112 "Wisconsin State Horticultueal Society. 



orchard in killing worms, or the apple crop would be a failure. 

 Myself, with many others, devoted what time could be spared 

 evenings, mornings, noonings, and occasionally an hour or two at 

 other times, and still the worms increased; the result was about 

 one-half or one-third of a crop on some of the best trees, and a 

 total failure on others; perhaps one-fourth or one-fifth of a crop in 

 all. In destroying the worms some adopted one plan and some 

 another; using kerosene, soap suds, hot water, powder, burning 

 with straw, etc., but the most successful method I heard of was 

 killing by the hand, when clustered on limb or trunk of the tree. 

 Many of our forest trees were perfectly stripped of leaves, espe- 

 cially the basswood, which greatly diminished the yield of honey. 

 Many of the twigs are now encircled with eggs, and I think they 

 should all be destroyed before the hatching season commences. 



The last summer was a favorable one for the growth of young 

 trees, and many more will be set the coming spring than for sev- 

 eral years before; in fact the tree peddler is abroad, and making a 

 specialty of some wonderful things, such as " pear trees grown on 

 German stocks," at twelve dollars per dozen, which "are much 

 more hardy than the hardiest iron clads and twice as profitable." 

 Is it not strange that farmers do not buy direct from some well 

 known nurseryman of their own state, or of responsible local 

 agents. The old proved varieties are still the most in favor with 

 the more intelligent. Of the new, the Tetofsky is looking the best 

 of any. The Wealthy has not been fruited here yet. The Wal- 

 bridge and Pewaukee do not meet the expectation, and will be set 

 very sparingly in the future. The Ben Davis is such a nice grower 

 and good bearer and keeper that more will be set in future than 

 anv other new varietv, though we do not class it with the extra 

 hardy. 



Cherries were a full crop, and also strawberries. The Wilson is 

 the berry. Grapes were also a good crop; no mildew, or if it ap- 

 pears, is immediately checked by the use of sulphur. Plums and 

 pears not seen at all of late. No blight during last summer in this 

 vicinity. The question is often asked among well informed fruit 

 men, what is your best winter apple, all things considered, none 

 being just satisfied with any that are hardy? The Golden Russet 

 wilts badly, does not always ripen nicely, and is not good cooking. 

 The Fameuse is the best, all things considered, and if picked early 



