16 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



insnflicicut moisture in the soil. The tree sending forth its bud and blossom, 

 and comparatively sapless from long winter exposure, must draw upon the roots 

 for more than a common supply. If the roots are short of life blood, it is no 

 wonder that frc([ucntly the fruit does not set and the crop is a failure. 



At no time in the year is a due moisture of the soil of more inijiortance 

 than at the time of setting of the fruit, and at the beginning of winter — the 

 one I apprehend is essential to the protection of the tree from frost, and the 

 other to its successful fruiting, Tiiorough mulching may, however, measurably 

 supply the want of suthcient rainfall, by preventing evaporation in summer, 

 and excessive freezing in winter. 



I have incidentally spoken of low branches as desirable in the api)le tree. 

 "When we consider the protection that such afford to the trunk, thus saving the 

 injury of sunblight, I think the considerations in favor of low trees predom- 

 inate. The limbs should be trained sufficiently high to afford ample circula- 

 tion of air under the branches, yet so low that one-half the frnit can be picked 

 from a stool on the ground. Strong limbs, brought out four feet from the 

 ground, branching at an angle of forty-live degrees, so as to make an open 

 top for air and sunlight, make in my judgment the best tree. 



Let us recapitulate its advantages : 



1st. The trunk is shaded so as to avoid sunblight. 



2d. The fruit is easily picked. 



od. The wind is less likely to break the tree, or cause the fruit to fall. 



4th. Tlic falling fruit is little bruised. 



The end of increased productiveness in the apple crop will then be attained by 

 properly caring for the tree, and saving the most of the fruit. 



This brings us to the second branch of our subject, "' llow to save the crop." 

 It is not enough that we have apples in Sejitember and October, we want them 

 in May and June. The problem of saving the fruit is then an important one. 

 Saving the fruit is not, however, the mere putting it in store. The beginning 

 of the process is back of that. The picl'inr/ is an important part of the work, 

 and the ti7ne of picking more imiJortant still. 



The farmer seeks to cut his wheat, oats, and clover at the proper time, 

 thinking that the plumpness of the grain and the superior quality of the hay 

 depends upon con>ulling the proper time of harvest. The grower of 

 tobacco or sugar caue will engage all the labor ut his command to secure their 

 respective crops, not a day too early nor yet a day too late. So much depends 

 upon just the right time in which to do their work, yet many orchardists will 

 pick their apples when all else is done. It matters little with them whether 

 they are picked in September or November so that they are housed before snow 

 flies. The folly of this policy is apparent Avhen we consider that he who picks 

 his apples in September saves one-fourth of the crop, that would be oii the 

 ground in October, and one-half that would be windfalls in November, and fit 

 only for the cider press. It is safe to compute that Michigan lost 100,000 bar- 

 rels in this way in the fall of 1876, half of which would have been mer- 

 cliantable if picked at the proper time. May wo not then say that the 

 question of increasing production runs practically into the problem of 

 saving the fruit when grown. The Snow apple and the Golden Pippin are 

 quite out of the market in December. Pick them the first of September and 

 they will be sound in February. Pick the Greening at the same time and 

 you will have it fresli in May, slightly shriveled [lerhaps, but juicy and of good 

 flavor. Pick the same apple the 20tii of October and it will be mealy, cracked 



