DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 123 



that of the ten feet circle of gra?s. The reason ii therefore obvious why no 

 apparent. differejice was observed in the thrif tines.s of the trees "where all the 

 surface was cultivated, and where the circles of grass remained around thcin. 

 Another portion of tliis orchard was left entirely in grass ; and still another had 

 ten feet circles cultivated around the base of the trunks. There was no percep- 

 tible difference in the appearance of the trees, the foliage in both cases being- 

 alike yellowish and unthrifty in appearance, and the shoots of feeble growth. 

 The cultivated circles, ten feet in diameter, constituted but a twenty-fifth part 

 of the area covered by the whole roots, as already explained. From the experi- 

 ments it is obvious that but little advantage can result from tlie common 

 practice of spading circles about fruit trees which stand in grass — unless the 

 circles are very large, and for the first year or two after transplanting, while 

 the roots are comparatively sliort. * * * Tliese, as well as many other 

 experiments which might be cited, prove the error of the common practice of 

 applying manure to the roots in a circumscribed circle. Broadcast culture and 

 broadcast manuring should bo given to the whole surface of an orchard, unless 

 to save labor small portions of grass are left at the foot of the trunk in liorse 

 cultivation." 



THE CODLING JIOTH OR APPLE AVORM 



has not been very troublesome this year. Bands about the trees have never 

 caught so few in any season when there was much of a crop. 



DEAD BALDWINS. 



We have dug out a good many of these which were injured by previous cold 

 winters. We treated tliem well, and waited for them to revive, but most of 

 them grew worse instead of better. 



A few of the Baldwins have borne a small crop this year. This tree is too 

 tender for our locality. We cannot recommend it for cold countries. 



TO INCREASE VARITIES. 



For experiment, we top-grafted numerous trees this spring, and set out some 

 small trees to fill vacancies. 



THINNING APPLES. 



When the young fruit was about an inch in diameter, I placed several 

 students in the orchard to thin out the poorest. We feared in some cases they 

 were tliinncd too much, but the young fruit grew larger, and in all cases there 

 was a plenty left, — often too many. On account of the abundance of fruit 

 ■everywhere, my only regret in this matter is that I did not thin them more closely. 

 Some trees were left without any thinning. The fruit v/as abundant in quan- 

 tity, but poorer in quality, especially of the unthinned northern spys, wliich 

 bore many small, poor apples. 



I feel sure that nothing Avill pay better than a judicious thinning of apples. 

 Especially will this prove true in years when fruit is likely to be abundant and 

 the price low for inferior quality. 



Some trees were left without any thinning. The fruit was abundant in quan- 

 tity, but poorer in quality, especially of the unthinned Northern Spys, wliich 

 bore many small, poor apples. 



I feel sure that nothing will pay better than a judicious thinning of apples. 

 Especially will this prove true in years when fruit is likely to be abundant and 

 the price low for inferior quality. 



