Winter Meeting. 315 



It should be noted that the cost of cultivating the trees of the 

 first planting during their first season of growth amounted to only 85 

 cents per acre for the entire season, but this was abnormal because of 

 the wet season and the impossibility of securing labor at the right 

 time. They were not cultivated as many times as they should have 

 been. The intention is to grow corn in this orchard again next sum- 

 mer and it is estimated that if the season is normal it will cost from 

 $2.50 to $3.00 per acre to properly cultivate the trees. The land 

 has been let for the coming season to a tenant who will pay a cash 

 rental that will amply cover the cost of maintaining the trees. This 

 can be done for two or three seasons yet before it will be necessary 

 to cease producing corn. Cow peas will be the crop to be grown when 

 the soil shows signs of becoming impoverished from continuous 

 cropping with corn. 



DISCUSSIONS ON ORCHARDS. 



T. H. Todd. — When you are cultivating the corn cultivate both 

 wa}-s and do not omit the apple tree row ; use the double shovel and 

 plow both ways and there will be little trouble to loosen with the hoe 

 the hard part about the tree. Trees grow well so treated and even 

 without the "hoe. 



Mr. Howard. — I expect to plant four crops of corn in my orchard, 

 but would not advise this on a weaker soil. 



H. L. Messick. — When you take the wrappers off the bark will 

 be tender. 



Mr. Hov/ard. — My man drills in his corn and could plow but one 

 way. I have him plow close to the tree, but still I want the hoe used 

 to pulverize the soil. I plant the tree the same as in the nursery or 

 a little deeper so that it will be the same when the dirt settles. I prune 

 l>oth roots and to]), cutting off half the length of the branches, shorter 

 t(;nar(! the top and have the branches eighteen inches from the ground. 



Mr, Hitt. — What objection is there to using newspapers for wrap- 

 pers and fastening with twine? 



W. L. Howard. — The paper wrapper v/ill keep out the borers and 

 rabbits, but does not last. It is best to plant the trees perpendicular 

 as when they are planted inclined they stay so. I prefer to have 

 them straight and shade the trunk with the wrappers. I expect fruit 

 the fifth year and by that time the branches will shade the trunk. 



