424 ANNUAL REPORT. 



although the expense is less than one dollar an acre, and the 

 added profit, so far as has been reported, has never been less 

 than five dollars. I am speaking of salt as a si^ecial fertilizer 

 for wheat. 



Mr. Pearce. Animal life is higher than plant life. Plants 

 subsist entirely on elaborated food. The food is taken up in 

 solution from the earth. When it passes into food, that is, when 

 it becomes food for the growth of the x>lant, it changes. The 

 fertilizers are prepared plant food. It is taken up by the plants 

 without going through the process of preparing it. If you want 

 very early vegetables, use the right kind of fertilizers. 



Mr. N. G. Abbott. We have tried fertilizers, and have seen 

 a very decided eifect the first day after they were put on. When 

 our plants are a little slow we get some jalant food and put it on 

 and they start up immediately. 



There was considerable further discussion of the subject, but 

 nothing more of importance was brought to light. 



At the suggestion of Mr. Braslan, a motion was adopted re- 

 questing the Bradley Fertilizer Company, of Boston, to furnish 

 to the members of the society samples of their goods for trial, 

 with the understanding that they will make a fair report of the 

 results obtained. 



The articles of incorporation were read and adopted, after 

 which they were signed by the ofiicers and members of the so- 

 ciety. 



This will be the last meeting for the present, the next being on 

 the first Saturday in June. 



LETTEE FEOM PROF. J. L. BUDD. 



Agricultural Collegc, 



Ames, Iowa, May 13, 1885. 

 Mr. S. D. Hillman, 



My Dear Sir: Many thanks for the advance sheets of your 

 very valuable report. 



Permit a word in regard to Mr. Tuttle's report on Russian 

 apples. I am sorry he gave a verbal report, as such talks are 

 rarely reported correctly. It was in consequence of a failure to 

 report me correctly that gave rise to the impression on his part 

 that on my return from Russia I had said Mr. Tuttle's varieties 

 were either north German or Russian sorts grown near the 

 Baltic* 



* See page 133. — Sec. 



