108 State Horticultural Society. 



From the standpoint of both efficiency and saving in expense, I 

 should exactly reverse this plan. The shade under the tree is an aid 

 in conserving moisture, and on the other hand a soft blanket of vegetable 

 niatter is of advantage in protecting wind falls from severe bruising. 



To briefly recapitulate, a low headed tree is less subject to sun- 

 scald, and sustains less injury from winds, the crop can be gathered 

 cheaper and spraying can be done cheaper and more thoroughly. 



By the use of improved orchard tools and the cultivation of the 

 middles only, after the trees become large we "can maintain good cultural 

 conditions, and yet have the trees headed low. 



COMMERCIAL ORCHARDING. 

 (By G. T. Tippin, Nichols, Mo.) 



Abstract of an address delivered before the Wisconsin State Hor- 

 ticultural Society. 



In presenting this paper we are keenly sensible of the fact that while 

 a great deal of valuable information and good has obtained from ad- 

 dresses of similar character, a large amount of harm has also been done. 

 What might be termed a broadcast or blanket information based upon 

 individual experience in a certain locality is often more harmful than 

 beneficial in its effect, for in the majority of instances where adopted 

 and followed out by the inexperienced fruit grower, because of entirely 

 different conditions as to climate, soil, variety, etc., from those upon 

 which the information were based, failure and disappointment follow in 

 a marked degree. 



While commercial orcharding is reaching large proportions in this 

 country, the center of the apple production moving west of the Alle- 

 ghanies to the great Mississippi Valley, Missouri, the state we have 

 the honor to represent, being in the lead with five million more trees 

 planted than any other state, we have felt that this phase of the sub- 

 ject would not be of as much importance at this time as a discussion 

 of how and what to plant, to cultivate and care for, and, last, but not 

 least, how best to handle the products of our commercial orchards. The 

 object of planting the home or family orchard is to provide fruit, health 

 and comfort for the family, while commercial orchards are planted with 

 the view of profitable investment and making money; hence, to know 

 how to plant, grow and bring our crops to maturity does not avail us 

 much if all our labor is sacrificed by improper handling and marketing 

 our crops. In this connection we deem it not out of place to state that 



