STATE HOBTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 121 



There is still another diflBculty to be considered and one of no little importance 

 in winter protection. Most of our hardy trees have been grafted upon seedling 

 roots grown from seeds collected promiscously at the cider mills and are conse- 

 quently are tender and unreliable as stocks for grafting, and unless there is a suffi- 

 cient covering of snow, or the ground about them heavily mulched, are almost 

 sure to winter kill, and such will be the result until our nurserymen are willing to 

 stake their reputation upon the hardiness of the roots as well as the tops. This 

 fact has led some to believe that the roots of fruit trees are more easily killed by 

 cold than the trunks and limbs. I have known apple trees that appeared healthy 

 and vigorous at the putting forth of the leaves in spring to die before midsummer 

 from this very cause. This is a matter of the most vital importance to every fruit- 

 grower, and one which is not yet understood in all its bearings as it should be. 

 Hence this society together with those nurserymen tliat meet with us from time to 

 time say mulch, mulch and save your trees! Yes, you may mulch the roots and 

 wrap the trunks in a blanket and kiss them to bed, and flatter yourself that when 

 they become older, larger and stronger, they become more hardy and repay your 

 tender care with all the lusciousness that Pomona can bestow. If trees become 

 more hardy as they attain growth and age I have failed to notice it ; on the con- 

 trary, many trees that grow thrift}' in the nursery and seem hardy, fail in the orch- 

 ard soon after coming into bearing. It is well and proper to mulch the roots and 

 give all the protection possible, but if the trees have not vital force within them- 

 selves to resist the extreme degrees of cold to which they will be subject, better at 

 once procure for them a burial place among the honored dead. It should be the 

 work of this society to prove the hardiness as well as the quality of the fruits we 

 recommend. 



The State has given us a liberal annual appropriation to aid us in our investiga- 

 tions and experiments and will certainly look to us tor its legitimate result?. 



In discussing this paper President Harris said he had known orch 

 ards of black-hearted trees that lived to great age and were profitable. 

 The heart wood of a tree may be dead or decayed and still the outside 

 go on growing, and the tree continue thrifty and in full bearing. 1 e^ 

 would not recommend planting black-hearted trees when others can 

 be obtained. 



REPORT OF COMxMMITTEE ON FLOWERS AND PLANTS, 

 AND CANNED FRUITS. 



The committee, in awarding premiums on flowers, plants and fruits, regret to 

 find so few entries, deeming that competition would prove a stimulus to greate^ 

 effort. 



They feel, that in making this criticism, they condemn themselves, as well as 

 others, and would suggest, that the society take such measures as would be con- 

 ducive, to a larger and more attractive display. 



The committee would advise the male members to use their influence with their 

 wives, " their sisters, their cousins and their aunts," to induce them to take a more 

 active part in their deliberations, and, at the same time, impirt coafidence to the 



