THE WINTER CARE OF FRUIT TREES. 353 



most horticulturists and botanists that when the conditions are 

 right the buds will start without reference to the condition of the 

 roots of a plant. 



Mr. A. K. Bush : In regard to the matter of applying water 

 to the roots of the trees, one of the best methods is to use one or 

 two pieces of porous tile, two or three inches in diameter, placing 

 one or two, as you may see fit, about the roots of the tree. Water 

 can be poured through them directly to the roots of the tree, and a 

 little water applied in that way goes a great deal farther than a large 

 quantity applied on the surface. If it is applied in this way 

 it can be done at a cost not to exceed a cost of a cent or two 

 daily, and I find it works splendidly. Those tiles are shipped in 

 carload lots and cost about two cents apiece. 



HOSPITALITY. 



(Remarks by Mr. Harrison after the reading of a paper of 

 above title by Miss Margaret J. Evans.published in the May No.) 

 Mr. C. S. Harrison (Neb.) : I was charmed with that delight- 

 ful address. I had the thought in my mind for some time that 

 hospitality was going to be one of the lost arts. I know some- 

 thing of the needs of hospitality. I used to travel in this country 

 in 1857, and if I could lay my wet coat in a corner of the house 

 and lie down upon it I thought I had good entertainment, and if 

 the people shared their johnnycake with me I thought I fared 

 better still. The great trouble is that people go to too much 

 trouble. I tell my wife to put on an extra plate and let the 

 visitor eat Avhat we eat, but she must make preparation as though 

 she were going to feed an army or entertain a king. But then, 

 she can't help it, she was born that way. When the minister 

 comes there is a great deal of fuss made, but I tell you he would 

 be a great deal better satisfied with a meal of bread and butter 

 than with such an elaborate display. Once a minister went to 

 see a widow who had a nice flock of children. She thought be- 

 cause it was the minister she must put forth her best efifort to en- 

 tertain him, and she concluded she must have a pie, but she had 

 only one raisin. The children were instructed that thev must not 

 ask for the piece of pie with the raisin in. The raisin was put 

 in one corner of the pie, and after a while with a good deal of 

 flourish and preparation the minister was invited to sit down to 

 the table. The children were on their very best behavior until 

 they got to the pie. When the pie was cut there were four chil- 

 dren with mouths agape and eyes wide open to see what became 

 of that raisin. When the minister was helped to his piece of pie, 

 there in plain sight was the solitary raisin, and the children all 

 shouted in a chorus, "He's got the raisin!" (Laughter and ap- 

 plause.) .. . \ 



