188 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The virgin soil of this state is comparatively rich in the elements 

 of plant food. In this we are fortunate. 



Experience, however, has taught us that plants, shrubs and 

 trees may suffer during periods of severe drought ; sometimes they 

 are killed; not infrequently the top of the tree is killed, while the 

 trunk and lower limbs survive. When the drought period is past 

 there are seen trees with dead tops and green lower limbs, forming 

 what is sometimes called "stag head" or "dry top." 



These dead top trees are found where the soil and subsoil are 

 compact, not permitting the rain water to penetrate the soil, or where 

 rock, impervious clay or hardpan formation is near the surface. 

 They are found also on low ground where the surface soil is for long 

 periods of time saturated with water to the exclusion of aeration, 

 and when evaporation takes place the trees suffer. 



Both air and moisture are essential to plant life ; a deficiency of 

 either works injury if not death. 



How then can be best furnished to plant or tree that which is 

 essential for the best culture and development, is the question that 

 should receive our earnest and careful consideration. 



In cases where the injury results from imperfect root action 

 owing to soil conditions, it may be improved by drainage, by culti- 

 vation and in other ways by which more air and moisture are given 

 to the roots. If the soil is too dry, as is often the case, its water- 

 holding capacity may be improved by proper cultivation. If the soil 

 is well dried out when winter sets in, injury is likely to occur by the 

 evaporation caused by severe freezing. 



Tender rootlets do not easily penetrate compact lumpy soil. 



The advantage, therefore, of subsoiling for fruit culture is in 

 thoroughly pulverizing the ground, so that, like a sponge, it will ab- 

 sorb both moisture and air in times of plenty and give it back, 

 through capillary attraction, in the periods of drought. It also per- 

 mits the roots of the trees to penetrate the soil to a greater depth, 

 and for this reason they are less liable to be root-killed during the 

 severe test winters. 



Mr. Oliver Gibbs : The best subsoiler I ever had on my farm 

 was the pocket gopher. I think we can all learn something from his 

 methods, and it is true what Gov. Pillsbury said to Prof. Porter, 

 "He wants considerable room to work out his plans, but he does it 

 thoroughly." The only orchard I ever planted that was a success 

 from the start and remained alive for years and years after planting, 

 was one in which the ground had been prepared by that little friend 

 of the farmer. In our wells we find another similar lesson. In 

 the mixture of the drillings thrown out from two deep wells on my 

 own farm — wells that were one hundred and fifty feet deep — in 



