FORTIETH ANNUAL REPORT. 57 



Mr. Farnsworth — Yes. We bauk np around trees as a protection 



against mice also. 



Q. I Avonld like to ask if there is any system of i)riining that ^yill 

 control the growth of an apple orchard to the extent that we can keep it 

 at the desirable height, and not allow the trees to crowd? 



Mr. Farnsworth— Do you mean laterally or in height? 



A. Both. 



Mr. Farnsworth — If you will giye your trees filenty of room they will 

 spread more. We cut oft" the tojis of trees to keep them down. I haye 

 neyer thought but what they should spread out and keep from going up 

 in height. Our western friends are cutting the side branches off at ends 

 also. 



A Member — Is there anything better than tar paper that can be u^ed 

 as a protection from mice? 



Mr. Farnsworth — ^Soapsuds and carbolic acid put around the trees is 

 excellent and so also is lime and sulphur. Fine wire is often used. 



Q. Haye you found any cheai)er substitute for arsenate of lead? 



Mr. Farnsworth — Yes, but it was dearer — in the end. It is arsenate 

 of soda — but after giying it a trial I haye dropped it, as I think (hat it 

 injures the foliage. It is not always that Ayhich is cheapest in dollars 

 is cheapest in the end. I feel that arsenate of lead is cheapest in the 

 long run. 



A Member — How far apart would you plant an apple orchard? 



Mr. Farnsworth — That depends on yarieties^ — Yellow Transparent, 

 Duchess and yarieties of this class can be planted closer than others. 

 The Spy, Baldwin, and Greening when fully groAyn should be 40 to 45 

 feet aj)art. That is the distance I planted mine. It is largely a ques- 

 tion of yarieties and cultiyation. 



A Member — How close was the cherry orchard that you cut out? 



Mr. Farnsworth — ^It was about IS feet ; 22 to 25 feet is near enough — 

 depends on yarieties. The Montmorency and yarieties like this make 

 rather large trees, and they should be set further apart. You had better 

 haye 50 yigorous trees, Ayith good sunlight, low enough so you will not 

 be obliged to use long ladders, and then raise first class fruit, than 

 more trees to a giyen area that raise fruit that you will be ashamed of. 

 of. 



Q. If the Rome Beauty does so well in Ohio, would it not do well in 

 southern Michigan? I understand that it does Ayellin sandy soil. 



Mr. Farnsworth — The most that I can say is that it is worth a trial. 

 One of my intimate friends is a leading grower of it in southern Ohio. 

 I am understanding it more eyery year. You must be careful. Its home 

 is on the thin hills of southeastern Ohio. If you will come to our an- 

 nual apple show about the 10th of January, you will see such a display 

 of these apples that it will dazzle your eyes." 



Q. Would it be advisable to thin them out? 



Mr. Farnsworth— There is something peculiar about that— we would 

 haye to thin them more here than there. They grow bushy dow^i there. 

 They are a commercial apple in the southern part of Ohio. ' Their beauty 

 and shipping qualities are fine, and as for flavor they are about half- 

 way between a Baldwin and a Ben Davis. They are only to be r'^com- 

 mended on trial in Michigan. 



Q. In your ice plant do you have an ice chamber overhead? I would 

 like a little description of your plant. 



