SUMMER MEETING AT LOUISIANA. 87 



HO\Y TO TEAIX Ais^D TEEAT AX APPLE ORCHARD. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Dnrlces — Many think trees sbould not be pruned at all, whether 

 that can be done or not is a good question for discussion. I think we 

 need judicious pruning from time to time. Let some of those who be- 

 lieve in no pruning express their opinions. 



I\Ir. Burrows — I wish the house was full of those who would do no 

 pruning. Mr. Holman struck the key note when he said it took labor 

 to raise an orchard; but a great deal of the labor is put upon orchards 

 that is not necessary. I have often had people to say "how deep shall 

 I set these trees'' ? iSTow, a tree should not be set in like a gate post, 

 but only about as deep as it grew in the nursery. If the ground needs 

 draining drain it with tile. If not with tile, then ridge it before the 

 trees are planted. Some plow to the trees after setting^ putting the 

 roots low in the ground below the action of the sun and air, making 

 them slow in bearing and slow in growing. The ground should be 

 cultivated with some hoed ciop till they come into bearing. If you 

 don't want a hoed crop then don't plant anything, but only cultivate. 

 If the trees were properly formed before planting never touch them 

 with a knife. If you begin you have laid out a life long job for yourself. 

 What with the water sprouts? Trimming produces them; without 

 trimming you would not have them. It is verv common for a man who 

 goes among little trees to have his knife in hand. He seems to itch to 

 cut something. To such a man I would say, leave your knife at home 

 or take a stick to cut. Cutting even a small limb will make a water 

 sprout. My advice to all planters is : " Don't touch the tree after 

 planting." I want to impress that upon your minds. The tree will 

 open as the fruit develops ; it will take care of itself. The tree will 

 prune itself, and many little limbs will disappear, die and drop away. 

 When the trees get old, decline and die plant new orchards and gee the 

 old ones out of the way. 



Mr. Durand — There are extreme* in anything; not any and too 

 much pruning ; and the worst is too much. I knew a gentleman in our 

 country who had a fine orchard which should now be in its prime. It has 

 pruned itself ; and it has pruned itself to death. I believe we should 

 •do just as little pruning as possible to keep the tree in shape. It is 



