FAEMERS' INSTITUTES. 241 



FOEEXOOX SESSIOX. 



After ail opening piece of music by the baud the following resolution was 

 adopted : 



liesoh-ec', That following each paper read before the Institute a discussion not to 

 exceed fifteen minutes sliall be had, and that no one shall be allowed to speak more 

 than live minutes during each discussion. 



An excellent essay Avas read by Mr. Frank Gully on the •'Raising of Swine." 

 We have not the manuscript of this essay, but hope we may have it so as to 

 appear with other addresses at the close of this record of the Institutes. 



The following essay by Geo. W. Gill Avas read : 



"THE PRESEKVATIOX OP AN ORCHARD." 



To the apple -growers, Avherever they may be, my remarks are particularly 

 addressed. Whether they agree with my far older and more experienced brother 

 farmers or not, I cannot help. And what theories I have to offer, unless they 

 are sound and based on correct principles, I Avould have none of you follow 

 them. But if my remarks shall arouse an interest in this important subject I 

 shall be abundantly repaid. If Ave ncA'er talk or otherwise interest ourselves in 

 particular subjects, we are very apt to folloAV in the same ruts that our fathers 

 and grandfathers did, and our chances for improvement are A'ery limited. 

 Farmers, hoAV A'ery fcAv of us realize how much such a gathering as this is 

 worth to us. Think, if but for one moment, of the benefits Ave may gather 

 from a meeting of this kind. ]\Iany of us meet here as strangers ; Ave part as 

 acquaintances and friends. 



This feature alone, in my opinion, Avill amply repay us for our trouble. In 

 drawing your attention to the subject I have chosen, perhaps it Avould be aa'cII 

 to say for myself that I have always received much pleasure from habits of obser- 

 A'ation. It seems to me I ahvays get my full share of the good things at any 

 public gathering, for if the speaker or his subject fails to interest me, I can 

 ahvays turn to the audience and find plenty of subjects which Avill both interest 

 iind amuse me. Take the largest gathering any of us ever attended, even the 

 vast numbers at the Centennial, and no tAA'o persons alike; eA'ery one different; 

 no two Avitli the same cares, the same troubles, or the same looks, and all Avith 

 their habits and nationality more or less stamped on their features, all shoAving 

 nature's laAVS to be unchangable. Yea, men or Avomen, animals, plants, or 

 trees, must observe her laAvs or pay the penalty. And this brings me to my 

 subject. Preservation of Orchards. I haA'e no doubt you mil all agree Avith me 

 that if AA'e knew nature's laws in regard to the growth of trees, and Avould obserAe 

 them, AA'e should haA'e healthy trees. But it is in not understanding these laws* 

 or in not applying them, wherein Ave fail. In the first jilace, is it right to dig 

 the tree up, take its main root, sever it in two or three pieces, and start a tree 

 from each piece. 'Now, I think you Avill all agree that the tree never has the 

 same form of roots that it Avould have had ; or, in other Avords, it never has a 

 large, strong ta]) root as it has in a state of nature. K"ow, Ave knoAV that the 

 tree, in order to groAA', has a variety of duties to perform. As the sap rises and is 

 exposed to the action of the air through the leaA'es, it is then fitted in a con- 

 dition to be used by the tree in the formation of ncAV Avood, ncAV buds, blossoms, 

 fruit, etc., in the formation of Avood the tree makes use of a variety of minerals 

 AThicli it takes up from the earth, and I believe that the tap root has an essen- 



