188 MISSOURI STATE flOKTICULlURAL SOCIETY. 



Plowing IS an important item, and we cannot be too careful to pre- 

 vent inj uring the trees. A. high-topped hame should never be taken in 

 an orchard, as it is very likely to break or buise the low branches. 

 Great damage is also done trees by the ends of the whifflatrees bruising 

 and mutilating the trunks, and I see no good reason why something 

 cannot be contrived to eifectualiy prevent this injury. I have seen a 

 cut ot a contrivance in the Michigan State Horticultural society's 

 report of 18S1, which may be practical. The whillletrees are carried 

 under the bodies of the horses, and a chain fastened to the center of 

 the evener is all that there is between the horses and the plow. 



A very important matter connected with making orcharding 

 profitable is the pruning, and while it is true, as a general rule, 

 that the skillful orchardist may give his trees about such shape 

 as he pleases, still the pruning should be done with a thorough 

 knowledge of the natural characteristics of the growth of different 

 varieties of trees. For instance, no well posted fruit grower 

 will attempt to give a like shaped top to a Red Strawberry and 

 B. Ben Davis. The pruning should never be done in ahap-hazzard way, 

 but with an inleiligent idea of what form of tree is best adapted to the 

 different varieties. The extremes of a too compact and a too open top 

 should be avoided. With all varieties the skillful orchardist will be 

 able to secure a handsome, well rounded top sufficiently compact to 

 give the proper shade to both trunk and main limbs, and at the same 

 time sufficiently open to admit the amount of light and air necessary 

 to perfect the fruit of the more central portions of the tree. As to the 

 best time of the year for pruning much has been said and written, and 

 considerable difference of opinion and practice prevails, and while I 

 believe the time of pruning of less importance than the manner, still 

 I think it can be most successfully and skillfully done when the trees 

 are in both fruit and leaves, and all things considered, perhaps no time 

 is better adapted to this important work than the months of May and 

 June. From my experience as well. as from observation, I am of the 

 opinion that the profits of the orchard are augmented by heading the 

 trees low. On such varieties as Ben Divis and a great many other 

 varieties whose branches incline to a more lateral growth, thus giving 

 a low spreading top, I would start the top about four f^et from the 

 ground. While with such varieties that incline to a more upright 

 growth I would endeavor to give not over three feet of trunk. Trees 

 thus formed with their tops low will be more easily kept erect, will 

 have less fruit shaken off by wind, and the expense of gathering will 

 be quite a per cent less than from those allowed to grow much taller. 



