ANNUAL MEETING AT LEXINGTON 155 



apples. The improvement continued all summer in spite of the drouth, 

 and contrary to my last year's predictions, ripened one and a half bush- 

 els of nice apples. I am sure the tree would have died in a year or 

 two, but for the mulching effect of the firewood. 



Before I close, let me add a word of caution to the inexperienced, 

 if ever apply mulch close to the trunk of a tree, because under cover of 

 it mice will be sure to girdle the trees, old as well as young, as effect- 

 ually as a rabbit can do it. Besides, it would benefit the trees but little, 

 because the fibrous roots or feeders, which are the ones to be bene- 

 fited, are farthest from the trunk. In order to get the best results 

 from mulching, it should be put on with a lavish hand, especially on 

 poor soil, and it should extend out beyond the extremities of the limbs, 

 leaving an open space around the trunk of from two to three feet or 

 more in diameter, according to the size of the tree. 



I have dwelt at some length upon the subject of mulching, because 

 I realize its importance more and more, and because I am aware that 

 but a few practice it as it should be done, and many are not fully aware 

 of its far-reaching and beneficient effects. I feel confident that if it 

 was universally applied we should hear less of winter-killing, of sun- 

 scald, of borers or of short-lived trees. 



CHAS. TEUBXER. 



ORCHARD LESSONS OF THE PAST YEAR. 



BY N.. F. #MURRAY, ELM GROVE, MO. 



That experience keeps a good but very dear school, is an old say- 

 ing, but one the truthfulness of which we all have had demonstrated 

 on many occasions. Why not, then, give others the benefit of our ex- 

 perience, map out the road over which we have traveled, marking 

 plainly the points of failure and of success, that they may prove a help 

 to our brothers struggling for the goal of success, and often failing to 

 reach it for want of such friendly guide-posts. 



