STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. G 1 



day, and hesitates not to say that insects had nothing to do with it. We 

 must look to mycroscopic organisms for the cause. This question of 

 blight on various trees is vailed in such mystery that nothing short of pro- 

 fessional examination will reach the solution of its complex causes. The 

 Willow Twig blighted up the large branches to the body of the tree. So 

 with Tolman's Sweet. Here was a different cause. Probably the roots, 

 affected three years ago, had something to do with the Willow Twig. 



Low-headed trees, so far as inquiry has extended, have not given any 

 better yields of fruit than high-headed. The trees may be in a little 

 better condition, as most low-headed trees are more generally seeded 

 down and have the advantages of sod. Twig blight on low-headed show 

 no exemption. Protection by timber belts, especially for peach orchards, 

 is desirable in securing against spring frosts. 



The present mode of propagating stocks from degenerate seeds, 

 taken promiscuously from all kinds of apples, ought to be abandoned. If 

 we could unite on selecting seeds from select apples, the foundation will 

 be laid for a higher development of this noble fruit. Some have tried 

 double working on the stock, but we still have the roots of a degenerate 

 seed. If we plant degenerate seed of cereal grains, we know the result. 

 If we want to improve animals, we know the highest strain of blood is 

 sought. Is not the same principle true in vegetable physiology? 



DISCUSSION ON THE REPORTS. 



Mr. WiER — As you all know, I have held the view that nine-tenths 

 of all the pruning done is injurious. Every year more and more con- 

 vinces me of the correctness of this principle. I have never pruned my 

 trees since they were planted, and I have no occasion to complain of my 

 success. I see no orchards in better condition than mine. The trees are 

 healthy, and the crop good. I hold that, when you commence cutting 

 your trees, you weaken their vitality, and invite disease and early death 

 into your orchard. How often we have seen an orchard almost ruined 

 by injudicious pruning. It would have been far better off if it had 

 received no pruning. And the question of "low heads" or "high 

 heads" is a simple one. , 



I say, low heads every timfe. Let the trees branch out within a foot 

 of the ground. You will have a bearing tree sooner, and more fruit when 

 it does bear. 



Mr. Minkler said trees in the orchard should be set three or four 



inches deeper than they stood in the nursery. If not, the ground will 



settle, and leave the roots not sufficiently covered and firmly set in the 



soil. 



The Hon. J. W. Robison (of Tazewell county) said that there was 



another advantage in deep planting — that is, the trees not only stand 



