SOCIETY OF NORTBERN ILLINOIS. 263 



plants and take such measures as will prevent their becoming breed- 

 ing-places for insects, through neglect. 



Question — When is the best time to prune apple trees ? 



Mr. Cotta — I have trimmed apple-trees for one-quarter of a 

 century, and have found that if I pruned in the early spring, before 

 the sap had risen in the trees, and there was no frost in the limbs, 

 no bad results came from it and the bark did not turn black around 

 the cut. Pruning is generally advised for June, but I have never 

 been successful at that season of the year, and do not think it should 

 be done in the summer, except the new growth. 



Mr. Austin — We never experience any bad results from prun- 

 ing in May and June, but look out for black sap, if you prune when 

 there is frost in the limbs. 



President Bryant- — I think the sap, or water, will run from the 

 tree and discolor the bark, cut it when you may, if the tree is dam- 

 aged at the heart, and I don't think it can be avoided. 



Question — Should farmers prune back the trees they get from 

 the nursery ? 



Mr. Austin — We always prune the tops back in proportion to 

 the root. For instance, if a tree has a good root, we leave mcie of 

 the top on than where it has a poor one. I prefer to set a large 

 tree in the fall, but small oues are usually better set in the spring. 

 It is not so with all varieties; some do better planted in the fall and 

 others in the spring. There is no rule which I could prescribe that 

 would apply in all cases, one must learn from experience the pecul- 

 iarities of the different trees. I have found that if the Norway 

 spruce is taken up and heeled in for some little time, and then set 

 out, it will almost invariably die, but it is not so with the pines. 



At this point the tree dealer was discussed at some length, and 

 Mr. Cotta introduced a motion instructing the chair to appoint a 

 committee of three to take into consideration the advisability of ask- 

 ing our legislature to pass a law that would protect the farmers and 

 the people in general, from the deception and frauds practiced upon 

 them by the irresponsible tree dealer; the motion prevailed and the 



