148 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Cultivation is the only road to success. Without it the orchard cannot grow. 

 Cultivation at the wrong season would cause destruction, therefore, we must know 

 what we are cultivating for, and when to cultivate. 



First, we should cultivate our orchard thoroughly before we set trees. At 

 least three good plowings should be given ground. Then comes good cultivation 

 from time ground works well in the spring until about August 1st, when all culti- 

 vation should cease ; for after August cultivation keeps up sap and growth and the 

 wood fails to ripen and get ready for winter. 



The hoe is the best tool I have ever found to work near a tree. I use Cuta- 

 way ( or Dick ) harrows to cut as close as 1 can to my trees, then it is necessary to 

 hoe. 



If weeds and grass get very rank after you quit cultivation, use your mowing 

 machine, and allow the weeds and grass to rot on the ground. 



If the sap goes down and your trees lose their fuliage in November, 1 would 

 recommend plowing under all rubbish, for by so doing you destroy many insects, 

 and then you do not have to plow your orchard in the spring when the ground is 

 wet. Wrong cultivation is the cause of sun-scald and much of the twig-blight. 



If your orchard be on very rich, heavy land, raise a hoed crop on it for four or 

 five years ; but if it be light land do not think of replacing the fertility of the land 

 with manure, for you will certainly fail on this line. Clean cultivation is best for 

 light soil. 



The training of an orchard should begin the day setting commences. You 

 should trim out any and all bruised and ill-shaped limbs and cut otf all mutilated 

 roots before setting. Then be sure to set your trees in straight rows. 



My best success in getting perfect rows has been with the use of check-row 

 wire with marks just the distance I want trees set. This carried out well will 

 give you the best satisfaction . 



To keep trees erect is a task that can only be done by constant attention in 

 wet, windy weather. However, this must be looked after or your trees will all 

 lean to the northeast, and when the wind has them whipped loose in the ground the 

 roots will become soured and diseased. This is often the cause of death. Never 

 allow your trees to get too deep in the ground, either from setting or cultivation. 



Keep your trees headed in : that is, keep them from spreading out so that the 

 limbs when full of fruit will be weighted down to the ground. This can be done 

 with little work if commenced at the proper time of setting and carefully looked 

 after each season. 



Wednesday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p. m. 



Welcome address was given by the mayor of Fulton, I. N. Sitton, 

 in a few well-chosen words, and responded to by the President, J. C. 

 Evans, in the same way, saying that the Society was here for work and 

 not play. 



He then called for the program, after being entertained by the 

 band with a few pieces of well-chosen music. 



