82 | ANNUAL REPORT. + 
When the roots have been well dressed they should be earthed up again. te 
This dressing should be repeated about the first of August, again the first 
of September. Using this method we have raised roots weighing one pound 
each and they were smooth, strait and solid; if left in the ground heed the 
second year they become hollow and woody. 
Horse-radish raised in the above manner, sells for from ten to fifteen 
cents per lb. 
DISCUSSION. 
Asparaqus. 
Pres. Smith. I trench deeply for my bed, and plant the roots 
deeply, and cut white for the St. Paul market ; cut from five to 
six inches under ground. 
Horse Radish. 
Mr. Jewell. I doubt the good effects of horse-radish, mentioned 
in the essay. In the case of a man whose stomach was open, 
and could be looked into, it was found that horse-radish retarded 
digestion. We are likely to ascribe good effects to whatever 
pleases our palates. 
Pres. Smith. The Germans put it into liquors for the rheu- 
matism. ; 
Mr. Kenney. It was recommended by a physician for a neigh- 
bor of mine who had fits. 
MR. HART’S LETTER. 
A letter from John Hart, Esq., of Winona, was read and ordered 
on file. The following is the part that relates to the discussion 
which followed the reading : 
WINONA, Jan. 10th, 1877. 
Mr. C. Y. Lacy; Esq. : 
DEAR Sir: Your note of —— was duly received, asking me to suggest 
some topic for discussion at your next annual meeting. There is nothing 
should call our attention more than the protection of our trees against in- 
sects. We have watched closely for the last year. Whenever we found a 
tree blighted, we examined it close and found that insects were the cause. 
We took a limb from a Transcendent tree which was showing blight, and, 
examining the leaves, we found them covered with small insects. It will 
appear strange that some varieties will escape, whiie other varieties are 
