VALLEY HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 299 



Mr. Cunningham thinks the Honey Locust a valuable tree, on 

 account of its rapid growth, beautiful foliage and lasting quality of 

 its timber. 



Mr. Stroud thinks we could utilize the Black Walnut along the 

 roadsides, for fastening fence wire to, and leave the nuts for the 

 boys. 



Mr. Dickinson told of a Black Walnut tree in Kansas that sold 

 for S300. He thought it would do to plant for posterity. 



Mr. Mortimer not having an essay to read, as was expected, was 

 called on to give his experience in growing orchard trees. He said 

 he did not claim any special knowledge in regard to apple tree grow- 

 ing ; have planted quite a number of varieties in the last eight or 

 ten years, and had only the Duchess and Wealthy left ; thinks we 

 do not cultivate the soil enough, should keep the surface soil fine 

 and mellow in order to prevent evaporation. Roots cannot grow 

 and flourish in hard, dry soil. Mr. Mortimer spoke at considerable 

 length on the subject, and was listened to with attention. 



President Barnard said, if we cannot cultivate we can mulch ; 

 had mulched a few of his trees very heavily last Spring, and they 

 had made a growth of from nine inches to three feet, and it was 

 from these trees that he got all the apples he raised this year, and at 

 the present tinie the foliage on these trees is fresh and green, whilst 

 the unmulched trees shed nearly all their leaves some time ago. 



Mr. Mortimer said he was in favor of mulching, and related his 

 experience in mulching raspberries, where it appeared to be of 

 decided advantage. Thinks it would be difficult to mulch a large 

 orchard. 



The following questions were propounded by Mr. Stroud: 



Question 1. Do you consider the fall a good time to plant 

 apple trees? 



Mr. Stroud said he had planted in the fall, and his trees all died. 



President Barnard said his experience was against fall planting. 



Mr. Small thought trees could be successfully planted in the fall 

 if properly done, and the trees well earthed up. 



Question 2. Can rose bushes be planted in the fall and do well? 



