128 Wiscoxsix State Hoeticultueal Society. 



Xow this is what we have spent years of time and lost 

 many trees in trying to learn. And yet our success is not sat- 

 isfactory with all kinds we wish to propagate. Still our motto is 

 "Excelsior." We are climbing the mountain, and have a good 

 foundation to start from — Crab roots. And if we find none of 

 the crabs grafted on crab roots are congenial (thanks, Mr. Plumb, 

 for the term), then we will try the common apple seedling, when 

 we find such which has stood our climate, uninjured, twenty or 

 more years. The fact is, it is nonsense to talk about growing trees 

 successful!}', except in very favorable localities, in our section of 

 the state, in the common way, of the following kinds : Fameuse, 

 Golden and Perry Russets, Red Astrachan, Plumb's Cider, etc. 

 If the roots survive, the prostrate trees, almost everywhere broken 

 off at the trunk or at the forks, tell the whole story. "We 

 must have hardier roots, bodies and forks. There it is in few 

 words. I had hoped to meet with you this winter ; but, finan- 

 cially, I am desperately short (this is not original) ; then I am old, 

 having nearly reached man's allotted time. I hope you will have 

 a pleasant and profitable meeting. 



Mr. Stickney remarked that theoretically Father Wilcox is a 

 little hard on us " flankers," but practically he is illustrating his 

 faith by his works, and has really climbed to the top of the highest 

 mountain within his reach, and on the top thereof he has planted 

 his nursery. He will doubtless extend to all of us who attend 

 the June convention at La Crosse the cordial invitation to "come 

 up higher, that seeing ye may be converted.'" For one, I shall 

 accept such invitation with great pleasure. 



Mr. Plumb was glad that Brother "Wilcox had at last followed 

 his advice, given these twenty years, and had located on the top of 

 the bluff, a«nd that he was meeting with success, but he thought 

 that under similar circumstances others would be equally success- 

 ful and that it was not safe to pronounce the test a thorough one 

 and sufficient on the experience of one season. 



Society adjourned, to meet at the call of the President at such 

 times during the joint convention as there might be an oppor- 

 tunity for holding business sessions. 



