PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 263 



Baldwin, Bed Canada, Northern Sp}', Jonathan, Willow Twig, Green- 

 ing, American Beauty, and Golden and Eoxbury Russet are among the 

 excellent varieties for this purpose. King, Westfield, and Hubbardston 

 are more desirable for early winter than the Russets, because of their 

 color. Ben Davis and Russets are best for late keeping. 



Planting too close is a common error. I made that mistake in planting 

 a portion of my orchard. The branches interlace and the ground is too 

 much taxed and shaded. Two rods apart is near enough; further, rather 

 than nearer. Especially is this the case with trees of a spreading habit. 

 Some have advocated close planting, and when the trees become large 

 enough to interfere, cutting out each alternate tree. When they come 

 into bearing they need the whole ground. Furthermore, but few would 

 have courage enough to cut away one half of an orchard. We are learn- 

 ing that one crop for the ground is enough at a time. 



For four or five years after an orchard is set. some hoed crop may be 

 no special disadvantage, since it secures cultivation that might otherwise 

 "be neglected; but, after it comes into bearing, the trees and fruit should 

 have all the ground. We are learning to cultivate our apple orchards 

 as a crop. Give them the same degree of cultivation experienced grow- 

 ers give their peach orchards, and we would hear less of ''Apple culture 

 don't pay". Crops, or grass and weeds, take moisture and nourishment 

 the trees and fruit need. 



The apple is more patient under neglect and abuse than most other 

 fruits. There is a time, however, when ^'Forbearance ceases to be a 

 \ irtue". Emphatic protest is made; the ordinary annual growth is mostly 

 withheld; the limbs and body are moss-covered, and the tree easily 

 becomes a victim of disease and insect enemies. Many of us do not apply 

 the knowiedge we possess on the subject. Sometimes we seem not to 

 have the time, and sometimes we lack present financial ability to hire 

 the work done. Shall I say that in some cases it is lack of energy or 

 knowledge, and perhaps both? 



We are learning to fertilize more. The soil, however good, can not bear 

 continual cropping without exhaustion. It must be fed. Horace Greeley 

 illustrated this sort of starvation by a homely but forcible figure: "Tie 

 a cow to a stake. She will live as long as the grass within the limits of 

 the rope holds out. She will starve afterward." One reason why 

 orchnrds were formerly more fruitful than many now are, is, the virgin 

 soil had not been exhausted. What nature did then, art must do now. It 

 is vital to the future of successful culture. 



Judicious pruning is also a factor in future success. This should begin 

 with a tree as training does with a child — in early life. Twenty acres 

 of my apple orchard were planted with trees of but one year's growth 

 from the graft. Pruning began early, a little at a time. At first the top 

 is kept balanced; then by degrees cut off the side branches till they are 

 made to head about throe feet from the ground. After the head is formed, 

 thinning is about all the pruning needed. 



Some of the advantages of planting trees so young are: the first cost 

 is much less, freight is less, more of the root in proportion will be taken 

 up with the tree, the planting is almost as easily and quickly done as the 



