HISTORY OF HORTICULTURE IN MINNESOTA. 73 



of Ills coDtiiiued co-operatiou with the memliers in forwartling the iiootl work. 

 He writes tliat his faitli increases every j^ear that we are to have a fruit 

 growing State. 



In concluding this imperfect address. I hope you will permit me to sug- 

 gest to the Society, the necessity of a correct report of our deliberations. 

 The people should not be deceived, but a correct report of the proceedings 

 should soon be sown broadcast over the whole State. 



A word more and I am done. There is no reason wiiy a person who propa- 

 gates a new variety of apples, should not have the benefits of that discovery. 

 The property is as much his as any property on his farm, and he should 

 receive the benefits of his property. Trusting that our labors raa^^ be 

 crowned with success, I leave all these matters to your better judgment. 



A vote of thanks was tendered for the able address. 



The third subject of discussion — 



" TAKING UP, HANDLING AND PLANTING," 



was taken up. 



Mr. Gideon objected to cutting off the tap root, took great pains in 

 planting to hflve roots in plenty. Did not tramp the dirt, but pressed it with 

 his hands ; mulched ; never watered. In packing, used moss, taking pains 

 to have it between the roots ; considered dry straw next to nothing. In 

 setting out cut back in proportion to the amount of root ; had cut some back 

 to stubs, but they did not grow; would leave some top, preferring low ones — 

 under one foot ; those with a tap root ahvays do best ; preferred No. 1 one 

 year old trees. He never had a low headed tree sun-burned. 



Mr. Grimes — we cannot be too careful about cutting or brusing the roots ; 

 as to age, recommended from one to two j-ears old, never over three. In 

 setting out, Avould trim the roots from beneath — if not so cut, they may 

 become diseased ; approved Mr. Gideon's plan of setting, excepting he would 

 dip the roots in water : mulching was equal to a life policy ; in the fall- 

 planting would mound up, but preferred spring setting; would procure trees 

 in the Fall and head in. 



Col. Stevens — trees should be taken up without bruising or drying them ; 

 thought side roots more beneficial than the tap root ; thought transplanting 

 benefited the trees. 



Mr. Gideon had trees of the same variety, some of which died, the others 

 doing well. On examination he found in each instance that the dead one had 

 no tap root. They were, however, set on the shallow plan; had not adopted 

 the deep planting until last Spring. He generally leaned his trees to the 

 southwest. 



Mr. Jordan — nature favors the tap root-; had not favored the practice of 

 cutting off the roots ; thought the most successful plan was to set the whole 

 root, using No. 1 one year old trees and heading them. 



Mr. Dart had, in Wisconsin and in Minnesota, two thousand trees in or- 

 chards ; he paid no attention to the tap root ; never watered ; at first adopted the 

 low top plan, but tired of it because he could not cultivate ; trees must be cul- 



JO 



