26 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



set in the orchard. As will be observed, the process of budding, as 

 described, refers only to small stocks, and they are usually worked close to 

 the ground. It may, however, be used to change the tops of small trees 

 by budding into the limbs. It is difficult to make budding successful in 

 the old bark, hence it is not used on trees of much size; but for propagat- 

 ing all kinds on small stocks is very successful, and if they are pithy or 

 soft-wooded, it is the most desirable method. 



Mr. Willard: I have used mutton tallow in making grafting wax, and 

 found it better than beef tallow. I am now engaged in cutting off tops 

 and removing brush from an orchard I am about to top-graft, so as to get 

 that much done before the crowding of spring work. I will recut the 

 limbs when I am ready to set the grafts. 



Mr. Morrill asked if there was not more danger with the cherry than 

 with other fruits, in cutting out the ungrafted wood. Mr. Willard said 

 there was not; but the ungrafted wood should not all be taken off the first 

 year. It is all a matter of wise cutting. Mr. Gulley agreed to this, say- 

 ing, as to the cherry, no trouble would occur if not much wood was removed 

 at a time. 



Mr. Morrill: I have lately been prur\ing my peach trees, and cut some 

 limbs from one to one and a half inches in diameter, and have been told 

 serious harm will ensue if cold weather follows. 



Mr. Willard: If the cutting is merely for the purpose of heading in, 

 I would not hesitate to do it at any time after the leaves fall. 



After a duet, "Mother's Songs," by Mrs. Jones and Miss Rice, the fol- 

 lowing paper was read by Mr. N. A. Beecher of Flushing, upon 



EXPERIENCE IN ROOT AND TOP GRAFTING. 



I came into the state of Michigan in the fall of 1857 and settled where 

 I now reside, in Flushing, the next spring, for the purpose of securing a 

 home. There was no orchard, and little to attract the occupants save the 

 soil and a log cabin, in which my wife and I were made quite comfortable. 



In the spring of 1859 I planted a few thousand root-grafts, mostly apple, 

 and began the propagation of fruit trees, more to grow an orchard than to 

 supply any outside demand. 



The orchard grew in size, while the nursery slowly multiplied. I soon 

 learned that certain varieties did not do well, but I clung to them as we do 

 to our children, for they were ray pets and I could not bear to give them 

 up, but a few years' experience taught me something was wrong, and I was 

 obliged' to discard from the nursery the Roxbury Russet and Esopus 

 Spitzenberg, not knowing that freezing was the trouble. 



EXTREMES AND EFFECTS OF FROST. 



In the winter of 1874-75, the thermometer touched 33 degrees below 

 zero in Flint, Genesee county; at Kalamazo<j, Feb. 9, 31 below; Grand 



