STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 287 



nature,* and also a great obstruction to cultivation, renders the system 

 very objectionable, and the opinion is becoming quite general tliat low- 

 headed apple trees are not so productive. Experiments have proved that 

 old apple trees, nearly destroyed by bark lice and neglect, can be entirely 

 renovated and made productive bearers by the following treatment: 

 Prune severely; a thorough mulching; old bark scraped ofV to the quick, 

 and a wash applied in June to the bodies of the trees, composed of 

 one pound rock potash dissolved in three quarts of water. I have trees 

 that were planted in 1S42 and in 1S4S, to which the above treatment was 

 applietl, which required three years' time cutting away, about one-third 

 of the old tops each year, thus producing an entire new top selected from 

 the suckers or water sprouts which naturally appear among the branches 

 of an old decayed tree. These new branches began bearing in about 

 four years, and now the entire tree has as fine an appearance, and is as 

 good a bearer as if it were only one-half its honest age. 

 I have received the following letter, which 1 insert : 



Elkhorn Grove, November, 1870. 

 James Hallet, Esq.: 



Dear Sir: — In regard to the oldest orchards in this vicinity, I behave that Sam- 

 ple M. Journey was about the first to plant trees in or about the Grove in the year 

 iS^j. There might have been otiier orchards planted there about the same lime; 

 am not certain. Mvown orchard was started in 1S40, when I planted one hundred 

 trees, and afterwards as fast as I could get them, till I had planted four hundred trees; 

 and for best winter varieties I don't think l»had anything above the medium kinds, , 

 as I bought such as were otYered for sale, good or bad. Of such as I have, the Pen- 

 nock has proved hardy and a good bearer; also, Rawles' Janet, White or Green 

 Pippin, Romanite, Milam, White Winter Pearmain, and Roman Stem. The Yel- 

 low Bellflower has proved a poor bearer; never has paid for the ground it has occu- 

 pied. The Golden Pippin has proved hardy and a good bearer, but I am not sure 

 as I have the true name. 



Yours truly, H. SMITH. 



Henry Smith's farm lies on the north side of Elkhorn Grove, in the 

 southeast corner of Carroll county; soil high rolling prairie. I lis orchard 

 has been well cared for; is quite productive, and is, at present, considering 

 its age, in good condition. The other orchard referred to by Air. Smith 

 as having been planted by Sample M. Journey, is in location, soil, etc., 



* Note. — " Nature " always " protects " the trunks of trees. When she plants them singly 

 she protects by forming side branches ; when in groups or groves tlie side branches (gradually decay 

 and drop off — from the >jround upward — when not needed for the purpose of preTlecting the indi- 

 viduaJ tree, since the branches of each protect the liodies of others, and the heiglit to which they 

 are thus " naturally'" pruned is in direct proportion (m any given variety), to the closeness of the 

 planting. Hence, if we follow " Nature, in this respect, we must either allow the side branches 

 (laterals), to grow naturally on our iruit trees, to protect their trunks from the full force of the 

 sun's rays, or we must plant our trees so closely in the orchard that they will naturally and volun- 

 tarily cast otV their side branches, growing into groves of tall trees, each one of which forms a 

 sun-shade for the trunks of its neighbors. In this case what would our fruit be worth if we could 

 get it ? but — 



" This is an art 



Which does mend Nature — change it rather ; but 



The art itself is nature." 



But in "changing Nature" we cannot go diametrically counter to her laws with impunity ; and ii 

 we expose the bodies of our trees to the sun before the bark b<iomes thick enough to protect the deli- 

 cate alburnum from the sudden effect of its rays, we do so at the peril of the health and longevity of 

 our XXKCS.—Secretary. 



