FAEMEKS' INSTITUTES. ' 12a 



A great deal depends upon the preparation of the soil for the trees before they 

 are planted. Drainage and thorougli snb-oiling are necessary except in the 

 lightest soils ; and a fact never to be forgotten is that apple trees reqnire to be 

 fed as well as cattle and sheep to be profitable. 



In the planting of an orchard the direction of the prevailing winds shonld bo 

 a point of consideration, and the trees shonld be set loaning slightly in that 

 direction. Stakes of considerable size may often be employed for a donble nse. 

 They will serve to tie the tree to, and if driven npon the southwest side, will 

 shiide the body of the tree from the eifect of tlie snn in winter, which does its 

 blistering work about two o'clock in the day. 



Protection is a matter of paramount importance in tlie selection of a site for 

 an orchard, and in arranging for its health and usefulness afterward. High 

 ground has great advantages, because experience has taught that atmospheric 

 drainage is an important matter to look after as well as drainage of tlie land. 

 Timber belts, planted on the side of the cold winds, are a protection, when they 

 are not too thick, so as to keep the air from moving, in which case danger may 

 be apprehended from late frosts in the spring. Again, a very important item 

 in the matter of jorotection is the one of having some covering for the ground 

 about the trees. In many instances, during the past few years, when so many 

 trees have been ruined by the severity of the cold, others have been saved by a 

 little ccrass or a few weeds scattered throuo-h the orcliard and about their bodies. 



Pruning, like the training of a child, should be begun at the first, and not 

 neglected for any reason. Then there will never be the necessity of removing 

 large lim})s, which is so suggestive of barbarism. By this method, notliing in 

 the way of a cutting implement, larger tiian a knife, will ever be needed in the 

 orchard. 



The eye of an eagle after its prey should not be keener than that of the suc- 

 cessful orchardist in looking after the insects of all sorts that delight in the 

 destruction of his hopes. The most approved and latest devised methods are 

 heralded abroad tlirough the agricultural press, and the fruit-grower who looks 

 well to his ]iighest interest will be thoroughly conversant Avith them. 



By all means plant apple-trees. Plant them for profit, that you may have the 

 wherewithal to use elsewhere; plant them for the conveniences of the table and 

 comfort of the family circle ; plant them for the pleasant associations that are 

 inseparably with the orchard, which is ever remembered by the members of the 

 family as the most cheerful and pleasant accompaniment to the old home. 



Follov/ing the address a number of inquiries were propounded to Mr. Garfield. 

 The answers elicited an entertaining discussion. A few of the queries and 

 answers are given : 



Question. — "What time in the year do you recommend for pruning? 



Answer. — I believe, as already said, in pruning at all times in the year with a 

 knife, and the orchardist should never go through his orchard without lus knife, 

 to remove any branch that is leading wrong. If a neglected orchard is to 

 receive a heavy pruning, my choice of time would be when the sap is in full flow. 



Ques. — How high would you train the bodies of trees? 



Ans. — If orchards are cultivated, about five feet ; if managed by mulching 

 and top-dressing, three feet. The former plan I like the best. 



Ques. — What do you think of the Baldwin apple for Michigan? 



Ans. — It has proved to be not suflRciently hardy to endure the severity of our 

 Michigan winters. Everywhere we hear complaints of the fearful effects of tho 

 weather upon the Baldwin orchards. 



