DISCUSSION. 
445 
experimental garden was a favorable opening; and it was ex¬ 
ceedingly proper for the society to lay hold of it and press the 
matter, and prove to the people what can be done. 
Mr. Stickney thought we could scarcely over-estimate the 
value of the experiments that might be conducted on this 
ground. New things are continually presented to the horti¬ 
culturist, which ought to be tried. Now these tests and trials 
must be made by the hundreds of men into whose hands they 
may fall, and if they fail, there are the hundred failures, and 
hundred losses. With the experimental garden all can be 
proved in it, and the good, if the thing be worthy, will be for 
the whole, and the fixilure, if there be one, will be single, and 
be borne by all. 
Judge Knapp referred to the location of Madison as to its 
position in regard to the cause of the varying isotherms of our 
climate, and showed that few or no places in the state were 
more favorably located on which experiments could be made. 
Trees that would succeed at this point, would be most likely 
to succeed over a very large extent of country. 
Mr. Plumb doubted if any other tract of land in this state 
combined greater advantages than did this garden; or was better 
fitted for the carrying on of these experinents. They ought to be 
made if it were possible. They would be of infinite value to the 
state, ten times more than the amount asked for. 
The further consideration of the memorial was postponed 
for the present. 
The business committee reported the next order of business, 
to be the reading of an essay by Mr. I. Gould of Beaver Dam, 
“on transplanting trees.” 
At the close of the reading, Mr. Gould produced a very large 
native crab, said to have originated in Indiana ; and said it 
was not a Soulard, b\it they might call it a Goulard. He did 
not believe either was good for anything. He also showed an 
apple he had found in Minnesota, where it originated, which 
he called the Rubicon. This he considered about all that was 
desirable in an apple for the northwest. The tree was perfectly 
hardy, and the apple was fine flavored, of good size and a 
late keeper, as it had not yet reached its season. 
