208 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



which affects the apple-trees, as there is something which 

 affects the potatoes and makes them scabby, certain years? 



Mr. Hadwen. Having had some little experience with the 

 odd-year-bearing apples, perhaps I may be able to answer the 

 question. In the year 1843, when I was at Newton, I noticed 

 that some of the Baldwin trees, more particularly, were not 

 in bearing, and some of them were. I inquired of the 

 proprietor of the grounds, and he informed me that the trees 

 which were then in bearing were the odd-year Baldwins, and 

 the next year the other trees would be in full bearing. After 

 that, I planted some seed for the purpose of raising my own 

 apple-trees, and went to that place and gathered buds from 

 the odd-year-bearing trees. That was in the year 1843, and 

 since then I have had ample time and opportunity to test the 

 result. The result is, that those trees still continue to bear 

 the odd years. But a gentleman inquired in regard to other 

 varieties bearing the odd year. I have on my farm a tree 

 which has two large branches, branching off in different direc- 

 tions, and I have had an opportunity of noticing that tree 

 since 1844. The odd 3'ear, one of those branches is invariably 

 full of fruit ; the even year, the other branch is full. I have 

 also other varieties of apples that bear the odd year. Some 

 of my Ilubbardston Nonsuch trees always bear the odd year, 

 and others bear the even year. The tree I just spoke of, that 

 had two branches, is a natural fruit, but a very good one. 

 The cause of this difference is of course beyond my knowledge. 

 I simply know the fact, that where a tree gets into the habit 

 of bearing the odd year, it will continue to do so. 



Mr. Sweet. I think this matter of pruning trees is an 

 important one. I have had a little experience in that direc- 

 tion, and for convenience' sake, perhaps, more than any other 

 reason, I have done what pruning I have done from the 

 middle of April to the middle of May. In years past, 

 being rather pressed by business, and perhaps a little slack 

 withal, I let my trees grow a little out of shape, — let them 

 make large limbs, so that when I did see fit to trim, I had to 

 give them what you call a severe pruning ; and I did that at 

 the time named, — anywhere from the middle of April to the 

 middle of May, — and I have never detected any such bad 

 results as those described by the gentleman on the right. I 



