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WISCONSIN SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 211 
holding the meeting there and invitations to come again were 
passed, after which the meeting adjourned. 
(Through the courtesy of the secretary of theWisconsin society the following papers, 
read at the summer meeting just held, were furnished the ‘“ Horticulturist’ for pub- 
lication. They are worthy careful perusal. Secretary-) 
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF APPLE GROWING. 
A. J. PHILIPS, WEST SALEM, WISCONSIN. 
(Ikead at Summer Meeting, 1895, Wis. State Hort. Society) 
I. Thou canst have no other fruit more easily grown, handsomer 
in appearance, more attractive or that contains more of the elements 
that tend to produce good health or prolong life than the apple, 
which has been called by men of all nations, kindreds and tongues, 
and very properly, too, the “king of fruits.” And to grow it success- 
fully in the north, you must plant some good trees every year. 
Il. Thou must not select the low, frosty ground for thy orchard, 
neither shalt thou plant it on poor, sandy soil or barren places, 
neither on land that has been made too rich by alluvial deposits 
these many years, for this will cause the young trees to grow too fast 
and make the branches thereof to be tender. If thou doest the fore- 
going which I have commanded thee not to do, then as Moses’ 
father-in-law said to him, so will the practical apple growers say to 
thee, “Thy way is not good, and though thou shouldst plant some 
trees every year thy success nor thy profits will not be great in the 
cold north.” 
III. Thou shalt select high, well drained land with a clay soil, 
and if it contains stones, even limestone therein, it will do no harm; 
but I say, verily, it will be a benefit, for moisture will be formed and 
the dampness caused by the rains of heaven falling on it will 
thereby be retained in the soil around and about the trees, causing 
the little rootlets to grow and multiply and the tree to bear fruit in 
the appointed time, even though a drought should prevail in the 
land. As Moses built an altar onthe hill, so, if thou wouldst avoid 
frosts in the spring-time, thou hadst better plant thy orchard ona 
hill, and, if thou shalt heed this commandment and plant a few good 
trees each year, then shalt thou and thy household have plenty of 
apples. 
IV. Thou shalt select varieties that the chief men and the elders 
have found by years of experience and trial of even twenty years or 
more to be of sufficient hardiness to withstand any cold that may 
come upon them; also select those which have not cumbered 
the ground and have not been ordered cut down by the 
master or owner of the orchard because they were unprofita- 
ble and bore no fruit, but consult with those of thy fellows who are 
well acquainted with the various kinds—and above all take heed what 
I say unto thee and listen not to the smooth talk of the stranger who 
comes within thy gates and tries to sell thee worthless trees grown 
in far-away lands or distant parts of the earth, which are not well 
