TWENTY-SIXTH SESSION. 
87 
ground was so full of loose and broken roots that they clogged his harrow 
badly. He kept harrowing with frequent intervals all summer. A part of 
the rows, running crosswise of the varieties, which were those commonly 
grown in that region, were treated with muriate of potash and the rest 
were simply tilled. An application at the rate of 150 pounds per acre was 
put on each year for three years in succession, making 450 pounds in all on 
eacn acre of the manured part. And now for the result. He could not 
tell the trees which were manured from those that were not, judging by 
the fruit grown, and from the growth of the trees, except that in some 
cases, the fertilized trees had a darker color in the leaves. The secret lies in 
the fact that there were large quantities of latent fertility in the soil which 
tillage helped to make available. 
We would not necessarily learn from this and other tests that have been 
made that muriate of potash and other commercial fertilizers are not ben- 
eficial, for they have proven that they are in very many cases. But we 
may learn that tillage is the cheapest, the most potent and the most ready- 
at-hand of all fertilizers, for the generality of soils. Use commercial fer- 
tilizers when necessary, but do not spend too much in buying what is al- 
ready in the soil. Rather let us fertilize our orchards and other fruit plan- 
tations liberally with horse power first, and then supplement this with 
whatever else may be needed. Let us also not forget the limitless supply 
of nitrogen in the air, and the means by which we can draw upon it. There, 
is no better way to economize commercial fertilizers, when we must buy 
them, than by applying them to the soiling crops; thus stimulating them to 
greater action and usefulness. The potash and phosphoric acid will be 
just as available as before if not more so, and the soil will become en-< 
riched by liberal additions of nitrogen and humus. Thus may we be able to 
grow larger crops of better fruits, and correspondingly cheaper and more 
satisfactory to ourselves and others. 
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON AWARDS. 
Dr. F. M. Hexamer, Chairman of the Committee on Awards, presented 
and read the report of that committee, as follows: 
To the President and Members of the American Pomological Society: 
Your Committee on Fruits Exhibited report the following awards: 
WILDER MEDAL, SILVER. 
New Jersey State Horticultural Society. For large and highly meritorious 
collection, comprising 696 plates, in 12 different classes. 
Ellwanger and Barry, Rochester, N. Y. For. collection of pears, compris- 
ing 100 varieties. 
Michigan Sub-Experiment Station, South Haven, Mich. For an interest- 
ing educational exhibit. 
Pomona Nurseries, Parry, N. J. For an extensive collection of edible 
nuts. 
Roland Morrill, Benton Harbor, Mich. For unique exhibit showing results 
in peach growing by following approved methods of culture; illustrated by 
specimens of fruits, accounts sales and photographs of orchards. 
