16 TRANSACTIONS OK THE ILLINOIS 



Dr. Scinborn — In these talks about a})ple trees we have not been 

 told how the trees were trained. I would like to inquire whether the 

 orchards which have been so seriously injured or killed by cold were 

 pruned high. I have been strongly impressed with the fact, that 

 increased longevity is given to pear trees, when blighting, by cutting 

 them low and allowing several stems to grow from the ground. 

 Would not this plan of growing several stems from or near the 

 ;o,round be worth a trial in the apple orchard? 



President (jalusha — I am glad that this question has come up. 

 and that we have a progressive horticultural editor among us. I 

 have observed that the healthiest trees are those having low heads. 

 Let us examine this tliinof. 



Prof. Budd — We want facts just as they are. Theories and 

 teachings of the past are nothing if facts are opposed to them. The 

 danger of injury to the trunk of the tree might be lessened some- 

 what by adopting the plan practiced in some parts of Europe, of set- 

 ting trees at an agle of forty-five degrees, pointing south. One 

 thing I want to call your attention to: the condition of orchard trees 

 when they went into Avinter quarters a year ago last fall. Those 

 Avho picked apples that fall found no difficulty in getting them all. 

 the leaves were so few. Gleaners found no apples where they had 

 the year before picked one hundred bushels. We could find no per- 

 fect leaves on Ben Davis^ and the leaves of most other varieties were 

 nearly as bad. The fact is^ most of our apples and cherries are from 

 the soft, humid climate of Southern Europe^ and are wholly unsuited 

 to our climate. As I said before, what we want is varieties suited to 

 our variable climate, and dry. arid autumns; and we can get them. I 

 think, if we go to the right place in Europe for them. 



Parker Earle — This Cjuestion is certainly a most important one. 

 T have been greatly surprised at the statements made here: so many 

 of our members expressing themselves to the effect that orchards 

 planted on low grounds were the most productive. This is reversing 

 the old theories and past teachings of the Society, and as future 

 orchard planters will look to us for reliable information. I hope the 

 question will be very fully discussed, not only as to apple orchards, 

 but in relation to orchards of peach and pears as well. My opinion 

 is, that the high grounds have decidedly the advantage as regards the 

 attacks of insects, diseases, fungi, etc. Our highest lands have been 

 considered Avorth manv times as much as the low lands for fruits. 



