STATE HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 367 



sota, Iowa, Wisconsia, llliaois and other parts of the country, was far the greatest 

 ever before known. 



The record of the past winter and its disastrous results are before us, and all that 

 intend to pl.int fruit trees in the future should study the subject well, it contains 

 a volume of unwritten, useful information on horticulture that is now in the reach 

 of every intelligent and observing mind. One of the many topics it presents for 

 close observation, where we can learn a valuable lesson that will be useful in the 

 future, is by examining the condition of fruit trees on all kinds of soil, location and 

 elevation, wich and without protection. During the last summer we made this a 

 special business and found such a marked difference in the condition of the same 

 variilies of trees, on different soils and locati )ns, that we believe we are now able 

 to select a soil and location on which fruit trees will not kill, taking last winter as 

 a test to judge from. In all cases where the Wealthy came through last winter 

 in perfect condition, there is the best assurance it will stand future test winters. 

 In pursuing our examinalion of soils and locations we found liimdreds of Duchess 

 and Wealthy killed, on other soils and locations slightly injured, and on other soils 

 and locations in perfect condition, having made a good growth and fruited last 

 season. If certain soils and locations will preserve the good condition and life of 

 fruit trees it should be a special duty of all apple growers to be well posted on so 

 important a subject. Why fruit trees so often fail in Minnesota is with me a sub- 

 ject of much interest, and a matter of close observation for years. I am convinced 

 that drouth and heat, at a time when they are injurious to fruit trees, is the prin- 

 cipal cause of the destruction of our orchards. 



We stated that duiing the growing season all nourishment went to growth, fruit 

 and the perserving of the normal condiiion of the trees, against the various drying 

 elements, heat, wind and air. In time of drouth growth ceases, the fruit drf ps and 

 all nouiishment is used to preserve the health and life of the trees; and if the 

 drouth becomes severe, as it often does on some soils and locations, the leaves droop 

 and hang motionless, as is often observed in other plants, indicating hck of 

 mositure from the roots; and when very severe no dew falls; in such cases trees 

 are depiived of all nourishment both from soil and air; when in such condiiion 

 trees will survive but a few days, not longer perhaps than animals when deprived 

 of food and drink. This important fact should never be lost tight of. Trees from 

 whatever cause deprived of their natural protection are the victims of the surround- 

 ing destroying elements. 



We will now call your attention to another cause which, in our opinion, has 

 injured and killed more fruit trees than all other causes put together. In another 

 part of this paper we stated that when the growth of the tree is over for the 

 season all the nourishment goes to the formation of starch, which is stored principally 

 in the cells of the inside bark and buds. This starch is a reserve to be used when 

 there is no action from the roots. If it was not so no deciduous tree could survive 

 the mildest winter. They still have the same destroying elements to resist; nature 

 has wisely provided them with the same protection when the roots are not active 

 as when they are. 



During the time the roots of the trees are not active, when the leaves are off, late 

 in the fall and winter, the change of stored up food is more rapid at times than 



