FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 171 



does. So by ineotiui; together on this occasion, we shall get some new ideas 

 that niav bo beneficial to us in aidinef ns in our work. 



Tlie great danger is in starving the land. Tiiere is but one safeguard; that 

 is, add as much to as you take from it ; though our soil is rich and productive, 

 by over taxing the land you will impoverish it, growing wheat year after year, 

 or oats without manuring, — no farmer, however careful he may be, can make 

 manure enough to go! over many acres. But if we seed our wheat ground 

 and oats to clover every spring, we get remunerated the next fall in pasture ; 

 and whether the roots of the clover or the top does the most good, I am not 

 prepared to say ; but one thing I do know, seeding to clover enriches the soil. 



There is nothing more befitting than that the farmers should meet together 

 to deliberate on the best mode of conducting their interests. The doctors, the 

 lawyers, the railroad managers, millers and others, meet in associations from 

 time to time to execute plans for their best interests. 



In conclusion I would say, that we as citizens of this peninsular State, have 

 everything that we can desire to make us a prosperous people. We have a good 

 soil for all kinds of crops suited to this latitude. We have the pine forests to 

 supply us with lumber, the mines of tlie Upper Peninsula with iron and cop- 

 per, and water navigation on the west, north and east. With all those ad- 

 vantages, if we do right with our fellow men and our God, we shall be a happy 

 people. 



Prof. Geo. T. Fairchild gave a lecture on "Art and the Sciences in Educa- 

 tion." See lectures and addresses given at more than one Institute. 



Mr. Esek Pray read the following essay on " Apple Orchards — the Best Var- 

 ieties — their Cultivation and Pruning." 



THE APPLE ORCHARD. 



I think that the apple orchard should be considered as one of the most im- 

 portant departments of husbandry. There is no branch that adds more to the 

 health and happiness of our families, and, I am inclined to think, the profits 

 of farming, than a first class orchard. 



Location. 



The most favorable location for an apple orchard, I think, is on what 

 we call our best elevated wheat soil. Too much pains can not be taken in 

 the thorough preparation of the soil, underdraining it, if necessary. Having 

 selected your trees, plant them not nearer than thirty feet apart. I consider a 

 thorough cultivation of the soil for at least ten years after planting a necessity, 

 for the complete success of a young orchard ; and I would not entertain the 

 idea of planting, without mulching thoroughly after setting, not allowing any- 

 thing to be crowded against the stock of the tree. I have no doubt but a tree 

 map be crowded in its growth, as we may crowd a calf or a colt, but what we 

 ■want is a healthy growth, as in other departments of farming ; and we may as 

 reasonably expect a premium calf from one turned at an early age to shift for 

 itself, as to expect a thrifty, healthy growth from trees set and cared for as 

 many of our orchards are. Like any other department in husbandry, it needs 

 constant attention. There seems to be a disposition with some of us to plant 

 large orchards. If a person can and will give it the necessary time and atten- 

 tion, right; if not, a small oi'chard is much better in every way. 



I have often had it suggested to me that I must have a large orchard ; when 



