No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 243 



sufficient to prove that three inches is better than 5, we should fol- 

 low that rule. 



MB. KODGERS: I find that what suits one tree will not suit an- 

 other in variety. I have cut off all dead wood, all bruised wood, all 

 roots that looked unpromising and occasionally have had to cut less 

 than three inches. 



MR. BEAVER: The true principle is in the compacting of the soil. 

 If you have a tree that has roots five to eight inches, it will not be 

 so sure to stand and grow as in cases where you have long roots. I 

 find that where there are few long roots, if the ground is effectually 

 compacted, one will be successful. 



QUESTION: What time of year is best to prune?" 



Answer: That depends upon your tree and its age. Young trees 

 should be pruned in early spring or late fall. Prune whenever your 

 trees needs it. That is the only safe rule to follow. 



MB. BODGEBS: In regard to "ringing" trees, will not cutting the 

 bark off clear around the tree, prevent the sap from going down? 

 What time of year do you advise "ringing" a tree, and will it injure 

 the Northern Spy?" 



Answer: Pear, peach, plum, Northern Spy are not hurt. You can 

 bring any tree to early fruiting by that method. If you take a peach 

 limb and run a copper wire around it^ you will retard the flow of sap, 

 and you will double or treble the size of the fruit. If I were going 

 to "ring" a tree (and I recommend this only as a heroic remedy) I 

 should do it early in June. I have done this in dozens of cases early 

 in June and the next year the tree would be loaded with fruit. 



MB. McHENBY : A fruit tree that has been neglected in the prun- 

 ing, is there any difference in the time of year that you would prune 

 that tree with a view to starting water sprouts? 



Answer: Early and late pruning will throw out more water sprouts 

 than summer pruning. As they start out, prune them out. The cir- 

 culation there is limited. Prune back and feed at the same time and 

 try to get new life into that tree. 



MB. HOOVEB: I should like to consider one point with Dr. Funk. 

 A common mistake is to plant a tree with as little trouble as possible. 

 As a rule, tree planters do not dig their holes large enough nor give 

 enough of loose surface under the tree. I think a tree planter should 

 make holes very large. He should take a sharp iron and loosen the 

 soil as deeply as possible. 



