STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 3]^ 



Mr. Fl.\gg — How much shade do they cast upon your orchard 

 trees ? 



Mr. Edwards — I would say about three or four hours in the day. 



Mr. Freeman — I have noticed that for three years past we have 

 had very dry seasons, producing in the North conditions that are the 

 usual conditions where we have fruitfiflness. In regard to the large size 

 in corn, I have noticed that we had in the North, as well as on the hills 

 of "Egypt," some timely showers, which helped to increase the crop. 



Mr. Flaog — Have you, this year, noticed anything in regard to the 

 hardness of the kernels of corn and other grains.' 



Mr. Free.man — I have, and think it owing to the long dry season, 

 and perfect ripening before frosts. In case of early frosts, the grain 

 would be soft. I think I have observed the same conditions in Northern 

 Illinois that are the usual conditions in Southern Illinois, and hence 

 the general increase and superiority of fruits and grains. 



Dr. Hooton — Said that fruit is perfected by rays of light and by 

 heat, — that trees should be pruned so as to admit sunlight and a free 

 circulation of air to the fruit. 



Mr. Wier — Dr. Hooton's theory about pruning to let sunshine on 

 the fruit don't apply in my orchard. I do not prune, yet all my fruit is 

 good. 



Voice — How do you get into the tree to pick your fruit .' 



Mr. Wier — I am least troubled in that way — a large portion of the 

 fruit is reached from the ground. And I claim that I can grow more 

 apples and finer fruit on my system of no jjruning, than can be grown 

 on any other plan. Why is it that you get no fruit from your Northern 

 Spys till they are fifteen years old .' Take the inside out of a tree, and it 

 will not bear as soon, nor as well. I can show you Northern Spy trees, 

 planted in 1866, that are now bearing their second crop. 



The President — Will you state the kind of soil .' 



Mr. Wier — It is the common sandy loess soil of the Illinois 

 river banks. 



Voice — How long has your orch'ard been planted .' 

 Mr. Wier — The oldest trees in my 1/ nfir u ned oxchdivd were planted 

 in 1 86 1. 



Mr. Free.man — How will they look twenty years hence.' 



