4 Wisconsin State Horticulturatl, Society. 



'ruit region, not out of it. " This seems strange in view of 

 the recent failures. But my friends, we must be ourselves 

 in connection with the laws of nature. If we break these 

 laws we shall fail. The law is inevitable. Last winter when I 

 covered my vines, I never saw such a fine showing for fruit. 

 Early in the spring some of my drains got filled up and as a 

 result the water stood in some places on the bed and when 

 I got the water off the plants were dead. The law, you 

 know, is invariable — you must not allow water to stand on 

 plants. I did so and lost my berries. It applies equally to 

 apples as well as to strawberries. Difference s in soil^ situa- 

 tion and temperature have made it impossible for us to grow 

 the same varieties that are grown in the east. We must 

 learn the laws of nature, and, we are learning to believe, we 

 shall in a short time get varieties that will accomodate 

 themselves to soil and situation in this state. By so doing 

 we shall certainly make a success of apple growing — as 

 much of a success as we have made in smaller fruits. I do 

 not want to take up your time in regretting failures, but to 

 all the friends here, I will repeat the words, "Thank you for 

 your kind welcome to us. " 



President Smith now spoke of his correspondence with 

 certain parties with reference to the collection of the 

 premiums awarded at the New Orleans Exhibition, to the 

 exhibit of the Wisconsin Horticultural Society. He stated 

 that he had received an offer to collect the premiums 

 awarded for fifty per cent, of the amount involved. He 

 said: "As some of you are aware, there was a rule that 

 ruled us out as a society from all the premiums, but one or 

 two; I withdrew the list and entered them in my own nam© 

 and some of them, I think, in Mr. Peffer's, they belong to 

 the society, and will be paid to the society. The premiums 

 that appear in my name belong in reality to the society. 

 In reply to one of my letters with reference to this matter 

 I received an answer saying in substance: "If you will 

 accept, I will send you fifty per cent, of the premiums 

 awarded you. " I will state a little further that it would be 

 necessary for you to send him a power of attorney, in order 

 ^hat he could collect these premiums, and it is barely possi- 



