12 TRANSACTIONS OF THK ILLINOIS 



J. B. k^panldiiig- — 1 have tile-drained extensively, both for 

 orchard and nursery; laid tile three and four feet deep and thirty feet 

 apart. I do not believe in manuring young trees. Too rapid growth 

 is not wanted. In the State of New York apple trees do not grow 

 more in two years than they do in one in our orchards, and they raise 

 more fruit than we do. The most rapid grooving trees are the ten- 

 derest. I do not force the growth of orchard trees, and am satisfied 

 that nurseymen have stimulated with manure their young stock too 

 much. 



Milo Barnard — I have experimented in peeling. Some years 

 ago T peeled a number of trees at different seasdns. Those peeled on 

 the 15th of September never recovered, while all the others which 

 were operated upon earlier in the season^ have a new healthy bark, 

 and have been more productive than those not peeled. 



W. T. Nelson— Won't this kill your trees in a few years? 



Mr. Barnard — The bark was stripped from the trunk of the 

 tree^ extending from the roots to the liml)s. and, in fact, some of the 

 larger limbs were completely barked. Those peeled in June gave the 

 best results. All are now apparently as healthy as any in the 

 orchard. 



W. T. Nelson — Several years ago one of my neighbors peeled a 

 number of trees and they are now dead. Our orchard trees have no 

 surplus strength, and nothing should be done to further weaken 

 them. 



T. McWhorter — I believe this stripping of the tree is [i hum- 

 bug. Anything that will weaken the vitality of a tree will nuike it 

 Ijear fruit, but shorten its longevity, and the trouble of the orchards 

 of this country to-day is, that that they are already too short-lived. 

 Root-pruning is better, will accomplish the same results and not 

 injure the tree so much. 



Dr. Schroeder — Is not our root-grafting the fault? Would not 

 top-grafted or budded trees be better and live longer? 



0. W. Barnard — In reply to Mr. McWhorter, would it not be 

 better to bark a tree and get a little fruit than none at all. Many 

 of our trees have perished before giving us any fruit. 



