Winter Meeting. 191 



corn crop bv cultivating too deep and at the last cultivation make sweet 

 potato ridges out of the corn row, instead of leaving it level so it will 

 retiiin the moisture and stand drouth. 



The motto of every tree planter and corn grower should be, cultivate 

 shallow, level and often. 



Cultivate crops in orchards the first three years. I consider corn 

 and potatoes or any crop requiring cultivation the best to plant. jSTever 

 sow any small grain unless you leave a strip next the tree row that can 

 be cultivated by plowing or hoeing. 



BEST TOOLS. 



In this day and age of improved machinery every orchardist 

 should provide himself with good tools to work with. So far as the 

 writer's knowledge extends the Planet Jr. horse cultivator with its 

 various shaped shovels is the best cultivator for general cultivation 

 among young trees. Be sure to get a set of wing shovels or sweeps for 

 use in shallow, level cultivation; also provide a short single tree, sixteen 

 inches is about the right length. Another good tool is a good bright, 

 sharp hoe. Sharpened from the inside the same as an adz or mattock. 



"The man with the hoe" is all right among newly planted trees if 

 he uses it. A sharp, fine-tooth saw and a good hawk-bill knife are 

 also necessities. 



PRUNING FIRST^ SECOND AND THIRD YEARS. 



This part of growing an orchard is an important one, especially 

 the first year, as that is the time to correctly shape the future tree. 

 Tho old saying is true : "As the twig is bent the tree is inclined." 

 After the tree has been planted shorten in the branches at least one half, 

 leaving the central shoot much the longest. Cut off side branches till 

 top is evenly balanced, if top is formed all on one side cut back to a whip 

 and let new top form. If head is wanted at 20, 24 or 30 inches keep all 

 sprouts rubbed off below. Prune the second year with the view of 

 shaping the future tree. The third year prune only such limbs as cross 

 each other, or that grow irregular so as to spoil the symmetry of the 

 tree. Beyond this the writer does not believe in much pruning. Pe- 



