ANNUAL MEETING—1867. 
517 
LOCATION OF ORCHARDS. 
Mr. Tuttle, of Baraboo, wondered why any should think the hill the best 
place, and stated the case of an orchard situated in the valley, with close 
protection—where “ tender varieties” do well—but admitted the orchard to 
be well drained by gravel subsoil, and also admits there is a difference of 10 
to 16 degrees of heat in favor of the hill, in extreme cold weather, and that 
the hill soil is generally better for the trees. 
Mr. Lawrence thinks that sandy soil will grow trees more hardy, as they 
will receive more silica. 
Mr. Curtis, of Columbia county, thinks it is not the degree of cold, but the 
unseasonableness of it, and claims that on high ground the temperature is 
more equal, and not subject to such extremes, and therefore the tree winters 
better. His orchard is on the north side of a hill, seventy or eighty feet 
above water, rich soil; trees doing remarkably well, ten to twenty years 
planted, some varieties called tender, as Greening, are good trees. 
Mr. Smith thinks exposure to the sun on the southwest side, the cause of 
death to trees, also extremes of heat and cold. The extremes are from the 
southwest Hemedy : protect southwest side of the tree. 
Mr. Plumb thinks orchards winter best where grown upon bleak hilltops, 
and cool aspects, all old theories to the contrary notwithstanding. The facts 
can be seen by any careful observer, by comparison of the different orchards 
in his vicinity. The wind is an equalizer of temperature, summer and winter, 
and renders the tree hardy by its continual blowing. More equal tempera¬ 
ture is the real want of our trees. Those who protect from the autumn winds 
must protect from the winter’s sun. Protections from both in winter would 
be desirable. 
REPORTS OP COUNTY VICE-PRESIDENTS. 
These reports brought some interesting facts concerning the success of 
fruits in the several localities. 
Rock county has a live horticultural society, organized within the past 
year, and though not as much good soil for fruit as some other counties, some 
ten to fifteen varieties of apples are doing finely. Their society had recom¬ 
mended two varieties as succeeding well, which were sometimes rejected- 
viz: Northern Spy and Yellow Bellflower. West of Rock River it is under¬ 
laid with limestone ; fruit trees there are very successful. 
Dane county has given comparatively little attention to the lubject of fruit, 
growing. But the influence of the horticultural societies had been felt in the 
great advance in fruit and flower culture during the last two years, especially 
in the vicinity of Madison, where fruit was eminently successful. The west¬ 
ern part of the county, in the vicinity of the Wisconsin river, is becoming 
famous for its vineyards, the bluffs affording the soil and shelter desirable. 
Outagamie county reports great discouragements by the loss of fruit trees 
planted on their strong, moist clay soil; late growth and tender varieties 
