Annual Meeting at St. Jose^jh. 105 



we must prevent the leaves from withering ; and it must be done 

 largely through the agency of water. Our most successful straw- 

 berry growers call on us to give our strawberry beds water, water, 

 and a little more luater. I believe the same advice followed up 

 witli our orchards would increase the health of our trees to a won- 

 derful degree. In order to secure this supply of water, much may 

 be done by fall plowing, by summer cultivation, and by mulching. 



Care should always be taken to level away the mounds or water- 

 she(Js we so often see around trees. From what I have said of 

 water for trees. I hope no one will suppose me to be opposed to 

 under-draining. 



Healthy orchards will only stand on ground naturally or 

 otherwise under-drained. 



What we object to is the loss by 



SUEFACE DRAINING 



of so much of our summer rains that we so much need on all up- 

 lands in the latter part of summer, when the trees are burdened 

 with fruit and literally famishing for water. 



I also recommend a liberal use of wood ashes, or of lime. In 

 all of the Eastern States, and the older settled portions of the 

 Western States, where fruit trees have attained the largest size and 

 greatest age, the land was originally heavily timbered. Much of 

 the timber was burned on the ground in clearing ; thus leaving a 

 supply of this most excellent fertilizer for A'ears to come. 



We know that our western lands, especially our prairies, are 

 wholly destitute of Avood ashes, and have over a large sliareof their 

 area little or no lime. 



Analysis of the apple (fi'uit) and also of the wood of the tree 

 shows a large percentage of lime and of alkali. 



My experience in the use of wood ashes, applied Sparingly to 

 about forty bearing trees, resulted in quite an improvement in the 

 health, vigor and fruitfulness of the trees. A very liberal supply 

 of ashes, for the last three years, to one Lowell apple tree, now 

 sixteen years old, has changed its condition from a blighted, sickly, 

 almost barren tree," to that of perfect health, rich, glossy and 

 abundant foliage, with heavy crops of extra fine fruit. ^ 



What I have said in regard to apple orchards will in general 

 hold good in the treatment of other kinds of fruit trees. Cai'e 

 should be taken not to cultivate too late in the season, for fear 

 of keeping up such a flow of sap and rapid growth, as to prevent 

 the young wood from maturing,and so leave it more liable to winter- 



