94 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the students and were of superior merit, each covering the ground 

 in a thorough manner, and, in the language of the president when 

 no one responded for discussion, "The young men seem to have 

 told it all." 



"Plant Breeding," by Prof. A. T. Irwin, Ames, Iowa, devoted 

 to improvement of present varieties and creation of new ones. In 

 the discussion it developed that much variation is due to soil and 

 climate. Artificial or hand pollination not practical on a large 

 scale. Recommended top-grafting on the tree to be experimented 

 with. Scions from bearing orchard are superior, but in practice 

 scions from the "Scion orchard" are good enough; it is impos- 

 sible to secure scions from orchards in bearing for commercial 

 propagation. (A scion orchard is understood to be one grown 

 from scions from best bearing trees and kept to cut scions from 

 for grafting purposes. Sec.) 



"Plum Culture," Frederick Cranefield; and "Plums," F. H. 

 Marshall, a pair of them. The latter has eight acres growing and 

 advises to plant few varieties and names Surprise as being among 

 the best. 



This exhausted the debaters, and we were given an intermission, 

 which was improved by eating the second barrel of Wealthy apples, 

 which was better than the first. I want to suggest that three barrels 

 be saved for next annual meeting. 



"Cover Crop," E. P. Sandsten, Madison. Their use to restore 

 fertility and prevent winter-killing. 



A paper was offered for publication by Oliver Gibbs, on the 

 transmission of color and other qualities and the fixing of types 

 in cross-breeding on the line of principles laid down in a new 

 publication entitled "Mendel's Law." This closed afternoon ses- 

 sion. 



Wednesday evening a musical and literary entertainment of 

 superior merit was rendered, followed by remarks by Pres. Mc- 

 Kerrow and State Supt. of Schools C. P. Cary; and an address by 

 J. W. Livingston entitled "Relation of Horticulture to Pubhc 

 Schools." This was on the line of the work done in our own state 

 by C. M. Loring and was an able and powerful appeal. 



Thursday morning. "Cranberry Culture," J. A. Gaynor, Grand 

 Rapids. Wisconsin has vast resources in this direction. Enemies 

 to contend with, insects, fire and frosts ; remedy, flooding. An ex- 

 cellent article, which aroused interest. A resolution was passed 

 asking aid from present legislature to develop the industry. 



"Tree Digging," Geo. J. Kellogg, developed the fact that the 

 spade must be superseded by the machine digger. 



Wednesday morning session. The reports of delegates to 

 other state societies were very interesting but as our society was 

 represented at most of them will not take space to review. How- 

 ever, the president, who attended our meetings, dubbed us all 

 "cranks," and Mr. Kellogg added, "If you want to get enthusiasm 

 visit Minnesota." 



"Growing Vegetables," by John Van Loon, La Crosse, a vet- 

 eran of thirtv-five years experience as a market gardener, contained 



