SDMMER MEETING. 13 



of the tops must necessarily come off also. On the proper pruning of 

 the young tree depends largely the future welfare of the tree. Every 

 twig or limb should be cut away, and the head of the future tree started 

 not less than three feet apart from the ground — if a little higher the 

 better — if a clean, straight, single-stemmed tree is wanted. Some 

 planters claim many advantages for the low-headed trees, but it is a 

 sad mistake. Of course I have reference to the apple and standard 

 pear. No one in speaking of an apple tree means an apple bush. 

 Nature, in the course of time, will correct all such treatments, but 

 many a promising orchard is ruined. Again, I say, it is wrong to start 

 an apple tree with a low head so often seen, for various reasons. Trees 

 so treated are very inconvenient to cultivate and handle afterward. 

 When the trees are in bearing then it becomes necessary to cut away 

 large limbs, and often the tree is spoiled by so doing, leaving large 

 wounds, and decay follows. With low-headed trees, with the branches 

 near the ground and looking like a brush pile, and in many instances 

 no better than such, how difificult to wrap them in the fall to kept the 

 rabbits off, which should be done every season until the trees are 

 large, or what a task to look after borers, and, if found, to dig them out, 

 which should not be neglected. Look for them in June and again in 

 September. Some planters argue low-headed trees are not so liable to 

 blow over by high winds or get sun-scalded. I think this is a great 

 deal imaginary. If a tree is properly planted and pruned while young 

 it will take care of itself — high or low winds. The careful planter sees 

 that his trees are firmed in the early stage of the orchard's life after a 

 heavy rain-storm, should any be blown over a little. Why are such 

 grand and noble looking trees, fruit trees with straight stems and fine 

 spreading heads, seen in the Eastern states ? The winds blow there 

 about as much as in Missouri. A few years ago, while on a visit to 

 Ohio, I observed an orchard planted thirty-three years past when I left 

 that state and came West — perfect specimens and truly magnificent 

 trees, with clean stems, fine head and beautiful fruits — none of the 

 brush-pile looking so-called trees so often seen in the West. The 

 owners of low-headed apple trees claim the fruit is so handily picked 

 without the use of the ladder. So far, so good ; but in a few years of 

 bearing the finest fruit is found on the top. The lower branches sweep- 

 ing the ground may have apples on^ but what are they good for f Hardly 

 fit for vinegar — small, insipid, colorless and I should say worthless. 

 And how disagreeable to go on all fours crawling under the brush-pile 

 to gather the fallen fruit. The proper way in orcharding is to start a 

 tree right while young and very little pruning is required afterward, 

 save occasionally when a limb crosses another, or to cut away the water 



