264 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



has been trimmed in the nursery, the trees have more vigor, but I think 

 that would only ajjply on all dry land. There I set a little deeper than 

 where they were budded. I know that that is contrary to the laid-down 

 rules in the book, but I think I have seen reasons enough for saying that 

 I would do so. I like uniformity, and if my trees varied in size, I should 

 assort them and set each size by itself. Then after setting them I should 

 go through and trim as I wanted them to be trimmed, and that would 

 depend a little upon the tree itself. If the tree was one having plenty of 

 buds along the side, I should take oif every limb and cut it back to about 

 thirty inches high. Now, if this tree has been a large grower, and you 

 take these side limbs all off, there may not be more than two or three 

 buds left, and there you get a bad formation. Then, if that is the case, 

 cut the limbs off that you would like to make your tops of, select the limb 

 that you would prefer to save, and I presume it is with you as with me, 

 you would like the strong limbs to the west side, and cut off at least two 

 buds so that if one fails the other will come, and then after they are 

 started, rub off the surplus, and do not wait until they are large enough 

 to cut off with a knife. We often find a tree started with a poor top 

 because of a little neglect. 



Along the shore it is necessary to watch your orchard because cut- 

 worms are so plentiful. By applying a band of sheep wool around the 

 body of the tree a cut worm will not get up there. It is always a good 

 and safe prevention. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Lovejoy: In heeling in peach trees in the fall, would you then 

 trim the roots, if they need it, in preference to the time of setting? 



Mr. Morrill: Yes sir, preferably, because they will form a proper 

 callous. 



Mr, Cook: Does the yellow peach do any better on heavy soil, and is it 

 a good idea to let the young trees, which you spoke of, bear a full crop? 



Mr. Morrill: I do not advocate it at all, and as for the yellow peaches 

 doing better on heavy soil than on light, I cannot say as to that. I notice 

 in this drifting sand that I speak of that the white peaches seem to do 

 best. 



Q: You speak of Mr. Hale being authority in Connecticut; he plants 

 his trees only twelve and thirteen feet apart. Now does that apply to 

 Connecticut, or is it something peculiar? 



Mr. Morrill : I believe it applies to Hale. I do not think he is right in 

 that. I know it would not be right on my place. The place where he 

 has drawn his conclusions from is largely Georgia. But Mr. Hale is a 

 trained, careful man, who has cultivated his brains at every opportunity, 

 and I do not know why he has made that statement, because it is con- 

 trary to every northern State that I have been in, but may be good in the 

 south. 



Mr. Anvil : Prof. says in one of his treatises that low trees 



are an abomination. I would like to know if you agree with him as to 

 the height of starting trees. 



Mr. Morrill: I do not know what he means by low trees. In Cali- 

 fornia what they would call a low tree would be much lower than we 



