WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS' SOCIETY. 107 



"when the tree is in active growth, nor could large roots near the base of the 

 tree be broken at any time without impairing the vitality of it. Root prun- 

 ing is beneficial to trees and bushes to a certain degree, the same as top prun- 

 ing, but it can not be done indiscriminately. We prune the roots of trees 

 and plants for their good when Ave transplant them; why not prune for the 

 same reason those that are already well established in a permanent situation? 



In conclusioD, one more word on the advantages of the ridging of'our fruit 

 orchards late in the fall. It is not only a protection to the roots in winter, 

 being a perfect mulch, but serves to drain the water away from the trees and 

 bushes, and prevents their heaving out by severe freezing. These ridges are 

 rendered light and friable by the action of the frost, and are dry and in good 

 condition to work much earlier in the spring than lands that have been left 

 with a flat surface. 



It has been wisely said that " The three most important things to be done 

 to insure a perfect fruit crop are severe pruning, severe thinning, and thorough 

 cultivation." I will only say that one more thing, of equal importance, should 

 be added and not forgotten, and that is root feeding. 



A SPIEITED DISCUSSION OF FALL PLOWING. 



C. H. Wigglesworth : We make a practice of plowing up to our trees and 

 ridging, usually in the fall, and have good success. Fall rains will puddle 

 about a tree and unless the water is run off, the freezing will kill the tree. 

 We have lost but few trees since we began to practice fall ridging. In Sep- 

 tember is the best time to do this work, so that the ground may settle before 

 winter sets in. I would not wish to do it so late as after the leaves fall. The 

 ridges fill with fibrous roots, and the deeper we plow the deeper these roots 



go- 

 Frank Linderman: I would not wish to plow after the leaves fall. I ridge 

 up my trees in the spring, and for manure plow under green rye. I have 

 tried some of the commercial phosphates and liked the effect, but think green 

 rye and barn-yard manure sufficient. 



A. S. Dyckman: I have never practiced late, fall plowing and would dis- 

 like to do it unless there was danger from water about the trees. I would 

 not be apprehensive of danger, on moist soil, from August or September plow- 

 ing. The sowing of some crop in August or September, for green manure, 

 is the best method of fertilizing and is important as a means of holding light 

 soils against the severe winds. This is best, but a limited quantity of barn- 

 yard manure each year is beneficial. 



Joseph Lannin : As I understood Mr. Ramsdell, he said you could not in- 

 jure trees by late fall plowing, as it will keep the water off. He is going back 

 on the old idea that September plowing will start the growth of young, ten- 

 der shoots that will likely to be lost by frost. In young trees we would certainly 

 start growth by September plowing, especially in a warm fall, but perhaps 

 trees may well be plowed in October when it is too late to start growth. 



A. 0. Merritt: I do not believe one thousand dollars could hire another 

 grower here to plow his peach orchard as Mr. Wigglesworth intimates. We 

 all know better. [Applause.] All the fall plowing is done in August, so 

 that we have a full growth of manure crop or of weeds to hold the leaves and 

 snow. I am astonished. I don't know what is meant by this new departure! 

 [Loud applause.] 



