fine in size and color. If the tree is too compact the fruit will not have a desirable appearance, yet there can be too much sunlight on the fruit. We also trim as one method of thinning the fruit. In trimming we should take into consideration the picking of the fruit and the spraying of the tree.

As to the trimming for fruit or wood growth we will not attempt to discuss, for the reason that we are not well enough posted to take up the subject.

How. We trim different varieties different. For illustration, we trim such varieties as Grimes Golden, Northern Spy and all upright and compact tops from the inside in order to open the tops; but for all open top varieties, such as Ben Davis and Winesap, we trim from the outside in order to make the top more compact. We think the top of a tree should be as well balanced as possible.

We endeavor to keep the water sprouts or suckers rubbed or cut off all summer so the strength of growth is utilized in tree and fruit and save cutting them from the tree the next year.

When. We prefer from late fall until March; any time while the tree is dormant. I don't like trimming when the sap is running or the leaves are on the tree. My experience is that the wounds heal better and don't sprout nearly so bad to trim them when dormant.

I would always use grafting wax to cover all wounds to keep the water out so decay will not set in.

I would not cut a tree too bad at one trimming. If it has been neglected too long, do the trimming by cutting some each year until the top is opened out, but I insist if a tree is started right it should always be trimmed with a pocket knife instead of an ax or saw.

A Member: I would like to hear Mr. Burton's opinion on trimming trees.

Joe A. Burton: The question, how many limbs to leave, and just how to trim the limbs, I might say, the easiest way to find when you have trimmed enough is to watch the spray. You can not spray when the limbs are too thick. The important thing to do is not to trim like our old Adage Hero-he just cut out everything. If there had been Grimes in his day they would not have borne an apple. I want my trees to bear all the way from the top down to the inner end of the limb. You must not leave a limb of any size, if it is in the way, but cut it off. all the little limbs or fruit spears and leave the big ones in the way. You have as much bearing wood on a tree properly trimmed as you do on a tree with a great quantity of limbs. A very important point with me is in the starting of the tree. Start it with a leader. Some trees don't naturally make a leader. They have to make a leader or not grow at all

Don't cut off

for me. I bend in some limbs and make a leader for it. I tie to keep them in place. You have to have a leader. Then don't let the limbs come out too thick; never cut a limb unless you know why you cut it. If in doubt, cut anyhow. Next time you come along you may see a reason for cutting it. Your reason may be wrong, but when you do the best you can, you are excusable. Don't ever trim up a tree so you can plow under it. If you can not cultivate under a tree, it don't need it. If you are going to cultivate your ground, leave your trees off. You are working for the apple tree, not to cultivate the ground.

President Stevens: "Cultivation of the Apple Orchard" will next be considered.

CULTIVATION OF THE APPLE ORCHARD.

BY WALTER S. RATLIFF, RICHMOND.

The subject of the cultivation of the soil of the orchard is, and has been of recent years, occupying considerable attention among fruit men generally, and many interesting experiments have been in operation at some of the experiment stations. It is conceded, however, that in any event, the soil in the young orchard should be sown to oats during the latter part of the summer. The early frosts following check the growth, and the mat of unmatured oats dies and falls to the ground. This furnishes a mulch that not only prevents erosion of the soils on rolling lands, but serves as a blanket in retaining moisture in the soil. When the soils are exposed to the winter rains, they wash seriously, and much of the water that should be retained by absorption is lost when a mat of this character can not be secured.

The oat hay has another significance, being of much value to turn under as a recuperator to the soil the following spring. Where naught but summer cultivation of the orchard is desired, the cultivator is only used between the times of plowing and sowing of another crop of oats. In this way the soil is stirred at a period when the weeds would be the most troublesome, and when it is believed the trees will gain the most benefit for such treatment.

There is quite a diversity of opinion existing in the minds of our fruit growers relative to the cultivation of the orchard, but from observation in this and other States, one would infer that the young orchard is being tilled with the crops of the farm.

Usually the orchard is planted as conveniently to the residence as possible, and is often used as the garden spot of the farm. And in connection with the crops of the farm, the berry canes and bushes, together

with plants of other small fruits, are quite conspicuous, often claiming the major part of the attention of the owner himself and his attendants. to the detriment or neglect of the fruit trees themselves.

For all it is conceded that the growth of the smaller fruits in young orchards is not detrimental to the proper development of the trees, yet there should be a reasonable amount of judgment exercised in the amount grown as well as the care given them while under cultivation. The amount of nourishment and water that are found necessary for these crops must surely come from the soil, and where the earth is not overly rich and well watered, the result might be inferred.

Admitting that a crop should be grown within the orchard boundaries, the question of the kind soon arises. A grass crop such as clover or timothy, is often seen in orchards that adjoin pastures or meadow fields. When timothy is grown, the average farmer readily calculates the exhaustion of the soil occasioned by its growth, and can easily foretell the drying of the surface during the heated part of the summer after the hay is cut. Clover is far better and is often used to occupy the ground for the first few years after the orchard is set out.

Some injury might result in cutting the grasses either by the team or the machine, as at the time of working in harvest, the trees are so easily injured and the branches broken.

Neglected orchards often grow up with weeds and briars and finally become grassed over with blue grass and foxtail, which afford some pasture.

When the soil is turned, and oats or even millet is sown, then the conditions are similar to those of clover; when sorghum (sown) is used as a forage crop, only between the rows of trees, the drain upon the land is considerable, especially in moisture, but not believed to be overly exhaustive.

In considering level, bare, shallow cultivation, it is deemed a necessity to turn under the oat mulch referred to above, which is not only enriching, but lessens the chance of the soil becoming hardened during the summer. The number of cultivations by the harrow or cultivator depends largely on conditions of certain localities. Some advocate from six to ten times stirring of the soil during the season, which is found to be not only necessary, but essential. Cross cultivation is of much assistance in keeping the weeds in check and should be practiced whenever possible.

Although the plan of continuous, bare cultivation is commendable, yet this plan is not followed altogether. Too many farmers look upon the project of such orchard treatment as a lack of proper utility of the land. Too long a time is consumed in growing the trees to not have some thing else between the rows, and cropping is the direct result generally.

It is not material as to the kind of crop that is to be selected, when a crop is to be added, so that it is of the vegetable class, especially those known as hoed crops, for these are not of sufficient height to interfere with the proper growth of the trees.

Field and sweet corn being outclassed, potatoes, root vegetables, cabbage and melons have been generally planted with good results. They being easily cultivated and of reasonably rapid growth, and require as much attention as would bare soil in clean cultivation. No doubt the hoe would be used oftener and to better effect where such crops are grown than otherwise.

Although many conditions render orcharding uncertain, yet the essential feature in soil cultivation is to retain and make available the water in the soil. From scientific observations, it is found that the roots of fruit trees penetrate the earth to a considerable depth and the amount of water in suspension in the same depends almost directly with the depth of penetration. And when the precipitation for a given period falls abnormally below the average, the result is almost immediately noticeable and directly traceable to such condition. So that by constant, level cultivation the soil may be able to retain and give up such moisture when one of the essential condiments in orcharding will be in part accomplished.

When such deficiency of the water supply exists over an extended period, it has been found necessary to supply the same by artificial methods. This is the case with western orchards where irrigation has not only been found practicable but absolutely essential, and the life of the tree, although often jeopardized, has been extended and the orchards saved and encouraged to bear.

The volume of available water in the soil is not only of special value to the proper development of the individual trees themselves, but an important factor in the development of the fruit as well. It induces a greater profusion of bloom and a healthier setting of fruit. It has been found essential both to the proper growth and ripening of the fruit, and is believed to exert an influence in its keeping qualities, especially after being removed from the trees.

DISCUSSION.

Amos Garretson: I did not write any paper on this subject, for I knew I could not do it justice. I have been cultivating my orchard for about six years, and I have seen the good results. There was no time during any dry season, but what you could go into the orchard and take your foot and raise moist dirt. It is planted in straight rows.

Mr. Kingsbury: How many of the apple growers present cultivate their orchards? (Answer.) Seven.

1

Joe A. Burton: If you should take a walk over in my orchard you would say I do not cultivate at all, but I cultivate the way I want to. President Stevens: We will have next one of the most important things in fruit growing-"Spraying"-by Mr. Henry.

SPRAYING.

BY H. W. HENRY, LAPORTE.

Spraying is to fruit, what beauty is to woman, it puts it on the market. No good fruit can be put upon the market unless it has been properly sprayed, yet not ten per cent. of the farmers' orchards of Indiana ever see a sprayer. Many of these orchards contain fine fruit, and could be a great source of revenue to the owners if they had the proper care and attention. Why are these orchards not cared for? I believe because their owners lack the proper knowledge as to how to do it.

We have ninety-two counties in the State of Indiana, and each one of these counties, on an average, will contain at least 2,000 farmers' orchards of from one to four acres, making at least 200,000 acres devoted to farmers' orchards. The most of this land under present conditions is simply waste land, and would be better in the corn or wheat field. But with proper care and spraying these orchards could be made to average 100 bushels of good apples per orchard, or 2,000,000 bushels of apples at fifty cents per bushel would add $1,000,000 to the annual income of the farmers of the State.

With this conservative estimate of waste, it seems to me that the State of Indiana could not make a better investment than to appropriate $5,000 to $10,000 to teach the farmers of the State how to care for and properly spray these now neglected orchards, and make them a source of revenue to the State. It is said by good authority that we import $1,000,000 worth of apples into Indiana each year for home consumption, and here is almost the total amount going to waste each year from a lack of knowledge how to properly care for it.

Most farmers think this spraying is a mysterious business and something they can not understand, and belongs to the professional fruit grower, with whom he does not care to associate for fear some other farmer will say, "Why, Smith has gone into the truck business." They have let it go from year to year, from bad to worse, until it will take a revolution to awaken them. If they only knew that spraying is a very inexpensive operation and could realize its true benefit, I believe they would practice it as regularly as they do planting corn and sowing wheat.