38 3fiss{ssippi Valley Horticultural Society. 



Maj Ragan, of jNlissouri — The sap ascends through the wood 

 cells until it reaches the leaves and comes in contact with the air 

 and the chlorophyl of the leaves, forming a mucilaginous substance 

 and returns downward through the bark and outer covering of the 

 tree. Girdling the limb causes an increase of fruit, because the 

 downward flow is checked and treasured up in the limb. 



C. E. Reeves, of Kansas City, spoke of a Red Astrachan apple 

 tree made to bear, by girdling, in June, causing it to bear fruit when 

 other trees of the same variety failed. 



3Ir. Newhy, of Kansas — My father's orchard was always plowed 

 every other year, and on the alternate years, after plowing, nine- 

 tenths of the fruit was borne. The trees made the greatest growth 

 the years the plowing was done. 



F, Hohinger, of Kansas — I have caused trees which have been 

 barren for some time to become fruitful by girdling, cultivating, 

 etc. I protest against trimming the tops of growing trees. 



Mr. Munson — The sap is caused to ascend by chemical action and 

 descends in the cambium layer. Trees are larger at the base be- 

 cause the wood absorbs moisture from the earth. The tree gets its 

 fiber from the elongation of the cells. 



3Ir. Wright, of Iowa — The gentlemen who advocate the theory 

 of trimming trees when transplanted, in the locality of a large rain- 

 fall, are right; while the gentlemen from the North and AVest are 

 right in opposing the practice. The surrounding conditions must 

 always be considered as a basis of operations. 



On motion the Society adjourned to meet at 7 o'clock p. u. 



First I>av — Tuesclav. 



KvKMNG Session. 



At 7 o'clock V. M. l*res. Earle called the Society to order and pro- 

 ceeded to introduce Pres. Sylvester Johnson, of Indiana, who read 

 his pai)er : 



