HISTORY OF HORTICULTURE IN MINNESOTA. 85 



Mr. Mott, ill behalf of the Directors and Superiiiteiideiit of the As3aum for 

 the Deaf aiid Dumb, and the Blind, presented an invitation for the members of 

 the convention to visit that institution. 



On motion, the Society resolved to accept the invitation for Thursday fore- 

 noon, at half-past ten o'clock, precisely. 



Mr. INIott suggested the printing of certiticates of life membership. He 

 would like to become a life member but was waiting for the Society to issue 

 suitable certificates. 



Col. Stevens suggested that it would be better to have them lithographed. 



Mr. Dart moved that the matter be referred to a committee of three. The 

 chair appointed Mr. Dart, A. AV. McKinstry and Col. Stevens. 



The hour having arrived for the reading of essays, one was read by O. F. 

 Brand, entitled ' ■ A FundameutalPrinciple for the Minnesota Horticulturalist." 



Col. Stevens moved that the essay be printed. 



Carried. 



On motion of Mr. Harkness, the other members designated to prepare 

 essays, who had not done so. were requested to prepare them and hand to 

 the committee on publication. 



The convention proceeded to the discussion of the -ith topic viz : 



THE BEST PL.OsT TO BE USEI> FOK HEDGLXG Pl'RPUSES. AND METHOD OF 



CULTrS'ATION. 



The chair announced that the question would be divided, the subject of 

 varieties being first discussed. 



Mr. Brand presented a communication in favor of the b;irberry written by 

 Mr. H. Thacher, of Oneida Community, which was read. 



Mr. Mott related his experience with osage orange. Had set a hedge four 

 years ago, and did not think he had lost a plant. Had covered with loose 

 straw the first Aviuter. 



Mr. James Hoftinan had tried almost every thing, and had failed; but 

 believed that cottonwood would make a good hedge. Could have a hedge in 

 four years from the time of setting. 



Mr. Jordan had no faith in the osage orange, and gave his experience with 

 the white willow. Had put out cuttings four years ago and now had a good 

 fence. 



Mr. Leland approved the willow. If set two feet apart they will produce 

 large timber. If set eight inches apart nothing will get through. They wiU 

 grow twenty feet high in two years if let alone. 



Mr. Harkness preferred willow next to barberry. Thought the principal 

 objection to them to consist in their taking up too much room. Considered 

 cottonwood a nuisance. 



Mr. Mott said the plum had been mentioned. Dr. Jewett had planted the 

 wild plum, but it became such a nursery of worms that he had to cut it down. 

 He would suggest the prickly ash. 



Mr. Kenworthy said the ash was very thorny : the willows, except the river 

 willow, would seed everywhere within twenty rods, were a nuisance. 



