planting this season as compared with former years, and what success has attended the same; what degree of interest is taken in fruit-raising; statistics as to the amount of fruit production; varieties most successful, both in tree and yield of fruit; the extent of small-fruit culture, with statistics as to quantity and varieties; amount of blight the present season, and any facts which tend to prove or controvert the fungus theory of its origin; effect of the severe winter on trees and fruit; varieties most affected; and any facts in relation to soil, culture or exposure, which may tend to lessen or increase the amount of injury; efforts made in ornamental or timber planting of trees, and the success attending the same; natural advantages or disadvantages of different localities in soil, exposure or protection; any facts as to the topography of the country, character of the soil, local peculiarities, etc., which would make a change in the present districts desirable, in order to faciliitate the collection of facts and statistics. When possible, state actual value in figures, in giving the extent and cost of production. The Committee of Observation are also requested to make selections of such fruit as will worthily represent the horticultural products of their respective districts and the state, at the convention to be held by the American Pomological Society at Chicago, September 8th, 9th, and 10th, next. The State Society appointed Messrs. J. C. Plumb, of Milton, A. G. Tuttle, of Baraboo, and N. F. Lund, of Madison, as a general committee to superintend the collection and exhibition of fruit at the convention, who will furnish all needed information on the subject.

The collection of information above mentioned, and the selection of fruit for the exhibition is left entirely in the hands of the committee of observation of the respective districts, and all correspondence with reference to the same should be directed to them.

F. W. CASE, Secretary.

A. G. TUTTLE, President.

MADISON, WIS., February 22, 1875.

G. J. Kellogg, of Janesville, presented a weather record for 20 years past, and G. P. Peffer, of Pewaukee, a record since 1861.

M. L. Clark presented a report of the Lemonwier Valley Horticultural Society.

A report from the Committee on Premium-List for the Horticultural Department of the State Fair was received.

At the evening service, the first paper read was that by G. P. Peffer, on New, Western Fruits, Grown From Seeds. Following this the consideration of the fruit lists was commenced. President Tuttle advised recommending varieties with much caution. It was better to do too little than too much in this direction.

In Strawberries, Green Prolific was taken from the list for general cultivation and added to the list for trial. Peak's Emperor, Reed's Late Pine and Victoria were stricken from the list. Kentucky was added for trial.

In Pears, Clapp's Favorite was added to the list for trial.

In Plums, Duane's Purple was recommended for trial. Mr. Tuttle said the Miner plum was stung by the curculio with him, but this did not prevent the plums from ripening. M. Anderson said this variety did well with him. L. Woodward, of Marengo, Ill., said they had not borne so young with him as they did at Galena. E. Daniels, of Auroraville, said they cracked with him. G. J. Kellogg reported them not bearing well with him. The Society adjourned until morning.

FRIDAY MORNING SESSION.

At the opening of the session there was some discussion as to the exhibition of fruits at the American Pomological Society meeting, and J. C. Plumb, A. G. Tuttle and N. F. Lund were appointed a committee to receive fruits and superintend its exhibition. An appropriation of one hundred dollars was made from the funds of the society, to defray the necessary expenses therefor. On motion of J. M. Smith the committee of observation were appointed as a committee to collect fruit for this exhibition.

Mr. Plumb of the committee on nomenclature presented an interesting paper on that subject, which will be found elsewhere.

The consideration of the fruit list being resumed it was decided to make no changes in the list of Raspberries.

In Grapes, on motion of Gen. Lund Roger's No. 3 was added to the list for trial. President Tuttle spoke very favorably of this variety. The quality of the fruit was good, vine hardy and the fruit early. It should be planted where it can have a free circulation of air.

After some further miscellaneous discussion, the Society adjourned until the next annual meeting.

MEETING FOR DISCUSSION AT MILWAUKEE,

A meeting for discussion was held at Spencer's College, Milwaukee, on the evening of September 8. The attendance was quite large, and the exercises were of much interest.

President Stickney opened the meeting with a brief address. He stated that it was with reluctance that he appeared before them; but he, in common with the other members of the society, felt the need of comfort and consolation in their severe losses; hundred of trees and plants had been destroyed by the extreme cold; but we all know the remedy, viz.: to plant two trees for every one that died; we were no worse off than other sections of the country; he had just returned from the east, where he saw orchards that had been destroyed by the canker-worm. He witnessed there, as well as here, great negligence in the care of the trees, and thought that much of the injury was chargeable to this, and that much of it could be prevented by better cultivation and proper selection of varieties. He thought that the failure of our large trees should stimulate the raising of small fruits.

Mr. A. G. Tuttle thought the failure of our trees was largely due to the carelessness of fruit-growers, and to the planting of varieties we know nothing about; he saw no reason to despond; failure in one season proves nothing; it takes several years to test trees. He looked with much confidence to the Russian apples for hardier varieties; of these he had a hundred varieties; his orchard was not a money-paying orchard; it was rather a burlesque on what such an orchard should be, yet he was not disheartened.

James Brainerd, of Oshkosh, gave an encouraging account of his success in raising small fruits.

E. H. Benton thought that our fruit-growers were working against natural laws in raising apples, and would like to have the subject fully discussed. Experience had demonstrated that our winters killed fruit-trees, without regard to variety, on hard and unprotected ground; he thought mulching would be very beneficial, and if properly mulched our trees would not winter-kill.

In answer to a question, Mr. Tuttle thought that deep planting was by far the best; some roots run directly down, while others. spread out on every side, but the collar of a tree always remained stationary.

Mr. Benton was in favor of setting the tree so as to have the roots as near the surface as possible, and have them well covered. Mr. G. J. Kellogg had found, by actual experience, that deep setting would not preserve the trees.

Prof. Daniells, of the State University, said many arguments could be brought on both sides in favor of deep and shallow setting. In many things the fruit-grower comes in conflict with nature, but yet we were making progress; the society had done a great deal for the advancement of fruit-culture.

Mr. J. C. Plumb endorsed the views of Mr. Benton; he would have the roots near the surface, but they must be preserved at any expense; mulching in this climate is necessary. The orchard should not be used as a pasture; compacting the soil must be avoided. The reason why our trees did not bear better the present season was lack of vitality; the trees had not recovered yet from the severity of the winter.

Mr. Tuttle regarded seeding down the orchard as injurious. Various instances were cited to show that the benefits of deep or shallow planting depended on the soil, location. &c.

The thanks of the society were returned to Mr. Spencer for the use of the hall, and the meeting adjourned.

MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.

APPLE-GROWING IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

BY ROBERT CHAPPELL.

[Read before the Brown County Horticultural Society.]

In considering this subject heretofore, it has been our custom to present the merits of well-known, eastern varieties, taking it for granted that among them, a few at least, could be found well fitted for the peculiarities of our soil and climate. Now I wish to present for consideration two questions: Have we not taken too much for granted? and if so, what are we going to do about it?

To my mind "the logic of events" has already answered the first question. Tens of thousands of the most noted varieties of eastern apples have been planted in Northern Wisconsin during the last twenty years, and where are they now? Complete or partial

failure has been the rule, and apparent success even, a very rare exception. So general is the admission of this fact that many have abandoned the idea of any further planting, or are contenting themselves with varieties of the Siberian Crab, which, except for special purposes, are of little value, and in fact are hardly worthy to be called apples at all. We have no right to say that these failures are all due to neglect or improper methods. It is true, that in many instances, the young plantations have not had a fair chance; but in a majority of cases these experiments have been made by people born and reared among the orchards of New England, New York and Ohio, who have given their young trees the same kind of culture, and as good as is customary in those states. And these people have not rested with one trial. When their first trials failed, they "possessed their souls" with what patience they could, got other varieties which they hoped might better answer the purpose, and subjected them to somewhat different treatment, but generally with