Annual Meeting — Discussion. 27 



gramme for the forenoon was omitted, and a general discussion 

 engaged in. 



Mr. Huntley, of Appleton, inquired if it was possible to make 

 young apple trees live in the orchard set where others had died 

 out. 



Mr. Peffer, of Pewaukee, said that it had been frequently done 

 with success. 



Mr. Stickney, of Wauwatosa, stated that in many instances, and 

 perhaps in the majority of cases, it had failed. There were three 

 causes of failure; first, they failed where the former tree had 

 exhausted the strength of the soil, taking out the elements neces- 

 sary for the growth of the tree; and second, where parts of the 

 old tree remaining in the ground, souring or decaying, had an 

 injurious effect on the soil; and third, where the young trees 

 were shaded by the larger trees of the orchard. Where the proper 

 precautions are taken to prevent injury from these causes there 

 would seem to be no reason why trees could not be made to grow 

 where others had died out, provided the soil and location were 

 suitable for orchard purposes, and the varieties were adapted to 

 the location. 



Mr. Plumb, of Milton, believed that the want of success in such 

 cases was mainly due to the exhaustion of the soil by the old trees. 

 The old soil should be removed and fresh soil put in. If this is 

 done properly the conditions necessary to healthy growth will be 

 secured and success will follow. The question of healthy nutri- 

 tion is as important in tree growing and floriculture as in stock 

 raising and other branches of farming. 



Russian Apples. — President Smith stated, that while at Bar- 

 aboo, he had visited a thrifty young orchard containing about 

 one hundred and fifty varieties of Russian apples. He was muck 

 pleased with their appearance, but wanted to know if any reliable 

 results had been yet secured by the cultivation of this class of trees. 



Mr. Stickney spoke of very fine thrifty young orchards of 

 this kind of trees, that he had visited in Minnesota. They were ap- 

 parently strong, vigorous growers, and he was in hopes that some 

 of the varieties would prove valuable. He thought that probably 



