114 STATE HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. Lauuiu : Will Mr. Dyckman tell us his opinion of salt? 



Mr. Dyckman: I have no opinion, but am preparing to make one as the re- 

 sult of experience. Having used salt but two seasons I am not ready yet to 

 venture one. 



N. H. Bitely, Lawton : How much do you put on an acre? 



Mr. Dyckman : I do not measure in that way. I put about twenty-five bar- 

 rels over the ground under 7,000 peach trees. I seem to reap favorable results; 

 how they are accomplished I do not know, and it may not be the salt after all. 



D. C. Loveday, South Haven : I am satisfied^that salt is a benefit to plants. 

 I have used it on clover and have noticed a heavy dew on the portions of the 

 field where the salt was sown, when on the other places there was scarcely any. 



Prof Beal : How do you think the salt acts so as to benefit the trees or 

 plants? 



Mr. Loveday : In one way by increasing the deposition of moisture from 

 the atmosphere, like the drops on the outside of a pitcher of cold water. 



W. K. Gibson, Jackson : In connection with the discussion of this subject 

 of irrigation, I recall the fact that there is a tendency all over our State to 

 drain off the small lakes and ponds so as to increase the amount of arable 

 land. I doubt if this is expedient. The few acres gained for cultivation will 

 not balance the value of the water in the lakes, which is beneficial in twowavs: 

 1st, by increasing the amount of moisture evaporated in the vicinity of 

 them, and 2nd, by furnishing water for percolation through the soil, which 

 becomes drink for thirsty plants. I think this subject is an important one, 

 and should command the attention of the State Horticultural Society in 

 trying to prevent the continuance of this pernicious system. 



C, D. Lawton, Lawton : I am not so sure that the plan of Mr. Taylor in 

 turning under his weeds late in the season is wholly commendable ; bare 

 ground in winter is unsafe in a peach orchard ; the weeds make a good pro- 

 tection. 



E. H. Scott, Ann Arbor : We plow under the weeds and continue the cul- 

 tivation, then sow oats as a winter protection. 



Geo. L. Seaver, South Haven : We have progressed beyond that here, and 

 use a better crop for protection, — rye, which furnishes a valuable green manure 

 when turned under the next summer. 



J. N. Stearns, Kalamazoo : I have given this matter of cultivation as a 

 conservator of moistnre a good deal of jDractical attention — have experimented 

 in the orchard and nursery, and reached this conclusion : deep culture should 

 be given early in the season, and shallow and repeated culture later in the 

 summer. In cultivation I plow deeply first, and employ a peculiar cultivator 

 through the season thereafter which only lightly stirs the surface. Another 

 thought is suggested by the topic : in planting out trees I often use water after 

 I have placed in about two-thirds of the soil, then add loose soil and keep it 

 loose through the y«ar. 



W. H. Hurlbut, South Haven : I agree with Mr. Stearns, and for this 

 reason : The deep cultivation early makes the soil porous and helps capillary 

 attraction, and while it breaks the roots it does the work so early that no harm 

 is done to the feeders of the trees. I am in favor of plowing under weeds, rye 

 and other green crops, and the free use of salt. I have used salt five years, 

 and during our drought last season I could see an effect from it in helping the 

 trees over the dry season. I would have more confidence in these things than 

 in any direct mode of irrigation. 



