220 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSERYMEN. [Aug. 



In a paper on " Torestry Planting " by Mr. Foster, of Muscatine, 

 Iowa, it was stated that Larch-planting had been disappointing ; 

 and Wliite Willow and Catalpa are recommended to be planted 

 instead of it. A Catalpa fence post will last fifty years ; it is 

 besides a beautiful wood for cabinet furniture, its grain being 

 marked and distinct, while contrasting beautifully with cherry and 

 black walnut. 



The use of " Commercial Fertilizers on Fruit Trees and Ordinary 

 Stock " attracted considerable attention, specially that of nitrate of 

 soda. For various kinds of fruits this was found to be greatly 

 beneficial, more especially on currants. In one instance a block 

 of some 15,000 feet of strawberries was experimented with, 

 and two-thirds of it liberally treated with this fertilizer, and the 

 other portion left in its natural state. The plants treated sliowed 

 wonderful progress and growth, and were rated as two-year-old 

 plants, while the other could not be rated as more than ordinary 

 " one-year-olds." 



" Steam versus Hot Water in Hothouses," and " New Apples, 

 how to produce them," were topics giving rise to interesting debates. 



Eeports on the amount of stock held throughout the different 

 States of the Union, formed, as usual, a prominent feature in the 

 proceedings of the Convention. The injustice of taxation of nursery 

 stock was appealed against ; and the extortionate character of 

 railway transit charges was thoroughly exposed. 



This, perhaps the best meeting of the Society, was terminated by 

 a pleasant steamboat excursion on Lake Michigan. 



The Bye-Talks of the Convention, according to the Prairie 

 Farmer of June 27th, were perhaps amongst the most important 

 results of this three days' meeting of over 300 experts. 



The Climatic Variation of Species was exhaustively discussed. 

 The red cedar of Tennessee had been found tender in the Upper 

 Mississippi Valley, while northern forms extended north and west 

 to the Black Hills. The silver spruce of the west slopes of the 

 Eockies had proved tender, while that from the east slopes was 

 not only the hardiest but the prettiest of American conifers. . . . 

 The Siberian fir, from seed from East Siberia, sunburns at Chicago, 

 while those from the west slopes of Siberia and the Valley of the 

 Amur are perfectly hardy. . . , The box elder from the Eastern 

 States had proved as tender west as a peach tree, while the western 

 form is hardy up to Lake Winnipeg. 



Experiment Stations. — These suggestions led to the discussions 

 on the need for experimental stations with a view to the introduc- 

 tion of economic trees, shrubs, and plants from like climates. 



