106 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



Tuttle, Peffer and Woodward spoke in favor of pear-culture, 

 in 1873, and Felch, Kellogg and others against it ; so, to average 

 it, I set one dozen trees, and have gathered a few five-dollar 

 specimens. Your secretary said, in 1872, that he preserve 1 the 

 Duchess until the winter meeting by packing in saw dust; so, in 

 1875, 1 tried that plan with some seedlings, but when I exhibited 

 them at the annual meeting of that year, they tasted so strong of 

 the saw dust that even President Stickney made up a crooked 

 face when tasting them. Mr. J. B. Richardson said, in 1871, 

 "The more I am engaged in horticulture, the better I like it," 

 which are exactly my feelings in 1881. George Pir.ney wrote an 

 article, in 1872, on forest trees, that is as applicable to day as it 

 was then. Mr. Tattle favored low heads in 1872, and in 1880 he 

 favors high heads, I mean on apple trees ; and I have advocated 

 the same thing, and fully agree with him on that subject now, as 

 I find that three-fourths of our trees, when they begin to bear 

 heavy, are too near the ground. Felch placed Golden Russet at 

 the head of his list in 1873, and at the same time rejected Willow 

 Twig. 



But after years of experience, without saying one word against 

 the good qualities of Golden Russet, I find I can raise three bar- 

 rels of Willow as easily as one of Russet. Location or soil no 

 doubt makes the difference. Notwithstanding there have been 

 failures, and we have had much to contend with that was dis- 

 couraging, I think the fact is plain that we can produce good fruit 

 in Wisconsin in paying quantities. My object and desire now is, 

 less crabs and fall apples and more winter varieties. I hoped 

 years ago that we should get something in the shape of a winter 

 apple among the Russians that would be safe to tie to. But my 

 hopes, I fear, are not likely to be realized. I still hope for some- 

 thing among our seedlings that will be to us, as a winter fruit, 

 what my friend Gideon's Wealthy has proved as a fall variety. 

 Most of my crab trees, that once I expected millions from, will 

 either be dug out or top-worked next spring with winter fruit, as, 

 using Mr. Tuttle's language, "Who can afford to grow a crab 

 when he can grow Wealthy or Utter just as well?" I intend to 

 set three hundred trees next spring, as follows: Fifty Wealthy, 



