476 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. Bidwell thinks quince trees grown from seed to be budded, would be 

 more vigorous and less apt to sucker than those grown by cuttings. 



Mr. D. B. Williams and others argued to the contrary. 



Mr. Bailey has several seedlings growing by the side of Orange quinces, with 

 the same treatment, which he thinks are nicer than the Orange quince. 



There are trees in the vicinity over thirty years old, still vigorous and pro- 

 ducing well. 



Mr. Bidwell claims quince trees should be grown as standards, not bushes. 



PREPARING LAND FOR TREE-PLANTING. 



South Haven, January 19, 1874:. 



The question, " How shall wo prepare land for planting trees? what to do 

 with stumps," — a special consideration, — was discussed with much animation. 



On the question whether, if the timber had been cut several years, so that at 

 least half of the stumps could be pulled out with a team without much grub- 

 bing, it was economy to remove all the remaining stumps before setting a 

 peach orchard, barely a majority voted in the affirmative, these including sev- 

 eral of our most extensive and experienced growers of fruit among stumps. 



On the question whether it would pay to take out all the green stumps from 

 a piece of heavy timbered land just cleared to set a peach orchard on, only Mr. 

 A. S. Dyckmann voted in the affirmative. The others thought it would be 

 best to wait at least three years after the timber was cut, and tiien some would 

 remove all the stumps ; but others, as many as could be without an extrava- 

 gant amount of labor, and removing the rest at leisure. 



All seemed to think that hemlock, pine, black walnut, white oak, and such 

 lasting stumps, had better be removed first as last. 



Sinking very large stumps was recommended by some, but disapproved by 

 others because they seemed to form an acid in decaying which was unhealthy 

 to fruit trees. 



Mr, Bailey's premium apple orchard was set among green stumps, before all 

 the logs were off. 



It was estimated by some that the advantage of setting trees on new land 

 made it an object to remove the stumps for that purpose before they were fully 

 rotted. The opinion of each seemed to be prejudiced by the consideration 

 whether he had considerable cash capital to invest, or little but his own labor. 



The stumps being disposed of, the necessity of removing standing water be- 

 low the reach of the roots, by draining if necessary, or sub-soiling and thor- 

 oughly mellowing hard soils, and putting good soil about the roots of the trees, 

 was generally insisted on ; also of leveling the ground, or so much so as to 

 have the trees set on a general level. Planting on ridges was condemned, as 

 the soil would be worked away and leave the roots bare. 



