68 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



several of the trees were uearlj^ killed by the great strain on their 

 vitality, and all prospects of a crop the following season destroyed. 

 We thus really lost two crops. The only remedy for this trouble is 

 in careful thinning- of the fruit when it is the size of small hazel 

 nuts. Do not be afraid to do thorough work. It will take time, but 

 save 3^ou two crops and, perhaps, the life of the trees. One of the 

 most serious drawbacks to plum growing has been improper graft- 

 ing in the nurseries, and sending out trees that have sprouted from 

 below the graft, the graft having, perhaps, failed; very manj^ have 

 failed for this reason. The remed}' for this is to do 3'our own graft- 

 ing. Every one should learn the easy and interesting art of g-raft- 

 ing, or deal directly with careful nurserjanen and insist that the 

 trees be grafted on native stock, or, better yet, on their own roots. 

 Do not be dissapointed if your trees do not live forever; the plum 

 is a tree that reaches maturity and profitable fruit-bearing age very 

 quicklj', and follows the old proverb: "Early ripe, early rot." 



We do not wish any to gather from this paper that there is great 

 excellence or profit to be achieved in anj^ line of fruit growing with- 

 out labor, thought and some disappointment, for there certainlj' is 

 not, whether in Minnesota, New York or California. But we are 

 earnestly of the opinion that the same effort that brings success and 

 profit to the planters of California will today bring a liberal reward 

 to the planters of Minnesota. 



DELEGATE'S REPORT OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE 

 WISCONSIN STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Held at Madisou, Wis., February 6, 7 and 8, 1894. 

 BY R, C. KEEL, ROCHESTER, MINN. 



Before making my report I wish to thank the officers and members 

 of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society for the honor they be- 

 stowed upon me in selecting me as a delegate to Wisconsin. It was 

 indeed a trip of pleasure never to be forgotten and will alwaj^s re- 

 main fesh in mj' inemory. 



I reached Madison at 4 a. m., and went to hotel Schulkamp, the 

 headquarters of the society, w^here I found first class accommoda- 

 tions and courteous treatment. After breakfast, I went to the horti- 

 cultural room in the State Capitol, and enjoyed the pleasure of re- 

 newing my acquaintance with the leaders of our good work, viz: 

 Pres. M. A. Thayer, Messrs. A. J. Phillips, A. A. Parson, A. G. Tut- 

 tle, and others. 



Soon after the convention was called to order by Pres. Thayer, 

 your humble servant and Mr. Henry A. Ash, from West Union, 

 Iowa, were elected honorary members for 1894 and invited to take 

 part in all the discussions, and were also presented with fine silk 

 ribbons. 



A large part of the morning session was taken up in hearing re- 

 ports of committees on observation and on experiments at the trial 

 stations; there are now three of these stations in the state. They 

 are supported by the society, the expense for the past year averag- 



