HISTORY OF HORTICULTURE IN MINNESOTA. 119 



well Avhen top-worked. We may hope to largely increase our varieties by 

 this method. 



Mr. Brimhall had a Red Astrachan, which is a late bearer, produce fruit the 

 second year after top-grafting-. 



Mr. Bates had fine success with Baldwins and Early Harvest, grafted on 

 the top of a hardy seedling tree. 



Mr. Brimhall endorses Mr. Jewell's views ; had grafted several kinds on 

 Soulard stocks four years ago, with scions taken from bearing trees ; fruited 

 second year. Does not think Soulard as desirable to bud on as Fameuse and 

 some other varieties. 



Question. Is a scion made hardier by grafting on a hardy stock ? 



Mr. Brimhall — it is. 



Mr. Gideon — hardiest trees mature wood earliest, and if tender kinds are 

 worked on, they mature sooner on account of stoppage of the flow of sap. 

 Prefers Soulard to any other crab for stock for top-working. 



Mr. Dart — some kinds bear better when top-worked, and by turning the 

 sap into fruit, buds and prevents rapid and excessive growth and increased 

 hardiness. Had known crabs to be injured by bursting of bark, but other- 

 wise thinks the stock valuable for top-working. 



Mr. Harris endorses Mr. Jewell's remarks ; would not have tree-planters 

 bu)^ crab stock to top-work. 



FOURTH TOPIC — TXSECTS, IN.JURIES TO TREES AND FRUIT. 



Mr. Jewell has been much annoyed by a large grey beetle on Duchess trees, 

 which sometimes entirely girdle the new growth ; they disappear about the 

 first of June ; knows no way of destroying but by catching ; makes its ap- 

 pearance mostly on oak ground. 



Mr. Kenworthy has had trouble in getting rid of leaf-lice : has syringed with 

 a decoction of tobacco which did not do the work perfectly. 



Mr. Dart thought the beetles could only be prevented by hunting out and 

 destroying. There is an ajDple tree borer which works in the limbs Avliich 

 it takes great pains to cut out. 



Mr. Jewell has used 840 worth of fine cut tobacco for leaf-lice. FolJowcd 

 Ken worthy's course. 



Mr. Brimhall says that a wash made of three pounds of sal soda to a pail- 

 full of rain water will kOl leaf-lice. Apply with a rag. 



Col. Stevens had no success with sal soda cure. 



Mr. Grimes thinks much depends upon the season of applying these reme- 

 dies ; two years ago he found great numbers of lice on his willows ; he cut 

 down the willows and washed the infected trees with soap suds, and has not 

 been troubled since. 



Mr. Howe thinks whale-oil soap is an eftcctual remedy for leaf-lice : apply 

 on first indications of their {presence ; he used three ounces of whale-oil soap 

 to a pailfull of water. 



Mr. Harris has found whale-oil soap elfectual ; says carbolic acid, if strong, 

 kills trees. 



