SECRETARY'S REPORT. 25 



trees;" or rather the trees are unfortunate in falling into such hands! Such 

 treatment seems to indicate a want of appreciation of the value of trees, and 

 with such treatment it is useless to expect satisfactory results. But with 

 reasonable care, judicious and liberal treatment, we may feel confident of 

 remunerative returns. In some enclosures, with careful trainino; and clean 

 culture, trees and plants of all kinds flourish and yield bountifully, while in 

 others they are stunted and sickly, and weeds and destructive insects are the 

 fruits of carelessness and neglect. 



As soon as the trees have become thrifty, pruning should be attended to. 

 Not so much however, by cutting, as merely pinching the ends of such as will 

 eventually have to be cut out. The aim at first ought to be to extend the 

 roots as fast as possible, and cutting away the top will check this, but still it 

 does not seem advisable to allow much wood to form only to be cut away and 

 lost. Pruning is an important part in the cultivation of fruit, and ought not 

 to be neglected. Neither should it be done carelessly, or without considering 

 the object to be attained, or the effects that may be produced. Some one has 

 said, " It requires profound thought to hoe a hill of corn aright." The con- 

 sequences of bad pruning may be of a more serious nature, and more lasting 

 in its effects, than that of bad hoeing. It requires study and some knowh dge 

 of the laws of nature, to enable one to do it correctly, and with due regard to 

 all its effects. Orchard trees are too often neglected, perhaps for years left 

 entirely to themselves, to assume such form as circumstance or accident may 

 imfose, or if pruning is attempted, it is badly done. Young trees, if thrifty, 

 need close attention, in order to lay the foundation for a well proportioned 

 head, and to prevent the necessity for much pruning, or the amputation of 

 large branches, which is very injurious. 



The several parts of a tree are closely connected, each dependent upon and 

 sympathizing with all others. One portion cannot be injured without at the 

 same time affecting others. If a large branch is taken away, a portion of the 

 stem and roots suffer. If the leaves are the elaborating organs, in which the 

 sap is prepared for the formation of wood, and whatever else goes to consti- 

 tute tree and fruit, then it is reasonable to suppose that cutting away a large 

 branch or much of the top at once, is hurtful, and ought to be avoided. 

 When it is found necessary from any cause, to do so, it is better to shorten or 

 head in, from time to time in fall or spring, so as to diminish the foliage by 

 degrees, on the parts to be removed, thereby diverting the sap gradually to 

 other parts, and when that has been accomplished — as will be evident Irom 

 the small growth of the parts thus treated — what remains may be cut out in 

 June, without serious injury. 



Prune lightly every fall when the leaves are off and tho whole top can be 

 seen at a glance and kept evenly balanced, and it will seldom be found neces- 

 sary to cut large branches. Thin out by cutting away or shortening small 

 branches, leaving all fruit spurs, or little twigs that are not inclined to grow 

 much, all along down the main branches. These will live and contribute to 

 the health of the tree, and to filling the fruit-basket too, if light and air are 

 not shut out by too dense foliage above and around them. 



The main olject in pruning, should not be to cut out wood, only to be 

 thrown away and lost, but rather to prevent the formation of branches where 

 they are not needed, and in doing so, encourage such as are in the right place, 

 and extending in the ri^jhi direction — outwards and upwards — with sujOBcient 

 space around them for the free admission of light and air, so that the whole 

 top may be benefited thereby, and all the fruit brought to perfection. 



Insects also must be looked after, or they will soon become numerous and 

 destructive to tree, foliage and fruit. Some are destroyed with ease, others 

 with great difficulty. Vigilance and prompt action are necessary, for many 

 kinds easily subdued at first, increase rapidly, and soon become formidable. 



The borer, if allowed to go on unchecked, is moie destructive to the apple 

 crop than any other, for it destroys the whole tree. But if its habits are un- 



