TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING. 99 



Mr. S. R. Fuller: When I began cultivating strawberries, I took Mr. 

 Lyon's advice and pulled out every plant I found not bearing true to name 

 and did the same with plants I found not blooming. I grow plants 

 specially for planting, not taking them from bearing beds. 



Mr. Pearsall: Stocks affect the growth of trees but not the fruit, is 

 my experience. 



Replying to a question as to value of "Odorless" phosphate, which 

 agents have been offering with big promises, Mr. Rice said: Dr. Kedzie 

 has said this phosphate is worth as manure $13 per ton, but $30 per ton 

 are asked for it. I have used it among peach trees, and in contrast with 

 Homestead phosphate on potatoes, I do not know that it caused no worms, 

 no bugs, bigger tops, heavier potatoes, and more good ones, but such was 

 the result. Mr. Pearsall cited a case where this fertilizer had apparently 

 caused an increase of one third in a crop. 



Mr. Kellogg ( replying to question ) : Hen manure is good for small 

 fruits, but care must be exercised in its use, for it is very strong. Com- 

 post it with three or four times its bulk of earth or reduce it by mixture 

 with stable manure, leaves or other such matter. As to the best time to 

 apply manures, I prefer the autumn, decidedly. If there is danger of 

 washing, cultivate it in lightly: otherwise, let it soak in. 



Mr. Gulley: Very good, but get it upon the ground any time when you 

 have it. 



Mr. W. F. Bird: Has any one had experience in selling the Ulster 

 Prolific grape? I find it hardy and productive. 



Prest. Lyon: It has not been in the market enough to have established 

 a reputation. It is much superior to the average market grape. Its hard- 

 iness is not yet well tested, but it is prolific enough. 



CELERY CULTURE AT KALAMAZOO. 



Mr. Jonathan Wilson of Kalamazoo had sent to the secretary the 



following paper, which was at this time presented: 



The way that celery-raising is going on now, the outlook is very discourag- 

 ing. In the first place, we have hot, dry weather, which causes the leaves 

 to parch and dry up, that stunts the celery so that it has to commence 

 growing again from the center. Thus, you see, it loses valuable time. If 

 the outside stems and leaves could be kept good, see what a difference for 

 good for our Kalamazao celery. Kalamazoo is losing her reputation every 

 season, and she must do something soon or other places will go ahead of 

 her and she will lose her place in the market. Another thing I want to 

 speak about is that miserable little insect. He is looking out for number 

 one all the time, and he tries to do it in as comfortable a manner as pos- 

 sible. In hot, dry weather he seeks the inside of the plant, in order to be 

 in the shade, and all the time he is there he is busy pecking away at the 

 heart, thus stunting the plant again. If we could keep him out we would 



