GENERAL FRUITS. 139 
as many again berries according to area of ground as the cultivated 
ones. 
In the spring of 1893 I set sixty-seven apple trees, and though we 
had a severe dry fall, I lost but one tree. In 1894 I set above 125 and, 
nothwithstanding the long continued drouth, I am led to believe 
that I will not lose more than one or two. These were all mulched 
as much as I mulch my strawberries, and no water was applied ex- 
cept to three or four which were very large when set, and I feared 
they might not have root enough to stand it, and, it being conven- 
ient,a few pailfulls were applied. My garden also illustrates the 
desirability of air drainage. I am onthe edge of a patch of land 
some fifteen or twenty feet higher than the valley below, and I have 
noticed several times that the gardens of my neighbors, some forty 
to eighty rods further back on the same level bench, have been in- 
jured by frost while mine hasremained unscathed. I speak of these 
matters only as corroborative of the theories advanced as to the de- 
sirability of air drainage. 
I greatly desire a full discussion by the society of some method 
of getting to the rank and file the information and spirit necessary 
to stimulate a love for and desire to engage more in fruit growing. 
My own views are that various local societies fostered by this 
society can and will accomplish much. For the past two seasons 
Mower and Freeborn counties have had meetings, and, I believe, an 
interest has been awakened such as could have been done in no 
other manner. Many who do not subscribe for and read this socie- 
ty’s reports attend the meetings, get interested in the discussions 
and are lead to read our reports, and thus become educators in 
their own neighborhood. Few seem to understand how many there 
are that are interested, yet do not seem to know how to get hold of 
and grasp the information wanted. I firmly believe that a few soci- 
eties scattered through the state, fostered by this society, would ina 
short time accomplish much in building up the parent society. 
DISCUSSION. 
Pres. Underwood: Has any one any questions to ask Mr. 
Kimball on his report? 
Mr. Wedge: How many strawberries did you get from your 
bed? 
Mr. Kimball: It was a little less than four bushels. The bed 
measured less than eight rods, about the twentieth of an acre. 
I wish to say that the bed was nearly gone the day I came 
home; it was only a small one in my home garden; two days 
more would have finished it. The children picked for me a few 
berries, and when I went out in the morning, I found the vines 
were wilted and the berries were drying up. I gota pipe and 
laid it perhaps one hundred and fifty feet from the well. The 
children pumped water on the bed twice—I think they told me 
they pumped water twice; and from that small bed we picked 
