370 ANNUAL REPORT. 



discussion brought out that McMahon's "White and Orangfe Win- 

 ter are hardy and valuable varieties that will grow in favor as 

 they become better known. The crab-apple list for general cul- 

 tivation stands, Whitney No. 20, Gibb, Hyslop, Sweet Eusset, 

 valuable in the order named. 



The strawberry list is Wilson, Crescent, Downing, and Wind- 

 sor Chief for general planting, with Longfellow and Mount Ver- 

 non as fertilizers for the Crescent; Kentucky, Bidwell, Longfel- 

 low, Vick, Piper, and Manchester for trial. 



The list of grapes for general cultivation stands Worden, Con- 

 cord, Delaware, Brighton, Moore's Early; for unfavorable and 

 frosty locations. Champion and Janesville. 



Gregg, Miame and Doolittle for black, Cuthbert and Turner 

 for red, were adopted as the most valuable varieties of raspber- 

 ries for cultivation. 



When blackberries were taken up, Messrs. Hamilton of Eipon, 

 Tuttle of Baraboo, Hatch of Ithica, and others, gave brief ac- 

 counts of their methods of management and experience with 

 them, which demonstrated that a rich, somewhat sandy soil, is 

 the best for them; that the Ancient Briton is the best and most 

 profitable variety where properly managed; that as a rule win- 

 ter protection is required for all varieties in Wisconsin, and that, 

 where given winter protection and good cultivation, it is the 

 most productive and profitable of the small fruits. The best 

 protection is by laying down and covering with earth, straw, or 

 corn stalks. 



To lay down, begin at one end of a row, dig away a small quan- 

 tity of earth, loosening it down to the roots, on one side of the 

 hill with a garden fork — which is less liable to injure the roots 

 than a spade — then step to the opposite side of the hill, place 

 the foot at the crown and the fork in the top of the bush, push 

 lightly with the fork and hard enough with the foot to bend the 

 roots until the top is brought to the ground, and place upon it 

 enough surface soil to hold it in place; then proceed to the next 

 hill, using the same methods and bend in the same direction until 

 all are down, when more soil may be thrown over them, and a 

 covering of some other material. In the spring they are taken 

 up by loosening the crust of soil with a four-tined fork, putting 

 the fork under the plant and raising it up and pressing the dirt 

 back firmly where it was taken from the roots. 



The afternoon session was devoted, first to the election of 

 officers; second, listening to the president's annual address. J. 



