22 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. Murray — Trees will fill up in the center if they are thinned out 

 and he does not see why we should cut out in order to have them fill 

 up with water-sprouts. 



Mr. James — I am still in the fog, and think we must use our own 

 common sense. I sell trees ; customers leave the selection to me and 

 follow my directions. Finds the best apples on dark heavy soils. 



Mr. Russell recommends one-year trees ; pruning is not needed if 

 never begun. 



Mr. Kelson indorses the same plan. At four or five years the 

 trees will be larger and better than if three-year trees had been used. 

 Heads the trees at about three feet. 



Mr. Turner thinks it necessary to take out center stem and check- 

 terminal bud in the nursery. 



Mr. Humphrey sets out oue-year trees. Nature will start thfr 

 leader. 



Mr. Hartzell thinks we can learn from one another. Thinks that 

 uature is the best guide, and that we should not interfere any more 

 than is absolutely necessary. 



Mr. i^elson thinks we should plant for the future and not expect 

 too much ourselves. An orchard 40 X 40 feet in the east was called the- 

 premium orchard and yielded immensely. 



Would plant thickly, and then thin out as the trees demanded the 

 room. Would plant orchards for our children. 



Mr. Murray gives an example of an orchard in Northwest Missouri. 

 Mr. Woods planted twenty years ago a large orchard, and was ridiculed 

 by his neighbors. One year he sold the apples for $8000, Got the 

 benefits m his life, and his sons after him have sold 812,000 from the 

 same orchard. It has done its duty, and is dying now. Should be cut 

 down. 



Mr. Goodman — In planting apple trees, plant large one-year trees 

 or medium two-year trees. The trees should hav6 a center stem and 

 be pruned very little when set out. Get all the growth possible, and 

 never cut off a branch during the growing season for at least three 

 years. Get all the leaf growth you can. You cannot get rapid growth 

 if you keep taking off the leaf buds during the first three years. 

 Always keep a center stem and get the branches to come out at nearly 

 right angles as possible. 



If you should have a fork, cut one of the branches back severely 

 and leave the other for the leader. In time the one cut off will form 

 a branch. Never cut the fork off closely to the tree, it leaves too large 

 a scar. Never cut off the leader. Cultivate well and take nothing off" 

 the ground after the third or fourth year, but continue the cultivatioui 



