10 



you appoint a committee, of at least three of your members, to take 

 this matter into consideration. As the entomological side should also 

 be represented, I propose, if agreeable to you, to meet Avith that com- 

 mittee, at such time and place as may be agreed upon, in order to 

 discuss and arrange the plan, item by item, in a concise and syste- 

 matic form, thus bringing in the entomological and horticultural ele- 

 ments. Finally, I would suggest also that Professor Burrill be re- 

 quested to act with us in reference to injurious fungus growths, and 

 Professor Forbes on ornithology. 



To do this properly, would require a sitting or sittings of some 

 length, but the importance of the subject demands it." 



In accordance with my suggestions a committee was appointed 

 which has had but one sitting, which was held at Normal, in February, 

 1 876. At that meeting the " Culture of the Nursery " and " Orchard* " 

 only were considered, and the following plan suggested: 



PLAN OF CO-OPORATION. 



In order that the neglect of one nuseryman or orchardist may not 

 affect another, and as a means of gradually eradicating our insect ene- 

 mies, the following plan of culture is recommended to all engaged in 

 these pursuits : 



I. IN THE NURSERY. 



1. Preparing the Ground. 



Ground designed for seeds, plants, grafts or cuttings, should be 

 cleared from rubbish and cultivated at least one year before being 

 used for these purposes. 



By clearing of rubbish we mean the removal of such matter as can- 

 not be plowed under and converted into manure for fertilizing the soil. 



In all localities where the disease known as rotten-root prevails, the 

 land should be cleared of all decayed and decaying woody matter at 

 least one year before the planting. 



For cultivation we recommend thorough summer fallowing : allowing 

 no crop to grow r upon the ground the year previous to planting. 



2. Planting Grafts, Plants and Cuttings. 



All grafts, plants and cuttings should be carefully examined before 

 planting, and those upon which any plant-lice, bark-lice, or es,^ of 

 insects are found, should be rejected, except in special cases where 

 such insects or eggs can be entirely destroyed. 



Where roots intended for grafting are infested by the wooly aphis 

 or root plant louse, we recommend immersing them for two or three 

 hours before planting, in very strong soap suds.* 



S. Cultivation tlic First Year. 



(l<an and thorough cultivation of the soil from the commencement 

 of growth in the spring to the first day of August, is reccommended, 

 except that seedlings or plants which are to be taken up in autumn, 

 may be cultivated later, at will. 



Nora.— One of the Committee is rtrongly In [favor of dipping in a quite strong solution of 

 caustic potash or concentrated lye. 



