FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 59 



and, in fact, on almost all kinds of soils, the roller should not be usedTinless- it is 

 followed at once by the spring tooth harrow. 



Q. How does Mr. Morrill transplant his melon vines from hothouse to field? What 

 variety of musk melons does he consider best? 



R. Morrill: I transplant from a frame. Boxes made on purpose. These are filled 

 with good compost, in which the seeds are sown thickly and thinned to one or two 

 plants. The small boxes are hauled to the field and the plants contained are set out in 

 the hills, leaving all the dirt in the frame box attached to the root. 



There are two varieties of melons which may be used, depending on the market. 

 The Osake is a good melon, large, with yellow flesh. The Netted Gem is also a good 

 melon. 



Q. How shall we check wood growth of the peach and what manufacture of nozzle 

 is best for the use of Bordeaiix? 



R. Morrill: Cease cultivation and sow co\er crop, the time of year of sowing de- 

 pending on the age of the tree. The double Vermorel is the best for Bordeaux. The 

 McGowan is not as reliable. 



Q. What would you do with small green lice? 



R. Morrill: Spray with tobacco water or kerosene and water. 



Q. Is it true that horses having white feet or white faces, if pastured on alsike or 

 fed alsike hay, will become sore on the white spot. At a one-day Farmers' Institute 

 at Freeport seven farmers supported this statement. 



Mr. L. D. Watkins: I do not think it can possibly be true; I have never known 

 any similar experience. 



Q. What value has hard coal ashes as fertilizer in apple orchard? 



Prof. Taft: It has no value as a fertilizer, although it is good as a mulch. 



Q. What variety of Blackcap wovild you recommend for family use? 



J. N. Stearns: Kansas. 



R. Morrill : I would recommend the Cumberland. 



Q.. How many peach trees do you have ? How do you sell your crop ? What variety 

 of peaches would you plant? 



R. Morrill: I have 100 acres of peaches in bearing. I sell part at home, but the 

 bulk of the crop goes to Chicago. The varieties to be recommended are Engle, Lewis, 

 St. John, Hill's Chili. The Fitzgerald is one of the best. 



Q. If you cannot get wood asheS what form of potash would be the cheapest to use ? 



R. Morrill: I have always been able to get wood ashes. 



Q. Does white arsenic or any spraying combination make grazing dangerous? 



Prof. Taft: It might .until after the first rain after the spraying, but it is hardly 

 probable, unless an unusual and uncalled for amount of arsenic be used. 



Q. Will it pay to draw sawdust on an orchard? 



S. II. Fulton: I should hardly think it would; it would have little value except as a 

 mulch. 



Q. I should like to ask Mr. Stearns at what degree of ripeness he picks his straw- 

 berries for the Chicago market? 



J. N. Stearns: It is difficult to describe. 



Q. Is there danger of poison from eating fruit picked from trees affected with the 

 y ellows ? 



J. N. Stearns: No, a bushel would not hurt one; but no one will eat more than 

 one or two because of the unpleasant taste. 



Q. Can an old orchard which has been grafted to good fruit be brought to bear 

 for a few years while a young orchard is being started? If so, how? 



L. R. Taft: i'es; by judicious cultivation, pruning and spraying — supposing the 

 fertilization of the ground to be cared for. Most orchards lack soil fertility, especially 

 potash and humus. 



Q. What shall we do with the tent caterpillar to destroy them on our fruit and 

 forest trees ? 



L. R. Taft: Spray with arsenites. 



Q. Will crimson clover live tlirough the winter? 



Prof. J. D. Towar: In favorable seasons in southern Michigan and where covered 

 with snow. It is not safe to rely on it, however. 



Q. How' do you destroj' the peach grub at the root? 



A. S. Packard: Dig them out once a year. 



