134 STATE BOAED OF AGIilCULTURE. 



Ques. — You recoinmeudcd a ground protection for tlie trees, and mentioned 

 weeds in that connection. Would you favor allowing weeds to grow promiscu- 

 ously among our trees, thus giving the orchard a slovenly appearance? 



x\ns. — Yes, rather than not have any surface protection. Cultivation should 

 be suspended by first of August, anyway, so as to give time for the wood to 

 Iiarden for winter. I would advise the sowing of oats or buckwheat or some 

 crop, at the last cultivation, which should remain on the ground as a protection, 

 and also serve to keeji the weeds down. 



Ques. — Why do you advocate planting two-5'ear-old stock? 



Ans. — Because at that age the trees do not lose much ground by transplant- 

 ation, and they are in such a form as to leave the management of the head 

 entirely to the orchardist, Avhilc if older trees be purchased the pruning may 

 have been taken in hand by the nurseryman, and tlie head formed at the wrong 

 place. 



Ques. — How far ai^art would you plant the trees? 



Ans. — Forty feet each way for ordinary varieties. For small growing sorts, 

 like Peck's Pleasant or AYagener, two rods or even less might answer; but if 

 well grown, Baldwins, Greenings, and Spies will cover the whole space at forty 

 feet, when they come into bearing. 



The above discussion and music by the choir closed the evening session. 



WEDNESDAY FOKEXOON. 



The first thing on the programme for Wednesday morning was a paper by Mr. 

 I/acius Palmerlee of Bruce, on 



MIXED HUSBANDRY. 



Mr. Ciiairjian : — With much reluctance I present myself to meet your call 

 for a paper on mixed husbandry. Y^our selection is a poor one, but let us not 

 despise the day of small tilings. Nature builds up great contrasts for our ben- 

 efit. The subject given me is a very broad one in its scientific and practical 

 aspect, and to my gratification has been handled with consummate ability by 

 men, practical, keen in observation, and well versed in the sciences. 



The great desideratum in mixed farming, or any farming, is keeping the soil 

 in good condition for productiveness. It seems to have become a fixed idea that 

 in handling the subject of mixed husbandry the comparative profits must be 

 given, or the individual fails to handle the suljject as it should be ; but for my 

 part I consider it a beaten track, and what every farmer understands well 

 enough already. According to the present mode of farming, there can be no 

 rule established which will apply universally, owing to the difference in soils 

 -and size of farms. Let every farmer manage his own farm subject to his expe- 

 rience and judgment ; for if there is any better method comes under his 

 -observation than he has been following, he will readily see it. 



The profits of farming depend upon demand and supply in a great measure, 

 but full as much in judicious management in disposing of the surplus product 

 hy the farmer. The comparative profits of sheep and cows depend very much 

 upon the course the farmer pursues. If I gave my experience, it would be in 

 favor of sheep, — that is, a given number, according to size of farm. On my 

 farm from 80 to 100 can be kept to advantage, and the most clean profit with the 

 ieast labor of any thing onthe farm ; but overstocking the farm with them is disas- 

 trous. I keep but six cows, but keep them for the good living (as milk and 



