winter Meeting. 163 



ke3-s, and in common sense laws which would have protected our birds 

 and quails from the ravages of our hunters, we would long since have rid 

 our orchards of their pests. This would have been working with Nature 

 and not against her. 



An orchard should never be cultivated. Let the weeds, grass and 

 clover grow. These should be mown once or twice each year, leaving the 

 greater quantity around the trees until they are seven years old, when 

 the weeds and grass should be left where they fall. No stock should be 

 allowed in an orchard, except hogs which should be let in long enough 

 to eat up the culls, but no longer. The borers should be looked after 

 twice, or thrice each year, but it is not necessary to cultivate an orchard 

 to do' this. 



This, I conceive, is Nature's way to enrich her soil, and also Nature's 

 way to hold in check the depredations of bugs and insects. Many 

 signs indicate that our wise men are learning that Nature's way is the 

 only successful way to raise an apple orchard. 



DISCUSSION ON ORCHARDS. 



Mr. Butterfield. — What objection is there to clover in a young 

 orchard ? 



J. C. Evans. — Does the man who grows mules turn them out to 

 grass or feed them well till they are three years old? 



Mr. Buttei-field. — We feed the trees all the time in the clover. 

 ■ D. A. Robnett. — I cultivated for fifteen years with poor success. 



N. F. Murray. — The question is what objection tO' clover in. a young 

 orchard ? There is danger of fire in the dry clover and it is a harbor for 

 insects. One of my sons has had one hundred acres in orchard for five 

 to nine years. He cuts up the clover with a cutaway disk harrow. This 

 method promises well now. How long it will continue to do well I do, 

 not know. ' 



Mr. Baxter. — I still insist that young orchards should be cultivated ; 

 but the older I get the less I know how to lay down an iron-clad rule. 

 We have an orchard planted in 1895 that was cultivated in strawberries 

 for several years. Another orchard, in bluegrass has not failed of a crop 

 for ten years. I was the only one in my vicinity who had apples this 

 year. Whether it was because the trees were not cultivated I do not 

 know. I do not believe it is wise to cultivate trees after they are 

 full grown. Our soil is rich. In southern Missouri I certainly would 

 cultivate and keep as good a dust mulch as possible. In northern Mis- 

 souri I would not cultivate. 



