256 3Iississipj)i Valley Horticultural Society. 



thing else, probably, than the presence of solid flints in the soil. It shows, 

 however, the value of observation, and that the same results do not always 

 follow from the same apjiarent causes. 



The climatic conditions of the Mississippi Valley are remarkable and va- 

 ried. Here the waters of the Gulf create a sub-troi3ical climate, nnd the same 

 Gulf winds sweeping up the western slope of the valley give it the mild win- 

 ter weather so prevalent from Nebraska south, and reaching often into Iowa, 

 Minnesota and Dakota. In fact, to this influence we are indebted for our 

 let-up from the boreal blasts which come to us almost unbroken from the 

 ice fields of the polar regions. In summer and early autumn we have the 

 counter trade-winds from the great plains to the southwest, which give us 

 our fine grapes and well ripened dent corn. 



The Northwest has peculiar natural conditions, climatic, which have,. and 

 always will be great factors in this question of fruit growing, and my own 

 State of Wisconsin may be said to have been an "undiscovered country" 

 prior to our exj^eriences of 1855-6. 



We then awoke to the fact of peculiar conditions of climate as well as of 

 soil, and the next ten years was a period of much study, experiment and ob- 

 servation of natural conditions affecting hardiness and our capacity for fruit 

 growing. We found our i>ew soils rich in humus, producing a late growth 

 of wood unfit to bear the extremes of winter. This tendency was enhanced 

 by the prolonged autunm heats characteristic of the Northwest. 



We also founa the mean summer temperature of Pittsburg, Pa., with the 

 winter of Montreal, Canada. The former. 72°, enters our State near the 

 southeast corner and leaves it near the northwest border 22° to the north. 

 The winter mean of 20° entering our State on the latitude of Green Bay and 

 leaving it near the southwest corner. These lines, so adverse in all the East- 

 ern States, here, for the fiVst, cross each other in the central southern portion 

 of the State, each pursuing its westward way, but diverging more widely at 

 the West. 



These peculiar climatic conditions we were the first to experience, and we 

 trust other States, West and North, profited by our reverses in learning the 

 lessons they taught us. 



In giving advice to fruit growers we inquire, 1st, the natural conditions of 

 soil and climate; and, 2d, what change may be made in natural conditions 

 and care, so that the list of varieties may be extended ; and, 3d, we advise a 

 careful examination of growing orchards and to plant mosth' of most suc- 

 cessful varieties. The questions of variety and culture must be considered 

 for each localitj' and be adapted to the local conditions. These are certain 

 principles of growth which everywhere apply to a given species. The apple 

 thrives best in a cool, moist climate where there is sufficient summer heat to 

 mature its growth and a firm, calcareous, retentive soil, while the peach 

 thrives best in a dryer climate and more porous soil several degrees further 

 South, exempt from extreme cold. 



The question of protection is a never ending source of trouble to all fruit- 



