158 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



grown besides fruit. I attribute this to a want of some element in the soil 

 which has been exhausted by constant drafts without replenishing by fer- 

 tilization. 



AV, A. Brown : I do not believe in severe pruning. Never cut off large 

 limbs. If we grow good fruit we must have air and sunlight, and this can 

 be regulated by moderate pruning. There is something about the condition 

 of the soil and climate quire different from what it was in the early his- 

 tory of fruit growing in Michigan. The trees planted at this time and for sev- 

 eral years past are mostly grafted in the root ; also some of the best and lead- 

 ing varieties are somewhat tender. While improving the quality of the 

 fruit grown now, we may have lost some of the hardiness of the tree. 



n. E. Blackman: Much depends upon the time the trees are pruned. 

 There is considerable difference of opinion as to the best time. Every fruit 

 grower should observe carefully the effect of pruning at different seasons of 

 the year. This is a question worthy of investigation. We can only arrive 

 at definite conclusions through a series of experiments at different seasons of 

 the year and on trees growing in different soil. One well established fact, 

 arrived at through well conducted experiments by different men, is of much 

 more value than any amount of theory. Maple trees should not be pruned 

 until the danger of the sap running out is past. Trim maple trees in June or 

 last of May, but never in winter or early spring. 



Norman Phillips : One cause of loss of vitality of apple trees may be traced 

 to the bark louse. No tree can grow which is covered with lice. They are 

 much more common than most people would believe, and it might be well 

 for farmers to examine their trees and if they are infested with the bark lice, 

 they may be easily destroyed by painting the bark of the tree with a mixture 

 of pine tar and linseed oil — equal parts boiled together and applied well up 

 on the limbs. This will destroy the lice and not injure the tree. 



SOME MORE ABOUT PEACHES. 



The subject of peach growing was commenced for discussion. C. Engle of 

 Paw Paw, who has been engaged in growing peaches from the pit for several 

 years, was called upon for a short talk. He had planted pits from many of 

 the best varieties. Some sorts will reproduce themselves from the pit more 

 often than others. Pits planted from the same tree will produce many dif- 

 ferent sorts, some ripening early and others late. I find the best results from 

 planting the Crawford pits, although pits from Hill's Chili will often come 

 true. Many good varieties have been produced from Hill's Chili pits. The 

 Barnard will often reproduce itself from pits. He plants selected pits from 

 the best varieties, and in this manner has produced some valuable new varieties 

 of peach. 



C. J. Monroe asked Mr. Engle if he were to plant out a new peach orchard 

 of 1,000 trees which would he prefer, trees grown from pits or trees grown in 

 nursery and budded. Mr. Engle said he should prefer the trees grown from 

 pits. 



C. J. Monroe: Will you give the method you would adopt in growing these 

 trees from the pits and your method of selecting? 



Mr. Engle: I should first select the pits from the best varieties and plant. 

 When ready for planting I should select the most promising trees. The tree 

 is an indication of what the fruit will be. By long experience and careful 



