1016 Rural .School Leaflet 



tree, else it will afford a hiding-place for mice during the winter. Two 

 or three feet should be left bare on all sides of the trunk. It is not always 

 possible to cultivate the entire surface of the ground during the growing 

 season. In case this cannot be done, the soil should be kept loose for 

 a radius of two or three feet about the trunk by means of a hoe or spade. 



Final records. — As soon as the growing season is over we are ready 

 to compute the amount of growth that the tree has made during the 

 year. This may be done at any time when it is convenient after the 

 first of September, but the wood and the buds will not be mature at that 

 time hence they will not possess the proper color. The later the examina- 

 tion is made, then, the more accurate it will be. It might even be well 

 to wait until the succeeding spring before attempting to decide the contest, 

 in order that the way in which the tree survives the winter may also be 

 taken into consideration. In the presence of the same two witnesses, 

 the same measurements that were taken in the spring should be taken 

 in the fall, and, in addition, the amount of growth that the branches 

 forming the head have made that year should be determined. The 

 apparent thrift of the tree should also be noted, as well as the condition 

 of the soil in which the tree is growing. The tree which has made the 

 greatest development in circumference of the trunk and of the main 

 branches, and in annual growth as well, and which appears to be the most 

 thrifty and well cared for, should then be awarded first place. 



Subsequent treatment. — The tree should not be neglected after the 

 first-year contest is over, for it will bear fruit in the years to come. It 

 should be protected during the winter by some material that will prevent 

 mice and rabbits from gnawing and injuring the trunk. This material 

 may be wire netting of fine mesh, about one fourth inch, and eighteen 

 inches wide. It should be put around the tree loosely in order that it 

 may be left for several seasons. Another satisfactory material is tarred 

 paper, which may be tied loosely about the trunk. This should not be 

 put on until late in the fall, however, and should be removed very early 

 in the spring before the warm weather comes on, inasmuch as the bark 

 may be injured if the paper is allowed to remain late in the spring. 



The pruning of the tree in the second spring will consist in removing 

 the cross-branches — those that grow toward the center of the trees or 

 those that depart in any way from the ideal toward which the grower is 

 working. In general, two side branches are allowed to remain on the 

 main branches of the head. The selection of these branches will depend 

 on the space that it is desired to fill. These branches should be headed 

 back in the same manner as were those of the preceding year. The 

 cultural operations and the manner of conducting the competition will 

 not differ materially from those of the first year. 



