CAN WINTER-KILLING BE PREVENTED? 4O5 



In the spring of 1899 I top-grafted some Minnetonka trees with 

 Bellflower. King and Spy, and applied my remedy. So far they 

 have not shown any injur\- from cold. On one of those trees I 

 grafted seven different kinds, and three of the limbs bore fruit this 

 year. Jonathan. Longfield and Delaware Red. 



In the spring of 1901 I set out seventy apple trees, all from Stark 

 Bros., Louisiana, Mo., "trade mark" trees. Sixty-one of them grew. 

 One of the sixty-one, an Apple of Commerce tree, I set out the usual 

 way. It grew the same as the rest but last spring it was dead, as 

 twenty-eight below zero was more than it could stand, while the 

 other sixty trees are in fine condition. 



Last spring I set out 150 more of the tender kinds; to every 

 alternate row I applied my remedy; next spring I shall report results. 



MY REMEDY. 



About ten years ago I commenced my experiment. I would 

 like to have had a few more years of obserA'ation, but we are, or the 

 most of us are, gray and are liable to be called home at any time. 

 By solicitation of some of my old friends I consented to give you my 

 secret. I imagined that the thorns of certain trees and bushes were 

 there to accumulate magnetic and electric energy. Can we not 

 use them or a substitute for them on our tender trees? Wherever 

 copper and zinc comes in contact, they generate electricity ; if con- 

 nected with a copper and magnetic wire, the tree forming the con- 

 ductor, it arouses the life and energ}- of the tree. The amount re- 

 quired is so small that the most delicately balanced scales would not 

 measure it. I take a zinc plate with a surface of about three inches, 

 the same of copper and fastened together by a copper and magnetic 

 wire I hang it to the tree. So far my discovery is a success. 



Mr. Wilfert : I applied that remedy to the tree. I killed a num- 

 ber of trees by the experiment, but I claim I succeeded in my pur- 

 pose. I hope some of the members of the society will come to my 

 place next summer and see what I have done. I have twenty-nine 

 varieties of winter apples that are the most tender varieties I could 

 find. They are just beginning to bear. I have been to see a number 

 of orchards, and I find my apples are considerably larger than those 

 I found in other orchards, wherever I applied the remedy I speak of. 

 It consists only of a little extra energ>- applied to the tree. 



Dr. T. E. Loope (^Vis.) : I have been filled with the faith since 

 I have been listening here today that Minnesota and Wisconsin are 

 rapidly becoming the foremost apple states in the union, especially 

 Minnesota, because they have so much faith. It is like salvation, 

 free, every one can have it without money or price. They raise a 

 good many apples down there, and they say they are going to raise 

 apples, but you not only say you are going to raise them but you 

 do raise them and are not satisfied if you are not foremost. I want 

 to tell vou a little incident in connection with your apples here. Last 



