360 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



tlie iiijurv between the bark and wood. I had succeeded, as I be- 

 lieved, in completely mastering our orchard insects, and thought T 

 understood my l)usiness, but now feel as though the result of a life- 

 time of labor and effort to overcome the difficult question of orchard- 

 ing in the northwest had taken wings and flown away." 



Mr. Dixon is doubtless correct in his conclusions as to the cause 

 of the injury, but there is one important point he m.gy have failed to 

 observe. The mean temperature of last summer was much lower 

 than the average, which prevented the proper ripening of the wood. 

 This fact, in connection with the warm wet weather, which started 

 the flow of sap as referred to by Mr. Dixon, made the trees in the 

 worst possible condition to endure the ordeal of the winter. A care- 

 ful examination of the orchards in this vicinity, over twelve or fif- 

 teen years old, particularly on low, wet ground, shows more or less 

 of this discoloration between the bark and wood. The trees Avill 

 never be what they were before, but if properly cultivated and cared 

 for we think most of them will so far recover as to produce several 

 crops of fruit. Every possible aid should be given to nature in her 

 effort to repair the injury. The most efficient help is good cultiva- 

 tion, and all injured orchards that are in sod should be broken \\\) 

 and carefully cultivated until the first of August, when, if the sea- 

 son be reasonably favorable, they will be found to be wonderfully 

 improved in health."' 



President Dennis asked: Was the injury referred to by Mr. 

 Dixon caused by the wet of last summer, or the severe cold of last 



winter? 



Mr. Hammond said it was doubtless caused by the peculiar con- 

 dition of tlie weather last summer and fall, but thought they would 

 have recovered if the weather had been mild and open. 



Mr. Spitz reported many of his orchard trees killed or crippled. 

 About one-tenth of his Ben Davis are injured by the bursting of the 

 bark. 



J. T. Johnson reported Mr. Beedle as saying that one-half of his 

 Ben Davis are injured in the same way. 



J. L. Piggot asked: Is it not one of our hardiest trees? 



President Dennis said it is less able to endure our severe winters 

 than many other varieties. 



Some anxiety was manifested in regard to the effect of the late 

 cold snap on fruit buds. All agreed that there was no apparent in- 

 jury, but tho\;ght it possible that freezing the buds might so weaken 

 their vitality as to cause the young fruit to drop. 



