266 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



WYMAN ELLIOT. 



Mr. Wynian Elliot was then called upon to say a few words about 

 " The San Jose Scale versus the Minnesota Legislature," responding- 

 somewhat as follows: " In speaking- of this very scaly topic I hardly 

 know what to say. Last winter we undertook to get some legisla- 

 tion that would be a protection from the scale in this state, but 

 through the opposition of outside tree men, who thought they knew 

 more about the scale than we did, we failed to succeed. Thej' have 

 the scale in Illinois, in Iowa, New Jersey and in nearlj' all the East- 

 ern states, and I think we will have it here before long. Every hor- 

 ticulturist ought to be on his guard. If any one sees an3^thing that 

 looks like the scale, send it to the state farm school to be investi- 

 gated and inform the secretary about it. We must be watchful in 

 this matter." 



' J. S. HARRIS. 



" The Honey Locust in Minnesota," received notice at the hands of 

 Mr. J. S. Harris. "The honey locust is a native of central and south- 

 ern Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois and the southwest. It is a pretty 

 tree at certain times, but a pretty ugly tree to run against when one 

 robs his neighbor's peach trees on a summer's night. As a hedge 

 plant I have no faith in it. A few years ago they got up some in- 

 terest in Ohio for this purpose, but I do not think any of the hedges 

 are in existence now. It takes up a great deal of room and soon 

 becomes unsightlj' by getting another kind of a hedge on each side 

 of it. It also breeds insects that are very injurious to other trees. 

 It soon went out of fashion and into disrepute as a hedge plant. In 

 Minnesota I don't know what we want a hedge for anyhow, unless 

 for a little protection about the premises, and this is not at all 

 adapted for that purpose. The main question is, is it hardy? It is 

 very doubtful if the honey locust will endure our climate during 

 our test winters. Some years ago I planted a few trees. They lived 

 along until 1875 and then died a natural death. As it is native so 

 much farther south and has not been very largely introduced here, 

 I think it is not safe for a hedge plant. 



Some discussion followed Mr. Harris' talk, bringing out a few 

 points as follows: 



Mr. J. T. Grimes: I have noticed that it is those that have the 

 heavy thorns that are not hardy. 



Prof. Haecker: I know of thornless honey locust trees that are 

 fifty years old and perfectly hardy, while in the same spot two or 

 three thorny ones have died. I know of a hedge in Hebron, Wis., 

 also without thorns, where not a single tree is missing. These do 

 not have a fragrant blossom. 



Mr. Underwood: Is that tree valuable as a fence? Would it turn 

 stock? 



Prof. Haecker: I think it would. 



Mr. Underwood: Would it not need a barbed wire along side of it? 



Prof. Haecker: Yes, I think perhaps it would. 



Mr. Underwood: Well, I thought so. That has been mj^ experience 

 and observation. 



