172 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



There was no question in the matter: my friend had been swindled by an 



irresponsible tree agent who had pawned off some Clinton vines for Ionas. 



The same story is repeated to me so often that I have it by heart. Why will 

 not men learn to purchase their nursery stock of men who have a position in 

 •business, and whose reputation is a part of their capital stock? 



The only way to be reasonably sure of what you buy is to send direct to some 

 reliable nurseryman and tell him what you want. 



The average nurserymen I have found to be honest, straightforward men, 

 while the average tree peddler has a reputation that is far from being unsullied. 



C. W. G. 



TRANSPLANTING YOUNG APPLE TREES. 



The chairman, on introducing this topic, remarked that as the period for 

 planting trees is drawing near, this subject will be as appropriate ;is any other 

 for the club to discuss. 



Mr. Brown said that the rule that the roots will be found as far from the 

 base of the trunk as the entire height of the tree, after many examinations, has 

 invarably been found within bounds. 



Mr. "Wheat referred to Professor Beal, of the Michigan Agricultural College, 

 who showed last year an orchard on the college grounds with trees from twelve 

 to fourteen feet high, whose roots extended a distance of twenty-seven feet. A 

 part of the orchard had been plowed over the whole surface after it had re- 

 mained a great many years in grass. The result was a very great increase in 

 the vigor of the trees. Another portion was plowed, with the exception of grass 

 circles ten feet in diameter, left at the base of the trunks. There was no ap- 

 2>arent difference in the vigor of the trees where the whole surface was plowed 

 .and where the ten-feet circles were left in grass. 



Mr. Thomas believed that the true and scientific management of fruit trees 

 of any sort will depend largely on the supply of food to the roots, and to under- 

 stand the best method of applying this food it is necessary to know the extent, 

 depth and character of the roots ; otherwise, it is like attempting to feed an 

 animal in the dark. The food may be all placed where it is inaccessible. 



Mr. Carpenter thought, where the subsoil is hard and poor, and nearly all 

 the fertility of the land lies within a few inches of the top, the treatment must 

 be very different from that employed on a deep, rich soil. On such a shallow 

 soil the trees are much more susceptible of the influence of surface-culture or 

 top-dressing with manure. The roots extending very near the surface, it be- 

 comes more important to cultivate shallow. It often happens that a top-dress- 

 ing of manure on such land is the very best thing for the trees ; to allow a dense 

 growth of grass without the manure may be the worst treatment for their 

 growth and success. 



Mr. Brewer, who had observed that it had been advised that on shallow soils 

 manure may be the most effective, thought even then a shallow and thorough 

 cultivation may answer all the desired purposes. The addition of a moderate 

 top dressing to such a cultivated soil will accomplish more than heavy manur- 

 ing on a sod. The question will resolve itself into one of economy. An equal 



