464 WISCONSIN FRUIT-GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
The following committees were appointed : 
On Nominations .—Starin and Sax, of Whitewater; Atwood, 
of Lake Mills. 
On Business .—Bray ton, of xlztalan; Willey, of Janesville; 
Plumb, of Madison. 
Letters of regret from absentees were read. Also valuable 
papers from distinguished pomologists and fruit-growers, in our 
own State and abroad, were presented, and will duly appear in 
this volume. 
The Business Committee reported, as the first subject for 
discussion, 
SOIL AND SITE FOR THE ORCHARD. 
J. C. Brayton said—Fruit trees derive their chief support 
from the atmosphere. Soil not so essential, but must be dry. 
Sandy soil proved good on this account; clay soil best, if well 
drained. According to Liebig, should contain lime. Deptb 
important; would have it dug up three feet deep. Draining of 
first importance; making 10 J difference in temperature, the 
year round ; promotes early growth and the ripening of the 
wood. 
II. L. Rann cited cases in favor of dry sandy soil for peaches. 
J. II. Starin concurred in the importance of dryness, as pro¬ 
motive of early growth and ripening ; believed this essential, 
and that sandy soil owes its success to this condition. Drain¬ 
ing important for same reason. 
J. C. Plumb did not believe a poor, sandy soil sufficient for 
the proper development of the fruit tree. 
IT. A. Congar concurred with Plumb as to deficiency of san¬ 
dy soil, and with all, concerning importance of drainage; offer¬ 
ed the following propositions: 
1st. That it is of first importance that the orchard soil 
should be deep, rich, and dry. 
2d. That a stiff retentive clay soil should, in all cases, 
be thoroughly underdrained.. 
