WINTER MEETING AT LEBANON. 289 



resolutions asking for lower rates ; you may think it does no good, but 

 if we are continually asking, it will have some effect. 



Mr. Chubbuck — It is no use to make a request of railroads unless 

 they can see something in it for themselves. 



President Evans — It is no use to go to them unless you tell them 

 what you have to sell ; so many acres of strawberries, etc.; and the 

 more you have the cheaper rates you can get. 



REPORTS FROM COUNTIES. 



N. F. Murray — In Holt county we had nice peaches, and the price 

 was high. The early crop of cherries and plums was fair. The fore 

 part of the season was wet. 



Tree planting and fruit planting is increasing. I also find a readi 

 ness to organize horticultural societies. Our trees are in better condi- 

 tion than they have been for ten years. 



C. I. Robards — We believe that we are now in a very good condi- 

 tion. Our winter meetings are held at the residences of families. We 

 have one very encouraging factor : as we meet members upon the street 

 they seem to think we can give them some information. Our work is 

 prosperous. 



C. C. Bell — The Central Horticultural society has not been as active 

 this year as we have been before. Peaches were good; apples next to 

 a failure. Our numbers are about 225 or 230, but they are not very 

 active. There is a lack of interest. By hard work we have succeeded 

 in holding an exhibition this year; and we expect to renew our interest. 

 We have nearly a thousand dollars at interest, and we want to have a 

 hall of our own some day. 



A. Ambrose — There is one thing in that report that I seriously ob- 

 ject to going to record, and that is, that the writer doesn't believe in con- 

 tinuing the practice of giving good dinners. It is the only way we can 

 induce our Secretary to go and attend to business. 



I would like to have up the subject of grafting on the whole root. 



Prof. Clark — I suppose you mean what is called the " old oak pro- 

 cess." The phrase is intended to deceive. What has an oak to do 

 with an apple-tree? All it is is this: Instead of cutting a seedling 

 into three or four pieces and making a graft of each piece, they make 

 only one graft of each seedling root. They claim that the trees have 

 better roots. Nurserymen usually take about three inches of root and 

 make several grafts of one seedling. An apple tree doesn't have a tap 

 root after the first year, and that is destroyed, whether you would make 

 one graft or several of each seedling. I have here specimens of root- 



h r— 19 



