264 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



winter winds lost no more trees from the effects of such exposure than other 

 portions of the same orchard more protected from the storm. 



The discussion was opened by D. T. Davis, of Kalamazoo, and Mr. Lyon, of 

 Plymouth, both advocating protection, while Mr. Hanford claimed tliat trees 

 in an exposed position, did better than those having protection from the wet; 

 having invariably withstood the storms better and borne better than those hav- 

 protection by an eastern slope. 



HOW TO RESTORE TREES KILLED BY FROST. 



In view of the fact that thousands of fruit trees, especially the peach, have 

 been injured by the severe cold of the winter, and that many have been killed 

 outright, it will be seen that anything that might indicate a practicable relief 

 from the loss that will fall upon this branch of industry will be hailed with 

 satisfaction. On this subject, which was next taken np by the Society, the 

 views of Mr. Hanford, of Indiana, were called out. He said that in the cold 

 winter of 1856 he had an orchard of thrifty young trees absolutely killed to the 

 snow line, and of course a total loss as far as appearances indicated or exper- 

 ience could suggest. Knowing, however, that the trees had been vigorous, and 

 that their roots must possess considerable power of reproduction, he proceeded 

 to cut off the entire top of every tree that had been killed, and left nothing but 

 unsightly stumps throughout the orchard. The spring came on ; advanced 

 somewhat; he watched his stumps with anxiety'; found that numerous buds 

 started out from these stubs, put forth their shoots and made a remarkable 

 growth, and in two years he had as good and healthy an orchard as that which 

 had been cut off by the frost. Since that time he had frequently occasion 

 to treat other trees in a similar manner, sometimes cutting off injured branches 

 only, and had almost uniformly had good results. But it is necessary to cut 

 off the injured branches of frozen toj^s as early as possible after the snow is 

 gone, and always before the sap has begun to ascend the tree. 



Other gentlemen expressed their opinions upon this very important point. 

 To the argument that this practice would cut off the present season's product, 

 was answered that in orchards whose trees are badly injured the crop of this 

 year is out of the question ; of thera the orchard may be saved by a timely 

 application of the surgical knife, and in two or three years be in as good con- 

 dition as before frozen. A true economy cannot fail to indicate the course to 

 be pursued. 



Judge Graves explained an experiment in the protection of young trees from 

 the sun's burning heat in summer and from cold winds in winter, by wrapping 

 the trunk with a cheap, coarse cotton cloth, and the benefit to the trees result- 

 ing therefrom. 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FRUITS. 

 Mr. President, and Gentlemsn of the State Pomological Society: 



Your committee who were assigned to examine and compare the several lots 

 of fruits now spread before you, undertook the delightful task, not with the 

 hope of doing justice to the fruits or exhibitors, but with the desire to do what 

 they could to encourage the cause, if encouragement is needed; which may be 

 a question, since there is in the business of fruitgrowing an intensely exciting, 

 amusing, and instructive employment. Your committee have carefully exam- 

 ined the several plates and report that there are on exhibition 13 lots, of which 

 we speak as follows : 



