CENTRALTA FHUIT-GROWERS' ASSOCIATION. 343 



wlio was so annoyed by an immense floek of birds, suddenly swooping into a field, 

 that the man abruj)tly broke off his prayers in tlie middle, without even an amen, and 

 went to shooting. 



Mitchell suggested that each member sliould make careful observation during the 

 coming season, and report at a future meeting. In tiiis way we may arrive at safer 

 conclusions. 



Pullen had been a friend to the birds, l»ut agreed with Dr. Tice, that raising truit 

 would soon knock the sentiment out of any one on birds. Some varieties of birds it 

 would do to protect, and others must Ije destroyed to preserve the fruit. It was a 

 (luestion of birds or fruit. Continued cultivation would do more to destroy insect 

 enemies than birds. 



CULTI\'ATI0N. 



The subject for discussion being nov,* in order — 



I'KSOLVED, Tluit it is profituble to tlioiMu.;,'lily cultivate tlie soil for all Iviiids of fruils (hiring the 

 natural pcrioil of firowth— 



Dr. Ilooton remarked that it was easier to make suggestions than to come to correct 

 conclusions. From his experience, had decided that it was good policy to lengthen 

 the period of natural growth as mueh as possible — or rather not to allow trees to stop 

 growing in mid-summer by reason ol dry weather. Thought this might be done by 

 constant or contiiuied cultivation during the season — say into September. Trees have 

 a season of grow^th and a season of rest. The natural season for rest is diu-ing the fall 

 and winter, but with us it fre(iiiently occurs in the late summer, when we generally 

 have a protracted drouth which is followed by warm rains and pleasant weather. Then 

 the trees renew their growth, l)uds will swell, and there are signs of new growth, 

 which, being tender and premature, are more easily killed by frost, cold winds, or 

 severe weather. By thorough cultivation the trees are less liable to receive injury from 

 drouth, and will grow until as late as October. Another reason for contuuious culti- 

 vation is a protection against injurious insects. It is well known that a mass of weeds 

 and grass furnish a shelter and harbor for vermin and insects, a moist warm bed for 

 the germ of destructive enemies, where they are comparatively safe from attack. Our 

 seasons are so long there is more danger of this premature growth in the fall after a 

 long dry spell than farther north. 



Webster considered the question under discussion an important one, and we should 

 be careful not to recommend either extreme. There was little if any doubt of the 

 wisdom of keeping the ground clean and loose till the first of August. Whether it 

 was profitable to continue cultivation a month later was somewhat doubtful in his 

 mind, as in the latter case the growth would be tender and consequently more liable to 

 injury from frost or severe weather. Especially for peaches, was in favor of no cultiva- 

 tion after the first of August. Deep plowing between trees would have a tendency to 

 disturb and break roots, which he thought would be an injury rather than a benefit. 

 Was of the opinion that a tree did not produce too many roots. Shallow plowing 

 would do no harm to the roots; would destroy the weeds and keep the ground loose. 

 Recommended plowing in such a manner as to facilitate drainage. 



Capt. Taylor felt a diffidence in expressing his views upon fruit growing before men 

 whose experience was so much greater than his own, which was counted by )nonths 

 onlyj while many had had years of practical observation. However, he had studied 



