenman exhibits a model grape trellis of a new pattern,, and sample vines to illustrate its use and his system of pruning. We find also well preserved samples of Adirondac, Agawam, Eumelan, Wilder, Lindley, but do not find the exhibitor's name in connection with them. Respectfully submitted, Committee. Report was accepted and adopted. The commit! ee appointed to specify the condition on which the recommendation of the list of apples for general cultivation was based, were granted further time to complete the specifications. On motion, an appropriation was, made to defray the expenses of Mr. P. M. Gideon, of Minnesota, while in attendance on the convention. The following resolution was introduced: " Resolved, That Mr. J. C. Plumb be requested to present a re- port at our next annual meeting, districting the state according to conditions of soil and climate, and giving lists of fruit best adapted to each." Which was passed. The arrangements for the summer meeting were discussed, and the opinion was expressed that it was advisable to offer premiums for an exhibition of fruit and flowers, for which the state and local horticultural societies should contribute an equal amount; in ac- cordance with which understanding a resolution was passed, instructing the president and executive committee to complete the arrangements for such meeting. On motion, the society adjourned sine die. Addresses — Strawberries. 135 HORTICULTURAL ADDRESSES, PAPERS AND DISCUSSIONS BEFORE THE JOINT CONVENTION, AT THE Annual Meeting of the Society, held at Madison, February 4-7, 1879. SHALL WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIMENT WITH NEW VARIETIES OF STRAWBERRIES? J. M. SMITH, President State Horticultural Society, Green Bay. I have been urged to say something on this question, and it has occurred to me that a few words on this subject would not be inap- propriate at this time. It is now about twenty years since Wilson's Albany Seedling began to be known among the strawberry growers. Previous to that time, the cultivation of this, the finest of all ber- ries, was confined to comparatively few persons, and the aggregate yearly crop of the country was probably not one-fifth, if it was, in- deed, one-tenth, of what it is at present. The varieties then most generally cultivated were Hovey's Seedling, in New England, and the Early Scarlet, or New Jersey Scarlet (which I believe are one and the same), in New Jersey and other places adjoining our large cities. In other portions of the country there were but very few grown, as compared with the present. The introduction of the " Wilson," as it is now termed, was such a vast step in advance of any variety then known, that in the course of a few years it worked a complete revolution in strawberry culture. Thousands upon thou- sands of those who had previously looked upon this delicious fruit 13G Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. as only within the reach of the wealthy, or the expert cultivator, now found that they could raise it, not only for themselves but for the market. The firmness and keeping qualities of the berry were such that those at a distance from market found they could carry or send their surplus fruit to the nearest town or city, and often realize sufficient from it to give them quite a little sum of money to use; and at a time of the year too, when the farmer usually has not a large amount coming in. Thus has this remarkable berry worked its own way, in spite of all opposition, until, it is safe to say, that at least nine-tenths, if not nineteen-twentieths, of all the berries now grown in the United States are of this variety. It yielded when introduced, larger and firmer berries than any of the varieties then in general cultivation. These bsrries will keep longer and bear transportation better than any other. The vines are as hardy as the best, and prolific to a degree that has not been equaled either before or since. "With all these acknowledged good qualities, it may be asked: " Do we need any other? " I answer, "Yes." With all of its splendid qualities it has some faults. The first ripening fruit is fine and large; soon it begins to grow less, and before the close of the season the berries often become quite small. We need a berry that will hold its size through the bearing season better than this one. Although it is an early berry, we need one a week earlier, if we can get it. We also need one that will continue in bearing longer, and until we get fairly to the raspberry season. With a great many people, there is another and a very serious objection to it; it is too acid. With those who grow their own fruit, I believe that this objection would be nearly done away with, if they would only leave the fruit upon the vines until it is thoroughly ripe. It is not ripe as soon as it turns red, but should remain upon the vines until it has lost its glossy appearance, and is of a deep, dull red. When in this condition it is very much better than if picked as soon as it is well colored. Last summer my family averaged from ten to twelve during tne berry season. The table was bountifully supplied with berries while they lasted, at nearly or quite every meal. Upon it •were the Wilson, Duncan, No. 30, Kentucky, Downer's Prolific, beside a number of other varieties. Every one was expected to eat as many as he or she chose, and as often as they chose. After the first few days every one, with a single exception, fell back upon Addresses — Strawberries. 137 the Wilson as the best for constant use. One lady chose the No. 30 and stood by it until the last box of them was picked. So much for quality; still 1 am willing to admit that we need a berry of a better and a different quality. How shall we get it? Shall we keep right on buying, haphazard, every new variety that comes along, and happens to be pretty well puffed up by those who are inter- ested in its sale? Are we likely to succeed any better in the future than we have for the last fifteen years? Suppose we look back for a few moments and see what we have been doing; perhaps I should say what I have been doing; for it is to be hoped that you have not all been as foolish in this direction as I have. Soon after the Wilson became established as the lead- ing berry, new varieties began to make their appearance in great numbers. Each new variety was claimed to be better than any of its predecessors; and its owner would generally close the story of its marvelous value by telling how much better in every respect it was than the Wilson. To name them all, would be to fill pages with names that you would not care to hear or I to read. Some- times it is one of wondrous size, like the Dr. Nicaise, or Russell's Prolific, either one of which will bear an occasional berry of im- mense size, but it will generally have- the slight failing of being thoroughly ripe and rotten on one side, while it is as thoroughly green and sour upon the other. Perhaps it is the everlasting bearer, found upon the high lands in Mexico, which the peddler brings around, with samples of berries preserved in bottles of alcohol, ac- companied by the wondrous story of their constant bearing, from early spring until the snow comes and covers both ground and ber- ries. Here is perfection surely. I hasten to try this new wonder. After years of careful cultivation, upon as good soil as I own, I learn that it will bear an occasional berry during the whole season; and that by keeping, say half an acre of them in the best of order, I might once in a week have a quart of berries, though I think they did not do as well as that with most people. I remember my largest picking, a small tea cup, half full of berries about the size of peas; and then the pleasure that wife and I had in learning that they were scarcely fit to eat. Another package of plants comes from a gentleman in Ohio, with a request to cultivate with great care; and, also, the injunc- tion never to sell or give away one of the plants, except by his di- 138 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. rection. I promise a faithful compliance with all his wishes and try again. After two years I succeed in getting about a single handful of berries of good size, but bad shape, and that taste about like a mixture of rain water and vinegar. I complied with his re- quest, to neither sell nor give them away; and did as I have done with many others both before and since — dug them all out, being very careful not to have one left, and used them for manure; as that was the only way by which I could get even the slightest re- turn from them. Thus it has been year after year, each new variety resulting in anew disappointment and vexation, to say nothing of the loss of time and money, until a few years since, when I received a lot of plants from the department at Washington. There were two vari- eties. One was marked " Wilson's Albany Seedling," the other, "No. 2." What that meant, I did not then, nor do I yet know. I was somewhat surprised to learn that our government should go to the expense of growing and distributing a variety that, if not already in use by every grower in the country, could readily be ob- tained by all, and at a very small expense. Still, as they seemed to be entirely different from my Wilsons, I imagined it was a new variety of them, that would combine all imaginable excellencies, free from the defects that are acknowledged to belong to our or- dinary Wilson. They had come just in time. We had just fin- ished setting two or three new varieties that had come from the East, and had a choice spot left where we could, and did set them, with all the care and kindness that we were capable of showing them. About nine-tenths of them returned our kindness by qui- etly laying down and dying at once. Those that lived were nursed with tenderest care, and in the course of fourteen or fifteen months we gathered our first and last crop of fruit from them. The so called Wilsons, were indeed different from any of the kind that I had ever seen. They were very small and very hard, knotty, to a degree I have never seen either before or since. In fact, there was scarcely a fairly formed berry upon the vines, and only an occasional one of any kind. I can imagine of only one advantage that they would have possessed over the ordinary Wilson; and that is, if we had shipped any of them (provided, we could have got any to ship), they would undoubtedly have reached their place of destination in Addresses — Strawberries. 139 safety, as no express agent or other person would have risked tasting of them more than once; the quality being, if possible, worse than their appearance. The No. 2 bore about as well as the "Wilson. The berries being about the size of the common navy bean, and not altogether unlike it in shape. In color, it was about like a half ripe cranberry. In quality, please imagine a cross between the green cranberry and a wild crab apple. Thus has it been for nearly twenty years, a succession of fail- ures. It may be asked, were they all as complete failures as those named? Not quite; from the Triomphe De Grand, the Jucunda, Seth Boyden's, No. 30, Kentucky, Duncan, and perhaps a few others, I have succeeded in getting some magnificent fruit. I rec- ollect once picking twenty-five berries from some of my Jucunda vines, that made a full quart, and that, too, without looking for the largest ones. Still, if I could have known just how much that quart cost in manure and time, I have no idea that it would have been less than one dollar, and perhaps considerably more than that. The nearest that I have ever come to a success with any of the many new varieties that I have tried, is with the Duncan. But that is too soft to bear transportation, which of course shuts it out, even if it were right in other respects. Next to that I would place the No. 30. Perhaps I cannot express my estimate of the value of the many new varieties better than in the following way: If some responsi- ble parties should offer me ten cents per quart for all the Wilsons that I could produce, I should not hesitate to fill every acre of land that I possess, with them, just as fast as I could get it ready, and get the plants to put in. On the contrary, if the same parties should offer me fifty cents per quart for all I could raise, and con- fine me to any two or three varieties that have come out within the last twenty years, I should hesitate long and consider very care- fully, before I accepted it, even far enough to make an extensive trial. Understand me, gentlemen; I do not say that some of these varieties are not worthy of trial, or that they should be utterly con- demned under all circumstances. I have no doubt but that good fair crops of them have been obtained at times, where the soil, climate and cultivation were all adapted to their peculiar wants. But I am speaking to-day for the millions of our people who love strawberries, b«t do not have them; and for other millions who 140 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. have bought and paid for some one or more worthless varieties, cultivated them for years, and then given up in disgust and de- spair, saying, " I cannot raise strawberries." I say to you, one and all, that the Wilson is, in reality, the only variety now in general cultivation that you can rely upon with any degree of certainty. "With the ordinary cultivator, I do not believe there is one chance in a hundred of his being fairly successful with any other; while with the Wilson, a reasonable degree of success is almost a cer- tainty. What, then, is to be done? My advice to the amateur every- where is, to try the Wilson and let all other varieties alone, un- til some professional grower about you, some one whose business it is to keep himself posted, even if it does cost him time and money, has demonstrated that some other variety will do well with you. I think it is a duty that those of us who are growing berries for market owe to those about us, to warn them against spending either money or time with such varieties as we believe to be worth- less. I have practiced this for at least fifteen years past, and have steadily refused to advise any one to set anything but the Wilson, without telling them plainly my belief that they would probable lose both their time and money with anything else. I have some- times gone further than this. Last summer a man came to Green Bay with a magnificent plate of the Crescent Seedling. The stories that he told about it would almost have put Baron Munchausen at a discount. I wrote a short article for one of our papers warn- ing our people against such stories; told them that I had it on trial, and if it proved to be worthy of cultivation in our portion of the state, I should certainly find it out, and would just as certainly let them know it. I had the plants to sell, and if they really wanted them regardless of their value, I would supply them at a cost not to exceed twelve and a half cents per dozen, while the stranger was asking them $1.50 per dozen. I heard nothing more of him after that, neither have I had any calls for the plants. Right here the question maybe asked: will this new can- didate for honor that has been brought forward with such a blast of trumpets, also prove a failure? I have not tried it for a sufficient length of time to decide for myself; but I must say that my faith has been much weakened in it within the last six months. I will not condemn it yet, but will say to my friends, do not be in too much Addresses — Strawberries. 141 of a hurry to invest in it, for fear it will only add another to the list of your disappointments. Scarcely a year passes that I do not destroy a number of new varieties, root and branch, being fully as anxious to get rid of the last vestige of them, as I was in the first place to try them. I de- stroyed three or four new kinds last summer, and have now some half a dozen others that will share the same fate next summer, un- less they do better than they have yet done. It may be asked, what do you call doing well, and what would satisfy you in a new variety? In reply, I say that I will not cultivate a berry that yields less than 200 bushels per acre, when it has a fair chance to do well. We surely do not want a variety with fewer good quali- ties than the Wilson. My view is, that we need something about one week, or if possible, more than that, earlier than the Wilson, and another variety a little later, or one to continue in bearing until we get fairly into the raspberry season. If any person will send me one dozen plants each, of such varie- ties, possessing all the good qualities of the Wilson, in the same degree as the Wilson, even if they are no better in any other re- spect except being earlier and later, I will cheerfully bind myself to pay .$100 for the two dozen plants, after they have proved a suc- cess, by a thorough and systematic trial upon my grounds. But, gentlemen, until I see at least reasonable evidence of some im- provement over the Wilson, I propose hereafter to go a little slower on new varieties than I have done heretofore. To say that I have spent hundreds of dollars, in time and money, upon new varieties, is to speak very far within the actual truth; and when I say, that with all the care and attention that I could bestow upon them, I have never made one dollar from them, this is also the truth. Upon the other hand, I have been very successful with the Wilson from the first to the present, and that almost without an exception. This being the case, I have no hesitation in saying to the beginner and to the amateur cultivator, take the Wilson and treat it well, and you will almost certainly reap a good reward for your labor. But touch the new varieties as a burned child touches fire, very care- fully, until some expert or professional grower in your vicinity has demonstrated that it is at least not entirely worthless. Strawberries. — Geo. J. Kellogg — I would like to ask Mr. Smith if he ever raised the Green Prolific by the quantity? 142 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. Mr. Smith — No, sir, I never did. I got disgusted with them before I tried them myself. A friend of mine tried them, and made so thorough a failure that I would not risk them. He had tried them under good circumstances; everything, as I thought, favorable. Mr. Kellogg — Perhaps he set them by themselves. It is a pis- tillate, and, like any pistillate variety, entirely worthless when set by itself. The Crescent Seedling may not be hermaphrodite enough to produce the best effect by itself, but it certainly is enough so to produce a good heavy crop. The Green Prolific is one of the old varieties, and has been tried generally and thoroughly, and with success, for a near market. It is not good for transporta- tion two hundred miles. On one of the rows, three feet wide and eighteen rods long, my record was fifty-six quarts to the picking. Mr. Smith — I had one picking of Wilsons last summer over the •whole ground, in which we averaged twenty-eight quarts to the square rod. Mr. Kellogg — How many pickings had you for the season? Mr. Smith — I had five large pickings. Mr. Kellogg — My average, for the plantation, was ten pickings- Mr. Smith — I only count five; I only count the large pickings. Mr. Kellogg — I averaged the full crop, and it amounted to just the picking of this day, which would make five bushels to the square rod of Green Prolific. The Wilson did better with me. One row two feet wide and sixteen rods long gave forty quarts to a picking, and averaged ten such pickings, which would make be- tween six and seven bushels to the square rod. I admit that the Wilson is worth more than anything else we have ever had for gen- eral culture; yet the Crescent Seedling, with me, last year yielded, well; on plants that I moved half a mile, I picked berries four and one-half inches in circumference, and the stems were loaded right down to the ground on plants set the same spring. In the bed I left for fruiting, where I did not disturb the plants, there was a splendid show. I do not know what it is going to do. I can tell you by the first of July next. Mr. Plumb, of Milton — I want to talk a little on President Smith's experience. There is something he did not tell us that we would like to know. The soil in which he grows these berries is a purely artificial soil. It is one of those Fox river sand banks that Addresses — Strawberries. 143 are supposed to be worthless, and yet it did grow big pine trees originally; that is, before the sand covered up stumps and all. But he composts his manures; he fills that land as completely full of decomposing manure as it is possible to fill it. The soil is simply a vehicle for certain purposes of his; he puts in everything. Now you see what the conditions are. It is hot-bed culture, essen- tially. He must have a variety like the Wilson, that -has tremen- dous native vigor to stand it, to begin with. Others will fail for various reasons. They have not the constitution to stand that kind of treatment. In the next place, if he produces some of these large growing, soft varieties, they are so large and so soft that they will fairly rot on his ground, and they are worthless there. Now change the conditions; give him an ordinary farmer's soil, we will say a good stiff clay bank, a good potato or corn soil, such as farmers generally grow their berries on, and he will find the condi- tions vary exceedingly. He will find that the Wilson still stands ahead; no doubt of that; but there are some of these other varie- ties, that with him are practically worthless, that will then occupy a very important position; the Green Prolific, for instance, will yield more to the acre or square rod; will continue in fruit longer and will bring more in the market, provided you get it to market in good condition. Mr. Smith — But you cannot do it. Mr. Plumb — The growers at our place ship to Madison, 32 miles, without any trouble. Mr. Smith — But I have got to ship 200 miles. Mr. Plumb — That is another thing. There is a good deal about this strawberry question. I procured my first plants of the Cres- cent Seedling last spring from O. B. Galusha. I planted them two feet apart in the row, the rows four feet apart. If I had put them, as he said, ten feet apart each way, they would have covered the ground, and done it handsomely, such is their native vigor. They are just about as bright and full leaved to-day, under the straw that covers them, as they were the first day of September. They promise to hold that foliage, which will almost insure them a crop next spring; and I must say that I never had plants bear as they did. I picked the fruit buds off from most of them, but a few that were left bore fully equal to Wilsons that had stood a year. The berries were not as large, but the plants bore as much in pro- 10 — Hort. So. 144 "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. portion to their size as the Wilson, that had stood a year. I might speak of other varieties, but I wanted to speak of the condition of the soil. The Arena, which we have almost discarded, is on some kinds of soil a good berry, but on a sandy soil it is a complete failure. These conditions we cannot overlook. Mr. A. G. Tuttle, of Baraboo — I have had some experience with the Crescent Seedling. I planted it a year ago, and for vigor and hardiness I have seen nothing on the list of strawberries which I think compares with it. Plants that were entirely uncovered last winter, were as bright and green in the spring as they were in the fall, while the Wilsons were worse destroyed last spring than I ever knew them. I fruited the Crescent last spring, and could not see but what it bore as heavy a crop as the Wilson. Of course Hhad but few plants. The most of the plants I transplanted. They were standing only a short distance from the Wilson, and I noticed, after a frost had occurred, the blossoms that were open upon the Wilson, after a careful examination, seemed to be about nine-tenths of them destroyed; while on these only about one-tenth; the frost had an entirely different effect upon the blossoms. The plant is very vig- orous, and I think my friend Smith has not had a very good chance to try the Crescent Seedling if he set his plants last spring. I saw the original bed of Crescent Seedling after it had been fruited three years. The man who originated the berry, Mr. Parmalea, is not in the fruit business. He propagated it for his own amusement and not for sale, and never has sent out a plant to my knowledge. The grower, Mr. H. H. Smith, who lives not far from Mr. Parmalee, took up the plant, I think he told me, in 1871 or 1872. When I was there, Mr. Parmalee told me that he had a new seedling strawberry that he thought very much of. He had fruited it one season, and if it proved to be what it promised, he thought it was going to be ahead of anything in the strawberry line. He said Mr. H. H. Smith had taken and fruited it also, and he, too, thought very much of it, and was growing it and sending it out. I do not think Mr. Parmalee has ever sent out any plants at all. The reason he called my attention to the bed was, that as I was reading in his house the description Mr. Smith gave of the plant, that it would keep down all the grass and weeds, so that after the first year there would be no care required, and that it would go on and fruit year after year; I told Mr. Parmalee I thought that was Addresses — Strawberries. 145 a pretty large story; if we [had the plants out west, I thought the weeds would get the advantage of them, but he said, " go into my garden and look at my bed." I went and saw the bed which had been fruited three years. He had a bed of the Arena growing on one side and of the Wilson on the other. He said, " we treat those exactly alike. They have not had a bit of labor upon them since the first year." The Crescent Seedling was entirely free from weeds. I could not see one there, large or small; and it was a per- fect mat of vines. He said it had borne as well that season as it did the first. He could see no real difference. I am satisfied that it will take possession of the ground, and that no weeds and grass will grow if you keep them down the first year. I set a quantity of them last year, four feet apart each way; they have covered the ground so there will be a solid mass of vines in the spring; and for hardiness and productiveness and for quality, I have never seen a berry I thought superior to it. Of course it takes years of trial to test these new things, and I think friend Smith should give it a further trial before he condemns it. I appreciate the Wilson. It is a valuable berry and has proved so. It has been the great berry, as the Concord has been the great grape of the country. It has its faults, and I hope that we shall get something that will be equal in productiveness to the Wilson, better in quality, more uniform in size, and on the whole a better market berry. That is what we are looking after in new varieties; and though I would not give up the Wilson, I would still try varieties that are promising. Mr. Smith — I did not run down the Crescent Seedling. I said distinctly that I had not tried it long enough to be certain of what it would prove to be. The idea I wanted to convey was simply this: for the amateur, those who are growing strawberries for their own table, not to try these until such men as Mr. Plumb and Mr. Kellogg and myself, whose business it is to test new varieties, and stand the loss if they prove to be failures, have tried them. It is no matter if we do lose, because it is a part of our business to test them. Let the amateur watch such experiments and see if the re- sults are good, and not plunge into them, fooling away time and money. 1 do not know but the Crescent Seedling will prove to be all that its friends say for it, only I say to the amateur, " go slow," for I certainly have not as much faith in it as I had a year ago. I set my vines last spring and they did well. I got them from Mr. 146 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. Galusha. As to keeping down the weeds, if the grower will ma- nure the ground as he ought to, and the Crescent Seedling or any- other strawberry will grow thick enough, strong enough and rank enough to keep down all the weeds, they will grow so rank that he will have no berries. Mr. Tuttle — It seems, from trial, that they do produce large quantities of berries. That has been the case on Mr. H. H. Smith's grounds. His Crescent Seedlings have been fruited for five years. He says he has not spent a dollar on that ground since the first year, and he gets very large crops. These berries will not keep the weeds down the first year, but the second year they grow a foot high, the foliage perfectly covering the ground, and you might as well try to grow weeds under a board as under that thick foliage. Mr. J. W. Stone, of Fort Atkinson — I have been engaged in growing strawberries for quite a number of years and I used to put the Wilson ahead. One time I had four acres of Wilsons; no others of any account. I tested several varieties, but relied on the Wilson for the main crop. I find I can do better with other vari- eties now. I stated here, a year or two ago, that the leaf-roller de- stroyed the Wilson more than any other variety. I am entirely free from that now; the leaf-roller drove me to test other varieties. I have the Col. Cheney on my grounds, and can grow more quarts to the acre of it for market, than I can of the Wilson. And I have tested them this year by raising them side by side. My Wilsons did not yield as many quarts, and the first Wilson berries that were picked were not as good an average size as the last of the Col. Cheneys. I am not particularly interested in the Col Cheney, any more than in any other. I have now about half and half of Wil- son andCol. Cheney; my main crop of Col. Cheney looked bright all through the year. My Wilsons, though there were no insects on them, rusted and were not as thrifty. I think strawberry growers, those that are going to make a business [of it, had better look for a hardier plant than the Wilson. I think we have them among those now on trial. Mr. Kellogg — In relation to the Col. Cheney, it is good for nothing unless grown with some other variety. Mr. Stone — I set every third row with Wilson. The way I set them now is, one row of Wilsons and three rows of Col. Cheney, and Cere is no trouble in fertilizing them thoroughly. Addresses — Strawberries. 147 Mr. B. F. Adams, Madison — I grow, at the present time, four acres of strawberries; three acres of Wilsons, and one of other sorts, Jucunda, Col. Chene}^ Charles Downing, and Downer's Pro- lific. Our main crop, is, of course, the Wilson. We grow fruit for market. We sell it here in this local market, and ship it to many other points. We derive the most profit from the acre of mixed varieties; not that they yield a larger quantity than the Wilson, but the fruit averages so much larger and finer, and is so much more attractive in market, that it sells for a higher price; last season, when fruit was very low, it sold for nearly double. I think there are many localities in this state, and all over the country, where these varieties which I have spoken of, on this acre, can be grown with success, and some of them be made to yield as high as our friend Smith desires, two hundred bushels to the acre. I do not know that the Jucunda can be made to yield that quantity on a clay soil, on these white oak ridges, but it certainly can be made to yield as high as one hundred. I have myself grown them at that rate in that location, which is only a short distance from this city, on a white oak ridge, half a mile from the lake, but it is a variety. that is much better than the Wilson to ship; it is firmer, and it goes into the market bearing a much more attractive ap- pearance. Mr. Wood — My hopes are at present largely fixed on this Cres- cent Seedling. I have heard it recommended so highly, and I have so often failed in raising strawberries, because I failed to give them the labor and attention that they required, that I have been looking for just this strawberry, that would give something for nothing; and I am sorry to have anything said in this convention that shall dampen my hopes in the least, because I have procured some of friend Kellogg and planted them, and I am going to cul- tivate them next year; and if I ever have to touch them again, I am going back on friend Kellogg. Mr. Q. J. Freeborn — I have raised strawberries for the last ten years, and must say, I do not like to hear my old friend, the Green Prolific, abused. Until I heard of the Crescent Seedling, I thought that was the berry for a lazy man, but I guess I'll have to try the Crescent Seedling. The Green Prolific with us will not stand a particle of manure. In a virgin, sandy soil, it will produce a large crop; we do not think it necessary to set them with the Wilson; we have set them without, and had good crops, invariably. 148 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. HUMBUGS. By GEORGE J. KELLOGG, Janesvillb. There are but two classes now living, the humbugged and the humbugger. Presume they are both here. Let man, woman or child who is not humbug, stand up. Go to Washington; the greater the position, the greater the strife; the higher the prize, the more trickery, chicanery, deception, fraud, avarice, imposition and all the evils of high life, culminating in debauchery, bankruptcy and ruin. What of humbugs in the legal profession? There was a time when the laws were so simple there was no need of lawyers. Now, while congress is composed of more than three-fourths of this fra- ternity, what wonder that the laws are so ambiguous that even a Philadelphia expert cannot get beyond the amendment to the amendment. Did you ever know a lawyer that was not a humbug, or who would not for money clear the very dirtiest, low-lived scamp? Are there any clerical humbugs? The question seems to be one of fleeces instead of sheep, and not much care of the lambs except that the fleeces be kept good. Are we getting so far advanced that we are losing all the old landmarks? Is there not humbug in our colleges, in our city schools, and less common sense in our district school teachers than years ago? In the graded school, we find the scholars must march to music, step to time and go barefoot; and if by accident a pencil is dropped, it cannot be picked up until school is out, no matter if the child is idle the balance of the day. One of our city patrons told me that all the scholars learn in the high school is to walk up one aisle and down the other without kicking his fellow. Is this not humbug? Did you ever know a doctor that was a humbug, or rather did you ever know one who was not? When called, will he not shake his head and look wondrous wise; make the case a very critical one; he was not called any too soon; doubtful; he would need to see the patient again before he slept, and between the nostrums he left and the disease, no wonder the patient is worse and will doubt- less remain about so if the doctor can control the case, especially if the bill is good. Have you ever known his reputation built up by a good deal of brass and two good horses, with a furious drive Addresses — Humbugs. 149 into the country twice a day, returning on a different road? Poor timber is now worked up into doctors at very short notice. How about the agriculturist? I suppose this big word means the humbug farmer of now-a-days; humbug in his house, in his barn; he doubtless had a humbug carpenter — there is hardly any other; humbug in his surroundings; humbug in his seed and in his soil; humbug in his way of farming; humbug in his horses — he is the one who sent the boy for the doctor, and he went afoot to gain time; humbug in his cows — who ever heard of a yearling heifer whose milk was so rich that a pint would make a pound of butter; humbug in his hogs — see that sandy pair that cost one hundred dollars; humbug in his sheep — wool pulled over his eyes at the last fair to the tune of several hundred dollars; will he pan out by humbugging some one else? Fifty dollars for a trio of fowls; how is that for eggs at ten cents a dozen? Did you get rich with the hulless oats and the beardless barley? Have you tried the new corn, one kernel in the hill; the potatoes that are bug proof, or that new kind just from Peru? Have you tried the Jerusalem artichoke, and did your pigs dig their own dinner and make pork for one cent per pound? Did you ever give an order and note for an unlimited supply of lightning rods, and how did you get out? How about that new kind of reaper that stands beside the fence yonder, or that patent churn, up in the garret, or the new dasher that brings butter in five minutes? Lastly, did you ever get acquainted with a patent right man and make your pile, over the left? Turn to any calling, business or profession, and it is polished up with brass; sham and shoddy, the best side out; if there is any defect, it is puttied up, varnished and whitewashed, from the wafer to the wooden nutmeg; from the Bank of England to the sand bank; from the highest social circle to the lowest dregs of human- ity; humbug in everything; humbug in man, but oh! oh! what shall I say of woman? — worse and worse. Where is humbug more often seen and more seriously felt than in horticulture? You plant a tree with the hope of eating choice fruit some five years hence; you nurse it to life, pet it, lo ! these many years, and what? It blooms and blights, or worse, what it bears is a humbug. It is easy to tell where you bought that tree. A smooth-tongued man called on you, familiary addressing you by name, showed his pictures and glass jars with magnified fruit; a 150 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. certificate from some reliable firm either east or west; promised to be around next year and replace any failures; he won your good opinion, and although you had been caught before, and had firmly resolved you would never give another order, yet he talked so fair, and represented a firm that you knew; he had also sold to many of your neighbors, and showed their orders; and lastly he had the recommendation of the president of your Horticultural Society, and you thought you had a sure thing, and as you wanted some of the new Russian apples, you ordered ten at one dollar each; and as you had had poor luck with cherries, he persuaded you to try the " Utah Hybrid;" it was just the one to bear every year, loaded down with fruit in clusters like grapes; it seemed a wonder it had not been discovered before; you would try a few. As you had always failed in raising pears and he had a new stock on " the French root," on which pears would not blight, Eureka! now you thought was the time to go in on pears. The Alaska crab, he said was something wonderful, and so you thought as you saw it through glass, and although one dollar a tree was high, if they were bearing size, you could soon make that up in fruit. A few winter crabs, so nice in the spring; a " tree rose," a " strawberry tree," a half dozen " blue roses." As grapes were your favorite fruit, but on account of extra cares or labor you had not given them the proper attention at the right time, and had failed; and as he had the grape that needed no protection, and would load down with fruit even if not pruned, and so many prominent nurserymen of Wisconsin had recommended it, you took a dozen; they were to be bearing size and you were to pay a good price; and then there was that white grape, you had heard so much about and had never been able to find it, " as hardy as the Clinton, as great a bearer as the Concord, and the fruit would keep all winter;" a dozen of them would not be too many. Now a look at his jars convinced you that if such gooseberries, currants, plums and strawberries can be raised, and here is the proof, why, you will take some of the gooseberries that will not mildew; cur- rants that the currant worm will not eat; some of the plums the curculio will let alone; and if strawberries as big as apples can be grown like that, why, set me down for one hundred, not even ask- ing the price; such a chanoe you might not have again. Now you are through; but wife wants a few roses, shrubs, bulbs, shade trees and evergreens, and the order is finished and signed; too much in- Addeesses — Humbugs. 151 a [hurry to carry out and add it up, but you have only ordered what you want, and as the trees are not to come till fall, it does not matter. Fall comes; one cold spell, no trees yet, but here comes a notice; you go to town; find a man delivering a lot of trees and bundles, all about in the wind and sun. This is not the man you bought of, but he shows you your orders all footed up now, and it scares you; the bundle is so small marked for you that you refuse to take it, but you now take a memorandum of the order and talk it over with your wife; she thinks that all those things were talked of, and after consulting a lawyer, you conclude to take the bundle. It has not improved any by lying two days in the wind and sun. After you get home and compare the bill and bundle, you find the Russian trees all look just alike, although they have ten different names on them; the Alaska crabs are just little riding whips, " bearing size " truly! and they look like a kind that you have already; the " Utah cherries," about one foot high, and the " French pears," they too must be dwarfs, only two feet high; the tree rose and strawberry tree, wonderful, just six inches high; the blue roses look as though they always would be blue, and the grapes, " bearing size," about the size of a knitting needle, "need no protection!" I guess they will not only need protection now, but a good deal of nursing; and the plums, why the curculio could never find them; but here comes a little wad marked " strawberries, one hundred," what a little bundle for twenty-five dollars. Who ever heard of strawber- berries at twenty-five dollars per hundred. They must be the hen's egg kind! "Shade trees," four feet high; what a shadow! " Ever- greens," one foot; how they will break the wind next winter! Well, the bundle is sorted and the trees must be set out. As you cut the roots they look as if they had been frosted, but it is too late to cry for spilt milk; the trees are set, a portion of the bundle is put in the cellar to dry up, and the result will be, what few things live will bear anything but what they are marked; the strawberries are a little sour berry, the Russians are all some worthless apple; Alaska crab, alas! alas! the tree looks like Briar's Sweet. This is but a faint description of what is transacted every day throughout the country. The unknown, irresponsible tree tramp will persuade you he is working for such a firm, and will buy up worthless stock anywhere he can find it cheapest; fill the orders; 152 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. the labels and orders will correspond, no matter what the trash filled in; the most experienced cannot always tell what the stock is, and by the time you can prove anything, where is your tree tramp? Occasionally, one gets locked up for forging orders. Pity they all did not. Instances have come to my knowledge where June roses worth one shilling have been sold in Madison for $2.50 each; where one hundred Plumb's Cider apple trees were sub- stituted with three kinds and not a Cider; where Alaska crabs were sold for one dollar apiece and Briar's Sweet, without labels were substituted. The last sell I have seen on new " early Rus- sian," is a plate of Red Astrachan. Not a bad sell, if they would put in good trees at a shilling, and have them marked, and the true Red Astrachan. Four of our best stand-bys are Russian, viz: Tetofski, Red Astrachan, Duchess of Oldenburg, and Alexander; but what about the nine hundred and eighty-eight varieties from Russia, disseminated by the department at Washington. Who is the man or men who will ever sift out the wheat from that pile of chaff? Let a monument be raised to his memory. I have received just thirty-two kinds of the nine hundred and eighty-eight, and after ten years careful investigation, even if they come to bearing, what will I know about their adaptation to different soils, hardi- ness, productiveness and quality? And where is our Russian school? Take, for instance, two names of the thirty-two just received, No. 430, Arkad Krugli Woskowoi; No. 458, Scholti Nalin. Who is going to be humbugged now? Nine hundred and eighty- eight chances on new Russians, and these are not yet in the hands of the itinerant tree peddlers. A few have already been so far tested in hardiness of tree, that we have hope of success, but their is not a man in our state who can tell the quality of five of these kinds. How often have we been deceived with our own new vari- eties after they have been tested for five years before receiving the prize, and then only proving valuable in a few locations. What have we been able to accomplish in the past twenty years? Turn to the Horticultural Report for 1876, page thirty; eighteen reports from as many different men and portions of the state, giving the lists of the most profitable ten varieties in the order of value, numbered from one to ten. They all have the Fameuse in their lists, eight of them as the first for profit. Fifteen have Duchess, but only five put it as No. 1 for profit. Twelve have Golden Rus- Addresses — Humbugs. 153 set, but only one puts it at the head of the list. Eleven have Tal- man Sweet; nine have Red Astrachan. Of the forty-one varieties named to make the list of ten, sixteen get only one vote each. The best resolution this society ever passed, was the one recom- mending every man to look about him and select those varieties that are successful on soil and exposure like his own. I know of a practical horticulturist who, after years of trial, has settled down on Duchess, Fameuse and Early Rose potatoes for apples; no pears, no plums, no cherries. Hislop and Transcendent for crabs. He wisely trusts the potato to supply all failures in the trees. In reading up the report for Maine, I am much amused to learn that the tree peddler has been selling them " Pewaukee, Haas and Walbridge as new Russians," the scions directly imported. As they have had ten to twenty years experience with apple on crab roots, they unite, in pronouncing them a humbug; " dwarfing the tree and dying at an early age." The leading swindlers claim that the reason trees grown on crab roots cost so much, is because they pay three dollars per bushel for the wild crab seed. Perhaps some of you would like to invest in a new thing; the pie plant, hybridized with the peach, giving to the pie plant the peach flavor; roots one dollar and fifty cents, and warranted, re- placed at half price. Another sharp agent will find out where your best trees came from, and then he is furnishing from that very place. There is no end to their ways, tricks, and the new and wonderful fruits and plants they have just imported. Take the pear humbug; in just one place in Wisconsin, I be- lieve pear trees have paid first cost. Outside the influence of Lake Michigan, I know of but one tree as a success, and before that tree dies, I want its history to be put on record, so that if the poor thing dies, its good works may stand a monument forever. That tree is a Flemish Beauty, planted in the town of Spring Valley, Rock county, Wisconsin, by Rev. D. Alcott, in 1857; commenced bearing in 18G6; has borne pears by the bushel for six years, and in less quantity for four years more; sold at two dollars and twenty- five cents to seven dollars per bushel. Amount sold, fifty dollars and thirty cents. In 1871, it furnished for market, five bushels. This is besides what have been used and eaten by the family and admiring friends. It is needless to add that it stands in clay soil and has not been highly cultivated. 154 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. Take the plum humbug; put your finger on a kind that is relia- ble. Where are the friends of the Hinkley? and oh! where is the "Wild Goose?" It is a good thing to plant cherries; for one year in three you may get enough to make the birds happy; if you sell any, or at- tempt to can any, you are liable to the penalty of the law for " Cru- elty to Birds." While currants can be bought annually at one dollar per bushel, they will pay the consumers, but I would rather contract to fur- nish fifty bushels of raspberries or strawberries at the same price than currants. In the small fruits you are liable to humbug yourself. You buy a choice kind and give it extra care; its success will lead you into error, for as soon as you put it along side of the old sorts, and give it like care, it fails. Of the ten thousand new varieties that have originated in the last twenty years, what strawberry can equal the Wilson? There are many who are claiming the position for some favorite, but take the fact that the Wilson has never been planted, or cared for, but it has paid, on all soils and every location, and with all kinds of treatment; and it has fruited at the rate of five bush- els to the square rod, yielding twenty- five quarts to a single pick- ing to the square rod. This was done last summer on a bed bearing its third crop, after the severe frost and without irrigation. As I am a humbug (that is what my wife says), my foreman is ready to testify to these facts; but as you may still think there is some humbug about it, I will state that J. F. Morse and I. L. Jenks, years ago on a strife, produced, the first, five bushels on a square rod, and the last, four bushels and a half. The new varieties that have come to the front in the last five years promise to beat the Wilson, some in quantity, many in size and quality. The Great American has produced the past season a strawberry measuring fourteen and one-half inches in circumference, and on the origina- tor's ground, one hand picked twenty-two quarts of this variety in twenty minutes; but it is is not doing anything like as well as this elsewhere. It needs high culture, clay soil, in hills. Of the com- parative merits of thirty varieties, I can tell you by the fourth of July next, as I have over half a million plants in nice condition for fruit. In raspberries there is about the same field for humbug as in strawberries. I would not advise any one to invest over a hun- dred dollars a vearin new fruit. Addresses — Humbugs. 155 If you want practical experience in any department of horticul- ture, go to the man who combines practice, theory, common sense and honesty. Be very cautious when you approach a nurseryman. Believe one half of what you see, one-third what you hear, one- fourth that comes second handed, and nothing you cannot trace to an authentic source. These nurserymen are a set of humbugs. One of the best ones I know of in the state acknowledges this, and wants me to write him up "aisy." If I were to order anything of him, I should examine and see if it was not black-hearted, root- frozen, blighted, stunted, grafted on crab stock, full of the eggs of the canker worm, bark bursted, and frozen to death. All things being right, I should then probably set it out in a poor place, give it no mulch, never hoe it, and then lay all the blame on this poor nurseryman. After all, there is a humbug bump in the Yankee's make up, and he rather likes it. You offer him something risky and the more so the better he bites; he wants a chance to beat his neighbors, beat himself, beat the world and all the rest of mankind. If he don't beat, he likes everybody to believe he does, even if he is a humbug. Every man has his hobby, and carried too far this becomes a hum- bug, no matter whether it is crabs or cranberries, grapes or gos- lings, pigs or pickles, fairs or fizzles, men or monkeys, mules or donkeys. I suggest that this joint convention, before it adjourns, do appoint, for each assembly district throughout the state, a "Fool Killer." Mr. A. F. Hofer, of Iowa — The gentleman mentions one hum- bug in the high school of Janesville; he said they went so far as to make the children go barefoot. I do not consider that a humbug at all. I believe it would be a great deal better for many of them, if their fathers would keep them at home and let them go barefoot on their farms, so they would learn to earn a living in an honest way instead of studying humbug, and humbugging their neighbors afterwards. If they would go barefoot on the farm, it would de- velop the feet, so when any humbug came on the farm they could give him a good send-off. Mr. Plumb — We would all like to talk on this point, but our Horticultural Society had a brief discussion on this subjest, and put their views in the form of a resolution, which I will read, as expressing the Horticultural Society's sentiments on this subject. 15»3 Wisco35eh State HoETicn-TTEAi. Society. uJSesoived, That all nurserymen who send out agents, should in all sea expect to be fully and strictly resp onsible for all the rej as, and to fully meet all the contracts made by "Second, that tree-planters should, as a means of self-prote:- tion, demand of ail who may solicit their orders for trees, unques- tionable proof that they are the authorized agents of some reliable r. ur-f-vman, and that such nurseryman will hold himself strictly re- sponsible for all the representations of such agent. '; Third, that tree-planters may reasonably look for all things that ue really valuable in this climate, in the leading nurseries of the country, rather than in the hands of irresponsible traveling can-risers, and that it may be taken as prima facie evidence of fraud, when scarcity or extraordinary qualities or excellence is claimed for them, or when for the same cause exorbitant prices are for their products. '• Fourth, that newspapers throughout the west would protect their readers from swindlers, and advance the canse of horticulture, - ■ l '...-.. -.~ '. r;: res:".ut::- = ." Mr. A. J. Phillips — I do not think we ought to pass this humbug paper without discussion. There has been a great deal of decep- tion practiced throughout the country on farmers and others in re- gard to selling fancy stock at fancy prices. T think we ought to go slow in disputing what Mr. Kellogg says on horticulture, because he spei :; _ rfc ereof he knows. I have talked with a nurseryman re- cently wh: is spending a great deal of time, and I think in the end is going to work out a great thing for the west, in experimenting with Russian apples. Perhaps it will never pay him, but he is en- thusiastic. Anvthins' that has " Russian ?' to it, he is enthusiastic about. He is enthu- about I n turnips, and if there were Russian potatoes he would buy them. He tells me, in Russia, where men go long distances in the winter on sledges, there are places put up where travelers can stop to warm; if they do not, their eyes will freeze up. In places it is so cold that if you pour water on the ground it will freeze before it gets there; and the apples and pears that are going to be introduced in this country, are from this cold climate. Thev have varieties with buds resemb- ling a hickory bud, very large, and encased in a number of layers. You must all look out for such things. Addresses — Humbugs. 157 Speaking of substitution, I think there is a great deal of harm done in that way. I was speaking with a gentleman a short time ao-o; I think it was in reference to selling the Alaska crab, -which has had a great run through this country. He said when they filled his order they substituted Astrachan and Briar Sweet for it. I told him I did not think there was any nurseryman that had the cheek to do that. "Yes," he said, "there's a man in Janesville by the name of Kellogg that did it. Mr. Field — There have been a great many ideas suggested by this paper of Mr. Kellogg's, and he gives us a great deal on that subject every year, but I want to ask Mr. Kellogg and this conven- tion if it does not do us good sometimes to be humbugged; if it does nut sharpen us in business transactions. If a man can come on to my farm and humbug me, and do it handsomely, I like to have him do it. He cannot do it the second time. It makes me sharper. It makes me more suspicious of these very individuals. It sets me to thinking. I say to myself, "If another man coxes along, as one did last summer, and says, ' Have you been troubled with these tree peddlers?' ' Xo, sir, I have not.' 'Has not one called on you?' 'Yes, there has been a dozen here, but I do not allow them to trouble me. I am glad to see you all; I am glad to talk with you, and I think I know what I want. If you have got what I want now, I will buy it of you; if you have not, 1 won't. I think I know what I want.*' But there is too much of this humbug in the world. Go into a store in Madison, or anywhere else, and ask for a certain thing, and if the keeper has not got it, it is ten chances to one if the clerk does not say to you, " My dear sir, -we have not got that, but we have got something that will suit you better." I went into a store the other day -where they said so to me. I said, " I know what I want a great deal better than you do; if you have got that, show it to me, and if you have not, say so." Of course he said he had not got it. Now we who live in the country, and have no opportunity of buying what we want except of these men you call tramps, ought to know -what we want. If we do not, it is all right to get bit once in a -while. It will make us sharper. I do not blame Mr. Plumb or Mr. Kellogg, or anybody else, for going out and selling what they have got, if they do it fairly and honestly, and do not bring around their fruits in jars that magnify forty or fifty times, like the jar with Judge Bryant's gold-fish in, 158 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. in the other room. If you go on one side you think it is a whale, but on this side it is a little fish about an inch long. Everybody ought to know, if they open the jars, it would be impossible to be deceived. I knew one man who asked if he might open the jar. *l Oh, no, it would spoil the fruit." "Well," he said, " by , I will open it," and he took his jack-knife and knocked the top right off, and there it was, a common kind of fruit magnified two, or three, or four times. We want to know what we want, and when it comes, buy it. Mr. Kellogg — It is a good thing for brother nurserymen to pitch into each other, but this remark of Mr. Phillips, I do not know where he got it. I never had an order for an Alaska crab except from a man in Illinois, and I never saw one except in the tree journals; never sent out a tree labeled that, and never furnished another in its place, except to this man from Illinois, who took some Briar Sweet when he could not find the Alaska, crab, and put it into the bill without any label. He took tbe trees from my nursery, and paid me about ten cents a tree, and he filled his bill out without my knowing anything about the orders. BLIGHT. By B. F. ADAMS, Madisox. It is perhaps unwise to write on a subject I do not fully under- stand, but this task is cheerfully undertaken, with a hope that the members of this society may have some texts to explain, and theories to verify or explode in relation to blight. These are not original with me, being mainly a compilation of theories as to its cause, and remedies prescribed by those who claim to have more or less thoroughly investigated the subject. The writers are num- erous; the theories of the cause various, and the remedies legion. In ransacking some twenty volumes of horticultural and agricultural periodicals, covering as many years, I have not noted all who have written on this subject, but have discovered that they are widely scattered over our country, and uniformly agree only on one or two points, principally that blight is very destructive to fruit trees, es- pecially the pear. The prime causes are asserted to be atmospheric Addresses — Blight. 159 influences, drouth, wet soil, parasitic fungi, diseased roots, in- sect work, zymotic fungus, rich soil, contagion propagated from diseased quince trees, electrical action, freezing of unripe wood, mechanical action, etc. After learning that so many causes produced blight, I was somewhat discouraged. As late as 1875, a writer who signs himself W. B. Smith, boldly asserted that "it is a disease we know nothing about. Twenty-five years ago there were many who knew a great deal about it, but they have all dis- appeared." Many who do not pretend to know the cause of blight, prescribe remedies for it. These sum up pretty heavily from all sources, and number as follows: Starve the trees, slit the bark, cut off blackened limbs and burn them, salt the roots, use lime and sulphur wash, whitewash the trees, dig trenches around them every three or four years, three feet deep, cutting off the outer roots, and then throw the earth back into the trenches (big job for a lazy man); prune the tops severely, use turpentine and lamp black, apply lin- seed oil to the trunks and limbs, scatter lime and ashes under the trees, scrape off the dead bark and apply caustic soda, bore a hole with a two-inch auger, fill it with salt and sulphur and put in a plug. This last remedy was recommended with the strongest assurance by somebody, but I never have tried it, believing that the two-inch auger remedy, to say the least, might injure small trees, notwith- standing the virtues of sulphur for destroying fungus. It is always cheering in emergencies to have one man appear who knows just what to do, like him who told old Sparrowgrass, when the latter's horse broke through the ice into a mill pond, that he knew exactly what to do to get the horse out of that misery, and when bidden to do it, deliberately took his gun and shot the animal. In consulting authorities on blight, it is proper to mention the most learned and intelligent. The American Pomological Society in 1871 appointed a committee to study this subject, collect infor- mation and report two years thereafter. In their report they men- tion several kinds of blight: first, that caused by sterility, easily remedied by fertilizing; second, " blight caused by zymotic fungus, whose presence is not detected until life is destroyed in the affected parts." This is the kind I had in mind when I commenced to write this article. Thinking that this report must unravel the mystery of blight, judge of my surprise when this able committee announced that they had arrived at no satisfactory conclusion as to 11 — Hort. So. 160 "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. the peculiarity of soil and temperature that induce the favorable- conditions for the development of this fungus vegetation. Two years ago, in company with a New Jersey fruit grower, I visited some pear orchards in central New York that were perishing from blight. He remarked, as he viewed the dying trees, " an insect is the prime cause of all this destruction." In response to my request to show me how the work is performed, he took a sharp knife and shaved off the bark from the discolored spots, and pointed out a minute hole, well defined, extending through the bark and into the wood, apparently made by a worm. We found this in most of the spots examined, but the depredator we did not find. Our friend observed, in conclusion: "notwithstanding what all our horticultural writers and philosophers say on this subject to the contrary, it is certainly the work of an insect that ravages in one place for a while, destroying pear trees especially, and disappears, only to reappear in other localities. Hence, the pest only comes at intervals, and rather lengthy intervals, in some instances; but is much more de- structive within a brief space of time than those that injure our apple orchards." He declared that " Downing's Fruit and Fruit Trees of America" contained all that had yet been discovered on the subject of blight. The trees we examined were mostly Flem- ish Beauty and Bartlett. One Seckel pear tree, loaded with fruit, stood uninjured among one hundred trees of other varieties, all alike growing in sod ground. I inquired of my friend why that was left; he replied that the bark and wood were tougher than the other kinds, but it was not certain that it would remain uninjured, as no variety of pear trees was exempt from attack. In this connection let me quote a brief statement, taken from The Germantown Telegraph of 1878: "S. F. Folsom states that himself, a neighbor, and Prof. T. B. Lovett, of Attica Collegiate Institute, with magnifying glasses have brought to light one unmis- takable cause of deadly blight in pear trees. The tree is poisoned by an insect that bores through the bark from one-fourth to one- half inch into the wood, a hole about the size of a small pin hole; as the sap arises and descends it poisons and discolors the wood. Remedy: slitting the bark each side and through it with a knife. 'r In examining some forty or fifty articles on blight, in search of information, I found this remarkable statement made by Mr. Engle, of Van Buren county, Mich.: "I planted, fifteen years ago, one Addresses — Blight. 161 thousand pear trees, 975 of which now look like the abomination of desolation; cause, blight. Twenty-five have fully met my expectations, and these were planted not far away from the others, but in a peach orchard, and are all healthy, save one Flemish Beauty slightly blighted two years ago," What influence these peach trees have had in preventing blight, is a greater mystery to me than blight itself. Mr. Engle has no theory, but thinks perhaps they absorb some element from the soil hurtful to pear trees. He has faith enough to plant one hundred and fifty more in his peach orchard. The peach tree remedy will not be tried exten- sively in Wisconsin, as it would certainly bring up the cost of rais- ing pears to the Kellogg standard. Believing that pears can be grown in this state, if we can protect the trees from this great scourge, or arrest its progress when it appears, I hope that this society will work with others in investigating the cause or causes, that produce it, and also in testing such remedies as seem adapted to cure the disease. It is not more common nor destructive now at the west, than in other parts of the country celebrated for fruit growing. The localities I visited two years ago had been exempt, from blight. How long pear trees have been grown there, I c J&1>. not state, as the general settlement of the region dates back gey— enty years or more. Nearly twenty years ago I planted a £ew dwarf trees, Flemish Beauty and Bartlett, on high pr ^rje ];an(j. they grew and flourished for a while, bore fruit three ^jmes. after having passed the winter of 1864; but the blight < jatne an(j they perished. I tried to doctor them by cutting off_ ^ead limits and burning them, applied salt and ashes to the ^anh oVer the rootg) but only one appeared to make spasmodic e'/" 5x4X1 HOEXICTXTTEAI. SoCLETT. ::* our own growing ~-'~ from the Duchess and the CIt- and later from the Wealthy and a seedling crab. Tie greater ■ :::on of all U :;: are now in bearir.r. s:xe three hor - re in nnmbei :hey average in : ."all tibet than H si :p or Trans xo lent, and nine of them well ~ of : _.ll bring a first- price in any mi -".-. t, and in sea- son from first of An g ■ s : b E rsl ::" January, and in tree, a".. rdy ■a onr native oaks. "^T r Bare had quite a number :;' seedling come into gatJbnryeaa :'rom thr seed; nore at r r the great mass at six. and bat few jjd u ast - bse thout fruit .ng. The general a^e-igr ia |nality and size ::' Emit Erani the above :: i ~ t _ " " _ • r : r ; ~ .. -. a : : -_: : . r » a ~ r : :' : : . r :. . :. r : e ? t. t _ -. . ; : _ e 5 5 gave four, the crab seei\ ng three, the Wealthy and cherry crab one each, with nearly an T,ual number of trees of each Bet. The '_-::-- je: : ::~r '.;. :::~ .ate: z.a:.: :;• : .' Srr_ -.::.:- t: thousands, all the product ::* a great va : ourv^ »st : A., the Erst planting af our own growing of seed was from har j ------ - : tier, fall or early winter, sc . . « pre - - ger 1 . - that bloomed and fruited : t:~e, a~i the result -_:_ri the more tender to have e crab need, es . f of the forthcoming Beed- e " ies thongs ia appearance perfeet :ee, r trees were u from the same lot ol ■thongii many of them z- re I -t-der surroundings in E .:' Emit, and < i so in regard to the Blue P anai::. a tree g as m the crab rothei per-' rodueed front a era I, so Ear a* tree size of .' time of ripening. The great I r near the I parent were takr" - Ben g i four to I ud bat c wing a greater deviation, that a era! . € ght or ten weeki tend- eason to 1 Therefore, seeing :he seedling to rij or nea- apple from which the "^as » progra i - _• to the cross with our most hardy to give une tii ain the e law us Addresses — Varities of Apples. 201 only early apples from the seed of early ones. At the outset we don't expect every seedling will prove perfectly hardy and of the best quality of fruit, but expect again — some ironclads in tree, with first-class fruit. The process by which to attain the hoped-for results, you see, is through the natural flow of pollen, a hardy variety so instilling its nature into the seed of the less hardy long-keepers as to make the forthcoming seedling as hardy as a crab. For we find that the common apple has the same influence on the crab that the crab has on the common apple, each through their pollen reproducing them- selves in the seedlings of the other. Thus from the same lot of crab seed, grown in close proximity to tender varieties of large apples, we find some of the trees prove tender, though perfect crab in form of tree, while in others the tender variety reproduced itself in the outward form of the tree and in the size of the fruit, yet the tree in constitution and quality of fruit is a perfect crab. And thus through various crosses we were enabled to solve the problem as to how we can get a first class of apples in succession the year through. We find in our crossbred seedlings the range of deviation to be almost boundless, no two alike in tree and fruit, and no two alike in size, color, form, season and quality of fruit, so that every tree is a distinct variety; only in one instance did a seed reproduce the parent in all particulars, and that was a cherry crab. The nearest we find an approach to a fixed law in the reproduc- tion from seed is in the time of ripening, the parent apple from which the seed was taken governing the season. And therefore, in the management of the state experimental orchard, we insert no variety, late or early, but of best quality, thereby avoiding all chances of deterioration in quality of fruit, and at the same time and by the same means hope to combine in one apple more good qualities than have been yet attained; for such a seed-growing orchard as we have inaugurated was never before set in motion. We set alternately in row, a tree of a hardy variety and a long keeper; the long-keeper not being perfectly hardy, we top-graft with our hardy seedlings, which mature their wood and stop their sap flow early, thereby compelling the artificial late growing variety on top to ripen up for winter. Yet it is not every variety that can by this process be made hardy enough to withstand our most 202 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. extreme winters, but enough, of first class in quality of fruit can be had to answer our purpose in the pursuit of more and better the year through. The experimental orchard is intended as a lasting institution. It is designed to cull out and insert better varieties as better are found or developed in the lapse of time. Every year the seed is to be carefully saved and planted, each variety to be carefully labeled, and the results carefully noted, as each tree, or set of trees, come into bearing. The orchard contains 745 trees, grafted and set last spring, and it will require some ten years to see any results from it, as these trees have first to fruit, and the seed therefrom to grow into trees and develop their qualities of fruit. Mr. Smith — Are there many new apples coming out in Minne- sota that promise to be of any value? Mr. Gideon — Not many as yet. There are some in the southern portion of the state that have got some little note, that are not known to have any crab in them, but whether they will succeed when taken out of that immediate vicinity, is a question. There is a certain portion of Minnesota, around Winona, where they appear to be able to grow anything that they plant, and these new seed- lings are mostly in that neighborhood; not yet tested outside. Mr. Smith — The Wealthy is the best of anything you have. Mr. Gideon — The Wealthy is the best in size and appearance of anything that I have grown. I have some others as good in quality as the Wealthy, and fully as good and perhaps a little bet- ter, in training. Mr. Phillips — I have understood that the state of Minnesota has an experimental farm, and they have taken this matter in hand, to have these seedlings cultivated for the benefit of the people in the state, and see if they can produce an apple that is adapted to the climate. I think Mr. Gideon has been appointed fruit commis- sioner of the state, and that they have appropriated a thousand dol- lars for the purpose of making these experiments. I think it would be well for him to explain just what course the state has taken. Perhaps it may induce our people to help our horticulturists a little. Mr. Gideon — The state has purchased one hundred and sixteen acres adjoining my farm, and on that the experimental orchard is situated. I have charge of it. They pay me one thousand dollars Addresses — A Plea for Tree Planting. 203 a year to run the concern. I furnish all the stock and all of the labor out of that amount. The expectation is for me to run it un- til the results are fully ascertained; I footing all bills and furnish- ing all stock, and putting in whatever I deem best. That is what has taken me out this winter to look around through Wisconsin and Iowa to find if there was anything better than I have on hand; anything really desirable in the orchard. I think from the condi- tion of things, and the climate, that anything that will succeed there, will succeed anywhere in the northwest. I suppose there is not a more severe portion of Minnesota for tree culture than right through the center. This orchard is situated on a high point at the lake shore, seventy feet, probably, above the water, and at a point where there can be no neighboring orchard set that can pos- sibly influence it. It is the only point, probably, in the state that ■would be really suitable for the purpose and exempt from all danger of being interfered with by other orchards. It is a matter that the whole northwest is really interested in, and it is my opinion that other states would do well to take part in it, because seed can be grown there in sufficient quantities to furnish the whole north- west without any enhanced cost over and above the thousand dol- lars per year. Mr. Kellogg — I would like to ask if there is anything besides apples connected with the experiment. Mr. Gideon — We will have a pear orchard set there in the spring, but so far as the growing of seed is concerned, the apple orchard is the only thing. I will state that I am setting several acres of other truck, pears, grapes and other things, but there will be no apple trees of any kind set except in that orchard. The following letter on Forestry from Dr. Warder, was read: A PLEA FOR TREE PLANTING. JNO A. WARDER, M. D., North Bexd, Ohio. Although a stranger to most of you, there are several who may consent to be addressed as friends, if only on account of parity of interest in the cause of our mistress; while other some will gra- ciously accept the salutation on the score of former consociation with 204: Wisconsin State Hokticultural Society. the writer. Then again, though it has not been his good fortune to see more than a very limited portion of your beautiful and most varied state, which is remarkable for the diversity of its surface and soil, enlivened by its prairies, lakes and timber tracts; nevertheless your absent friend will presume upon this occasion, from his far off home, to appear before you with some suggestions, cognate to some of the great interests that will occupy your attention at the ap- proaching joint meeting. Your kind reception upon a former occasion was forcibly brought up from the caverns of memory last winter, by a very pleasant meeting with a former secretary of your agricultural board, now the worthily honored governor of Wyoming. And while traversing together her extended grassy plains, gazing upon the beautiful for- ests of her mighty mountain chains and exploring their hidden treasures, our memories instinctively reverted to the times when together we had first met at your beautiful capital among the lakes. Your choice products, your fertile soil, and your men of mark and of industry were pleasantly passed in review, while resting from the fatigues of mountain exploration, and we could but wish that an exchange would be made between these so distant and differently situated regions. This being premised, you may wish to know what boon we desire you might receive from those distant mountains. Their gold and silver? No, indeed, but something that would contribute far more richly to your true welfare as an agricultural people — their trees! With about three and one-half million acres of woodland, twenty- nine and three-tenths per cent, of the entire area of your state, the more valuable pine forests are confined to a comparatively small part of the forest area; and the reckless greed of the lumbermen has sadly stripped the accessible portions of the woodland, while nothing has been done toward the increase, preservation or renewal of the syl- van wealth of the land, except what nature herself has accom- plished. But even her efforts have been sadly interfered with by the destructive fires that have been permitted to ravage the forests. True, the oak openings have grown up wonderfully since the set- tlement. To be sure, in the prairie regions you have, in self-defence been planting trees. This is well! Go on with the good work of embellishing your land, protecting yourselves, your cattle and your crops from the fierce winds, and in providing for yourselves and for Addresses — A Plea for Tree Planting. 205 your successors good supplies of fuel and lumber that will be needed when the present forests shall have been exhausted. Plant trees in the prairies and keep on planting! All your best efforts will be required, nor need you have any apprehensions that the planting will be over done. But you may improve on the quality of your planting, and it may be well to inquire into this. Your intelligence and the result of your observations will be trusted to guide you to a satisfactory result. Even in the timber counties you may vastly improve in the quality of the trees. In traversing the southeastern portion of your state, especially in the regions where the drift formation is largely developed, and rises into long slopes, the traveler is struck with the remarkable effect produced by the frequent planting of lines of tall trees, that have been introduced as wind-breaks. Though generally set in single rows, these trees undoubtedly exert a happy influence in breaking the force of the winds; but, let it be asked, do you not need something better than this foreign tree? Do you not desire to plant something that will be more valuable, and if so, let us consider the propriety of supplementing these with some of the beautiful, the hardy native evergreens. The Lombardy poplar has been to you, what the Cottonwood still is to the newer states beyond the great river, the pioneer. This poplar is from Europe; introduced into our continent in the last century, it has widely and rapidly spread over the land; it is no novelty. In all southern Europe it is frequently seen in long ave- nues by the roadside, where it is frequently cut back for its brush. In many of our soils it is a short lived tree, yielding poor fuel and inferior lumber; useful, however, for some purposes in the arts. To show how it is appreciated by European foresters, the fol- lowing quotation is made from one who stands very high in the pursuit of this important industry. My good friend Siemoni, in his Manual of Practical Forestry, says "that it is considered only a variety of the Populus nigra, or common black poplar of Eu- rope, from which it is distinguished by its pyramidal orfastigiate habit, by its larger leaves with greater transverse diameter, by their deltoid and pointed form, with larger and more compressed petioles. " "This tree never produces any but male flowers, and of course no seed is ever seen, so that it is certain that the Lombardy can be nothing but a form (sport) of Populus nigra which has acciden- 206 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. tally come from seed, and -which, on account of its beauty and other good qualities, has been largely propagated. "The tree is increased by cuttings. It grows rapidly, and in twenty five or thirty years it attains the height of thirty metres •with a diameter of one metre*. It is said to live a century, but this is doubtful, as its wood after twenty-five or thirty years rapidly •decays and becomes useless.f This classical tree was thus referred to by Ovid in the fourth book of his epistles fromPontus: " Vos quoque felices, quarum clamantia fratrem Cortice velavit Populus ora novo." The fable of Ovid made the ambitious youth Phaston sick to drive the fiery steeds of Phoebus; he found them unmanageable; they ran away, came too near the earth, set northern Africa on fire, producing the desert of Sahara, and curdled or dried up the blood of the negroes. Jupiter struck Phaeton with two of his bolts, which destroyed him, and his remains fell into the river Po, whence the water nymphs rescued them, and he was decently interred on the banks. There his sisters lamented him unconsolably untilJove pityingly transformed them, as set forth by the poet, into poplar trees; and there have they ever since continued to grow and flourish. This history is not without instruction in the consideration of some of the questions of vegetable physiology, that often present themselves at our horticultural meetings, and still more frequently to the thoughtful ones when engaged in their practical labors among plants, and will help to dispel the dogmatic dicta which are so often cited, and have even been accepted as truths: such as the running out of varieties, and that plants cannot be indefinitely produced from sections, or cuttings, grafting, etc., as though these processes were inimical to the species or variety. Now here is a seedling (in habit a sport), from the normal form as we now believe (though described and long considered a species), which has been grown by cuttings for twelve centuries, at least since immortalized by the ancient poet in the eighth century. * A metre equals thirty-nine and a fraction inches. f Manuale-Teorico-Practico D'Arte Forestale, p 136, di Giovanni Carlo Siemoni, Inspector General of the Forests of Italy. Addresses — A Plea for Tree Planting. 207 Among our native trees there are many which will undoubtedly succeed in your soils. The several white oaks should receive your care. The ash, particularly the .white ash ; the green, which abounds in your latitude, though not without value, cannot com- pare with it in size. The hickories, \ though slow, are invaluable, and with the best species of oaks, may be planted with other kinds of quicker growth that can be removed to make way for the more valuable crop. Some of the elms, especially the slippery and the hickory elms, are of quick growth, and very useful as hard woods. Of maples, plant especially the true sugar-trees, and the red maple. The wild cherry (black), or (Primus serotina), particularly on light and open soils, is very promising. In proper soils the tulip tree and the walnuts should be planted, notwithstanding the length of time required to bring them to maturity. Of conifers, in your northerly climate, and especially on the lighter gravelly knolls, even toward the north, you may confidently plant the larch of Europe, but not in low, wet ground, nor in the tamarack swamps occupied by its American cousin. But you have with you one who will sing its praises and tell you much better how well it thrives, at St. Francis. Of true evergreens, your atten- tion is particularly directed to the native white pine, which should be planted by the million on your northern and western borders for forest purposes, and then protected, though its beauty and its great power of adaptation especially fit it for ornamental planting every- where, even in the prairies. The red pine is a noble tree and should be largely used both in for- est and in parks. Of foreign pines, perhaps the Scotch pine may safely be recommended everywhere. Among the spruces, particu- larly valuable as a windbreak, the Norway is strongly recommended, on account of its rapid growth and its hardiness, and the closeness of its spray. The hemlock is one of the most beautiful evergreens we have for ornamental planting, whether singly set upon the lawn, in clusters as windbreaks, or in lines as shelter hedges; less valu- able as a timber tree. "But, Doctor, did you see any of these in the Rocky mountains, to make you think of us here in Wisconsin? " somebody may ask. No, my friends! but their allies and conge- ners, the leaders of that mountain sylva. The Pinus ponderosa, Jfexilis, and contorta, the spruces, 3fenziesii, Douglasii, and En- (jlemamii, and the fir, grandis, which there attained such noble 14 — Hort. So. 20S Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. proportions on the rocky elevations, often approaching the line of perpetual snow, are so beautiful and so hardy they did Tndeed make us feel solicitous that our friends in the low lands of Wiscon- sin and otherwheres, should have the opportunity to enjoy their grace of form and color; so we then and there thought of you; in the natural revulsion of the human mind, turning from the high to the low, from the mountain peaks and deep ravines, to the broad expanse of prairie, with its gentle swell; from the solitary mountain desert, to the happy homes of men, were our thoughts and best wishes transported on the wings of thought. And now, before closing this mental interview, this imaginary chat with my friend, who may feel it a preferred cup of Tantalus unless you were informed that these beautiful evergreens have at last been reduced to our service. From their wild estate, far off and far up, out of our reach, or, as rarities, beyond our ability to purchase, they have been brought in the seed, have been germi- nated by skilful hands, and on the soil of Illinois they are being schooled, and fitted for transportation and transplanting; and that in such numbers, that they will be within the reach of all tree- planters. For the experimental demonstration of their hardiness, their adaptation to fertile soils, and their susceptibility to civiliza- tion, we are indebted especially to the enterprise and liberality of our fellows of the Nebraska Horticultural Society. And now if your patience has led you to this, the last word, be entreated to look into the matter of forestry, to consider its import- ance, to study its laws and principles, to master its practice; in a word, to unite your forces, especially your knowledge and skill, with those who have undertaken to make a beginning in the foun- dation of an American Forestry, and allow your absent friend to subscribe himself, Yours in verderie, .Tno. A. Warder, AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL CONVENTIONS. Mr. J. M. Smith — Here is a resolution I want to bring before the convention before it adjourns, and while there is a good attendance. It is well known that a year ago, while we were in convention, it was found out that on our board of regents at the university there was not a single farmer; nearly the whole board was made up of lawyers. The convention then in session passed a resolution, Agricultural and Horticultural Conventions. 209 asking the governor to appoint some farmers upon that board, and it bore fruit very quickly. Our friend, Hiram Smith, was the next man appointed, and, as I believe, is a very satisfactory man, not only to farmers, but to everyone else. I have had conversation with him with regard to some means they have on hand, which I will call upon him to explain, after reading the following resolution. M Whereas, It is understood that the board of regents of the State University have under their control a sum of money that may be disposed of at their discretion, for the benefit of the agri- cultural and horticultural interests of the state; therefore, "Resolved, That the joint convention do request the board of regents to procure some suitable person or persons to hold meetings or conventions in different portions of the state, for the purpose of instructing the farmers in the different branches of agriculture and horticulture, and to appropriate such sum of money as is at their disposal, or as may be necessary, for the purpose of advancing the interests of agriculture in our state." I will call upon Mr. Smith to explain the situation and condition of matters. Mr. Hiram Smith — I would merely state that the question has been discussed before the board of regents, as we have a portion of the agricultural college fund at the disposal of the regents. Not- withstanding it has been said they are lawyers, they are gentle- men, and men disposed to do everything that is possible for the benefit of the country, and they are disposed to do what is feasible towards spreading agricultural knowledge. It has been suggested before their board, that, if a competent person was employed to'go into different localities, a local influence would be exercised equal, perhaps not in talent, but in numbers, to that present here, and perhaps more would be benefited by the truths and principles pro- mulgated, because we take it for granted that all who attend these meetings are pretty well posted; but in localities where they are lacking in much of the knowledge necessary to progress rapidly, they may be, and, I have no doubt would be, willing to bear a certain share of the expense that would be incurred. The State Agricultural Society and the State Horticultural Society, perhaps, would also furnish means and suitable persons to go at certain times, and in certain localities. The expense would not necessarily be much. The home meeting could be got up at home expense 210 "Wisconsin State Hokticultueal Society. altogether, and the traveling expenses of the professor or lecturer would be the main expense; and I think the board of regents •would be perfectly willing to co-operate with the State Agricultu- ral Society, or the State Horticultural Society, or the State Dairy- men's Association. It is being done in Michigan and in Pennsyl- vania, and, unless some such steps are taken, a very few years will find the majority of our farming population behind those of other states in intelligence, which would be mortifying and unnecessary. We have ample means and opportunities to become as intelligent an agricultural class as any people in the Union, and by merely putting in motion the means at our command, we may inaugurate a system that will lead to very beneficial results in all the different branches of agriculture. Mr. Field — I must say that I am very glad indeed to see such a resolution presented to this convention. It certainly meets my views most cordially. 1 think, however, it might be so amended as to include the Agricultural and Horticultural Society within its scope, that the board of regents might confer with them, and that it should be taken as a united work. It is possible, however, that it is well enough as it is. I fully agree with Mr. Smith that a little work and money devoted to this purpose may be made vastly bene- ficial to the agricultural interests of this state; and so far as the expense is concerned it need be but trifling. Notice could be given in advance through the representative agricultural papers of the different places where these meetings would be held, so that due notice could be given the masses of the people with very little expense; perhaps a few circulars distributed, thrown into their wagons, stating that there would be a meeting at a certain place at a certain time, and that certain topics would be discussed; the ex- pense would be trifling aside from those of traveling, and I have no doubt that if this board and the societies should desire that free transportation should be furnished them, that it would be furnished by all our leading lines of railroads to any reasonable number of parties who desired to attend those conventions, or at greatly re- duced fare, at least. In order that that matter may be talked over, I move that the resolution be referred to a committee of three, of which the mover, of course, shall be chairman, to make a report to be submitted to this meeting this afternoon. Motion carried. Addresses — Plant Development and Training. 211 This resolution was adopted. The chair appointed 'on the resolution offered by Mr. Smith, Messrs. James M. Smith, W. W. Field and A. A. Arnold. The committee reported the following resolution, which was adopted by the convention: " Whereas, It is understood that the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin have under their control a certain sum of money, a part of which may be used in their discretion for the ad- vancement of the various industries of the state; therefore, " JZesolved, That this joint convention requests the said Board of Regents to procure suitable persons to hold conventions in dif- ferent parts of the state, for the purpose of disseminating infor- mation of value to those engaged in the different branches of agri- culture and horticulture and other useful industries. ^Resolved further, That we request the presidents of the Agri- cultural Society, the State Horticultural Society, and the State Dairymen's Association, to confer with said Board of Regents, and aid, so far as possible, the advancement of the objects sought to be attained." PLANT DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING. JONATHAN PERIAM, President Northern Horticultural Society of Illinois. In all the departments of agriculture, whether in husbandry, stock-breeding, pomology, gardening, floriculture, arboriculture, and even in landscape gardening, the province of the successful opera- tor is to assist nature in the development of plants or objects for use, or the gratification of the senses. I propose, this evening, to inquire into something of plant development, and the art of so training as to produce the best results with the means at hand. So far as mere development is concerned, we have only to look about us everywhere, where wild forms of our more common fruits, flow- ers and vegetables are found, and witness for ourselves the won- derful modifications that have been brought about by successful cultivation, through longer or shorter spaces of time, according to the nature of the plant to be operated on, or the skill and care of operators. 212 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. It is supposed by many that these changes are sudden. Never- theless, it is a fact that they are exceedingly slow. "We see a seed- ling fruit, the product of a mass of seedlings, inferior to the pres- ent fruits, with perhaps a solitary exception. This, however, assumes a different habit of growth, and as to the fruit, superior perhaps, and yet not so much so but that the expert can often trace its parentage. So, at rare intervals, a twig or branch will sport, and assume variegated leaves, and these, with care, may be perpetuated. On the other hand, under careless treatment or neglect, a variety will, in a short time, revert toward the original type, and in fact soon become worthless for all practical purposes. Now it is not the fact that this change in habit and character is sudden; in fact, it has been going on for a long time, gradually, perhaps, for many years before it has been brought up to, or near, the standard of per- fection; often with an accelerating speed, as the years pass, and suddenly, certain conditions having been accomplished, we perhaps see peculiar changes to our ordinary senses, and perhaps startling results. In vegetables, we may witness certain effects, produced in a sin- gle season, and by simple means — compost, high tillage and plenty of moisture with a proper heat for the plant. As a rule, the leaf development is in direct ratio to the root development, and vice versa/ for one is in almost direct proportion to the other. Take a turnip, for instance. Development there has been in a vastly increased store of material in its fleshy root. Cut a cross section and you can almost, if not really, count the leaves it has borne. It seems as if the base of each leaf had been continued below the crown, and there expanding, had swollen in the most wonderful manner. In the cabbage — belonging to the same class of plants — we see the process reversed; the nutriment has been stored in the leaves above ground. Why? To enable them to perfect growth, another season in the ripening of the seed. This is nature's ultimate end. Man steps in and appropriates it to his own use, at the half way stage. In the asparagus, the same general principle is carried out in a different way. The crown below ground is en- larged, and the spring following, throws up thick stems, if the soil has been rich. Here again man steps in and appropriates it, but at a later stage than the preceding ones. The potato is a good illus- tration of plants having what may be called a dual existence, in Addresses — Plant Development and Training. 213 fact being oviparous and viviparous, inasmuch as it produces seeds, and also young plants, from true buds, in its tubers. In this plant the true fruit, the seed, is not edible; is in fact poisonous to a certain degree. It is the starch, sugar and albuminoids contained in the flesh of the tuber, which is 'the valuable part. The straw- berry plant is still another illustration. It propagates itself both by seed and by runners; the runners in this case forming above ground, striking root and becoming independent plants. Here the seedy fruit is the valuable part. In those cases where propagation takes effect by stolens, runners, or buds, the young- lings are true to the parent variety. When propagated from the seed they are widely divergent. Those plants that reproduce themselves by seed, come constant as to their variety, or as a rule do so; those producing themselves by bud and seed, come univer- sally constant from the bud, and vary as to their seed production, and even from the same seed capsule. The onion is a still more complex example in its triune manner of reproduction. The scales of the bulb are simply enlarged leaves, on leaf bases, crowded around a central stem, but each with a possible bud in its axil. Here we have the young plant edible as to its leaves and ed- ible as to its mature bulbs. It is also seed bearing. It reproduces itself as to its central shoot, and there it is a passible plant in the axil of the scales. Some varieties of the onion do provide for per- petuation in this way; as the shallot, the English multiplier and the potato onion. Trees also are reproduced both from the bud and the seed. Theo- retically each bud is the germ of a future tree. It contains a fu- ture tree. Practically, in many varieties, it is easier to reproduce plants from seed than from the bud. In fact, if it were not for the singular habit of seed variation, in our valuable fruits long under cultivation, propagation by grafting or budding would scarcely be practiced. Fortunately, this seed variation has given us all that is valuable in fruits, and nearly so in plants and flowers. Within comparatively a few years, science has entered the field of repro- duction, and we may now hybridize, and cross breed through the flowers, with far greater certainty of success than formerly. Soil has much to do with the variations of fruits we may raise. Climate, however, has still more influence. A wide range of soils will allow of the production of many fruits. In Wisconsin I have 214 "Wisconsin State Horticultural Societt. observed some curious antagonisms in isothermal lines, or rather, to- be more precise, in the belt curves, adapted to some, at least, of the fruits natural to the state. The northern line of pear growth in "Wisconsin shows very distinctly the ameliorating effect of deep bodies of water and timber upon the climate, in the cultivation of fruit. This line running down from Green Bay, describes an arc to the south and west, leaving the state well toward the southwest. From thence it is deflected again, west and north, until the belt is at last lost in the Pacific ocean, well north in Oregon. This line is not indeed carried in uniform curved lines, or even moderately curved lines. Sheltered situations, peculiar soils, the vicinity of lakes, protecting bodies of timber, etc., carry it north, and the re- verse conditions carry it south. Its northern deflection is undoubt- edly due to the great outlying forests, which are well known to have a wonderful effect in modifying and tempering climates. The grape — those varieties possible to cultivate at all — is marked by a line contrary, or nearly so, to that of the pear. Commencing in the southeastern part of the state, it passes north and west toward Duluth, on Lake Superior. Now the same summer temperature that will ripen Dent corn, will ripen the Concord grape. But we have summer temperatures that will ripen the fruit, but the winters of the same locality, will kill the vine. Just here comes in the ques- tion of winter protection, in the successful development of certain plants. In relation to these fruit belts, we find two prime integers. A lower average summer temperature in the pear belt, and proba- bly a more congenial winter temperature, and a higher summer temperature along the grape belt, and undoubtedly a more severe winter temperature. At all events it is one of more severe fluc- tuations. We do not know, shall not, perhaps, soon know, the exact limits of fruit culture, nor how wide may be the distribution of fruits in the west. "What we especially need to know is the exact limits, as well as the exact capabilities of localities, and each individual location. Here each person must in a great measure judge for himself. Varieties vary as widely as location, and from the fact that they are influenced and modified by soil exposure and various other influences to which they must necessarily be exposed. From this we may easily see that each individual should not only be a^ careful reader of literature pertaining to his art and profession — Addresses — Plant Development and Training. 215 for agriculture, in its broad sense, is both an art and a profession — but he must be a close observer of nature as well. If to this he add the faculty of investigation and the will to experiment, so much the better for himself, and especially his fellow men. Time will not permit following this matter further, except to touch some of the points connected with fertilization, breeding to type, cross breeding, and hybridization. Fertilization is simply giving the power of reproduction, whether it be of a given variety or by the admixture of varieties. Breeding to type is the endeavor to so order the fertilization that tne produce shall follow some given type that may be wanted. Cross breeding is the bringing together of two individuals of the same genus or tribe, but with distinct characteristics. A hybrid is the product of two varieties belonging to the same order, but distinct from each other; as, among animals, the horse and the ass, or cattle and buffaloes; or, among plants, two species distantly related. With animals, however, we have noth- ing to do at present. Plants, as animals, may be hybridized, thus forming distinct families, or they may be cross bred upon those of the same genus; or, the branches of a family may be kept pure and unmixed, if care be taken in the fertilization and selection. This, however, is more the province of the experimenter or seedsman, than the ordinary cultivator. The embryo of a plant being once fertilized with the pollen of the same variety, is thereafter incapa- ble of taking up and assimilating with a kindred variety a beauti- ful example of the means used by nature to keep families and species distinct. But nature has gone further. According to Darwin, one of the most persevering, acute and laborious investigators, we have every reason to believe that blossoms upon which the pollen of kin- dred species have fallen — and the embryo of which would be fertil- ized thereby, if no other contact were had — have the power of rejecting this, if soon thereafter they receive the pollen of their own individual species. It is also a fact that hybrid species are exceedingly infertile, until, through succeeding generations of care, the characteristics are fixed. In fact, true hybrids are entirely infertile, the exceptions being so rare as to be always occasions of surprise. Plants have the habit of intermixing in a very variable degree. 216 Wisconsin State Hobticuxtctial Society. Peas, for instance have a prepotent power of their own in a re- markable degree, and hence are not liable to intercross. Cabbages, on the other hand, easily mix, and all cultivators know the difficulty in keeping the cucumber tribe, which include melons and gourds, from intermixing. In wild species, the tendency to remain consta.it to a fixed type is well known. In wild plants, one reason is that given varieties usually grow upon soils best adapted to them, and species being prepotent, as we have shown, to their own kind, they remain true. Once the departure takes place, the tendency to sport becomes easier, since the progeny will take their character to a greater or less degree from one of the parents. Thus, a variety once ob- tained, with care it may be perpetuated and fixed, or still further be modified to suit the will of the experimenter. But to do this, the scientific propagator must in order to modify, and then fix the type, spend years of patient time and care in the breeding, selec- tion and development. Plants in subjection constantly persist in reverting back to the original species, or else degenerate in regard to their qualities unless the greatest care be taken in cultivation and selection. This habit of reversion, indeed, becomes less and less with each suc- ceeding generation, if care be taken in selection and cultivation; but, on the other hand, where by care and high cultivation the type has become fixed, degeneration is more thoroughly marked through want of care. So, notwithstanding the yearly influx of superior plants and seeds, the want of care in selection and culti- vation by the ordinary grower soon carries them back, and with this determination, their places are taken by others, perhaps no better than they once were. So ample scope and profit results to that class who are constantly employed in breeding to type, by crossing and by selection, thus improving the quality of plants and their seeds. Thus care enables us to breed up and perpetuate those charac- teristics we wish fixed, and the want of care causes them to retro- grade. And this more quickly than they were brought to perfec- tion. If it were not for the law of heredity, the prepotency of fixed types, and the greater or less sterility of hybrids, animals and plants would soon be mixed in inextricable confusion, and, in- stead of our numerous but fixed species, we should have classes of Addresses — Plant Development and Training. 217 monstrosities continually succeeding each other. As it is, through scientific cultivation and perseverance, we are constantly improving and refining both plants and animals. As a rule, we would not advise the ordinary cultivator to attempt the creation of new sorts. They may do much, however, by culti- vation and selection, in keeping varieties not only intact and pure, but in improving the yield and quality. It is better for the farmer and gardener to leave this to those seedsmen whose peculiar prov- ince it is to follow this branch of agriculture. With the seed of many of the garden plants in cultivation, which hold their vitality unimpaired for years, the amateur cultivator may retain them pure, by saving seeds of one season planted entirely separate from oth- ers of kindred species to be used from year to year so long as they retain their vitality in perfection. Discouragement has often resulted from not properly studying adaptation to climate and soil. Such tender apples as the Rhode Island greening and Newton pippin will not answer expectations in high latitudes. It is a good plan in buying trees to leave the selection to the nurseryman, if he be competent and trustworthy, advising him of the locality, soil, exposure, etc., that he may choose the sorts .accordingly. . Let us now look at some of the forces and elements that go to develop vegetation. Air, heat, and moisture, are alone necessary to the germination of seeds. Life, air, heat, and moisture, are essential to the growth of the plant above ground, and heat, moisture, and the organic and inorganic constituents of good soils, are absolute requirements necessary to the sustenance of the plant below the surface, by means of the roots. Plant force is made up of heat, light, electricity, and affinity. The elements of plant light are oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, car- bon, etc. The nutritious grains, and the deadly vegetable poisons, are made up by forces acting upon the same elements. They are composed, decomposed, recomposed, and acted upon by the forces of nature, in a manner so subtle that many of the processes are beyond our comprehension; and yet, from what we do know, we have every reason to believe that they are all accomplished by pro- cesses at once as simple as they are beautiful. From the rudimentary vegetation of mosses and lichens, strug- 218 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. gling for life in crevices and upon branches in the arctic regions, to the towering forests, tangled creepers and brilliant flowers of the tropics, all are brought to life by force acting upon the elements since the time that the earth was cast into the ether fresh from the hand of its Maker. The simple observer of these facts, unaided by chemical knowledge, is lost in the mysteries contained therein, and the elucidation of them to such would be a life-long, and at last, perhaps an impossible task. How is it, then, that plants growing in the same soil, moistened by the same showers, bathed in the same air, and warmed by the rays of the same sun, are so different in their properties and combinations, and develop qualities differing so widely from each other? It is simply force acting upon matter, and is in accordance with fixed laws, emanating from the Creator. The seed is developed into the plant, the plant produces the ripe fruit, the fruit matures the seed, and each of these again may be decomposed into their original elements. Thus the elements, of which the coal measures are formed, the vegetation of the carbon- iferous age long since past, are now just being given up to the use of man, to be converted into light, heat and smoke! What are they? Only another name for coal, and this again for extinct vege- tation, and the latter for that which had preceded it. There are five stages in plant life — the germination of the seed below ground; the growth of the plant above ground; the de- velopment of the flower; the maturation of the fruit, and the decay or death of the plant. In the case of annuals, the first four stages are accomplished in a single season. In biennials two are required, and in some of the perennials — as for instance the mighty mon- archs of the forests, as in California and other countries — thou- sands of years are required. Thus from the ephemeral mushroom, and other fungi, which mature their growth and decay in a few days, to some of the aged growths of tropical and semi-tropical forests, an infinite number of generations of the fungi must elapse to make up a generation of the others. Yet the same elements compose one as the other. The mushroom becomes food for grass, the grass for the shrub, the shrub for the tree, and the tree, after it has fulfilled its mission, again becomes food for other vegetation. Nothing is lost, only changed, to work and rework out its task in the economy of nature. Seeds kept absolutely dry do not germinate. If kept from con- Addresses — Plant Development and Training. 219 tact with the air, they remain sound indefinitely. In order to the successful germination of seeds, they must be abundantly supplied with moisture, heat, and air. Light is necessary to the develop- ment of the plant, but it retards if it does not altogether prevent germination. During the process of germination, seeds absorb oxygen, and give off carbonic acid — that is, a portion of the carbon of the seed is oxidized, and the process of oxidation produces heat. Light produces a contrary effect; it deoxidizes the carbonic acid, or resolves it into its primary elements — carbon and oxygen. The amount of heat required to germinate seeds, varies with the kind. Wheat, rye, and most of the grasses germinate at a lower temperature than oats, barley, flax and Indian corn. Many of the exotic vegetables cultivated in our gardens, require much heat and moisture to induce germination, and hence, it is usual to start them in hot-beds. They gradually, however, become more hardy, and germinate more kindly after becoming partially acclimated. So plants taken from a cold climate to a warm one, change their con- stitution somewhat, and after many years if taken back to a colder climate, they will be found to have lost some of their hardiness. In the process of germination, seeds also actually give off heat, so much so sometimes, if placed in masses, as in malting, to sensibly affect the air. The heating of grain when wet, and laid in piles, is a phenomenon familiar to many. The moisture and heat being right, the grain sprouts, heat is germinated, and the transformation of starch or gum to sugar is effected, by its combination with acid, for during germination, acetic acid and a peculiar substance — diastase — is formed, which has the power of converting starch into sugar. Sugar is carbon, and carbon is necessary to the plant. This had been previously stored up in the seed to support it until it could push forth its plumule and radical — the first rising above ground, and the latter pushing its way below. The first to form leaves, and the latter to draw nourishment held in solution by the moisture of the earth. The embryo plant is contained in the seed, and may be easily seen by dissection under the microscope. The primary leaves of many seeds, as the legumes, peas, beans, etc., are formed of the two lobes of the seed itself. These rise immediately above ground. In other cases — as in wheat — the seed remains below ground, and is gradually absorbed, ust as the seed-leaves of beans are partially 220 "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. absorbed above ground. The sugar, however, cannot be converted into woody fibre until after the appearance of the true leaves; hence all plants while in the seed leaf are very succulent. The sugar, by losing some atoms of the elements of water, is converted into woody fibre. Sugar is composed of carbon 12, oxygen 12, hydrogen 12. It becomes woody fibre by losing four atoms of oxygen and four of hydrogen. In the laboratory, nitric acid has the effect to change starch to woody fibre; and since nitrogen exists largely in the air, it is perhaps the effect of the nitrogen which causes sugar to be converted into woody fibre, and it is well known that the effect of dilute acid upon starch is to promote the forma- tion of sugar, or rather glucose. These, therefore, are some of the more important processes in the transformation and germination of the seed until it has reached the surface of the earth, and put forth its true leaves. From this time forth it enters a new existence, and must depend upon the condi- tions present in the air and earth for its sustenance and growth. If they are present, the plant increases, matures, becomes an herb, a plant or a tree. If the proper conditions are not present it be- comes enfeebled, lingers, and perhaps dies outright. It is the province of the progressive farmer to supply these conditions, so far as he may be able. Many of them are within his reach. He can attend to the drainage of his land, so that the soil does not become saturated with water, for when so saturated air cannot enter, and without air the seed must perish. Without sufficient heat the seed will not germinate. Drained soils are warmer than undrained ones, and without being wet they are always moist. If the soil does not contain water in a free state it will contain air. This air is being constantly decomposed, and in the act of decom- position it gives up its heat to the soil, and heat is one of the necessary conditions of growth. This brings us to training as a means of development. This may begin in all grafted fruits at the root. Whatever may be thought as to the influence of the scion on the stock, this much is probably certain. The top does produce a notable effect on the root growth, and vice versa. Hence the necessity of grafting or budding on stocks having a root growth similar to, or rather cor- responding with the top. The pear grafted on the quince, unless allowed to make root above the junction, is very short lived. Why? Addresses — Plant Development and Training. 221 One reason is, the quince is a fibrous rooted plant; the pear is not. The pear succeeds well, and in many instances bears fine crops, grafted in the central branches of apple trees. If a due modicum of apple leaves and wood is left to support the root, the pear re- mains longer than it otherwise would. If not, it soon loses vital- ity. Why again? The root of the apple is not congenial to the pear, as regards longevity. Grafted upon sections of apple root, and allowed to make roots of its own, above the junction, it is suc- cessful, at least so I am informed by Mr. U. B. Spaulding, of Spring- field, Illinois, one of the most careful cultivators and successful nurserymen in the state. In root grafting the apple, it is altogether better that the tree ulti- mately make roots from its own wood. Thus, each variety of top makes its own particular elaboration of root. All nurserymen know that peculiar topped trees have peculiar roots, and it is well known that the roots of a tree correspond to the top more or less intimately; at least, such is my observation. As a rule, strong and robust tops have strong and robust roots. Trees that rise straight and high have deep roots, while spreading trees are inclined to have super- ficial roots. Thus, the pear is a deeper rooted tree than the apple, and especially delights in a soil, pretty compact, it is true, but of such a nature that the roots may pierce deep without interference by water. The pear, however, is so peculiar as to soil and location, that it is hardly worth while to spend time in discussing its proper training. It may, however, be stated in general terms, that all training and pruning must be so performed as to preserve the natural habit and characteristics of the tree. The great fault with the average cultivator is, they prune too much. The system of open heads, and severe pruning, was transplanted from the peculiar climate of old England to New England. Hence it came to us. It is only within the last twenty years, that we of the west have found out we were killing our trees by too much pruning. Later, the east has accepted our experience. We have bought our experience dearly. We first learned that it would not do to prune in the west so severely as east, and then they learned that they were better off by accepting the close heads of the west, than with their open um- brella shaped tops. Apple trees should be allowed to grow as close as possible, so the limbs do not abrade each other, and at the same time so that each leaf may get a due modicum of light, according 222 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. to the nature and habit of the tree. Another mistake with some otherwise good pomologists is, the idea that the apple may be trained with a straight central stem, with the limbs coming out regularly about it. I have heard it argued before the Horticultural Society of Wisconsin, by a well known pomologist of Illinois, and an able man. It is mere theory that will not bear, successfully, the test of experiment. The apple is, as to type, a round topped tree, formed on a com- paratively short stem. The pine family, including the pine sub family, have tall shafts, with the limbs coming out at regular inter- vals along the stem from the ground up. By heading back, and persistent labor, you may make a comparatively round topped tree of a pine; but, at the expense of its value. So with persistent labor, you may force some varieties of apples to assume a quasi upright growth. The attempt to do either will result in about the same practical value as with a cedar tree I saw in the Japanese Department at the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia. It was one hundred years old, three feet high, and rugged and uncouth to a most hideous degree. We must so prune as to preserve the great- est quantity of wood and leaf surface that the habit of the tree will admit. There are three types of trees that may do for illustration. The Perry Russet is thick, compact, a round headed tree Talman Sweet is spreading in its habit. The yellow Bellflower is between the two in habit. The Northern Spy is upright in its growth — decidedly so. My own practice has always been to manure liberally, raise some early maturing crops in my home orchard — potatoes, early sweet corn, peas — or in lieu of that, some crop that might be plowed under; to prune as little as possible, and assist open-top trees to make closer heads rather than to take anything away. I have sel- dom found any tree too close, even Northern Spy, which grew cpaite dense with me, requiring but little thinning, except taking away here and there inside shoots that interfered with each other. I certainly was successful in getting good crops of fruit, even in Cook county, Illinois, a locality not celebrated for fruit orchards. One more point and I have done with this branch. I would rather have anywhere in the west the first fifteen bearing years of an apple orchard, than all which might follow in the life of the orchard thereafter. The rule will apply to any fruit, except in rare loca- Addresses — Plant Development and Training. 223 tions. Plant carefully, cultivate thoroughly, and renew often. One year, or two, from the root-graft, according to growth, I would cut back to where I wanted the head to form; nurse the branches that come out below the heading back as much as possible; never allow crotches to form, and prune to keep the head as compact as possible. Currants and gooseberries 1 would plant on rich soil, and give them compost manure under them besides. Never train them into tree form. As soon as they cease to bear full crops of large fruit, root them out, and plant again. All the pruning necessary is to take out old wood. The first four or five crops are the profit- able ones. Strawberries I would never allow to make runners, whatever the variety. It costs too much to keep them clean, and for picking the berries. I want but two crops before renewal. It is true, here we are going constantly against nature, but the short life we give the stools fully justifies the means. Raspberries I would top at a height not exceeding three feet, and allow the laterals to grow at will. The succeeding spring clip these close enough to allow the pickers to work easily. Give the same treatment to blackberries, except they may be allowed to make more upward growth before cutting back. The system tl-at I have found most successful with grapes, is to raise a good strong single cane to a height of six feet, and then pinch off. After the laterals have made one bud, I pinch beyond. After this bud has made another, I pinch again, and so once more, and then allow it to make what growth it will beyond. It will seldom be much. I cover the canes in the winter. Early in the spring I uncover, allowing the vines to lie along the ground until the buds show strong signs of breaking. Then tie them to single stakes. I have not found it practical always to raise a cane for fruiting the next year, while the vine is bearing a full crop the present year. I try to keep the vines into as compact shape, and as near the ground as possible, until some year when the blossoms are killed, and then start anew. I could better afford to lose one crop out of three or four, than to bother with old, ragged vines. While the crop is growing I prune but little; simply pinch the ends to keep them tolerably compact. Before covering in winter they are pruned so as to leave a good quantity of bearing wood for 15— Hort. So. 224 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. the next year. I had rather have the first four or five crops of a bearing vineyard than the succeeding ten, without cutting back. I have been asked to say something about the home grounds, and development, in their ornamentation. It will be impossible in the limits of a single lecture to even go over the ground lightly. Angular or spiral topped trees should not be planted when the roadways and walks are in gently curved lines, as they should be. If it be necessary to make an abrupt turn, plant it in such a way that it may seem as little abrupt as possible, and in such a way as to bring out some new object of beauty beyond. The great mis- take is in planting too thick, so that in the end the place becomes a ragged wilderness. Even those who plant thick, for immediate effect, with a view of thinning in time, rarely accomplish their object — we so hate to cut away that which is beautiful for the time being. Procrastination here is not only a thief, but an absolute murderer. The beauty of any home grounds is in its lawn. You cannot have too much of it, nor have it too good. It is difficult enough, at best, to keep, in our climate. If the individual have the taste and time, or the means, it is labor well spent. The study it gives, from time to time, in becoming familiar with the peculiarities and habits of the various trees, shrubs and flowers, will not only expand and broaden the mind, but lead nearer and nearer to the Supreme in the contemplation of the wonderful beauty and exquisite finish of God's natural objects. We will soon come to know that we must not severely cut back a lilac, else it will be deprived of the chief beauty that the Creator has given it. One will soon find that he may not attempt to make a tree of the spirea. The lilac may indeed be trained into the shape of a beautiful dwarf tree; the spirea must always remain a bush, sufficiently elegant in its ■ lithe, rod-like shoots, crowded as they are with pure and lovely clusters of bloom. Mr. Chairman: I have so far been dealing with the practical. I fear I have detained you too long. A few words more and I have done. Let us look at the esthetics. Mahomet has said: " He who planteth a tree watereth the earth." Bryant's forest hymn breathes out: — " The groves were God's first temples." Addresses — Plant Development and Training. 225 Two sublime thoughts — one from a heathen, the other from a Christian source. The oak standing: alone, "Waves its giant arms athwart the sky." In the grove we find "All meek things; All tbat need hooi'i and covert, love the shade! Birds, of shy song, and low-voiced, quiet springs, And nun-like violets by the mind betrayed." The "Honied lime, Showers cool, green light o'er banks where flowers weave Thick tapestry ; and woodbine tendrils climb Up the brown oak, and buds of moss and thyme — And the white poplar, from its foliage hoar, Scatters forth gleams like moonlight, with each gale That sweeps the boughs." Our civilization seems to be carrying us further and further to- ward the artificial. We are too apt to discuss and run after fine- spun theories, even in the cultivation of our soil, the planting of an orchard, the adornment of our homes, and the development, by training, of our trees and plants. It is well to come back to the natural once in a while, and observe how nature does her work. She has made the oak, standing alone on the landscape, to spread its sturdy arms widely, bidding defiance to the blast; or, in the deep forest, to carry its shaft up, up, with a green canopy of leaves at the top. We may take a lesson here in natural development, and profit by it. The elm with its noble trunk, and its lithe pen- dulous branches swinging in the breeze, may not be cut into rigid form, nor the oak be made to put on an aspect of sweeping grace and beauty. Cone bearing trees may not be decapitated, except to their ruin, unless we want them for low growing wind breaks. The tulip tree, if it, at last, do not carry its top well above the oaks and walnuts, has been planted in vain. So we must know whether we plant for ornament or utility, or both. If for ornament, let us select some at least, hardy as to latitude, but exotic as to locality — not forgetting our noble elms, maples, walnuts, lindens and tulip trees. Let us not forget that there is profit, as there is pleasure, in the development of an orchard and a vegetable garden. Let us not forget that, a few beds of flowers, cut here and there in the 226 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. lawn, will develop beauty and profitable pleasure with each suc- ceeding year. Let us not forget that the plats of flowers, few though they may be, in our living room or beside a window, or in the greenery in winter, may give us profitable pastime in their elegant and variegated, or unique foliage or habit, and in the deli- cate and pure breath of perfume we get, when all outside is locked in frost, or buried in snow. We may plant groves and wind breaks, where we have them not. They will give us cool fragrance in sum- mer, and in the autumn gleam with their wonderful tints of crimson, and purple, and gold. Costly monuments have been erected to warriors, whose only glory was that of having caused the death of thousands of their fellow men, in an eager thirst for power. Obelisks have been reared to tyrants, who have founded empires upon the blood and the wreck of the lives of their sub- jects. Temples have been built to mammon, and the poor pride of the founders have sought to perpetuate their names upon en- graved tablets, contained therein. The man who has planted trees and other beautiful objects about his homestead, unconsciously, perhaps, is rearing the most enduring and noble tribute to his memory of all, and with this added consolation: The weary way- farer, resting beneath their shade, in the far future, perhaps, when the bones of the planter have long since became as dust, will, as unconsciously, bless those who have tended these trees. In their tops the twittering birds will pour out peans, and the winds mur- muring among their leaves, will whisper of the benefactor who sleeps the sleep of the dead, or swelling with increasing volume, bear aloft a jubilant anthem, which rising in the heavens, will reach Deity himself. Monuments may crumble and fall; obelisks may be thrown prone in the dust; famed temples may be given as hiding places for serpents and bats and owls. A civilization may decay, and become a thing of the past. 'Trees will grow, and wax greater and greater, and rear their glorious heads toward heaven, and perhaps some future poet, of some future civilization, may sing of them, as our own poet Hempstead sang of the mammoth trees of California: "They were green when in the rushes lay and moanei the Hebrew child, They were growing when the granite of the pyramids was piled; Green when Punic hosts at Cannae bound the victor's gory sheaves, And the grim and mangled Romans lay around like autumn leaves; Addresses — Plea for State Aid. 22? From their tops the crow was calling when the streets of Rome were grass And the brave Three Hundred with their bodus blocked the rocky Pass; In their boughs the owl was hooting when upon the Hill of Mars Paul rang out the coming Judgment, pointing upward to the stars; Here, with loving hand transplanted, in the noonday breeze they wave, And by night in silent seas of silver-arrowed moonbeams lave." PLEA FOR STATE AID. J. S. STICKNEY, Wadwatosa. Let us brieBy consider the past work, the present condition and standing, the responsibility and needs for the future of our State Horticultural Society. We will not go back to its early history and work, but only about ten years, when after the war it re-organ- ized, and went earnestly at work to stimulate and awaken a more active interest in tree planting and fruit production; to encourage to new efforts those who had suffered so terribly from severity of climate, or who had been led widely wrong by selfish and irrespon- sible advisers. Ten years of this persistent earnest effort may be summed up as follows: In all reasonably favorable locations we find orchards, producing more or less of fruit, some of them models in their way, and all reasonably prosperous. They are not found on every farm, only on a few; yet enough to serve as stimulating examples to others. In every town and village the markets are fairly supplied with all the small fruits in their season; not all that should be consumed, but enough to illustrate their excellence and to cultivate a growing demand for more. In our large towns, public squares and parks are receiving attention, cemeteries are being tastefully planned, and more or less of planting done. Around many dwell- ings are beautiful groups of trees, and scattered here and there over the broad prairies, in front of the farmer's dwelling, are the two, four, or possibly ten evergreens, usually arranged in formal rows, the advance lines of the hosts that are surely coming to group themselves about these same homes, adding winter beauty, warmth and sunshine thereto; and to stand on the west and the north of these farms in unbroken lines, giving most grateful shelter to domestic animals, and to the now bleak and wind-swept fields. 228 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. That this growing taste and desire for the pure and the beautiful reaches all, may be seen in the bit of velvet green on the small city lot, or the single vine growing in space too limited for aught be- side; or the few blooming plants in the sunny window of the most humble cottage. As most beautiful and convincing proofs of progress, we point ■with pride to Horticultural Hall at our state fairs — 2,000 square feet of table room, well filled in years of scarcity, and in years of plenty crowded and heaped up with luscious and magnificent fruits. Truly this is a pleasing picture for all, and in its production all have been co-workers; but to the members of the Horticultural Society, who have regarded this as their especial work and mission, this measure of success is peculiarly gratifying. It has cost us hard work; it has cost us years of time and no small amount of money, all of which it has been a pleasure for us to give. This hasty glance at successful progress may convey the impres- sion that full success is now assured; that the battle is fought and further effort unnecessary; but to this bright picture there is another side. The truth is, our work is only commenced, and that its rapidly accumulating wants and requirements are passing be- yond our individual means and unaided strength. As a state, ■where we have one orchard we need ten or twenty. For every family using the small fruits freely, there are twenty to whom their Hberal use is unknown. In locations where the larger fruits fail, the culture and use of these smaller fruits may and mtistbe made to fill their place. In the adornment of cemeteries and parks, it costs little more to make them models of landscape planting instead of what they now are. Instead of the lonesome and scattered ever- greens of to-day we must multiply them by thousands. Our occasional green lawn or show of window plants we would make the rule instead of the exception, and would plant a vine or a bloom- ing shrub everywhere. To prove that these things are not only desirable but vastly profitable, please each one take some familiar farm or home; strip it of all these adornments; then invest it with an average amount of the same; then clothe it with all the luxurious comfort and hap- piness that you believe these things may bring to it, and make your own estimate of its different values in the three conditions from the standpoint of true happiness and of dollars and cents. Addresses — Plea for State Aid. 229 For the purpose of convincing argument, I am willing to leave these comparative figures with each of you. This, then, is our work for the future. To do this work we have only a little band of earnest workers. We have to-day in our treasury, nothing. We have as auxiliaries some ten local societies, from many of whom our only communication has been a report of their annual election and a list of their officers. The state kindly places in our hands annually 1,000 volumes (restricted to 200 pages) of our transactions. These volumes we prize as treasures, and no other means have done so much to help on our good work. Their size and number could be doubled, and every page and every volume be profitably used. Whatever other strength or influence we may have must be wholly due to the mani- fest unselfishness of our work, and to the candor and truthfulness of our teaching. And now to the legislators present I wish to bring this question: Are the means in our hands equal to the vjork to be done? If you decide that they are, we must still work on, making the most of what we have. If you believe in the importance of our work, and if the discharge of our former duties gives you faith in our future, we ask your favorable consideration of a bill to come before you in our behalf. We do not ask it in the light of a favor to our- selves, but as a means for the promotion of one of the most noble -and valuable industrial interests of our state. I will briefly indicate some of the larger and broader work which an appropriation would enable us to do. It would help us to organize more local societies, and to maintain more intimate relations with those already organized, thereby stimulating them to greater exertions and the accomplishment of greater good. Interest in our summer and winter meetings could be largely increased by a small premium list for each; thus, in summer, reach- ing and developing a variety of horticultural products which are out of season and lost to our fall exhibition. Special premiums for orchard planting, timber planting and ornamental planting would largely stimulate these interests. Means are needed for special work in developing, providing and disseminating new and valuable fruits. Notable among these are two hundred or more Russian fruits now being tested. 230 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. These are some of the helps that an appropriation would place in our hands. Iowa annually gives her Horticultural Society $1,000; Illinois $4,000; Michigan $2,500. Minnesota has purchased 116 acres of land, and appropriated $1,000 annually, for the purpose of originating, testing and dis- seminating trees and fruits especially adapted to her wants. These are the views, and this the action of our four surrounding sister states. It only remains for us to fall hopelessly behind, or to ask for and receive aid at your hands; consequently we make this request with enthusiastic love and zeal for our calling, with full belief that our state resources and interests are second to none, and that every dollar expended will return to her an hundred fold. INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE APPLE AND GRAPE. Dr. P. H. HOY, Racine. Officers and Members of the Wisconsin Horticultural Society: I come before you by invitation to speak of some of those in- sects that are injurious to agriculture and horticulture, more especially those infesting the apple and grape. I shall speak only of those insects which I have in these cases before me, brought that you might examine them at your pleasure. Although good engravings are of great value, yet, if they were ever so accurately executed, they would still fall far short of the reality. I, therefore, will not describe the perfect insect, but call your attention to these specimens, which are conspicuously labeled and so arranged that you can distinguish them at a glance. Foes to Apple. The American Lappet Moth, Gastropacha Americana. The food plant of this moth is the apple tree, on the leaves of which the larvre feed. Where the eggs are deposited, and just how long they exist in the larval state, is unknown. The life history of this moth remains to be studied. The caterpillar, when fully grown, measures two and a half by one-half inches. The upper part is gray, variegated by irregular white spots, and ornamented with Addresses — Injuries to the Apple and Grape. 231 two conspicuous scarlet bands on the second and third rings, and on each of these bands there is a black dot. They have warts projecting from their sides, covered with gray hairs, some of which are tipped with white knobs. These hairy lateral warts look some- what like lappets, hence the name Lappet moth. The underside of the worm is ornamented with a row of diamond shaped black spots. These caterpillars feed only at night and remain at rest during the day, stretched out on the limbs motionless, in which po- sition they are hard to see. The moth which I exhibit is a male; the female is at least twice as large. This is a rare insect in the eastern states, but if I am not greatly mistaken, it will prove to be entirely too abundant in Wisconsin. The apple tree Tent moth, Clisocampa Americana. The Tent caterpillar is so well known that a description is hardly necessary. The shining tent, constructed by the united labor of all, is so conspicuous that no one is deserving of pity who will permit his orchard to be overrun and destroyed by these pests. A light step- ladder and a stout pair of gloves are the best implements to com- bat this enemy. Before nine in the morning or after four in the afternoon, you will always find them at home snugly housed, or rather tented. The eggs, deposited near the end of the small branches, are so easy to see, that with care, any time in the winter or early spring, these egg masses can be gathered and destroyed, thus nipping them literally in the bud. I exhibit the egg masses; they contain from 300 to 400 eggs each. There is another closely allied species — Clisocampa Sylvatica — which is generally confined to the forest, yet, in exceptional cases, they have been found in the orchard. This species can readily be known by the dorsal stripe on the caterpillar. This stripe is con- tinuous, of uniform width, while in the forest species each ring has an exclamation point on it, or as one has said, a " ten pin." Per- haps the individual was more familiar with ten pins than the more literary character. Harris, Fitch and Riley may be consulted for a more detailed description. We have two species of canker-worm infesting the apple tree — the fall canker-worm, Anisopteryx autumnata, and the spring canker-worm, Anisopteryx vernata. These two species of geom- eters do great damage to our apple orchards. The females are without wings and hence we have more control over them. Not 232 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. only the vernal species come out in the spring, but numbers of the autumnal species are delayed till the warm days in March or the first of April. The larva is a ten -legged looper, pale green to brown, with narrow stripes of yellow. All we have to do to con- trol these canker-worms is to devise means to prevent the female from crawling up the trunks of the trees to deposit her eggs. Many devices have been invented, and many of these, if used un- derstandingly, will prove successful. As all these worms must go into the ground in order to undergo their metamorphosis, and as the female is wingless, we can have perfect control of them. Adhesive mixtures put on the trunks, wisps of cotton batting or any other fine fibrous substance suitable to entrap these creeping nuisances, will generally be effective. The yellow-necked apple-tree worm, Datana ministria. Few worms excite more alarm than do these large caterpillars, as they live together in families. They commence eating at the extremity of the branch and devour every green thing as they descend. When feeding, they huddle together on the under surface of the leaves, with their heads all one way. The moth begins to appear the last of July. The eggs are deposited in one pack on the un- der side of the leaf. The larva? are plump and covered with soft hairs. The first segment (neck) is marked wilh a pale yellow band. The upper side of the worm has narrow double dorsal and four narrow lateral cream colored stripes; head black, without spots. The yellow neck will sufficiently distinguish these large worms. May their number be small. Tussock Moth, Orygia leucostigma. During the winter little bunches of dead leaves are frequently seen fastened together on our orchard trees, apple, etc. These are the cocoons having egg masses fastened to their sides. These eggs hatch about the middle of May and the curiously beautiful tufted caterpillar commences his work, never in company, singly, but never profitably to the horticulturist. The larva is ornamented with four dorsal tufts on the third, fourth, fifth and sixth rings. A single bunch of long black graduated hairs spring from the tail and two similar ones from the first segment. On each side there is a series of colored spots ornamented with hairs. Those worms that are to produce females go through one more molt than those that are destined to produce males. Although the females are without wings, we have Addresses — Injuries to the Apple and Grape. 233 not quite so much control as we would if the transformation took place in the ground. Still, with care in destroying the eggs, we may limit their injury within reasonable bounds. Catocala nuptalis and catocala ultronia. I have found the larvte of these two species of catocalas on the apple tree. I never caught them feeding, hence I suppose they feed only at night. These caterpillars stretched out at full length, resemble so closely the twigs to which they adhere, that it is extremely difficult to see them. We have taken at Racine 43 species of these large showy noctuiadaj. They feed on the leaves of various trees, hickory, oak, willow, poplar, etc. Codling moth, Carpocapsa pomonella. So much has been writ- ten about the life history of this destroyer of the democratic apple that I will only refer you to the writings of Harris, Fitch and Riley for any wished for information. Apple leaf crumpler, Phloxopteris nubeculana. This specie of Tortrix proves to be a serious pest in many sections, and from their small size and the manner of their operations we have less control than over larger and more conspicuous insects. Each worm works for himself, sews two or three leaves together to serve as a protec- tion against enemies; but although alone, there are quite enough neighbors close by. It is generally true that the smaller the insect, the more the injury. They make up in numbers what they lack in size. There are several other species of Tortricidce found in the orchard, but their injury is of small account when compared with the leaf roller. I intend to study this insect carefully, and experi- ment with various devices looking to their destruction. The apple tree borer, Saperda bivittata. It is a fortunate thing that this borer should be so rare in Wisconsin. It belongs to the longicorn beetles, all of which bore into trees and shrubs, or rather the larvre do. You all know the locust clytus that has nearly ex- terminated this tree at Racine at least. I have 50 species of these Capricorn beetles, all taken in Wiscon- sin. One of the handsomest of these insects is the maple borer. New York curculio, Ithycerus novebaracensis. This large species of curculio does not escape the bad reputation of the entire family. Some years this insect is quite numerous, doing considerable dam- age to young apple trees. They girdle the small branches at night and hide away under clods and rubbish near the foot of the tree 234 Wisconsin- State Horticultural Society. during the day. I have had many letters with specimens of this, sent for information. Last fall, just at twilight, I discovered a New York curculio at her work. I watched her till she had com- pletely girdled the terminal shoot of a young apple tree. In this connection I will call your attention to the plum curculio. There are many species of curculio, all more or less injurious, but this rascal bears off the palm. There were none at Racine previous to 1856. JBupestris femorata. This works not a little injury to the apple. The Bupestrida? are borers, but they always select a spot where the bark is slightly loose, in the crevices of which they deposit their eggs. The young, when hatched, soon penetrate the wood and live there during their larval state. Apple trees are so weak- ened by their perforations, that they soon yield to the wind. If the decay hastened by these insects does not prove fatal to the tree it affords a happy hunting ground where hundreds of Bupestrida? join forces. Union is strength, but not for the poor tree, which soon succumbs to numbers. Many apple trees are lost, the owner hav- ing no idea of the cause. A little Paris green might save the trees if properly used. The gray Xylina, Xijlina cincra^ appears to be a general feeder. It is frequently found on the apple tree according to Riley, who first described the abundant western species. It not frequently bores into the fruit; apple, plum, peach, etc. The larva? may be known by a narrow dorsal and a wide lateral colored stripe, color shining green. This species may prove decidedly injurious to Wisconsin. The Dagger moth, acronyctia. The larva? may readily be known by their long, soft, light colored hairs that project directly from the body, and about five long, black pointed tufts which project out- wards, somewhat like daggers — hence the name. The species which I bring is the acronyctia superans. I have repeatedly taken this species in orchards, and I am not without suspicion that the larva? feed on the apple. Foes of Grape. Eudryas grata and unio. Two species of wood-nymphs and the spotted forester, Alypia octomaculata, feed upon the grape, Addresses — Injuries to the Apple and Grape. 235 and it takes more than a superficial examination to detect a differ- ence in the larvae. These are known as blue caterpillars. They have four to six transverse black stripes on each segment, resemble some- what the larvae of the Sphingida?, in fact they were included in this group by the older entomologists. Now they are placed in the small group Zyganida?. Grape leaf crumpler, Desmia maculata, is a great pest in the vinery. With me it has been more numerous in the cold grapery. They sew together grape leaves and have the general habits of the leaf eating Tortricidte. The larva? are pale green, marked with transverse wrinkles. Petrofora diver silineata. A rather handsome geometer that has given me much trouble not only with my hardy grapes but particu- larly in the cold grapery — under glass. The larva? when at rest during the day, stand stretched up at about the same angle of the branches and leaves; this together with the fact that in color and general appearance they closely resemble the branch or leaf on which they are fixed, makes an experienced as well as sharp eye necessary to detect them. I fear this insect is likely to prove a great pest in this state. The arctias is represented by Arctia Isabella. The larva? of the arctia are called hedge-hog caterpillars. They are entirely covered with bunches of rather stiff hairs. These hairs are black, for one- fourth at each end, and bay in the middle of the body. They feed mostly on herbaceous plants, but frequently ascend grape vines and make themselves at home to our cost. The Virgin moth, SpMosoma Virginica. The larva of this moth is known as the yellow bear. They are a general feeder but have a partiality for the grape. They appear to like the warm sunshine of the cold grapery. They deposit their eggs on the under side of the leaves, and in a few days a host of little hairy caterpillars are feed- ing as if their lives depended on making good time. Drapsia Miron. This species of sphinx, one of our worst enemies, selects the grape as the food plant for their young. The larva? have a well defined caudal horn. Thyrens Abottii is also a grape feeder. The larva has an eye-like spot on the rump in place of the usual horn of most of the Sphyngida?. Philampelius pandorus and P. achemon usually prefer the ampelopsis, but by no means despise the grape. I have known them to strip a grape vine of its leaves in a few days. They can 236 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. be detected in their work if we heed the castings which are con- spicuous under the infested vine. The Bee moth, Gellerea cereana. Too well known wherever the bee is propagated. I need not describe. Bee killer, Trupanea apivora. This species of the Asalas family preys on various insects. This species is rather fond of bees. This one captured a bee that was quietly sucking a white clover blos- som. The killer seized the bee by the neck and by elevating the abdomen kept clear of the bee's business end. The struggle was short. The head of the bee was severed and the body quietly de- voured. I noticed that the honey stomach was a tid bit to this hairy murderer. The Gooseberry moth, Euphanersa mendica. This moth feeds principally on the leaves of the wild gooseberry, but I have known them to infest Houghton seedling. Synchlora rubivoraria. This little pale-green geometer is the parent of the raspberry worm, so annoying to the lovers of this excellent fruit. The larvae attach particles of the fruit to their bodies and rolled up in a ball exceedingly hard to see. Without the greatest care we are in danger of eating these disgusting worms with our dessert. I have here two species of Pieris, P. protodice and P. oleracea. The protodice has a bad record with the growers of cabbage. The larva may be described as a soft bluish-green worm with four lon- gitudinal yellow stripes. Length one and one-fourth inches. The sixth, seventh and eighth ring are largest, giving the worm a fusi- form shape. Pieris oleracea is abundant at Racine, occurs but little south. The first made their appearance at Racine in 1855, since which time they have greatly increased. The larvae feed on almost any crusifera. Mustard is a favorite food plant. The turnip suffers considerably from this pest. The larva resembles the protodice, but is lighter colored. Plusia brassicce does some damage to the cabbage, still it is quite a general feeder. I have seen it on the tomato. The larvae are pale-green and almost diaphanous. They are tender and can be destroyed easily, but it takes sharp eyes to see them. Cabbage tenia, Pleutella limbipenella^ is small in size but large in damage. Cabbage infested by the larvae of this small tenia look Addresses — Injuries to the Apple and Grape. 237 as if riddled by shot. It has cost hundreds of dollars in the vicinity of Racine. There is another pest of the cabbage belonging to Dipteria, Anthomyia brassicwitTi silk. The worm, when fully grown, is about six-tenths of an inch in length; its head, represented by c, Fig. 13, is a dark, reddish brown, covered with a horny-looking plate, which also extends over part of the second segment. The brown color of the body during the fall and early spring, now changes to a dark green on the back, with a lighter shade underneath. On the side of the second and third segments, there is a small black protuberance, and a small black spot on the side of each of the other segments, each of which contains a single light brown hair. It usually passes into the pupa Entomological Notes. 291 state early in June, generally in the case which has been its home while feeding; but they have been known to pass the chrysalis state on the outside of this case. In a little less than two weeks the chrysalis develops into a moth. " The wings of the moth meas- ure, when expanded, about seven-tenths of an inch. Its body is about three-tenths of an inch in length. The fore wings are pale brown, with patches and streaks of silvery white; the hind wings are plain, brownish white; the under side of both wings is pale, whitish brown, but the bind wings are paler than the fore wings." These moths lay the eggs for the next brood on the leaves of the trees best adapted to the taste of the worms; these eggs hatch out late in the summer; the young larva? feed during the fall, construct their cases, provide a shelter of dead leaves, and go into winter quarters when about one-third grown, as stated above. From the foregoing description of the habits of this pest, it will be readily seen that the time best adapted for its destruction is while in its winter quarters, as the dry leaves on the bare trees plainly indicate where it may be found. As it is single brooded, if this work is thoroughly done, one season will secure their ex- termination. Prof. Riley and others recommend that instead of crushing and otherwise destroying these dry leaves when gathered, that they be put in a box and taken to some place where there are no trees near, and the worms will then wander about for a short distance and soon perish for want of food, and the ichneumon flies and other parasites which prey upon them, will mature and con- tinue their friendly services in our behalf. The application ot arsenic, Paris green, English purple, and other poisons, woulc? probably kill many of them while feeding upon the leaves, but no application of this kind will reach them, to kill by contact, while sheltered in their cases. The Round Headed Apple Tree Borer. i Saperda bivittata. — Say. This insect was first discovered by Say, in 1824, but for many years very little damage was done by it in the orchards. It is sup- posed to be a native of this country, and to have, for a long period, preyed upon the wild fruit trees. When cultivated orchards in- creased in number and size, they commenced their attacks on the 292 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. cultivated apple tree, and finding the food especially adapted to their wants, they increased rapidly, and soon became one of the greatest foes of the apple. The fact that, silently and unseen, they are eating out the heart of the orchard, and their work of de- struction is often nearly complete before their presence even is known, makes them a foe more to be dreaded. Trees on high and dry locations are more exposed to their attacks than others. The failure of many trees in our orchards, which is usually attributed to other causes, is doubtless largely due to the insiduous working of this pest and its co-partner in destruction, the flat-headed borer. It is a very common cause of complaint that trees kill themselves by over-bearing, when the cause of this extreme fruitfulness is the gnawing away of the heart by these destroyers, and the whole energies of the tree are thrown into a last effort to perpetuate its species. luff/ //Iff Al,Ui Fig. 14. Round Headed Apple Tree Borer. The perfect beetle is seldom seen, as it hides during the day and flies only at night. When once seen it is easily distinguished by Entomological Notes. 293 its peculiar markings. It has two clearly defined stripes of chalk white, running from its head to the extremity of its body; its an- tenna? are long, slender, and bend backward, with a sharp curve for- ward near the extremity. The face, underside of the body and legs, are also white. Its length is about three-quarters of an inch. They appear during the months of June and July — some earlier, some later. The female beetle soon lays her eggs upon the bark of the tree, near the ground. In about two weeks these eggs hatch, and the young worm commences to drill into the bark, crowding its castings out behind it. A careful examination of the trees during the fall of the first season, and the greater part of the second, will reveal their castings, and unerringly make known the location of the larvae. The second year it bores into the sap wood, cutting in no given direction; sometimes striking in toward the heart, at others run- ning up or down, and yet again passing around the tree, girdling it by cutting off the sap wood. The third year they generally take an upward direction, either striking through the heart wood to the other side of the tree, or bending outward, in order to bring the upper end of the gallery to the outside bark. Here, at the close of the third season, the occupant closes the passage in front and rear, by packing it firmly with refuse and saw dust, and lies during the winter in a torpid state. In the spring it enters into the pupa state, and soon becomes a perfect beetle. In a short time the beetle tears away the saw dust at the upper end of the hole, and cuts its way through the bark. Figure 14 shows the perfect beetle; the pupa; the larva? in different stages of its growth; the holes where it enters and leaves the tree. The Flat Headed Apple Tree Borer. Chrysobolhris femorata. — Fab. The natural habitat of this insect is supposed to be the oak, from the fact that it is sometimes found in great numbers in diseased trees and old decaying stumps of the white oak, but it also works in the soft maple and other forest trees, as well as various kinds of cultivated fruit trees. In many places it is even more destructive to the orchard than the round headed borer. This beetle belongs to the Buprestida? family, an entirely different family from the one 294 "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. last described. In the months of June, July and August, they may be found, on the south or southwest side of the trees, basking in the sunshine. The color of the upper side of their body is a greenish black, necked with patches of gray, while the under side is a bright copper color. Its length is about half an inch, but there is considerable variation in this respect. It flies by day, and is very active in its movements, darting away swiftly when attempts are made to capture it. As it closely resembles the bark of the tree in color, it cannot be easily detected when at rest on the tree, "without special attention is directed to it. The eggs are generally laid either singly, or two or three in a place, in the cracks or crevices of the bark, or under the rough scales on the southwest side of the tree, either on the body of the tree, or at the crotch. Trees that are diseased, or that have been injured, are much more liable to be attacked. The worm, as it hatches and burrows in the bark, lives in the early stages of its growth on the inner bark and sap wood; as it increases in size and strength it cuts its way into the solid wood, sometimes eating through the heart wood. The full grown larva is described by Professor Thomas, as " about seven-tenths of an inch in length. It is soft, flesh like, and of a pale, yellow color. The head is small, and immersed into the follow- ing segment. The jaws are black. The third segment is very broad and large, being nearly twice the width of any of the poste- rior segments; it is rather broader than long, <£? having on the upper side a large, oval, cal- Fig- 15- Flat Headed- lous like elevation, covered with numerous AppLE Tree Borep" a, fall grown larva; b, pupa; brown raised points." It usually works in a, perfect beetle. an upward direction, cutting an oval gallery, twice as broad as high. In this the larva is always found, with its tail bent around toward its head, in the position shown in figure 15. It remains in the tree nearly a year; passes the pupa state in its hole, at the upper extremity, near the bark. In June or July the perfect beetle cuts its way through the bark, basks a few days in the sun- light, performs its mission of perpetuating its species, and dies. The remedies usually employed to ward off and destroy both these borers, are: first, smearing the trees with some substance- Entomological Notes. 295 •which is repulsive to the beetle; and second, the knife. Soap or some form of alkali is generally used for this purpose. It should be applied two or three times in a season (and oftener if washed off by heavy rains), both to the body, the crotch and larger limbs, especially if diseased or injured in any way. Some recommend placing a piece of hard soap in the crotch of the trees, where the rain will wash it down to the places needing protection. A careful examination of the trees in the fall and spring will reveal those that are affected; the rusty colored castings of the worms, ejected from their holes, will indicate where they may be found, and in the fall especially, they can be easily removed, being near or still in the bark. The bark over their burrows is usually shrunken, dry and discolored, and is another way in which their position may be detected. In the spring, further indications of their presence may be seen, and the knife used to destroy them. If they have cut far into the tree they maybe reached and killed by a wire, or what is- better still, a small round piece of whalebone, so flexible that it •will follow the crooks and turns of the holes. While the destruc- tion of the mature larva? will not repair the damage already done, it will be beneficial in preventing their contributing to the perpet- uation of the species. Many of these worms are yearly destroyed by the different species of woodpeckers. Were it not for their aid in holding the borers in check, our fruit, and many of our forest trees, would soon be annihilated. The species commonly called sap sucker, is re- garded as causing much injury to the trees, by drilling the bark full of holes. This is doubtless a detriment to the tree, but the purpose for which these holes are made is not to suck out the sap of the tree, as many suppose, but the destruction of insects infest- ing the bark and sap wood. These birds seldom, if ever, attack a sound, healthy tree. Their instinct, or keenness of vision, un- erringly directs them to the trees and places affected, and their natural appetite leads them to seek out and destroy the destroyer. Nature designed them for this work, as may be seen in the sharp,, long bill, for penetrating bark and wood, and the long, wiry tongue, the point thickly covered with hooked barbs, which is run up the burrow made by the worm in search of its occupant. The instru- ment most suitable and best fitted for this work in the hands of man, is one made of whalebone, and is fashioned after, and does ■296 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. the work ia the same manner as the woodpecker's tongue. On the other hand, it will readily be seen to be wholly unfitted for the ex- traction of sap or fluids. A quotation from the remarks of Mr. Wilson, the celebrated ornithologist, will not only help to correct the wrong impression which many entertain in relation to these birds, but will give some idea of the benefit derived from their work: l'Of all our woodpeckers, none rid the apple tree of so many vermin as the Downy woodpecker, digging off the moss which the negligence of the proprietor had suffered to accumulate, and probing every crevice. In fact, the orchard is his favorite re- sort in all seasons, and his industry is unequaled and almosc inces- sant. In the fall he is particularly fond of boring the apple trees for insects, digging a circular hole through the bark, just sufficient to admit his bill; after that, a second, third, and so on, in pretty regular, horizontal circles around the body of the tree. From nearly the surface of the ground up to the first fork, and some- times far beyond it, the whole bark of many apple trees is perfo- rated in this way, so as to appear as if made by discharges of buck shot, and our little woodpecker is the principal perpetrator of this supposed mischief. I say supposed, for, so far from these perfora- tion of the bark being ruinous, they are not only harmless, but I have good reason to believe, really beneficial to the health and fer- tility of the tree. In more than fifty orchards, which I have my- self carefully examined, those trees which were marked by the woodpecker (for some trees they never touch, perhaps because not penetrated by insects) were uniformly the most thrifty, and seem- ingly the most productive. Many of these were upwards of sixty years old, their trunks completely covered with holes, while their branches were broad, luxuriant, and loaded with fruit. The most common opinion is, that they bore the tree to suck the sap, and so destroy its vegetation, though pine and other resinous trees, on the juices of which it is not pretended that they feed, are often found equally perforated. Besides, the early part of spring is the season when the sap flows most abundantly, whereas it is only during the months of September, October and November that woodpeckers are seen so indefatigably engaged in orchards, penetrating every crack or crevice, boring through the bark; and what is worth re- marking, chiefly on the south and southwest sides of the trees, for the eggs and larva* deposited there by the countless swarms of sum- Entomological Notes. 297 mer insects. Here then, is a whole species, I may say genus, of birds which Providence seems to have formed for the protection of our fruit and forest trees from the ravages of vermin, which every day destroy millions of these noxious insects, that would other- wise blast the hopes of the husbandman; and yet they are pro- scribed by those who ought to have been their protectors, and in- citements, and rewards are held out for their destruction. Want of adaptation for this method of seeking sustenance should be sufficient to clear these benefactors from the charge of extracting the life of trees; but in addition to this, we have the evidence of those who have examined the stomachs of the birds themselves, and thus by the sacrifice of their lives, compelling them to testify to the falsity of the accusation made against the species. Dr. Bryant stated before the Natural History Society of Boston, Mass., " that he had examined the stomachs of six yellow billed wood- peckers, sent to him from Wisconsin, charged with doing great damage to orchards here, in all of which be found portions of the inner bark of the apple tree, but also much greater quantities of insects; that in one bird he found two larva? of a boring beetle, so large that there was not room in the stomach for both at once, and one remained in the lower part of the ;vsophagus;" and he adds: " If these were the larvae of the sarpeda, as is probable, they would do more damage than twenty woodpeckers, and I sincerely hope that these birds are not to be exterminated, unless it is clearly demonstrated that the injury caused by the destruction of the bark is not more than compensated by their destruction of noxious insects." Steel-Blue Beetle. Ilaltica Chalybey. This beetle has long been known to the grape growers of the country as very destructive to the vineyard. It has done but little damage in this state, compared with its work in other sections, yet it seems to be on the increase here, and has occasioned more loss the present season than in any previous year. If care is taken to destroy them when few in numbers, they will probably never be so numerous as to prove very destructive, but if neglected, they will doubtless become very troublesome. Though commonly called the steel-blue beetle, they differ much 298 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. in color, varying from shades of purple to dark green and blue. We find the following in relation to this insect, in an address given by Dr. J. Fisher, of Fitchburg, Mass., before the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture: « It has a most beautiful, brilliant, greenish blue color, and a very shiny shell. It is the size of a small lady bug, and somewhat the same shape, only a little more oval. It ap- pears very early in the spring, before the leaves of the grape have shown; and, just about the time the buds begin to swell, this in- ect bores a small hole right in the side of the bud, takes out tho 1-4 tv Fig. 23. Steel Blue Beetle. center, and prevents it from developing, using so much for food. They come in considerable numbers, and pair immediately on meet- ing their mates, eating what little they want, and destroying a b ud every time they eat. They lay their eggs upon the foot stalks of the leaves, or at the base of the protruding shoot, remain about for some time and disappear. From the eggs that are laid are hatched small, brownish, nearly black, slugs or worms, that feed on the upper or under surface of the leaf, without much choice, grad- ually growing with the leaves; the different broods lasting, per- haps, six weeks, when they all disappear. Sometimes they are very plenty. They have been so numerous in some gardens, as to destroy the crop completely, and any grower is liable to have them overrunning his vines, if he does not keep on the watch. It is my Entomological Notes. 299 custom, when the buds begin to swell, to go and look, especially upon the outer rows. They do not appear to hibernate in the vine- yard itself, but upon the adjoining grass ground, or other sub- stances about. Their color is so brilliant that you cannot mistake it with any reasonably sharp eyes; it is strongly in contrast with "the brown color of the wood on the vines. It is easy to see them, and you have only to crush them with your finger to make an end of them. If it is cool weather, it is very easy to put your finger on them and kill them; if it is along toward the middle of a warm day you cannot do it, for, when you put your finger where he is, he is not there, and if you are not acquainted with his habits, you do not know where he has gone. There is a kind of magic about it; but if you have watched him before, when you put out your finger, you will see him drop toward the ground; but just before reaching it he frequently makes a rapid turn, and drops down one or two feet from where he appeared to be falling; and, unless your eye has fol- lowed him down in his course quite to the ground, you can scarcely ever succeed in capturing or discovering him. The proper way is, when you come upon him, to put your left hand under him first, and then put your finger upon him. If he drops, you have got him in your hand. If the female has succeeded in laying her eggs be- fore you capture her, you will soon find the larvsc upon the leaves. These should be killed with the thumb and finger." The larvae on reaching maturity descend to the ground, which they enter, and form little cells of earth, where they remain about three weeks, and then issue as beetles. These beetles are sup- posed not to breed again the same season, but to live on the leaves of the vine during the summer and fall, and then pass the winter in a torpid state under the weeds, grass or other rubbish on the ground, or under the bark of the posts used for trellises. It is stated that the larvae may be killed while feeding on the leaves, by sprinkling the vines with lime. The Radish Fly. Anthomyia radicum. — Harris. Early in the spring, soon after the first sown radishes have come up, a small fly, resembling somewhat the common house fly, may be seen flitting around the bed, often lighting on the ground near the 300 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. young plants, or on the plants themselves. If a careful examina- tion is given, it will soon appear for what purpose they are drawn thither; small, oval, and white eggs will be seen on the stems of the plants, or on the ground near at hand. These eggs soon hatch out, and the little maggots make for the stem of the plant, work their way down to the root, and burrow and feed upon it. Sometimes they attack a plant in such numbers as to kill it; but if it continues to develop, it is unfit for use. It is a serious pest to market gardeners and those who raise quantities of radishes, using the same land from year to year. They are much more numerous and destructive on old ground than on new. Where once they become established, they attack alike the radish, the early turnip and early cabbage. Often in old gardens they will attack early cabbage plants in such numbers as to destroy the entire crop, leav- ing hardly a plant in large fields. It has been said that the worms feeding on the radish, cabbage and turnip, are different; that each is a different species; but the indications are that they are identi- cal; what little difference, it is claimed, may be discovered in each, can readily be accounted for in the effect of the food plant. It is stated that the maggots found on the cabbage are larger than those on the radish, and that the fly is larger and of a different shade; but the form and the markings seem to be identical. Dr. Harris describes the fly as " of an ash-color, with a silvery gray face, cop- per colored eyes, and a brown spot on the front of the head; with faint brown lines on the thorax and a longitudinal black line on the abdomen, crossed by narrow lines." They are somewhat smaller than the common horse fly, and of a lighter color, with a metallic luster. When expanded, the wings are proportionately longer, but when at rest they do not expand as much as those of the house fly. There is quite a difference between the appearance of the male and the female. The male has much larger eyes, occu- pying most of the surface of the head and coming nearly together on the crown; while in the female "they are widely apart, with a broad black stripe between, which is shaded into a chestnut color in front. The hind part of the body is more conical in the female than the male." The male fly has more of a metallic luster, and its body and legs are more thickly covered with bristles. They often gather around the flowers, and at times may be seen in crowds sporting in the air. The pupa is of a reddish brown color, Entomological Notes. 302 oval in shape. They are supposed to pass the winter both in the pupa and fly state. Very early sowing is recommended as a preventive. This may be, in a measure, effectual with radishes, but would be of little avail with early cabbage, as they will attack, and when in large numbers will destroy quite large plants. A frequent change of ground, each time selecting a site as far removed from the old bed as possible, is said to lessen the damage done by them. The use of hot water is also recommended; also salt and salt water, and lime; but the probable result of their application would be, that unless these remedies are used when the eggs and maggots are at or very near the surface, the application sufficient to kill the pest would also kill the plant. Those who have used lime water, how- ever, say that while it is inimical, even in a solution of moderate strength, to insect life, it is comparatively harmless to vegetation^ A more laborious, but yet an effectual remedy, would be to pull up and destroy every plant infected with them. These plants are worse than worthless, as the only purpose they can serve is to- bring to maturity the enemy who will destroy the hopes of the next season. If this is done promptly as soon as the plants show signs of injury, and is followed up faithfully, their numbers will be greatly diminished, and in two or three seasons the pest will be nearly exterminated. New York Weevil. Ithycerus noveboracensis. — Forster. Fortunately, this foe to the apple tree, which is doing much damage in orchards east and south of us, is comparatively little known in this state; but the indications are that it is rapidly in- creasing in numbers where it has obtained a foothold, and that it will become as well known and as destructive as the codling moth and curculio. In the past two years, many trees in orchards in Grant and Iowa counties have been seriously injured by them. "Were but a small part of the care and labor given to their destruc- tion on their first appearance which will have to be given yearly should they ever become established, they might be exterminated, or be so held in check as not to extend their field of operations or prove 302 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. very destructive. The following is the description given of it by- Prof. Riley: "The large gray beetle, represented by c in the accompanying cut, often does considerable damage to fruit trees. * * It kills the twigs by gnawing off the tender bark in the early part of the season, before the buds have put out, and later in the year it destroys the tender shoots which start out from the old wood, by entirely devouring them. It eats out the buds, and will also frequently gnaw off the leaves at the base of the stem, after they have expanded. It attacks, by preference, the tender growth of the apple, though it will also make free with that of the peach, plum, pear or cherry, and also of forest trees. It is the largest snout beetle which occurs in our state, and with the rest of the species belonging to the same genus (Ithycerus — straight horn), it is distinguished from most of the other snout bee- tles by the antennas or feelers being straight instead of elbowed or flail shaped, as they are in the common plum curculio. The spe- cific name, Jioveboracensis, which means " of New York," was given to it one hundred years ago because it was found in that state. * * * The general color of the beetle is ash-gray, marked with black, as in Fig. 10, c, and with scutel, or small semi- circular space immediately behind the thorax, between the wings, of a yellowish color. Its larval habits were for a long time un- known, but a number of years ago I ascertained that it breeds in the twigs and tender branches of the burr oak, and have good reason to believe that it also breeds in those of the pignut hickory. The female, in depositing, first makes a longitudinal excavation with her jaws (Fig. 16, a), eating upwards under the bark towards the end of the branch, and afterwards turns around to thrust her eggs in the excavation. The larva (Fig. 16, b) hatching from the egg is of the usual pale yellow color, with a tawny head. I have watched the whole operation of depositing, and returning to the- punctured twig a few days after the operation was performed, have cut out the young larva; but I do not know how long a time the larva needs to come to its growth, or whether it undergoes its Fig. 16. New York Weevil. Entomological Notes. 303 transformations •within the branch, or leaves it for this purpose to •enter the ground; though the former hypothesis is the more likely. "This insect, in the beetle state, is more active at night than during the day, and is often jarred down upon the sheet or curculio catcher, for it falls about as readily as the plum curculio." Lady Birds. Coccinella. Among thousands of insect enemies there are a few insect friends which aid very much in keeping the foes in check. Their whole mission seems to be to prey on the destroyers and prevent such an increase in their numbers as would prove fatal to plant life. Each injurious insect has its parasite foe, and these generally develop so rapidly in numbers, with the increase of the insect upon which they prey, as to counterbalance, and in some instances almost to annihilate them. Thus they render an aid that we can illy dispense with; and one of the greatest objections to the use of poisons in the destruction of insects is, that it proves fatal alike to friend and foe. The lady bird is justly regarded as one of the most useful of our friends. They are very numerous, and are to be found everywhere. It is estimated that there are over one thousand species, often dif- fering but slightly in size, marking, color and form. The charac- Fig 17. Nine-Spotted Lady Bird. Fig. 18. Larva of the Nine-Spotted Lady Bird. Fig. 19. Pink Lady Bird. Mppodamia maculata. teristic form, in the beetle state, is hemispherical. Their color is generally j^ellow or red, with black spots, or black with white, red or yellow spots, but there are some species without spots; one of the most common of this class is what is called the trim lady bird, whose wing cases are of a uniform red color. The nine-spotted lady bird is, perhaps, the most common, Fig. 17; its wing covers are of brick color, with nine black spots. The maculata, Fig. 19, is also often seen, in which the color is pink, with large black 20 — Hort. So. 304 "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. spots. The thirteen-spotted lady bird, Fig. 20, is much larger, and has thirteen black spots on a brick-red ground. The convergent Fig. 20. Fig. 21. Thirteen Spotted Convergent Lady Bird. Lady Bird. Chrysalis and Larva. lady bird, Fig. 21, is of a deep orange color, with black and white markings. There is a much larger species, the fifteen-spotted, which presents many shades of color, varying from a light gray to a deep brown. Fig. 22. Twice-Wounded Lady Bird. The twice- wounded lady bird, Chilocerus bivulnerus, is of a deep, shining, black color, with a blood red spot on each wing cover, and is about the size and shape of a smooth split pea. Its natural size is indicated by the hair lines in Fig. 22. The larva is a dark gray, prickly slug, repulsive in its appearance, but extremely active and voracious in its habits. It may often be found in the pupa state on the trunks of the trees infested with lice. In the beetle or perfect state, this insect is familiar to most of our farmers, but it is to be feared that there are very many who are not acquainted with its mission, and but very few who fully realize the benefits derived from it. On the other hand, there are but very few who are acquainted with it in the larva state. In- stances are not rare where farmers, and even some who call them- selves horticulturists, finding a long, dark colored, spotted grub on their trees or plants, think it is a new foe, and commence with energy the work of destruction, little knowing that every life he takes is that of a friend, and gives immunity to hundreds of his enemies. In the larva state all the species have a marked resem- blance, being of an elongated, oval form, quite pointed behind, of a dull color, with blue, yellow or black markings, and the soft, slimy looking body covered with pointed tubercles, and six legs Entomological Notes. 305 near the fore part of the body. No one unacquainted with its history would associate it with the trim and beautiful lady bird,, "When the larvae have reached their full development they attach themselves firmly, by the tail, to the edge of a leaf near the place where their life has been spent in devouring insect life, and pass into the pupa state, and in a short time emerge in the beetle form. The latter hibernates, comes out early in the spring, lives upon the eggs and larvae of other insects, and lays its eggs in clusters on the leaves and branches of plants and trees which are infested with plant lice, so that on hatching out the young grubs will find their prey within their reach. In both stages of its existence it is a voracious feeder, and each individual life is# maintained at the ex- pense of hundreds of others. In Europe, where their value is best known, they have a market price, and are often bought to colonize gardens and fields infested with destructive insects, to aid in their extermination. By all means, spare their lives, favor their propaga- tion, and aid them in their work. The Codling Moth. From a Lecture before the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture: By Dr. Jabez Fisher. This is one of the most important insects that we have to deal with, and one of the greatest curses — scarcely mitigated at all as the curculio is — that the fruit grower has to contend with. In the odd year our fruit is nearly all affected by the codling moth. In a year like this we are under more favorable circumstances, because last year we only grew a small crop of fruit, and, of course, we raised a small crop of codling moths. This year we obtained an enormous crop of fruit, and we got ahead of them. There was not codling moths enough to go round; hence, the large amount of smooth, clean apples, that we have raised. Many people have told me that they do not see one codling moth; that is, there were so many perfect apples, the beauty of which took up so much of their attention, that they did not realize there was anything else. But the codling moth has appeared this year, and you will find that he has had his share of the apples. At least one apiece. It is very seldom, indeed, that this insect will lay two eggs in one apple, almost never, if there are apples enough to go around; but where there are not, I have known six eggs to be be laid in on 3 apple. The codling moth is a very obscure insect. It is a thing that you 300 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. scarcely ever see. Many people have never seen one. They have no idea what the moth is, and one reason is, that it is very small. Another is, that it is a night flyer; and another is, its habit of flitting about in such a way that you can scarcely keep your eyes upon it. But if you store apples in a cellar, and keep them late in the spring, you will find plenty of the moths on your cellar ^windows, that you can study at your leisure. I must say, that, with ■all my experience, I have never seen one out of doors in my life. One great difficulty in contending with the codling moth is, that, like the potatoe beetle, it has more than one generation in one year; that is, it has two or three successive broods. The first brood of codling moth worms come to maturity and lay another set of eggs; and I think that the second brood also, in some cases, may Fig. 23. Codling Moth. lay eo-o-s that come to perfection the same year. I am certain that ihere are two broods. The first one appears pretty early. I do jDot know exactly the date at which we find the first larvae, but I ibink it is about the first of July. The insect lays an egg in the calyx of the apple or pear; the egg hatches, and the worm crawls out a little sideways, living upon the surface of the apple until it gets to a certain stage of development, and then it goes toward the center, for the core; then it bores up the core toward the stem; aad the hope of the insect is, apparently, that, in doing all that, it i] cause the apple to drop. The habit of the larva is this: When it comes to maturity in the apple, it has three courses open Entomological Notes. 307 to it. If the apple remains on the tree, the worm comes out of a. hole in the side, and takes one of two courses: it either spins a web down to the ground, which is not very common, but it can be induced to do so by a shaking of the tree, either by the wind or otherwise (any artificial disturbance will cause it to spin a web, and it will let itself down to the ground); or, under other circum- stances, it crawls out of the apple down the limb of the tree, and down the trunk, to where the bark is loose, and finds a place there to spin its cocoon. It takes a very little space; a sixteenth of an inch is an abundance for him, because he can gnaw as much as he wants, to enlarge it. If he falls to the ground by means of his web, he evidently has the faculty of seeing, because he heads di- rectly toward the trunk, crawls up, and finds what the other has found in coming down the tree, and spins his cocoon there. Then, a third way is that the fruit, by means of his boring, has became so far weakened, that it drops from the tree. In that case, the worm goes on feeding until it comes to maturity on the ground, if not already grown, and then comes out of the apple, and takes the same course that the other one did that had spun down, crawls to- ward the trunk of the tree, goes up, and finds a place in which to spin his cocoon. Now the spot to trap him, apparently and really, is just at the trunk of the tree. My practice has been this the past year, and I have followed it faithfully, and can give you entire results: In the first place, I scrape the trunk to make it smooth, so that he will not have any chance to spin his cocoon outside of my arrangement; then I have a piece of wrapping paper, which I fold up, and tie around the tree. I want to make as many traps for him as I can, and I fold the paper from two to three inches wide, fan fashion, and then with a string it is tied about the tree, passing around the middle of the paper. It is tied loosely, with a bow knot, so that it is easily untied. The result is, that the worm will either craw! in among the folds of the paper, or, as he seems to prefer, the space between the inside of the paper and the bark of the tree. Here is a paper that has been used the whole season. It is ordinary thiix wrapping paper, and it would almost do for another year. I put one of these papers around the trunk of each tree that had been scraped smooth, as I said; and then I went around every Monday morning, took off the papers, and counted the moths that were in. 308 Wisconsin State Hoeticultukal Society. them. When I saw one, having a knife with me, I wiped it across him and killed him. They must be killed individually; you cannot get them collectively. Then the paper was immediately re- wrapped around each tree. I applied the papers thus to fifty-seven trees in my orchard. The first larva? were found in the papers on the 22d of July. They were probably there two or three days before, but there was not one there on the loth. I was told to apply the papers the middle of June. This was the result. I put them around at that date; but the first codling moth was not found until July 22d, and could not have been there more than six days, of course. I found at that time 76 worms or larva?; a week later I found 59; a week later, 134; and then, 135; then, 344; then, 147; then, 205; 267,222; and 274 on the 23d of September. Then I did not go around until the 28th of October, at which time I sup- posed the season was entirely through, and I found 289, making a total of 2,152 codling moth larva1 from fifty-seven trees. I trapped so many in that simple way. Part of my trees are in grass land, and part in cultivated land; and I got a great many more in the cultivated ground, not, perhaps, because there were more there, but because the grass was an obstacle to them in finding the tree. I do not know, but I suspect that, when they are in the grass, it is very difficult for them to find a tree, and they spin their cocoons in the grass. I have no doubt of it, and therefore, for this reason, the proper place to grow trees of that kind is not where you grow grass, as well as for other reasons also. Beside this, I have been for some years in the habit of thinning all my pears; and this year, for the first time in my life, I have thinned my apples, only I did not thin them half enough; but I did take off all the imperfect ones. I thinned out upon the same principle that I do pears, and you will excuse me if I say a word about that. After the curculio has done its work (which is for me a desirable one), I thin out a good many of the fruits when they are about the size, or before they get to the size of an English walnut. I have made a business of thinning out all my pears for some years, and after a good deal of experience, I have worked up an implement for the purpose. It is a little forked piece of steel, bent in a peculiar way. That instrument, put on to the end of a long pole, like a rake handle, is the prettiest thing that can be imagined, for thinning pears especially. The only difficulty with Entomological Notes. 309 apples is, that many stems of apples are so short, that it is not easy to get hold of them; but it will take a pear every time. It is carried up as close to the end of the stem as possible, given a slight turn, which breaks it off at that point, and the pear drops; or, if you choose, the pear can, with a little care, be conveyed down into your hand. The inside edges of the fork should be square, and it should be tempered rather soft. My instructions to the pear thinners are these: There are four classes of pears to be removed. In the first place, where there are two or more growing in a clus- ter, they are to take out all but one; no matter how handsome the others may be, or how tempting it may be to let them remain, everything is thinned out to one pear in a place. Second, every pear that is deformed, that is not going to be a perfect fruit when grown, is taken out. It is nonsense to keep your tree at work, undertak- ing to grow imperfect fruit, that will never be worth anything. Third, every pear that shows evidence of the codling moth is to be removed; next, all the small, weak pears; every pear that cannot keep up with its neighbors, as Kearney says, " must go." That is severe thinning, but that is sometimes only the begin- ning. Having thinned out everything that is imperfect, everything that is in the way, then the tree is to be looked at as a whole, to judge if it is bearing more than it should. If it is, then the fruit is to be thinned out still further. That is the most difficult thing in the whole operation to do, to thin out pears that are perfect, just as good as their neighbors; but they must come out, because the tree has too many. There is no rule about this; it is a matter of education. A man must judge from his experience how much each individual tree can carry. Mr. J. J. Thomas has formulated a rule, which it is perfectly safe to follow, the substance of which is this: That no ordinary, medium sized pear, should grow within six inches of another. That is a safe rule;, you will not lose any money if you follow it. In many cases it ought to be ten inches in- stead of six. Now what I was coming at was this: Wherever the codling moth larva has been at work, those pears or apples, if left undis- turbed, sooner or later drop upon the ground. They are worthless, but every one that has a worm in it should be at once secured. I am, therefore, in the habit of going through the orchard about twice a week, and picking off all the wormy fruits before they drop; 310 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. ■ these are kept in a basket as gathered, and if worth feeding to hogs or other animals, I get rid of them in that way. If they are notr I have a very convenient place where I can dump them into the river, and trust, for the benefit of the people who live below, the worms are prevented from transforming. That is the quickest way with me. I suppose that in that way there were apples enough picked off this same orchard to destroy a number of codling moths equal to those I caught in traps upon the trees, making about four thousand worms that were secured. Well, my crop was about one hundred and seventy-five barrels of good apples, generally free from the codling moth. We found but very few when we came to pick the crop. Now, let me ask, what will be the result to me next year? I will suppose that two thousand of the four thousand were females, and that they lay eggs to the amount of thirty each; I believe that is the ordinary estimate. I suppose that two thousand of these lay thirty eggs each that come to maturity, and we have sixty thousand codling moths that I have headed off. Now, supposing that each one of these codling moths should have gone on to maturity, and should take an apple each next year, there would be a hundred and twenty barrels of apples spoiled. If my orchard should happen to bear a hundred and twenty barrels of apples next year, I have killed codling moths enough to save the whole crop. Now is it worth doing? Will it pay? That everybody must estimate for himself. I think it does pay; I think it pays to thin apples; and it pays es- pecially to kill all the codling moths that you can find under any circumstances. The total cost has not been over four hours' labor a week for thirteen weeks. In addition to the means here indi- cated, I would further suggest, that an important means of pre- venting the increase of the codling moths would be to cut down all the valueless cider apple trees in the neighborhood, which now serve only as nurseries for their development. Northern Seedling Apples. 311 NORTHERN SEEDLING APPLES. By J. C. PLUMB. The great demand for a more hardy race of apples for the north is a great stimulus to those interested to bring to the front every- thing that promises to add to our list of hardy varieties. Each locality has its candidates for popular favor, and hundreds of new seedlings are undergoing the test of climate and cultivation in dif- ferent localities, very few of which, even the most promising, can attain and hold a place in the recommended list of this society. Fig. 24. Wolf River. It is a wise provision of our premium list, which requires that any new variety, before it can receive the highest award and com- mendation of the society, shall have been " exhibited three years, and cions furnished for testing in different localities, and that it must have more desirable qualities than any novi on the recom- mended list.'''' Yet it is the work of this society to encourage the production of new and promising varieties, by describing and illus- trating them from year to year, in the volume of its reports. 312 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. Among the many promising new apples, none shown at our an- nual exhibitions have attracted more attention than the "Waupaca County Seedlings." All these, so far, are accidental seedlings, and grown in various localities and conditions, favorable and unfavora- ble, but for size, beauty and real worth of fruit and tree, are some of them worthy of special mention in this volume. Conspicuous among these is the Wolf River variety, originated about fifteen years ago. The original tree now stands near the east Fig. 25. Outline op Wolf River. bank of Wolf river, in the northwest corner of Winnebago county, some twenty feet above low water mark; soil, red sandy clay, quite impervious to water, and tends to produce a late, unripened growth; originally heavy timbered with oak, elm and ash. It was once a part of a large and promising orchard of seedlings and grafted fruit, of which little remains but this tree and two Duchess in fair condition, while other Duchess near by show signs of early decay. The location is evidently a very trying one for the apple tree. The Wolf River tree is exceedingly vigorous, hardy and productive, even there. It is of a strong spreading habit, and I should say a seedling of the Alexander, which it resembles in gen- eral outline and quality of fruit. Fruit large, round, flattened, Northern Seedling Apples. 313 smooth, mostly red, in two shades, and green mixed; dots large; cavity regular, wide, smooth; stem medium; calyx large, in shal- low basin; core and seeds medium; flesh white, rather coarse, firm, juicy, mild sub-tart; second quality; October to December. Martha, of Wrightman. Medium to large, very round (would be called oblong), very smooth, covered with rich red, often very dark; stem and cavity small; calyx closed in narrow, deep basin; flesh white, fine grained, tender, sub acid, very good; October to De- cember. This, with the three following named, originated with Mr. E. Wrightman, of Weyauwega, Waupaca county, and were planted out in orchard in 18G7. Soil, white oak clay, well filled Fig. 26. Martha. with boulders from the drift, and streaked with sand and gravel; located upon the south slope of a high hill, with timber on the west. It is a trying place for fruit trees for that latitude (44° 15'). These varieties are doing remarkably well; having little culture, they are not pushed to excess, and have borne good crops for sev- eral years. Weyauwega — Large conical, mostly red ; flesh white, fine grain- ed, sub tart, good; January to April. 314 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. Flora — Medium to small, round, red; flesh white, sub-acid, good; December to April. Weightman (Russett) — Resembles in the outline Westfield Seek-no-Further, and nearly equal to that variety in all essential quality of fruit; keeping well through winter. Balch — Originated with A. V. Balch, Esq., of Weyauwega. It resembles the Black Detroit in general outline and color, but the tree is much superior; very promising. Rich's Greening — Originated with Mr. A. E. Rich, of the same locality as the above. Good size, conical, green, rather coarse, and not rich, but fair flavor and good keeper. Fig. 27. Outline of the Martha. The above named new apples have been exhibited at our state and local exhibitions several times, and have attracted much at- tention from their size, beauty and quality. The Waupaca County Horticultural Society have, through their committees, made careful examination of the trees, which they report unusually success- ful, and after a personal visitation to most of them several times, I cannot but think them of value for similar locations. In this con- nection, I will say that Mr. Wm. Springer, of Fremont, Waupaca county, has been very enthusiastic in looking up these new varie- ties, and not less liberal in spreading far and wide the cions of them for trial in other localities. Reports of Local Societies. 315 REPORTS OF LOCAL SOCIETIES. The space allowed us in former volumes of the transactions of the society was so limited as to make it necessary to give the re- ports of local societies in a very condensed form, but on securing the enlargement of the volume, being convinced that much might be done to promote the general interest in horticulture and to in- crease the efficiency of local societies by having much fuller reports from them, the secretary wrote to the officers of these societies, requesting an abstract of their proceedings^ including an account of their work during the year, the leading points brought out in their discussions, and some of the papers presented at their meet- ings, for publication in this volume, but the minutes kept were found to be so very incomplete that it was impracticable to carry out the plan the present season; could it be carried out in future reports, much good would result, in bringing the state and local soci- eties in closer relations and greater sympathy with each other, and thus giving an incentive to increased activity to all. The Brown County Society being one of the most prosperous and energetic societies in the state, and a general interest being felt in its prosperity, I wrote to its secretary, W. Reynolds, of Green Bay, to have him prepare a report of one of their meetings, to be given in this volume, from which an idea might be obtained of the manner in which these meetings are conducted, and by what method the society has been brought to its present prosperous con- dition. This report is given in connection with the general report of that society. BROWN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICUL- TURAL SOCIETY. Green Bay, April 26, 1879. This society is in a very flourishing condition. Monthly meet- ings have been held during the past year, which have been well attended and full of interest. During the summer season, these 316 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. meetings were held in different parts of the county on the premises of the farmers who were willing to furnish out-door accommoda- tions for a basket or pic-nic dinner. This was an interesting and attractive feature, and it induced many farmers, accompanied by their families, to attend and take part in the meetings, and the regular business of the society was transacted, and its objects carried on with greater zeal, energy and efficiency than ever before. The officers elected for 1879 are: President — J. M. Smith, Green Bay. Secretary — Werden Reynolds, Green Bay. The regular monthly meeting of the society was held this day at the residence of Vice President Wm. Rowbotham, in the town of Preble. There were present about twenty-five members of the society, most of them accompanied by their wives; also several visitors, both ladies and gentlemen, numbering in all about sixty persons. The meeting was called to order by the president, and the min- utes of the preceding meeting read and approved. The president announced that he had written to the department at Washington, for a few copies of the Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture, for the year 1877, and hoped to succeed in obtain- ing them. He also stated that he had made arrangements with Mr. Hurlbut, by which the members of the society could obtain plaster Paris at $1.10 per barrel, if a car-load was taken. He gave notice that the list of premiums adopted at the last meeting for the session of the State Horticultural Societv, to be held in this city in June next, had been printed, and copies were in the hands of the secretary for distribution. He desired that the members would give them general circulation in the county. The following resolution, submitted by Mr. Bennett, was con- sidered and adopted, namely: JZesolved, That all persons not members of this or of any other horticultural society in the state, who shall desire to compete for premiums at the exhibition of fruits and flowers by the society, in June next, shall be required to pay an entrance fee of fifty cents. Reception of new members being in order, Messrs. Alfred Thomas, principal of the high school in Green Bay, John Hogan, farmer, of the town of Preble, and John Campbell, farmer, of the town of Scott, were duly proposed and admitted as active members; also Reports of Local Societies. 317 Mrs. Julia E. Lawrence, wife of^C. J. Lawrence, of the town of Howard, as honorary member. The preliminary business being transacted, the society proceeded to the principal work of the day, as arranged at the last meeting, namely, the reading of volunteer papers relating to the general subject of horticulture, the particular topic of each paper to be chosen by the writer. REPORT OF A SUMMER MEETING OF BROWN COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The following were presented and read, each being followed by familiar discussions of the topics therein considered, to wit: HORTICULTURAL vs. FARMING. THOMAS BENNETT. It is impossible to separate the one from the other any more than it is to say when a colt becomes a horse; the one grows into the other; but just where the one ceases, and the other begins, is un- certain. Perhaps the Holy Writ may aid us some in the solution. God placed our first parents in the Garden of Eden, where was fruit beautiful to look upon and tempting to the sense; also, there was the tree of Knowledge. For his disobedience he was driven out, to subdue the earth, where the thorn and the thistle, together with all other noxious weeds, were to be conquered by man in his strug- gle for food to sustain life. Although the Garden was lost to him, the tree of Knowledge was left him. But as we glance back over the many centuries that man has labored, we marvel at the little progress he has made. When we consider the field is the world and all its life, both animal and vegetable, we are admonisRed that our forefathers, as well as ourselves, have gathered but little fruit from the tree of Knowledge. There was another tree in the Garden of Eden, the tree of Life; and they seem to be cultivated together. For where nations have accepted God's word (which to fallen man is the way to the tree of Life), the tree of Knowledge has yielded the most and best fruit. Where Christian civiliza- tion has been the most thoroughly developed, there has knowledge become the most universal. The earliest Horticultural Society that 318 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. we have any account of is of recent date, within the present cen- tury. Mr. Knight and others formed a society and obtained a char- ter in 1808 in England, called the London Horticultural Society. From that date other societies were rapidly organized over nearly all Europe, and also in our country. At the present time they have multiplied to thousands; and wherever enlighted man tills the soil, the tree of Knowledge has been the most fruitful. From our standpoint it appears that man has gathered more fruit from the tree of Knowledge in the present century than in any previous one within the world's history. How are we to know the farmer who has advanced into the science of horticulture? Perhaps you will say, by his intelligence; by his improved taste; by his beautifying his home. Let us take a mental look among the farmers of our acquaintance, and compare those who cultivate a taste for horticulture with those who neglect it. (I had almost said, look upon it with contempt.) The home of the first is improved from year to year; the surroundings brought into harmony; the lawn has been graded; clumps of trees and shrubbery have been added; large and small fruit has been largely increased; the garden is filled with the choicest vegetables; the whole surroundings show taste, neatness and thrift. Now we will look into the house. There is the handiwork of the intelligent and thrifty wife and mother; the ingenious little ornaments and comforts that none but a cultivated mind could devise. The little brie a brae in every room show industry and taste. The library is arranged in neat order, the table in the sitting room has a few choice books, handy to read. There is file of agricultural papers for reference. We see her admiration of horticulture in her win- dow garden, filled with a choice collection of flowers and vines. In a word, as our eyes rest upon the arrangements and surround- ings pf such a home, an inexpressible peace comes over us. We feel and know that cultivation and refinement are joined together, and if peace and contentment are to be found in this struggling life, it is where man and wife have united to make to themselves another Eden. Where all these changes are taking place, we are hopeful that man is returning to that garden, from which old Father Adam and Mother Eve were driven. Methinks, some one says, I have not got the cultivation, taste, or money, to waste in ornamenting and beautifying my home. We Reports of Local Societies. 319 •will admit that you have not the taste, because you have never tried to gain it. How did you learn to plow and sow and reap and mow. Was it by practice? At first you we/e very awkward, but continued effort made you a workman. So with your taste. Commence and do the best you can. Set a few shade trees, also a few fruit trees. Make a small garden; at- tend to what you have done; and after looking over your labors ■with a critic's eye, to perceive what ought to be done to give har- mony to the^surroundings of your home, when you have leisure time carry out your plans. As to the money, it does not need much. Neither would it be wise for you to invest much in your early beginning. First, cultivate the ideal; learn to admire some of the beauties that God has so bountifullv surrounded us with. The beautiful forest with its soothing shade, and its ever changing foliage; the flowers and grasses that clothe the earth in the most lovely colors; the hill and dale; the gurgling rill, and the mighty river that flows silently on to the boundless sea, all incite us to cul- tivate those higher faculties placed in our natures; and while rev- erencing Him who has given to man this great heritage, should not order and the love of the beautiful, have an active development in •our daily life? If our suggestions are in harmony with the higher •qualities of your nature, look about among your neighbors, and get some lilacs and hardy roses, and what you can pick up without money. Go to the forest and get some good trees and set along the road side, and such other places as will give a pleasing effect; make a fence around your garden; set some small fruit, which can also mostly be obtained in the neighborhood, and as you advance, your desires for something better will find a way for their gratifi- cation. Take care of what you have already done, and you will find it easy to get other choice shrubbery, fruits and vegetables. As your education develops in horticulture, so will a refining in- fluence grow upon you, until your whole soul will drink in the wonderful beauties of nature, and contentment and the pursuit of happiness will pervade the whole family. 21—Hort. So. 320 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. The following poem was then read: • WILD FLOWERS. BY WERDEN REYNOLDS. The wild flowers, the wild flowers, uncultured and true From nature's own garden — of nature's own hue; No hot bed distortions, nor monstrous forms — no; — 'Tis thus that I love flowers, as God makes them grow. And thus do I love, too, affections of heart, Up-welling, spontaneous, untrammeled by art: — I love them all true, unaffected, sincere, Like the beautiful Wild Flowers that God gives us here. Then gather life's wild flowers from young and from old; Those grown in true hearts — the pearls and the gold; — Bind up a sweet nosegay to cheer life's lone hours; Mementoes of dear ones in language of flowers. The hawthorne of hope, the constant blue bell, The pure drooping lily, that blooms in the dell. White violet and myrtle, so modest and mild, And woodbine fraternal, all native and wild. The Indian jasmine, attachment to you; The sweetbrier, simplicity; bittersweet, true; The orange flower, chaste of so delicate tint, And emblems of virtue, the snow ball and mint. The humble-born daisy, to innocence dear, The osier of frankness, and fern, the sincere: — 'Tis such flowers — the wild ones — most dearly I prize, Earth's loveliest symbols of joys iu the skies. Yes, gather them all from the loved of my youth, The wild flowers of sympathy, friendship and truth: — And wreathe their sweet symbols; with ivy entwine A garland of fragrance for memory's shrine. It is not for the secretary to speak of this piece, further than say that hearty applause followed the reading. Reports or Local Societies. 321 At the request of the author, the secretary read the following paper: THE GOOD AND THE POOR FARMER. Dr. ISRAEL GREEN, 87 years of age. Mr. President: In passing through the country some time ago, I was lead to contrast the difference between the thorough farmer and the careless, slipshod one, and to note the result at the close of a long life. Let us look at two young men commencing life, with the inten- tion of making farming their business of life. They are both placed on equally good farms; they both have good health and equal ad- vantages for making a useful and successful career, and at the end of life, to lay up a competence for their families, if they both pur- sue the same course of cultivation. But, unfortunately, one of them is careless and slovenly in his management; he takes no agricul- tural papers; he takes no pains to inform himself of the best modes of improving his soil, but just goes on, from year to year, plowing and sowing and reaping his scanty crops. He sows no grass seed or plaster; his fields are barren of pasture; he keeps but little stock, and what he does keep is of the lean kind; he saves but lit- tle manure, for what is made is scattered over a large yard; trodden in the ground by the cattle; exposed to the hot sun, which evapo- rates the ammonia and other volatile gases, and the rains wash out the nitre and soda and other soluble substances that supply food for plants, leaving it almost worthless as fertilizing material, and, of course, his crops are poor, and grow poorer every year as his land becomes exhausted. He works hard, for he has to till more land to support his family; he lives poorly, without many of the comforts, and none of the luxuries, of life. His children are poorly clothed, poorly educated and unrefined. His house is poorly fur- nished. You pass his place and see nothing to make a home what it ought to be. You will see no shade trees, shrubbery or flowers to ornament the place, and but little fruit to promote the health and comfort of his family. He has but few farming implements, and those of a primitive kind; and you will see the whole surround- ings of his place have a careless and slipshod appearance. And at the close of his life he leaves nothing behind for his family but a 322 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. poor, impoverished and worn out farm, worth less than when he went on it; and finally, he will pass away without being missed or regretted as a benefactor of his race. Now let us turn from this picture to the other young man, who commences at the same time and under the same circumstances. He starts out in life with a laudable ambition to improve his con- dition, both morally, intellectually and financially; he will study the nature of his soil, and, with the aid of agricultural works, he will endeavor to ascertain what crops are adapted to it, and what he will want to apply to give him the greatest possible yield from the smallest plat of ground, so that when he comes to harvest it, he will have a crop that will yield him a surplus of profit above all expense of cultivating, so that at the end of the year he may have a satisfactory bank account in his favor, that he may be enabled to supply himself with the most improved farming machinery to lighten his labor, and cultivate to the best advantage. He is care- ful to increase his compost heaps with all the means within his reach, and protect it from the weather, so all the elements of plant food may be retained for the growth of crops and enrichment of his land. He seeds all his land to grass; sows plaster. His fields are covered with a rich verdure of grass; he keeps a large stock of the best breeds of cattle, that are always in fine condition and will command the best price in market; he takes a number of papers and is always posted on the market, and knows when to take ad- vantage of it so as to get the best prices for his products; he fur- nishes himself with all labor-saving machinery, so that he does not have to work as hard as some of his neighbors; he has more time to read and cultivate his intellect; he lives better, and has more of the comforts and luxuries of life. His house is better furnished, his children better educated, better dressed and more intelligent. As you pass his place, you will see everything about it in a neat, snug and thrifty condition; you will see the farm and garden well stocked with fruit and vegetables; the yard adorned with shade trees, shrubs and flowers; his porch covered with vines, and the surroundings wearing a refined, cheer- ful aspect, that makes a paradise of beauty; that attracts the family as a loving household; that is beautiful not only to them but to their friends. You enter the drawing room; you will see the book shelves well stocked with useful and entertaining books; the center Repokts of Local Societies. 323 table covered with magazines, music and periodicals; vases of flow- ers on the mantle; the ladies cultivated and intelligent, able to converse on almost any subject, and all has an air "of refined culture that throws a charm around the whole house, that unites and attracts the family to each other, and to their home, so that it is hard to sever the ties of affection that bind them together. You seldom see children thus brought up, wander off into loose and dis- solute ways; their home attractions are too strong a tie to be severed. "When at last, after a long and useful life, he passes away, he leaves a void that is widely felt by a large circle of sympathizing friends. It is the loss of a good and useful citizen, who has been a benefactor to the age in which he lived; and he leaves behind an influence that will be useful for generations to come. The reading of this paper being concluded, the excellent hostess, Mrs. Rowbotham, made the welcome announcement that dinner was ready, whereupon the intellectual part of the festival was at once suspended, and the members and visitors promptly repaired to the dining room, where the honors challenged' by the groaning tables were obsecpuiously awarded with abundant gust, but not a wrinkle of disgust. Dinner duties deftly done, the society was again called to order and proceeded with its " feast of reason and flow of soul," and the following paper was read by our president: WHAT KIND OF A GARDEN SHOULD THE FARMER HAVE? By J. M. SMITH. Ladies and Gentlemen: In considering this question, we will suppose that the farmer's family numbers from six to ten persons; that he has a farm of from 80 to 160 acres, and can afford sufficient space for a good sized garden, without in any manner interfering with his general crops. Suppose we select an acre of good land, or such land as can be made good by drainage, manure, and good cul- tivation. It should be near the house, and, if it can be had, I pre- fer a sandy loam, as it will be easier to work, and the crops will be a little earlier than if planted upon either a heavy loam or a dry 324 "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. soil. Still, if the former is not at hand, the latter will answer the purpose. As it is now spring and we are naturally looking for something fresh and nice, what shall it be? Asparagus is not only the earliest of our out-of-door crops, but it is one of the very best of them. And how many of my farmer friends, either here or elsewhere, have nicely prepared beds of this delicate and delicious vegetable? I am often surprised to find so few beds of it even among our best farmers; but am well satisfied that one of the principal reasons for there not being more of them, is the ridiculous and extravagant directions that are yearly given in our papers and elsewhere for setting a bed, making it so tedious and expensive, that many are deterred from ever making an attempt at getting one. I have be- tween one and two acres of it that annually yield very large crops, and I will tell you how I set it. I select a piece of good land and manure it very heavily, plowing it under. Then put on more ma- nure on the top of the ground, and harrow it in. This last should be fine manure. Then take a shovel plow, and make furrows three feet apart. These furrows are for the plants, and should be so deep that the crown or head of the plant from which the stalk starts should not be less than four inches nor more than six inches below the surface of the soil after the bed is finished. Now, we are ready for the plants. Conover's Collossal is probably the best. Get good strong roots, either one or two years old, and set them in the new made furrows from fifteen to eighteen inches apart in the row, spreading the roots out in every direction about the crown of the plant, and thus getting them as near their natural position as possible. It is well now to put still more manure in the furrows on the plants, and then fill up the furrows,' making the bed level, and the asparagus bed is made. If it is properly cared for, it will last your life time. No trenches three feet deep with stones and planks in the bottom, and other things equally useless on the top. After the bed has been made as directed, it will need no further care the first season except sufficient cultivation to keep the weeds and grass from in- terfering with its growth. The following spring, and in fact every spring thereafter, the dry tops should be cut off close to the ground and burnt as soon as the bed is fit to work, and a coat of manure put on the bed and dug under. For this purpose we use a six- Reports of Local Societies. 325 tined manure fork, being careful not to dig so deep as to interfere with the roots of the plants which run in every possible direction, and fill the earth with an almost solid and compact mass. If the bed is twelve feet wide and fifty feet long, it will, if prop- erly cared for, give an abundant supply for a large family from early spring until June, when we may have plenty of green peas to take its place, and give it time to recover its vigor and strength, and be ready to give us another supply the following spring. It is a gross feeder, and requires very rich soil to make it do its best. Let us turn to other crops. Peas are about the first seeds to be out in the ground, and are a favorite with almost every one, and with a fair chance, almost a sure crop. Any land that will produce a large yield of corn is fit for peas. Put the soil in good condition, and with the shovel-plow make furrows four feet apart. Regulate your hand seed- sower so that it will drop from one to two seeds to the inch. Sow a double row in each furrow. Your furrow will be, if four inches deep, perhaps eight inches wide in the bottom. This will enable you to pass twice through it and sow them about seven or eight inches apart, making what the books call a " double row," and leaving a space of a little over three feet between the rows, through which you can readily pass with your horse and cultivator as often as is necessary. After your peas are sown, fill up the fur- rows and make the ground level. By planting them this depth, they will endure the hot sun and drought better, and will continue longer in bearing than if planted only an inch deep. For families that are very fond of them it is well to make a second sowing, which will give an abundant supply until the early potatoes are ready for use. Some of us are very apt to sneer at the; idea of eating onions, and yet a nice bed of them is about an absolute necessity in every farmer's garden. A few sets, that is, the very small onions grown from the black seed of the previous year, put out as early as the land is fit to cultivate, will give you a supply of young onions very early. And to these a few top onion sets which come on a little later, and sow a bed of the black seed for your main erop. Onions of all kinds require a very rich soil to do well, and can hardly be got in the ground too soon after it is in a condition to work. A small bed of spinach should be sown. Or wThat would be better, sow it early in September of the fall previous, and when. 326 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. cold weather comes on, cover it about one inch in depth, and then take the straw off as soon as anything can grow in the spring. For families who like a dish of greens in early spring, this is much bet- ter and easier to get than to hunt the fields over for dock, dande- lion, etc. It makes a nice and pleasant dish, and may be had very easily and in any desired quantity. Beds of beets, carrots and parsnips may be put in early, and if there should be some frost after they come through the ground, it will not injure them. Beets, carrots and rutabagas that are wanted for winter use, are better both for keeping and for the table if they are not sowed sooner than the 15th of June in our climate. Some radishes should be sown early, and on a sandy soil. This is one of the few, among our garden vegetables, that will do reasonably well on land that is not very rich. The yield from the first sowing is apt to be more or less infested with the white maggot. But do not be discouraged. The second sowing which should be, say, two weeks later, will have but few of them, and then if you will sow a little bed at intervals of ten days apart, you will soon be free from the little pests, and may have nice radishes until you are all tired of them. The best that I have ever raised or seen, were grown in almost pure plastering sand, with a little fine manure put on it. In hot weather we have repeatedly had radishes (when sowed in this manner) upon our table in three weeks from the time the seed was put in the ground. For those who like oysters, a small bed of the vegetable oyster is a necessity. They should be sown early and cultivated the same as the parsnip. This about completes the list of what we term hardy seeds, or those that may be sowed while the ground is still cold and liable to be more or less frozen during the cool nights of April. Generally, about the first of May, or soon after, you will need a few nice cabbage plants for early cabbage; also some nice lettuce plants, to set out, and have them head up as soon as we have a few hot days. Here almost every farmer says, " I have no hot- bed and have not the time to make and care for one." Well, if the wife or some of the children will prepare a little rich earth in the fall by putting it into boxes, say five inches deep, and set them in the cellar or some other place where they can be had when wanted, and about the middle of March plant some cabbage, lettuce, and tomato seeds, keep them in a moderately warm room, and near a Reports of Local Societies. 32? window where they can get the sunshine, even so you may have some plants. Be sure and not leave them too thick, — twenty-five good plants in each box are much better than one hundred poor, crowded, puny things, that will require half the summer to get started, and the other half to get ready for use. The latter part of April is generally as early as potatoes should be put in the ground, even for the early crop. Generally by the 10th or loth of May it is safe to plant sweet corn; although if the weather should be wet and cold, as it sometimes is at that season^ it is better to wait a few days longer rather than have the seed rotted in the ground, or so injured that it may never recover. I find that if we plant the Early Minnesota, the Crosby, and Stowell's Evergreen ai; the same time, they will follow each other and keep up a continuous supply, and then plant a little more of the Ever- green from the 1st to the 10th of June, and you will have a supply until frost comes. Tomatoes, peppers and egg-plants should not be set out in the open ground until it is well warmed, and danger of even light frosts is past, unless you are prepared to protect them during the cool nights, and then they will sometimes become so chilled, even with- out frost, that all the first sets will fall from the vines. Melons are also very sensitive to cold. For some years past we have practiced a plan with vines, that I have never seen on any other ground, and I think is not common, although some others doubtless follow the same plan, or possibly something better. We make the melon hills, drop the seeds, and cover them. Then we take a box made of boards six inches wide, and six by eight inches square on the outside; pu\ it down over the seeds, and with a broad hoe haul the earth up around the outside of the box, and press it down with the blade of the hoe until it is sufficiently firm to remain in its position after the box is taken out. We place the box with the long way to the north and south, and make the earth about one inch higher on the north end of' it than it is on the south end. After taking out the box, a light of eight by ten glass is placed on the top of the earth, and we have a miniature cold frame, and a good one at that» The seeds will soon come up, and by the time it would be safe to plant them in the open ground, you may have nice plants all ready to commence making vines. When it has become thoroughly warm and settled summer, haul the earth away from the hills, and 328 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. lay your glass aside for another year. During some of the hot days it will be necessary to take off the glass, or the intense heat may destroy the plants entirely. We find this an excellent plan for ail the vines from which we wish to get an early crop. One of the chief causes]of failure among our farmers with their melon crop, is getting them too thick. The varieties of nutmeg melons should be not less than six feet apart each way; and then not more than three plants allowed to grow in the hill, and often two is better than three. Watermelons at this distance, not more than two, and if the land is in such order as it should be, one is still better. Cu- cumbers about the same as nutmeg melons. Now, a few words about planting for late crops. Cabbage for winter use should not be set sooner than the middle of June, and I like July 1 still better. In fact, we set cabbage until the loth of July with the expectation of getting a full crop. Cauliflower should be started with your first early cabbage, or else left and not set until the latest of the cabbage is set. When the plants come to their maturity in our hot, dry weather, there is not one chance in ten of their making a nice flower. Celery seeds should be sown in the early spring in a very carefully prepared place, and then the plants set where they are expected to grow not earlier than the middle of July. The finest crop I ever raised, and I think the finest I ever saw, was set on the 5th of August. It may be laid down as a general rule, that for winter vegetables, the later the seeds are planted, provided they have sufficient time to mature, the better will be the quality, and the better they will keep through the winter. Suppose I give you a list of some varieties of plants, such as I have found to be best adapted to our soil and climate. The names of the different varieties are numbered by thousands, and yet the standards among them are really very few. Of peas, for the first early, the Dan O'Rourke or the early Philadelphia; for the main crop, Champion of England; lettuce, early Simpson; beets, early blood turnip; late, either the same, or the long blood beet; carrots, early short-horn; cabbage, first early, Jer,sey, Wakefield; main crop, Fotler's; radishes, Covent Garden and French Breakfast; I have been unable to distinguish the different varieties of parsnips, except upon the seecfman's papers; tomatoes, first early, the early York; main crop, the Trophy; onions, sets for early, and yellow Danver's for main crop. Reports of Local Societies. 329 For the farmer it is better to plant in rows of some length, and for most articles, a sufficient distance apart to cultivate with a horse; and in all other cases, plant in such a manner that a good band cultivator may be used without any difficulty. No farmer's garden is complete without its fruit department. The varieties of strawberries are numbered by hundreds, and more new ones con- stantly coming out; and yet we can almost say, and say it safely, that there is but one standard variety for the country generally. Set a bed of Wilson's, and with reasonably fair cultivation, you are almost as certain of a crop as you are that summer will follow winter and spring. There are other varieties that have done, and are still doing well, with some men, and in some places; but there is nothing yet tested that will compare with the Wilson for the amateur cultivator. With fair cultivation you may expect a yield of forty quarts per square rod. I have repeatedly had much more than that amount. If you wish to try other varieties and get some magnificent fruit, Seth Boyden's No. 30 will give it to you. Then there are the Duncan, the Red Jacket, Prouty's Seedling, and the Crescent Seedling, and hosts of others, from which to choose. Downer's Prolific is a splendid table berry, and bears passably well. Now, do not think me prejudiced against other varieties than the Wilson. Such is not the case. I have them, and have the plants to sell, and would gladly recommend them if I could honestly do so. Of raspberries, you need a few of Doolittle's Black Cap for early, and then a good supply of the Mammoth Cluster and the Philadelphia. Set them in rows six feet apart and cultivate with a horse and cultivator. Currants should be set at least six feet apart each way. I think none of the new varieties are equal, all things considered, to the old red and white Dutch. If reasonably well cared for, a good crop is almost a certainty. My bushes have been in bearing twenty years, and in that time have never failed to give us a nice crop, and never a better one than last season. Grapes, in the number of varieties, exceed all the small fruits ex- cept strawberries. There are a few of the standard varieties that it is safe to set, and with fair care we may expect to be successful. The Janesville is the earliest. Two years since mine were all ripe and picked in August. It was their first bearing season, and, of course, there were but few of them. In quality they are not first 330 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. rate; vine hardy and a good bearer. The Delaware is perfectly at home in the Fox river valley, and will do well with a fair chance. It is a slow grower for the first two or three years, but bears well after it gets at it. This stands at the head of the list of table grapes for at least all the country this side the Rocky moun- tains. The Concord is too well known to be more than mentioned. The Worden is a new variety that promises well with us. Rogers* No. 3, No. 4. No. 9, No. 10, No. 15, and No. 19, are all good, and with the others named will make up a list of grapes from which you may have a constant supply of this delicious fruit from the fif- teenth of August until the first of the following April. The wild blackberries are generally so plenty and so good, that it is useless for us to try to compete with them. All of the above named fruits, except the currant, are much better for being slightly covered in the winter. To keep up a constant supply of the best of strawberries, a new bed should be set at least every other year. Raspberries if properly cared for, will 1 ast from six to ten years. Currants and grapes will last a long time, and continue in good condition when treated well. Gentlemen, I have in a very hasty manner been over the list of common vegetables and fruits, such as every farmer might and ought to have, and have them, not as a rarity and a luxury, but as an every day dish, and as plenty and as free for yourselves, your families and your friends, as are the beans, pork, potatoes and bread and butter, with which your tables are so well laden. I do not believe that the majority of our farmers can afford to do without a good garden. There is not another acre of land upon your farm that will pay as well as the one donated to a garden, provided, it is well cared for. But it must not be left to care for itself, nor must it be left to be cared for nights and mornings, when you are either in too much of a hurry or too tired to do the work well. Neither must it be left for rainy days, or days when there is noth- ing else to do. Let it be thoroughly understood that it is to be properly cared for, and at the proper time, just as much as your wheat, your corn, or your cows are cared for. With this plan adopted and carried out, it would only be a short time before you would wonder how you ever got along without a good garden. In this matter I am not speaking at random or by guess. Many years* experience with a large family about me, has told me of its great Reports of Local Societies. 331 comfort, as well as its value. With good vegetable and fruit gardens, your homes will be more pleasant, as well as more valua- ble, not only to yourselves, but to your families and friends, than you can possibly make them without such comforts and luxuries. The discussion which ensued on the reading of the president's paper was participated in by many of the members, and was ex- ceedingly interesting. It was conducted with no restraint or for- mality, and in a highly conversational manner, yet without confu- sion. Nearly every proposition in the paper called' forth observa- tions and experiences from members of the society; and though the discussion was so discursory that the secretary finds it difficult to make marked points in the record, yet manifestly the members found many marked points of interest and instruction to appropri- ate to their individual benefit. This concluded the papers and discussions. The question of a programme for the next meeting was taken up and considered. Moved and carried that the president be authorized to procure a speaker from abroad, if possible, to deliver a formal address on some topic, at his option, connected with the objects of the society. Moved and, carried, that if the president does not succeed in ob- taining an address, the subject of Noxious Weeds be the principal matter of consideration, and that Mr. Van Auken be appointed to open the discussion either by written or extemporaneous remarks, at his pleasure. The time and place of the next meeting being under considera- tion, Mrs. C. J. Lawrence, of Howard, generously extended to the society an invitation to meet at her house or on her premises. The invitation was accepted; it was moved and carried that our next meeting be a picnic, to be held on the premises of Mrs. C. J. Law- rence in the town of Howard, on Saturday, the thirty-first of May, ensuing. JResolved, That the thanks of the society be extended to Mr. and Mrs. Rowbotham for the generous and ample provision made for the -accommodation and comfort of the society at the present meeting. The society then adjourned to the time and place above named. Webden Reynolds, Secretary. 332 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. FREEDOM HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. This society has at present fifty- four members, with a small balance in the treasury. At the annual meeting held January 21, 1879, the following officers were chosen: President — Charles Hirschinger, Baraboo. Vice President — M. T. Nippart, Baraboo. Secretary — Charles Clark, North Freedom. Treasurer — A. Bender, Baraboo. Executive Committee — S. D. Slentz, L. T. Albee, J. M. Haynes, North Freedom. GRAND CHUTE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The members of this society manifest an increasing interest in horticulture. It is thought more fruit trees will be set in this local- ity the coming spring than for some time past, notwithstanding the great discouragement from the loss of fruit trees by severe win- ters, blight and the " worms." There is much reason to hope that by thorough investigation and diligent labor, we shall conquer all difficulties, learn the cause and the remedy for our failures, and find at last, in some old or new varieties, the trees and the manner of culture that will give us reliable apples. More attention is being paid to small fruits than formerly; many are setting strawberries, and a few the Blackcap raspberry. Some have planted ornamental trees the past year, mostly evergreens. The discussions in our meetings indicate that some thought has been given to landscape gardening. The greater part of the last meeting was devoted to floriculture; several ladies were present and took part. The society voted to hold four meet- ings the present year. At the annual meeting the following officers were elected: G. G. Johnston, President. L. L. Randall, Treasurer. Mrs. D. Huntley, Secretary. Mrs. D. Huntley, Secretary. Reports of Local Societies. 333 Appleton, March 15, 1879. The Grand Chute Horticultural Society held an exceedingly pleasant meeting at D. Huntley's, on Saturday evening, March 15. The president being absent, L. L. Randall presided. At the request of the members a new constitution had been pre- pared, which was read and adopted. Several new members were added to the society, most of them ladies. Mrs. O. Forward, of Lawrence University, read the following paper, illustrating the refining and elevating influence of flowers, and their superior beauty as ornaments, compared with gold, silver or jewels: FLOWERS — THEIR INFLUENCE. Friends: You did not ask me to write a romance to read to you to night. Something was said about a practical paper upon the treatment of the Calla lily; how to coax that fair exile into such forgetfulness of the balmy atmosphere and vaporous mornings of tropical and semi-tropical lands, that, he will unfold a monthly mira- cle of creamy blossoms in the face of a fickle Wisconsin summer; but, alas! kind listeners, my poor calla took her death of cold some- time after the holidays, when the fireman, not quite so tireless as Phoebus Apollo, went to sleep and forgot the furnace; and my own steam pipes (Alas! that " my own fireside " has gone out of fashion) wailed a note or two of alarm that I did not hear, and then sank far below zero. In the morning I found my pet and pride lying stark and cold over the edge of the flower pot. I mournfully re- moved her limp and useless members, and, although the soil in the pot was frozen hard, I did not cease to hope against hope that the blessed, immortal principle of life still nestled at the heart of my lily bulbs. I did not hope in vain. A few weeks ago my pretty lady came in for a resurrection. I had set her away in a dark, dry place, only occasionally giving her a regretful side-glance, when, " after many days " a slender point of green appeared cleaving the dark soil. I joyfully placed her in the sunshine, and gave her plenty of warm water, and most rapidly did she push up her vigor- ous leaves and spread them out like broad, green banners in the. sun of an eastern window, and just now, a stout bud is pointing its way out of the enveloping leaf-stalk; and I shall have my first calla blossom to decorate my breakfast table on all-fool's day, if my plant 334 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. does not enter into league with mischievous mortals and play me April fool! The lesson drawn from this little experience is this: if you want your callas to blossom in summer, let them rest in winter. Do not freeze them as I did mine, lest your experiment result more disas- trously, but try some more humane plan. I say humane, for I cannot quite get rid of the notion that plants are sentient beings, and can be hurt and wronged by our cruelty and neglect, just as human things are. This notion may be somewhat more fanciful and poetical than practical; but when a young girl once said to me, 4'I don't like wax flowers, they hav'nt any soul," I understood per- fectly what she meant. He who lives in growing sympathy with nature, feels year by year a diviner kinship with the trees and flowens, and all the revelations of life above him and below him. No wonder the royal lover of the orient believed that the soul of his dead mistress blossomed again for him in the white lily, or that the poet king made the church say of her absent beloved, " He feedeth among the lilies." Many a lesser soul since then has cried out in substance if not in words: O buds, fold over and over Your secret so old and so new; 'Tis^i sense that the soul can discover The same both in me and in you. O mosses, cling closer and kinder By ways of the wood and the wind ; Your lesson is faith to the finder And sight to the blind. O life, you may sweetly dissemble And hide in the fruit of the vine; My lips shall yet taste you and tremble And aaswer the mystical sign. No one who does not get some glimpses of the other side of things, can comprehend the higher meanings of the " things that are seen." To the true lover of the flowers, the pansy, the rose, the lily, is something more than a thing or even a flower; it is a divine revelation of the beauty that most of us believe to be im- mortal and eternal. Is it any wonder that through the influence of flowers, hard hearts have grown tender and gentle, dark lives, fair Reports of Local Societies. 335 and beautiful, that children have grown up refined and lovely, and that men and women everywhere have been lifted into a broader, sweeter life? Flowers seem to know the eyes that love them, and the hands that touch them caressingly, and they return this love and pains a thousand fold in beauty and fragrance. But there, how I have digressed. I never could keep to the practical out of the school-room. I sympathize with those erratic souls who are continually flying off on tangents of philosophy, poetry and the transmigration of souls. I commenced to make some suggestions about the treatment of the Calla lily in order to secure blossoms out of season, which the botany says is January or February; but which, it seems to me, might be any other month, provided the plant were kept dormant and only set growing in time to secure maturity against the time predetermined for blos- soming. I remember that once in the city I started out to purchase a wedding present for a fair young bride about to be. " My pres- ent," I said to myself, " shall possess three recpaisites; it must be beautiful and appropriate and must cost" — I thought of my flat purse and made a rapid estimate of the week's board and laundry bills — "must cost only a dollar." You smile at the thought of a wedding present that cost only a dollar; a wedding present too that must take its rank among silver and gold and bridal jewels, among rare books and pictures, delicate china and vases, and all the costlv and fragile ornaments that a fashionable wedding in that most proper of proper cities, Philadelphia, was wont to call forth a few years ago, before a display of wedding presents fell into dis- repute. As I turned a corner leading to S street, a humble green-house met my eye, before the door of which a hunch-back, watering-pot in hand, was sprinkling some plants. My good angel must have prevailed, for I turned aside to speak to the little orist, who, with a politeness almost courtly, invited me in to see his treasures. His conservatory was small and low, and the great business blocks crowded and overshadowed him; but somehow the blessed sunshine had found him out and wrought such miracles in that narrow place as I have seldom seen in the conservatories of the rich. The little man was a botanist, too, and his manner so gentle and refined, his conversation so learned and interesting, and withal he was so simple and unconscious, that I forgot his 22 — Hotjt. So. 336 Wisconsin" State Horticultural Society. poor dwarfed and crippled body, and it seemed to me there was only one deformity in all the world worth deploring, and that, de- formity of soul. As to the body, that might be transfigured. And here a" stanza of dear Mrs. Howe's Battle-hymn of the Republic came singing in my heart: " la the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea, . "With a glory in his bos m that transfigures you and me." It was in the latter part of the month of September, but I found a calla bearing magnificent leaves, one great, white, perfect chalice and two buds. Would the little man sell it? I scarcely thought he would, but finally summoned the courage to ask him. Yes, I might have it for a dollar; he had several others in the other room as fine as that. I bought it eagerly and was too over-glad to ask the secret of this September blossoming. The next day, the great day of the feast, my lily stood in the very centre of a large table laden with brilliant gifts, and looked more regal than they all. I was not ashamed of my wedding present, and as 1 turned my eyes from gold and jewels up to this queen lily of Flora's realm, I thought truly "•Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." If I ever see the little botanist of S street, I shall find out how to make callas blossom in every month of the year, for I am sure he knows. He has what the Germans call " Zeitgeist." He sees into the very heart of things, and like Carlyle's " Teufelsdrocke 'r with his quick tympanum hears the grasses grow. The pretty se- quel to my story is that my wedding present has a namesake, an honor which none of the costlier gifts have won. The happy couple have named their baby daughter Lily, after my flower. It is always appropriate to close a romance with the murder of your hero, the marriage of your happy couple, or the birth of their first child; but I propose to spin my story out long enough to tell you that this is not the story that I set out to tell in the beginning. I thought to say a little about calla lilies, then, because I knew so little to say; I hoped to mask that little by a brief account of a noble hearted mother whom I know, living in the midst of her lit- tle children, in the eastern part of my own state, just where the Pennsylvania mountains reach across the line to clasp hands with Ohio hills. This true gentlewoman, through the influence of flow- ers and the thirst for knowledge which their culture brings, has Reports of Local Societies. 337 elevated and improved a whole community. Twelve years ago there was scarcely a flower garden in the hamlet; now every yard, however broad or narrow, is glorified by the choicest annuals and perennials, and in every cottage window bloom those rare and fragile things that turn winter into summer. The story paper has given way to the Ohio Farmer or the Agriculturist, the botany is fast supplanting the yellow covered novel, and useful research and in- telligent conversation leave little room for idle gossip; and all this, the work of one woman who had the taste and tact to appeal to the love of the beautiful in the hearts of her neighbors. Does this not suggest that there is more than one way of doing good? With this hint, and an apology for the fragmentary character of this paper, resulting, I suppose, from what Victor Hugo calls the " promiscuity of things," in other words, the too close proximity of Latin derivatives and horse shoe geraniums, of French verbs and prickly cacti, Cataline's conspiracy and the slow developments of the scale-bug. I leave you to recall, if you are ingenious enough, anything that I have said about the Calla lily. L. L. Randall followed with a paper on the orchard, giving his experience with seedling trees, which promise to be very success- ful. He has about two hundred seedlings from the Duchess of Oldenburgh, all in fine condition; three or four of them have come into bearing, and the fruit has four of the seven qualifications de- sired to meet the wants of fruit growers in the northwest, viz: hardiness, early bearing, prolific and annual bearer, size, color, quality, and a long keeper. Mr. Randall is very confident that he shall " bring out the apple that will complete the list of iron clads." The oldest member present (Mr. Hart) has been in the state twenty seven years; has had a severe experience with apple trees, and has lost faith in all " iron clads," but still hopes there will be some new variety found that will prove reliable in northern Wis- consin. To fill vacancies in orchards, one member recommended Golden Russet and Tallman Sweet as the best varieties. Another would set the ten hardy varieties, viz: Red Astrachan, Tallman Sweet, Duchess of Oldenburgh, Fameuse, St. Lawrence, Utter's, Plumb's Cider, Seek-no-Further, Golden Russet, Ben Davis — planting sev- enty-five per cent, winter apples, and would fill vacancies with 338 "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. these hardy varieties, adding a few " Sops of Wine," and two or three " Saxton's " for family use. It was remarked that stony land was best adapted to the orchard, and like conditions may be gained by underdraining. It was the opinion of those present that fruit can be raised very successfully in this county, and that any apple crop in this locality, however large, will always sell at remunerative prices. Small fruits are re- ceiving more attention than formerly, particularly strawberries; these are easily grown, and besides being very desirable for home use, they are a profitable crop at ten cents a quart, either for this or the southern market, where our best berries would come in com- petition with their poorest, and possibly might supply a demand when the southern crop was exhausted. The discussion of the Tent Caterpillar was unfortunately de- ferred, but will be taken up at the next meeting of the Farmers' In- dustrial Association. It is very important that all who have fruit trees should give immediate attention to the destruction of this pest. There is much reason to fear it will be more destructive this year than last, unless exterminated the present spring. Seeds from the department of agriculture were distributed. Adjourned to meet in the city in June, at the residence of A. Stone, proprietor of the Appleton Green House. The time and subjects will be previously announced. Mrs. D. HUNTLEY, Secretary. JANESVILLE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The following officers were elected to serve for the coming year: President — F. S. Lawrence. Vice President — George J. Kellogg. Secretary — E. B. Heimstreet. Treasurer — D. E. Fifield. Executive Committee — E. G. Fifield, A. Hoskins, A. D. Wick- ham, J. B. Whitney, M. D.; G. II. Williston, E. G. Dimock. Delegates to State Society — F. S. Lawrence, G. J. Kellogg. Reports of Local Societies. 339 President's report shows no debts, and a balance in treasury of $86.00. At the Rock county fair of 1878, the horticultural department •was one of the main features of the fair; the buildings being well filled, and the display of fruits and flowers very fine. In the fruit department was noted especially those of G. J. Kellogg, F. S. Lawrence, W. Palmer, A. Hoskins. In plants and flowers, Mrs. F. S. Lawrence, H. G. Roberts, O. P. Freeborn, had fine assortments. The ladies of this city are now taking a good deal of interest in flowers, and the prospect is that more interest than ever will be taken this year in small fruits, plants and flowers. E. B. Heimstreet, Secretary. LEMON WEIR VALLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Officers elected for the ensuing year, January 20, 1879: President — C. N. Holden. Vice President — Wm. Moore. Secretary — I. G. Parker. Treasurer — P. C. Colver. Executive Committee — Anson Wright, J. J. Kibbie, J. Baylan. Librarian — Mrs. Goodhue. Delegate to State Convention — G. W. Potter. I. G. Parker, Secretary. SAUK COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. This society was never in a more flourishing condition than at present. The membership has increased to over one hundred, the finances are free from embarrassment, and the community manifests a growing interest in its development and prosperity. A very suc- cessful festival was held at Baraboo, in June, 1878, on which oc- casion the State Horticultural Society met with us. At the annual meeting in January, 1879, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President — William Toole. Vice President — J. W. Wood. 340 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. Recording Secretary — Mrs. M. M. Davis. Corresponding Secretary — Mrs. E. E. Woodman. Treasurer — William C. Warner. Executive Committee — Charles Hirschinger, Samuel S. Grubb, Mrs. Bevie Clarke, Mrs. D. D. Doane, and Mrs. C. E. Ryan. Mrs. E. E. Woodman, Secretary. WAUPACA COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Our society was organized about five years ago. We have over thirty members. We have two regular meetings each year; one in March, at which our officers are chosen, and one in September, for the exhibition of fruits and the discussion of appropriate questions, generally closing with an old fashioned, rural picnic, making it a very desirable meeting for the members and their wives. At our March meeting, just held, our president had four varie- ties of his well known seedlings — the Weyauwega, Wrightman, Flora and Wrightman's Blush — all in good condition; all good flavor and hardy. Probably no county in the state has beat ours in originating val- uable apples. In addition to those already given, we have the Martha, Rich's Greening, Balch, Albert, and last, but not least, by any means, the Wolf River, a pumpkin in size, but not in flavor. Friend Springer has in his nursery several other seedlings that are fine, and may yet prove formidable rivals to some of our popu- lar kinds. The officers of our society for the coming year are: President — E. W. Wrightman, Weyauwega. Vice President — J. A. Mathews, Weyauwega. Secretary — J. Wakefield, Fremont. Treasurer — Win. Masters, Royalton. Executive Board — W. A. Springer, chairman; O. A. Rich, John Mack. Grapes do well in our county, and some valuable kinds are be- ing extensively cultivated. Ours is not a climate for plums, and our people have given up the idea of wasting money on them. J. Wakefield, Secretary. Statistics in Relation to Fecit and Timbee. 341 STATISTICS IN RELATION TO FRUIT AND TIMBER in the several counties of the state of Wisconsin in 1877 and 1878, as taken from the town assessors' returns. Counties. Apple Orciiarj). O GO in CP ,a *i GO a 0 5= S GO Adams . . Ashland. Barron. , Bayfield. say Brown Buffalo Burnett Calumet Chippewa.. . . Clark Columbia . . . Crawford Dane Do ge Door Douglas Dunn Eau Clair" . . Fond duLac. Giant Green Green Lake. . Iowa Jackson Jefferson Juneau Kenosha Kewaunee. . . La Crosse . . , La Fayette . Lincoln .... Manitowoc . Marathon . Maiqi ette. . Milwaukee . Monroe . . . Oconto .... Outagamie . Ozaukee . . . Pepin Pierce Polk Portage Racine 12r 03 f-1 i) « O J til ■e * rt a -' to S v a 5,682 171 110 o 452 59 121 2,312 831 3,290 2,717 199 1,059 «£ • g it" a a qo a ,2 i-i Vineyard. O OB a - f- s - x> 133 45 Cran- berries. en — CO ™ fir a S Er i_ go a a go Or-. a Pi i— I k z; a -*-1 8, 137 5,6 2U0 14,133 3,582 2,893 70,922 25,896 99,498 93,842 3,900 127 103 3,009 2,598 1,315 1,388 1,016 106 2,4S1 42J 1,744 1231 315 1,403 2 999 7 506 2,110 533 1 591j 1,421 19 210 215 131 4,447 1,236 229 2i 570 283 205 7,429 1,312 7,984 17,989 345 144 10 320 7,210 506 63 3,360 26 4 67 591 4, 558 4, 853 94.036 119.596 52,970 45,828 36,89$ 3,496 87,240 10,000 66,622 4, 132 8,200 57,159 35 21,549 1,200 10,984 53,173 13, 1621 505 17,231 18,277 2,882 5,554 1,205 3, 793 78,370 203 751 8, 273 7,098 2,471 3,905 1,4071 275! 15,250j 585 9,793 256 190 2, 803! 650 5,050 225 36,409 2,985 1,224 129 4,000 100 661 54176,341 4 412 20 27 37 6 1 14 1 36 5 2, 595 8 553 20 47 1,980] 34 815 26, 456 1,430 56 372' 2,768; 108 379: 20 89 23, 994, 5,660 513! 30,380! 2112,990 81,617! 420 2,510 1,101 470 425 2,4.80 24 156 475| 5, 725 l,376i 3,578 40 10,312 259 "817 498 5,760 49 9,149 "is Pi M H o O GO O 20 3,150 10 61,766 ,152,000 313,706 500,000 87,368 14,317 2,719 67,331 940,200 679,150 77,980 88, 198 104,876 52,069 26. 834 170,000 108, 640 41,072 40 ,797 101,172 64. 963 24,337 71,243 100, 801 35,781 40, 447 12,300 47,995 34,236 57,106 691,000 158,534 861,192 53,142 15,410 51,409 1,532,197 80,511 22,274 41,749 100,062 47,428 325,489 14,983 S42 Wisconsin State Hoeticultueal Society. Statistics in relation, to Fruit and Timber — continued. Apple Orchard. Vineyard. Cran- berries. MBER, Counties. . & H> o & rt CO S s~ CO H O ri ° 3 *-> =u ca =3 g CO - p to 3 • at- don co~ u p Is?: 3 — i-i H £ co c co Richland .... 600 3,944 392 1,617 70 2,302 13,233 134,282 8,616 37, 369 1,330 81,215 2 10,456 20,691 132,159 67, 692 109,529 10,195 8,891 47, 088 786 970 7,310 322 1,704 45 16,811 8 19 2,390 31,634 185,000 Bock 57, 105 St. Croix 4 2 142 6 1 1 8 11 339 225 7 80 12 88 64 345 36,486 "545 99,034 Sauk 37 26, 545 29 270 134, 789 Shawano .... Sheboygan . . . Taylor 161,890 73,979 621,720 Trempealeau . Walworth .... 335 1,058 4,091 2,201 3, 592 300 290 1,291 73 864 999 22,923 18,015 13 6 374 783 9,899 42,563 147,241 49. 453 Washington . 1,000 6,020 97 3,169 3,725 50 40 81 802 100 3,205 57,087 Waukesha. . . . Waupaca Waushara .... Winnebago . .. Wood 37,505 341 350 6,339 33 5 4 49,989 141,579 61,828 19,688 84,882 i 61,818 1,840,572 264,238 925 455,210 25,041 72,173 11,229,194 SUMMARY OF METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR THE YEARS 1869-1878. Taken at the University, Madison, Wis. JANUARY, 1869-1878. Temperature in Barometer, height Batn AND 0 M H OPEN AIB REDUCED TO 32°. SNOW. < a 3 a rt rt G rt Inches rain aud melted snow. Inches snow. < P < 1809 42.0 -11.0 23.7 29.559 28.206 28.901 2.69 16.25 94 1870 40.0 -12.0 17.8 29.438 28.088 28.893 3.25 11.00 82 1871 55.0 -2.0 20.7 29.493 28.319 28.994 2.32 20.0 67 1872 40.0 -15.0 17.5 29 . 398 28.424 28.916 1.20 12.0 74 1873 33.0 -21.0 10.9 29.327 28.074 28.850 1.40 12.5 98 1874 57.0 -12.0 18.9 29 575 28.203 28.978 304 24.0 90 1875 33.0 -25.0 3.6 29.439 28.018 29.073 0.90 97 1876 40.0 -0.0 24.5 29.455 28.103 28.934 2.31 91 1877 43.0 -10.0 12.9 29.500 28.700 29.067 1.00 87 1878 36.7 —9.0 25.1 29.039 28.497 28.736 0.40 4.0 90 Meteorological Observations foe the Years 1879-80. 343 Summary of meteorological observations for the years 1869-1878 — continued. FEBRUARY, 1869-1878. 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 Tempera tcre in open AIR. to 50.5 38.0 46.0 48.0 40.0 41.0 27.0 51.0 52.0 44.7 a • i— i -1.0 -15.0 -4.0 -10.0 -20.0 -10.0 -21.0 -12.0 15.0 21.5 a 22.9 20.9 23.7 19.2 15.6 21.0 3.4 21.3 32.6 Barometer, height reduced to 32°. 03 20.464 29.321 29.396 29.356 29.358 29.515 29.569 29.443 29.560 29.088 a i 28.453 28.000 28.104 28.195 28.237 28.136 28.357 28.417 28.472 28.267 a o3 o 28.932 28 871 28.859 28.889 28.857 28.995 28.955 28.931 29.108 28.655 Rain and SNOW. Inches in in and melted snow. -a o S a a w i— i 2.35 8.0 1.35 2.0 1.43 10.0 0.40 3.0 0.60 6.0 0 95 9.0 2.80 1.60 0.30 .■•..... 1.19 5.5 a o 04 03 89 88 87 88 95 91 83 91 86 82 MARCH, 1869-1878. 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1875 1876 1877 1878 59.0 42.0 00.0 40.0 52.0 47.0 64.0 58.0 54.0 60.3 -s.o 25.5 -8.0 27.0 20.0 35.4 3.0 23.8 -5.0 30.8 10.0 29.7 1.0 25.1 0.0 27.8 -2.0 23 . 2 31.7 44.0 29 659 29 510 29 210 29 474 29 579 29 420 29 291 29.417 29 331 28.899 28.162 28.376 28.138 28.431 28.227 28.121 28.030 28.064 28.049 28.218 28.947 28.934 28.814 28.758 28.886 28.935 28.826 28.955 28.988 28.614 0.49 3.85 2.96 2.18 2.07 0.95 0.90 2.27 3.40 2.43 5.0 17.0 22.0 10.0 2.0 80- 85 75. 82 75- 69 70 93. 84 73 APRIL, 1869-1878. 1869 63.0 12.5 36.7 29.467 28.371 28.868 2.72 6.0 75 1870 78.0 —2.5 49.7 29.302 28.600 28.949 0.18 54 1871 82.0 33.0 46.0 29.168 28.071 28.692 2.10 61 1872 77.0 23.0 45.8 29.345 28.242 28.870 1.82 8.0 56 1873 80.0 29.0 42.4 29.148 28.352 28.801 1.26 9.0 66 1874 63.0 13.0 30.8 29.347 28.472 29.031 1.26 1.0 66 1875 62.0 11.0 43.3 29.196 28.182 28.882 1.87 68 1876 66.0 30.0 49.4 29.336 28.343 28.880 2.05 72 1877 74.0 64.7 18.0 43.0 45 . 3 52.3 29.354 28.774 28.360 28.083 28.977 28.482 74 1878 2.97 67 344 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. Summary of meteorological observations for the years 1869-1878 — continued. MA.Y, 1869-1878. Temperature in OPEN AIR. Barometer, height reduced to 33°. Rain and SNOW. a 0 P3 w d M a a c 1— 1 i«=! a OS o fc— 1 05 *C _. c c ^ • a n c g H ae g cci S3 I— 3 "3 GO 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 81.5 85.0 86.0 79.0 76.0 90.0 83.0 83.0 83.0 68.3 35.0 45.0 38.0 39.0 39.0 42.0 31.0 36.0 34.0 39.2 54.4 05.0 01.0 57.5 55.2 59.4 59.0 59.5 00.7 54.6 29.259 29.130 29.211 29.225 29.309 29.126 29.443 29.321 29.398 28.889 28.392 28.289 28.680 28.412 28.473 28.454 28.137 28.601 28.542 28.247 28.830 28.853 28.909 28.855 28.842 28.893 28.858 28.969 28.991 28.610 4.9 1.09 3.31 2.83 3.53 2.14 2.01 5.18 1.02 4.04 73 52 61 61 66 67 58 69 73 70 JUNE, 1869-1878. 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 78.5 98.0 89.0 90.0 89.0 92.0 80.0 87.0 81.0 78.3 48.0 53.0 54.0 55.0 55.0 54.0 51.0 42.0 47.0 51.3 02.5 71.2 69.3 07.0 73.0 03.3 64.1 08.2 05.9 05.8 29.199 29 . 149 29.519 29.248 29.217 29.451 29.173 29.008 29.092 28.943 28.240 28.503 28.031 28.409 28.458 28.498 28.504 28.421 28.589 28.358 28.868 28.911 28.900 28.858 28.802 28.878 28.793 28.801 28.800 28. 650 0.24 1.92 4.93 2.44 5.60 2.85 3.37 4.57 4.77 4.20 74 57 62 64 68 78 75 77 79 69 JULY, 1869-1878. 1809 1870 1871 1872 1S73 1874 1875 1870 1877 1878 80.0 91.0 90.0 92.0 91.0 90.0 86.0 89.0 83.0 86.3 59 0 58.0 56.0 60.0 53.0 62.0 62.0 61.0 57.0 04.5 69. 73 71 73 71 75 73 74 73 74 29.689 29.150 29.373 29.075 29.157 29. *9 29. 29 173 238 187 275 28.848 28.242 28.638 J 28.662 28.622 I 28.657 28.660 28.622 28.709 I 28.087 ' 28.408 28.951 28.888 28.928 28.892 28.928 28.907 28 955 28.930 28.921 28.081 3.03 5. 25 2.11 1.20 0.82 5.19 0.97 4.14 3.84 7.56 73 64 59 05 G8 63 71 70 73 73.6 Meteorological Observations for the Years 1879-SO. 315 Summary of msteorological observations for the years 1869-1878 — continued. AUGUST, 1869-1878. P2 < 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1S78 Temperature in OPEN AIR. S3 89.0 89.0 91.0 90.0 91.0 93.0 86.0 90.0 86.5 78.0 a i<5 54.0 56.0 52 0 53.0 58.0 58.0 52.0 56.0 59.0 64.8 a ci 66.9 67.1 69.8 70.4 71.9 71.1 69.6 73.1 67.8 72.2 Barometer, height reduced to 32°. x" □ a S 3 29.417 28.385 29.253 28. 557 29.180 28.389 29.124 28.691 29.234 28 . 736 29.177 28.678 29.440 28.626 29.189 28.712 29.156 28.508 28.774 28.475 a 03 CD 29.014 28.926 28 J) 15 28.949 28.957 28.970 28.947 28.960 28.842 28.612 Rain and snow. ° c 1 i C eft « 5 92 3 65 '3 35 2 24 2 76 1 40 2 57 3 42 3 76 4 28 03 ^ a) * c .2 03 a "3 79 65 68 67 69 65 71 72 69 71 SEPTEMBER, 1869-1878. 1869 1S70 1871 1872' 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 81.0 39.0 61.8 83.0 54.0 61.2 88.0 40.0 59.8 89.0 39.0 02.1 87.0 40.0 55.4 90 0 46.0 64.4 8L.0 36.0 58.9 79.0 36.0 59.8 86.0 47.0 65.8 77.7 49.0 62.9 29.400 29.279 29.352 29.240 29.317 29.196 29.374 29.168 28.934 29.051 28.798 28.772 28.664 28.469 28.506 28.535 28.525 28.247 28.436 28.405 29.033 2.68 29.030 4.00 29.045 0.47 28.854 5.11 28.930 2.54 28.9(11 5.46 29.009 2.06 28.835 3.41 28.705 0.64 28 722 6.54 73 54 56 71 67 73 66 77 71 70 OCTOBER, 1869-1878. 1869 71.0 16.5 37.7 29.361 28.570 28.954 0.66 05 1870 70.0 29.0 50.4 29.263 28.474 28.956 2.09 75 1871 80.0 27.0 52.0 29.247 28.372 28.885 3 07 3.0 48 1872 70.0 30.0 49.0 29.344 28.511 28.971 0.60 61 1873 73.0 20.0 45.1 29.329 28.502 28.914 1.96 7.0 68 1874 71.0 30.0 51.0 29.404 28.391 28.848 1.41 76 1875 77.0 27.. 0 46.1 29 344 28.380 28.930 1.96 63 1876 66.0 23.0 45.8 29.232 28.420 28.853 1.59 74 1877 78.0 33.5 51.2 28.974 28.396 28.7U2 4.12 75 1878 67.7 28.2 49.6 29.337 28.534 28.95«J 3.78 3.9 67.8 346 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. Summary of meteorological observations for the years 1869-1878 — continued. NOVEMBER, 18G9-1878. Temperature in Barometer, height Rain AND OPEN AIR REDUCED TO 32°. SNOW. S3 O < S3 .5 k— I a c3 a a i 2 a" 2 CO l-H «> el 3 "S 1869 60.0 11.0 30.1 29.342 28.341 28.862 2.05 13.0 82 1870 64.0 19.0 38.6 29.368 28.278 28.294 0.53 67 1871 58.0 3.0 30.9 29.338 28.536 28.965 2.31 6.0 74 1872 54.0 —4.0 27.2 29.307 28.465 28 900 0.76 2.0 85 1873 50.0 2.0 28.2 29.388 28.204 28.886 2.15 19.0 85. 1874 69.0 —3.0 32.6 29.501 28.104 28.970 3.29 4.4 77 1875 54.0 — 11.0 31.0 29.525 28.392 28.987 0.40 81 1876 56.0 14.0 35.6 29.293 28.463 28.929 2.31 84 1877 47.3 11.3 34.7 29.100 28.193 28.724 2.81 9.5 77.5 1878 58.0 —8.0 46.7 29.383 28.591 29.017 0.76 DECEMBER, 1869-1878. 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 39.5 48.0 39.0 38.0 43.0 50.0 54.0 38.0 56.7 39.0 -2.5 -13.0 —15.0 -28.0 2.0 —15.0 -11.0 -22.0 22.7 -8.0 22 3 22 1 13 4 9 5 26 0 22 6 31 9 11 1 38 7 j 22 1 29.665 29.391 29.325 29.542 29.388 29.598 29.151 29.635 28.994 29.485 28.514 28.141 28.141 28.306 28.152 28.467 28094 28.415 28.295 28.417 28.993 28.910 28.926 29.043 28.998 28.977 28.790 29.064 28.750 28.963 2.64 0.67 1.15 1.60 1.80 0.45 2.18 2.59 3.01 0.79 12.0 4.0 12.0 16.0 12.0 0.5 89 87 37 96 88 84 87 90 77.5- ERRATA. In the twentieth line from the top of page 180, read quantity instead of "quality." On page 181, the eighteenth line from the top 6houM read: Under our second general division, the geological, the sail. On the same page, fourth line from the bottom, read well drained, instead of " well trained." On the 181:h page, eighteenth line from the top, read Excessive pruning, instead of " Ex- clusiTe pruning."1 Page 317. The head, " Report of a Summer Meeting of the Brown County Horticultural So- ciety," should have been inserted alter the tenth line from the top of page 310. Summary of Meteorological Observations. 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