STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 83 



THURSDAY MORNING. 



The Society having accepted an invitation to visit the Blind 

 Asylum this morning, were met at the Pacific Hotel, at eight o'clock, 

 by Mr. A. L. Hay, and conducted to that Institution. 



The visitors were highly pleased with the proficiency of the 

 pupils, especially in reading and music. The singing of one young 

 lady atid the performance of another on the organ was greatly 

 admired. 



At ten o'clock the President called the house to order, and in- 

 vited Mr. Kellogg, of Winconsin, to invoke the divine blessing. 



The Secretary read a letter from Hon. E. YanDeman, Pomolo- 

 gist of the Department of Agriculture, expressing regret that he 

 could not be with us. 



On motion the "Decline of Orchards" was taken up and dis- 

 cussed. 



Mr. Kellogg — There are many causes that have combined to 

 kill our trees, and they may be enumerated as follows: Malform- 

 ation of tree, malpractice in transplanting, starvation and neglect, 

 insect depredations, over-production, lack of vitality, and winter 

 killing. Many otherwise sensible men seem to think that when 

 a piece of land is worn out and good for nothing else it can be 

 planted with apple trees, and, without any fertilization or cultivation, 

 be made profitable. Another class of men dig a hole as they would 

 for a post, jam in the roots, prune with stock, and expect their trees 

 to bear fruit. I do not believe in the new theory of low ground for 

 orchards. Until we get hardy, new varieties, or Russians, adapted 

 to our climate, I would advise ]>lanting those varieties that have 

 heretofore succeeded best. 



Mr. H. D. r?rown — Many ruin trees by severe cutting back. 

 It is best to leave a tree as the head forms at two years old. 



Messrs. Augustine, Lathrop and Webster, each said by so doing 

 you get a dozen limbs or branches, while five is enough. Too thick 

 a top will not perfect the fruit; besides, fungi are invited to come 

 in and possess tjie tree. 



