STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 275 



lively free from moisture, while the sand could not escape. Also it would be a sure 

 protection against rabbits. In (act, he considered it the right thing in the righl place. 



Fletcher— Thought a drum or cylinder would be cheaper and a more suitable form. 



Dr. Hooton— Having expressed a doubt as to the necessity of moisture for the 

 hatching <>f borers 



McCord stated that he had, while making some experiments, mislaid a vial contain- 

 ing eggs of the steel blue moth. Finding it after a lapse of eleven years, he placed the 

 the eggs in some moist earth and they hatched out. 



Brunton— Alluded to an examination he had of Mr. Fletcher's peach trees. This 

 orchard is situated on hilly land in the timber. No worms could be found except on 

 half a dozen trees which were in a ravine. 



The subject of Apple Culture was then taken up and discussed at some length in a 

 desultory manner. 



Under — Thought it would be advisable to re-graft many of our bearing tree, in 

 order to get a more desirable and profitable apple. In cases where trees had not proved 

 true to name, or such varieties as were not suited to our locality, others might be sub- 

 stituted by top grafting without a great loss of time. Care should be taken not to 

 graft fast growing varieties upon slow growing trees. Was in favor of root grafting 

 When a good selection of varieties is made, which can be done more at our leisure. In 

 top grafting, thinks it would be advisable to cut off the top of the tree the year before 

 grafting ; where the stump is large would insert a wedge to ease the graft, so as not to 

 bind too tight ; would put in two grafts, but would allow but one to grow. 



Crosby — Preferred root grafting, though rather than raise poor fruit would top graft, 

 every time. Alluded to a collar grafted orchard planted twelve years ago, that was 

 overtaken by a root grafted orchard of eight years' planting. Care should be taken 

 not to <rraft on unhealthy trees. Considered the Winter Pearmain an unhealthy tree. 



Robert Barron — was in the habit of root grafting small trees ; of collar grafting on 

 medium size, and top grafting on large and older ones. When a tree has made its growth 

 it is not of much use to graft it, as grafting helps to kill it. Generally puts in four 

 grafts on large trees. Prefers budding apple trees in the same way ns the peach. Be 

 careful to select well matured, thrifty buds, and not take blossom buds. There is more 

 danger of getting blossom buds with the peach than with the apple. Would cut the 

 scions as soon as February, and when the limbs are free from frost. They should be 

 packed in sand and protected from frost and water. Would cut off the principal limbs 

 of the tree a little distance from the fork, leaving any lateral shoots that might be on 

 the stump, which should be cut of! the following season, when more scions might lie 

 grafted. Thinks it is a good plan to graft about half in one season, and the balance 

 the next, drafting should be done about the time the sap rises. 



Brunton — Thinks there is no difference as to the time of coming into bearing by 

 either method of root or collar grafting. Early fruiting is not increased by double or 

 treble working. Had noticed several orchards which had been top grafted several years 

 and observed quite an even growth. Thought many of our bearing orchard-, would be 

 improved by judicious top grafting. Many complaints are made in the East, about the 

 decay of apple orchards — some Horticulturists asserting that the apple would become 

 extinct at no distant day. Mr. B. thought apple trees planted on new ground and 



