WINTER MEETING, 1879. 29 



grow at a moderate rate and mature well. A young tree generally grows faster 

 than an old one. It is more likely to be injured by extremes of heat, cold, 

 drought or moisture tlian a tree which has become established and has arrived 

 at the prime of life. We may shelter or otherwise protect a tree while it is 

 young, and thus carry it through the most precarious part of its life. This is 

 almost always done witli seedling evergreens. When well established they may 

 be allowed to take care of themselves. This early nursing of trees is not 

 acclimation. 



President Lyon. — Whether technically there is any such thing as acclimatiz- 

 ing plants, the fact is pretty well understood that plants become adapted to 

 certain climatic conditions by following certain methods of caring for tiiem. 

 There is another matter connected with this subject tliat is worthy our atten- 

 tion. It is the selection of seed to produce the best plants. The thought has 

 come to me from certain experiments performed by Mr. Downer and Mr. 

 Hathaway in the production of new varieties of strawberries. Mr. Ilathaway, 

 I think took fully as much pains with his work as Mr. Downer and still the 

 latter brought out several fine seedlings, while Mr. Ilathaway brought out but 

 one of value. My impression is that the difference lies mainly in climate ; the 

 seasons of Kentucky are more favorable to the perfecting of tlie species than 

 those of Michigan ; and it occurs to me that this is worth our consideration 

 in developing any sorts of plants by means of seed. We should seek such a 

 climate if possible as is the best adapted to the plant. A corollary to this 

 might perhaps be added that is already taken advantage of by foreign 

 seed growers — plants set apart for seed growing with the view of developing a 

 better strain should at the time of seeding be subjected to the most favorable 

 circumstances and conditions. A common example of climate affecting 

 seed, is that of Indian corn ; in the north it gradually deteriorates, while far- 

 ther south where it is naturally adapted we may look for the best opportunities 

 of perfecting the seed. If the germ of vigor is in the germ of the seed it is 

 important that we make that seed as healthy and vigorous as possible. 



Sir. F. A. Gulley next occupied the attention of the convention with a paper 

 giving answer to the query, 



SHALL WE USE HEDGES FOR FARM FENCES? 



In the report of the Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture for 1876, 

 Mr. John P. Finley of Ypsilanti gives some statistics and estimates, of the 

 cost of fencing in Michigan. I copy the following: There are 32,000 miles 

 of road fences in the state, that cost $10,000,000. The estimated cost of fences 

 in Washtenaw county, in 1874 was over $2,000,000. He finds that fences cost 

 the farmer more than twice as much as his taxes. 



I give these figures merely to show how important this matter of fencing is. 

 Although we cannot dispense with fences altogether, we might get along with 

 less. 



We must get rid of this notion of fencing out other men's stock, and only 

 fence in our own. 



It is a wrong idea or custom that compels the people of a township to build 

 thousands of dollars' worth of road fences, just for the sake of fastening out a 

 few cows and half starved calves, for an occasional family who must keep a cow, 

 but own no land, and are too poor to hire pasturing. With great sympathy for the 

 unfortunate, and believing it the duty of every one to give a weaker brother or 

 sister a helping hand, I can't help feeling that neither charity nor generosity 



