tiTATB HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 97 



are slow growers, they must be top-worked on slow growers like if 

 not related to themselves. 



Can the blossoms on fruit trees be retarded in the spring by any 

 means ? 



Mr. Underwood. My experience in trying to retard blossoms 

 has not been successful. Mulched 300 trees, and left alternate 

 rows unmulched- Saw no diflFerence. Sap flows in the maple 

 when ground is frozen and snow is deep. 



Mr. Pearce. Mulch on snow will hold in the frost and keep 

 vegetation back. Have known mulching with chip manure on 

 trees that seemed dead for a while. When the manure was re- 

 moved they started into growth. 



Mr. McHenry. My experience is the same as Mr. Underwood's. 

 I think the only way to keep trees back is to mulch top and all as 

 we do strawberries. 



The secretary oifered the following resolution, similar to one 

 adopted in the Illinois Horticultural Society, on the careless hand- 

 ling of fruits by agents of express companies, which was adopted : 



Whereas, The careless handling: of small fruits by employees of express 

 companies is the cause of serious loss to growers, therefore, 



Resolved, That this society respectfully suggests to the superintendents of ex- 

 press companies the issuing of instructions to their employees to exercise special 

 care in handling this class of goods. 



Resolved, That copies of this preamble and resolution be forwarded to such 

 superintendents, and that they be requested to furnish the secretary of this 

 society with a copy of such instructions as they may issue for the information of 

 its members. 



The Secretary. I have a paper from Sidney Corp, of Wabasha 

 county — Post-office, Hammond — giving a farmer's experience in 

 raising apples in Minnesota. Mr. Corp is one of the most success- 

 ful orchardists in our county. 



The President. If you have anything of that kind from Sidney 

 Corp, it is valuable, and we will hear it read if there is no objection. 



7 • 



