REPORTS FROM LOCAL SOCIETIES. Ill 



Would prune peach trees when the fruit was setting, and apple trees when in 

 blossom. 



M. B. Williams said he had generally practiced heading back in his peach 

 orchard, and was well satisfied with the result. Could not say that good results 

 might not have been reached if that system had not been followed so closelv, 

 but as his experience and observation had been he was very much inclined to 

 favor the shortening in of the peach, as recommended by most of the writers 

 on the subject. 



Time having expired, it was, on motion, extended one-half hour. Mr. W. 

 Cummins;- thought that as there was so much difference in the habit of growth 

 of different varieties, we should prune accordingly, and while heading back 

 might be useful on some varieties that were naturally much inclined to spread, 

 it might be of no use on others which were more compact in their growth. 



D. W. Wiley would not cut back a tree while young except to cut off any one 

 or more limbs which might bo found growing out of proportion or faster than 

 the rest. Did not know but it might help to renew the vigor and pro- 

 long the life of an old tree, but questioned Aery much whether it would be 

 found practicable on account of the labor attending it, and was not sure but it 

 would pay quite as well to destroy the tree and set out a new one. 



MARCH MEETING. 



Subject for discussion : Apples and Apple trees. Mr. Husted, of Lowell, 

 being present, was invited to take part in the discussion. For orchard of winter 

 apples on the lake shore he recommended the Baldwin, Khode Island Greening, 

 and Wagener. Farther inland would add Northern Spy, Peck's Pleasant and 

 some other varieties. He thought the Wagener desirable on light soils. It is 

 an early and constant bearer, flavor excellent, tree inclined to overbear, requires 

 thinning to secure good fair fruit. Easier to thin out fruit on a prolific bearer 

 than to force other varieties into bearing. 



The Secretary spoke of the Wagener in its native county as an early and con- 

 stant bearer, inclined to overbear and so produce inferior fruit. 



The President said that with him the Wagener had too many inferior apples. 



Mr. Husted thought good cultivation and thinning would obviate this difficult}-. 



Mr. Hamilton thought the Wagener desirable for this region on account of 

 its early bearing qualities. The tree is also hardy and the fruit good. 



Mr. Hamilton presented the following paper on 



ORCHARDS. 



An experience of about twenty years with orchards in Canada and Michi- 

 gan, while traveling in the fruit-tree business, has taught me some useful 

 lessons on the subject under consideration to-day. 



Among other things I have observed that those who plant before they are 

 ready, either on account of the condition of their lands, lack of time to culti- 

 vate, or lack of knowledge in planting, generally fail to get good orchards. 



Instances also are very rare when success attends the planting of frozen trees, 

 or what is usually termed black-hearted trees ; and if such or any of our rapidly 

 grown commercial trees have to be used, the early spring following a mild 

 winter is the best time to transplant them. They would be almost sure to fail 

 if removed in the spring following the winter in which they were frozen. Little 

 if anything is saved by planting large trees. Those who plant the fewest varie- 

 ties are usually best satisfied with their orchards. The Ped Astrachan for 



