262 State Horticultural Society. 



ter rot of the apple. Dr. S. A. Forbes in a paper discussed the work 

 of nursery inspection throughout the State, and in another paper, the 

 "Control of Insect and Fungus Diseases" during the last fifty years. 



Mr. Henry M. Dunlap covered the subject of "The Utilization and 

 Preservation of Fruits." 



' Mr. A. T. Erwin of the Iowa State College gave a paper on "Ob- 

 servations on Cherry Growing Under Prairie Conditions." 



Among the questions asked through the question box was one as 

 to the practicability of a smudge for the protection of the orchard 

 against frost in the spring. But few had any practical experience along 

 this line, but from such facts as were given it would appear perfectly 

 practicable. The practice of girdling trees to make them bear was dis- 

 cussed and recommended by man}-, but it should be done cautiously, and 

 only a ring one-eighth to one-fourth inch in diameter should be made 

 around the trunk or branches, and even this is a dangerous undertaking, 

 for an inexperienced person might cut too deep, and thus injure the 

 cambium layer. It was suggested that growers experiment on one or 

 more branches before girdling the entire tree. The matter of dust spray 

 was brought out, and there was an almost unanimous belief that the mat- 

 ter of dust spray has been settled, and that it is of no value whatever. 

 It seems to have been tried pretty thoroughly and under varying con- 

 ditions, and with no indication of any value. 



An enjoyable banquet was held one evening with nearly one hun- 

 dred persons in attendance, which was presided over by Professor J. 

 C. Blair. About a dozen toasts were responded to by short addresses on 

 various horticultural topics. 



WEST \'IRGINIA STATE HORTICULTURAL MEETING. 



(Delegate— W. G. Gano, Parkvllle, Mo.) 



The thirteenth annual meeting of the West Virginia Society was 

 held at Martinsburg, November 15-17, 1905. 



The Society convened at P'eller's Hall at 9:45 a. m., and was called 

 to order by its President, the Hon. Alexander Clohan of that city, 

 who introduced Rev. Dr. F. M. Woods, pastor of the Presbyterian 

 Church, who invoked the divine blessing upon the deliberations. 



Following the opening prayer Hon. John J. Hetzel made the formal 

 address of welcome. Mr. Hetzel's speech, while brief, was one that evoked 

 hearty response. He spoke in terms of praise of the aim and objects of 



