very glad to have representatives of sister societies meet with us, and had recently voted to send delegates to the meetings of such societies in neighboring states, which he hoped would prove pleasant and profitable to us all. He suggested that the secretary be instructed to exchange such a number of reports as might be desired.

The secretary stated that he had already proposed such an exchange, both to the president and secretary of the Iowa society, but had not been able to effect it, owing, he believed, to scarcity of volumes on their part. There was only a small number printed, and the home demand for them was so great that the supply was soon exhausted.

Senator Anderson informed the society that a bill had been introduced in the legislature, asking for an appropriation of the same amount as was received last year, and that it was very im portant that we should secure this to aid in carrying on our work. He hoped the members would improve every opportunity to get the members of the legislature, with whom they were acquainted, to favor the passage of this bill.

The committee on programme being called upon, presented. the following report:

Your committee on order of business would report as follows: 9 A. M. of Tuesday the 7th - Revision of the Fruit List. 11 A. M.- Reports of Local Societies and Committee of Observations.

12 M.- Report of Treasurer. 2 P. M.- Report of Secretary.

3 P. M.- Election of Officers.

4 P. M.- Miscellaneous Business.

Special sessions during the week to be called by the president as time would permit and the unfinished business required.

A. G. TUTTLE,

B. F. ADAMS,

GEO. JEFFREY.

Committee.

This report was accepted and adopted, and the society ad

journed to meet at 9 A. M.

FEBRUARY 7-9 A. M.

The society was called to order by the president, and, in accordance with the adopted programme, took up the revision of the fruit list.

The president said the first thing on the list was the six hardiest, most productive and best apples adapted to the state, and asked if any change was proposed.

Mr. Olds remarked that the Golden Russet had proved with him, and as far as he knew, in his section of the state, the best and most profitable of all the winter apples, and he would like to see it put on the first list. He regarded it as really a better apple than any that were there.

Mr. Plumb thought we could not decide on the merits of the Golden Russet to a place on the first list by Mr. Olds' experience with it. His soil and location were favorable for the Russet, more so than most places in southern Wisconsin. There were other varieties that Mr. Olds raised with good success, that would not do well in but few other locations in the whole state, proving that the conditions for fruit growing with him are very favorable. There are very many places where it would be safe to recommend the Golden Russet, but there are many others that cannot raise it successfully, and to put it in the first list would mislead those who had not the right conditions of soil and exposure.

Mr. Kellogg thought that to follow this rule strictly and not recommend anything that was not generally adapted, and could not be successfully raised in a great majority of places in this state, would compel us to cut off nearly the whole list. Our estimates should not be based entirely on hardiness. If a variety proves generally productive and valuable for family use, we can safely recommend it, stating the conditions which are favorable, or referring to our standing rule to those who want to know what to set, "to select those varieties that they see are doing the best in like conditions near them."

Mr. Plumb said Golden Russet does well on most limestone soils, and on such soils is raised successfully in the eastern part of the state as far north as Oconto county, but on heavy prairie land and in sandy soil it is very unsatisfactory, almost worthless.

It grows slow and late into the fall and needs a long season and, like all the Russet family, plenty of moisture.

President Smith thought it was one of the most reliable varieties in Brown county. They were in the market every season when there were any apples at all, and usually were very fair and smooth and of good quality. The past season they had been remarkably good; the best he ever saw.

Mr. Plumb said some locations in Brown and Winnebago counties were just adapted to this variety, the fruit was large and smooth, perfect in every respect. One orchard in Winnebago county had yielded this year eight hundred bushels, and there were no culls to speak of, not over a half bushel in all.

Mr. Samuel Hunt thought the Haas was not worthy of a place on the first list. It was set but very little, and as far as he could learn, the results were very unsatisfactory, except in a few localities. We have many other varieties that are more satisfactory. For one he would like to see it stricken from the list and the Walbridge added.

Mr. Kellogg moved to substitute Walbridge for Haas in the hardy list.

To this Mr. Tuttle objected, stating that he had propagated the Walbridge extensively, and had recommended it in days passed, but it had not proved wholly satisfactory, and he had discontinued propagating it and would not recommend it for general or extensive cultivation. It was a good bearer and long keeper, but we had better varieties, and he thought it was advisable to select the best. In early times he set quite a large number of the Golden Russet. Had no trouble with them except in their breaking down, not one had been killed by any other cause. At the time they were set the theory was low heads, branch close to the ground if you would have your trees hardy, but if treated in this way the Golden Russet was worthless, trees would all sooner or later split down. The bodies should be at least six feet to the lower limbs.

Mr. Stickney said we must not forget that hardiness is the leading idea in making this first list. We should aim to get as many of the other good qualities as possible, the more the better,

but they could not take the place of hardiness, or stand without it. Let us get the hardiest, with the best good qualities otherwise possible.

Mr. Tuttle could not see any reason for raising the Haas where it was possible to grow the Wealthy; that was much hardier, and better apple every way. The Fall Spitzenberg is also a better apple both in fruit and hardiness.

Mr. Plumb said but very few had cultivated the Haas, and where tried, it had been the least satisfactory of any variety on the hardy list. It possessed some good qualities, grew fast, bore early and was reasonably hardy, but he was not in favor of keeping it in this list. He was well pleased with the Fall Spitzenberg; it was hardy, of good quality, and a free bearer; was growing rapidly in favor, and would doubtless prove a valuable acquisition to our list. He would also recommend the Walbridge. The quality was not as good as some others, but it was a late keeper and was fresh when all other apples were gone. This he regarded as an important consideration, and he would therefore move to substitute the Fall Spitzenberg for the Haas, and to add the Walbridge to the first list.

Mr. Jeffrey was opposed to putting the Fall Spitzenberg on the list. He had tried it, and could not make it grow on his clay soil; in setting the trees, he had filled in with sand, and still they would not grow. It will not do well in any but sandy soils. He did not believe in putting on our hardy list any variety that needed nursing or extra care where other varieties grew readily and did well; neither was he in favor of raising any variety simply because it was a late keeper. We have varieties that will keep all summer, and for two or three years, and never be worth anything.

Mr. Herschinger's experience with the Fall Spitzenberg had not been satisfactory, and he would not think it advisable to make the change proposed. The Golden Russet had done well with him, also the Pewaukee; regarded the Pewaukee as the most valuble apple on the list. Does not like the quality of the Walbridge as well as that of some others, but he thought it could be made as profitable to cultivate as any winter apple we have.

Mr. Stickney did not think it advisable to increase the number of varieties on this list. Six was enough, at least until we are well assured we have varieties whose merits are beyond question. He was afraid of the Fall Spitzenberg; had handled it some; was well pleased with it, but had not tried it sufficiently to feel that we could safely recommend it. Should much prefer to put Walbridge in the place of Haas in the first and add the Fall Spitzenberg to the second list.

Mr. Tuttle said we were looking for good market varieties, something that would be for us what the Baldwin and Greening are at the east. We have no such varieties now. We have no commercial orchards in this state, and if one were to go into this business, it would be difficult for him to know what to set. He thought it would be well to recommend certain varieties for this purpose, or to make up the list a little with reference to it, stating what varieties are best adapted for it. We need but few varieties for this, but want the best. Neither is it advisable to have too many of a kind; a few summer, a few fall varieties, and the greater part winter sorts.

Mr. Olds did not think it advisable to put Fall Spitzenberg on the list, no matter what its hardiness and quality. We need more winter varieties. We have too many fall apples now. This is what discourages our fruit growers. The market is soon overstocked. They can't sell for enough to pay for marketing, and the apples won't keep and so rot down, and then they say it won't pay to raise fruit.

Mr. Plumb withdrew his motion and seconded the motion to substitute the Walbridge for Haas, which motion prevailed. No further change was proposed, and the list was amended so as to read,

Six varieties best adapted to Wisconsin, Hardiness, Productiveness and Quality Taken into Consideration "Duchess of Oldenburg, Wealthy, Fameuse, Pewaukee, Walbridge, Plumb's Cider."

And thus amended was adopted.

The list for cultivation in favorable locations was next taken up, and Mr. Plumb moved that Fall Spitzenberg and Haas be added.