the winter-killing of
trees and other plants. I have noticed it in clover and alfalfa, and I
have noticed it in peach trees.

THE PRESIDENT: I think Dr. Stabler has stated a very well-known
principle, not only of horticulture, but also of agriculture. Last year
we questioned Mr. W. C. Reed as to the condition of a certain
top-worked, heavily forced, black-walnut we had seen the year before at
Vincennes. We were confirmed in our belief that the tree was dead, but
that another tree budded at the same time with the same bud-wood and not
forced, lived. We had a dry summer that year, a wet fall, twenty degrees
below zero at Christmas, dead apple trees. I suspect that Mr. Littlepage
has a problem in the balance of tillage and top-working.

DR. STABLER: I think if he visits his neighbor, Professor Waite, he will
find out how to manage trees so they won't winter-kill, because he knows
how to fix it. (Laughter.)

MR. LITTLEPAGE: I treated the trees just like the pecan. I have never
seen it possible yet to over-stimulate a pecan and winter-kill it. I
don't say it isn't possible, but I have never seen it.

THE PRESIDENT: I can show you a few.

MR. M. P. REED: Mr. President, we have that condition in the nursery
row.

MR. LITTLEPAGE: Well, those are grafted, are they not?

MR. M. P. REED: Grafts and buds, both.

DR. MORRIS: In regard to the grafting of the Persian walnut upon black
walnut stock. In Connecticut, we have three species of mice--the common
field mouse, the pine mouse, and the white-footed mouse. These mice all
follow in the holes of the moles, and they are very fond of the bark of
the Persian walnut, and will destroy a good many of them. Now, with the
black walnut, on the other hand, when one of these mice comes along and
takes a bite of that, he shuts one eye, cleans his teeth, and then goes
on to something else. (Laughter.)

Now, in our country the soil is practically all acid. The black walnut
will grow in pretty acid soil. The Persian walnut almost demands a
neutral or alkaline soil. So, for Connecticut there is no doubt that we
really need the black walnut stock for the Persian walnut.

THE PRESIDENT: Any further problems that are vexing the orchardist with
regard to the Persian walnut? If not, I think this is a suitable time to
bury it until next year. Col. Van Duzee, a man who has had more
experience with the pecan than almost any one else in the room, has
kindly consented to make his contribution a