330 TRANSACTIONS OP THE KANKAKEE 



gaarated by growing trees from seed of vigorous growing liardy long- 

 lived varieties, and Ijudding them when small with the kinds of fruit 

 desired Avithout removal of the trees, I believe the time would come 

 when forty feet apart each way would not be too great a distance 

 for them. 



Increased growth of vine and fruit is the result of grafting the 

 delicate Delaware grape on the vigorous growing Concord. The 

 phyloxera feeds on the roots and the vine dies. The pear is dwarfed 

 by growing it on the quince, and the common apple by grafting on 

 the Paradise or Donan stock. 



Thus we see that vigorous, diseased and weak roots^ produce cor- 

 responding results in the plants of which they form a part. 



Our garden and field seeds have plant food stored in them for 

 the sustenance of the young plantlets until they are able to absorb 

 and assimilate food from the soil. 



In the case of small seeds the plant food which they contain is 

 quickly expended. If the tiny rootlets are not in contact with the 

 soil they wither and die, and the seed is lost. Pressing the seed 

 firmly in the soil will often insure its growth. Peter Henderson, an 

 excellent authority, claims that thousands of dollars' worth of seed 

 'are annually lost for want of being firmed in the soil. 



This shows us that all plant roots, from the smallest to the 

 largest, must have an opportunity to do their work before success 

 can be obtained. 



In this paper I have accepted commonly received opinions where 

 they coincide with my own. 



I have diiJered from high horticultural authority where my lim- 

 ited observation and experience seem to warrant my doing so. 



And now my humble effort is before you. Fortunately the 

 usage of our Society regards all essays presented to it as proper sub- 

 jects for discussion and criticism. In tnis way errors are corrected 

 and truths approved. If horticultural truths are well rooted in the 

 minds of the young and old, their roots will flourish, and in due time 

 bring forth the fragrant blossom and the delicious fruit. 



On motion of 0. W. Barnard this essay was made the subject 

 for discussion at the next meeting. 



The President then announced the 



ELECTION OF OFFICERS 



for the year 1884, and appointed Messrs. Dickinson, Lane and Powell 

 as tellers. Nominations for President were then made, A. H. Burt 

 nominating Dr. A. L. Small, and A. S. Vail nominating Henry Mor- 

 timer. Mr. Mortimer declined and nominated Milo Barnard. The 



