4G6 WISCONSIN FRUIT-GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
Cited cases to prove his position correct. 
Starin and Congar thought moisture essential as preventive 
of ordinary effects of extreme cold. 
Congar objected to east winds as most drying. 
Bray ton—That cannot be, since the temperature in April, 
when they prevail, is mild. 
Starin—Protection has availed me little ; my trees have 
died without regard to it ; unripeness of wood the cause.— 
Must cultivate early , but not late in season, so that the wood 
may ripen. 
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Protection to the Boots. —Plumb—Must protect roots in 
winter ; would throw up mound of earth, flat on top, and 
cover with litter or leaves—nature’s protection. 
Brayton concurred in importance of mulching ; would pre¬ 
fer rotted-wood or saw-dust, as these would not blow away like 
leaves ; add lime and ashes. Mulching would aid the ripening 
and prevent terminal bud from starting in the fall. W ould 
also mulch strawberries, raspberries and currants. Objected to 
stimulating manures. 
Willey—Mulching facilitates ripening ; Bleeker’s Gage 
Plum, when mulched, had ripened two weeks earlier than those 
not mulched. 
Plumb concurred; mulching hastened growth, but did not pro¬ 
long it. Would plow beam deep ; hastens growth and does not 
occasion second growth. 
Starin—Would not mulch until ground is warmed; it retards 
early growth. My plums, except the Egg variety, have all 
died, though mulched. 
Brayton—Many cultivators do not mulch far enough from 
tree to do the smaller roots—which are chiefly benefitted—any 
good. 
Peep Planting .—Plumb—Most persons plant too deep .— 
Would dig down to loose sub-soil, and plant three inches higher 
than tree stood in nursery. 
Brayton—Would plow up a ridge and plant on that—partic- 
