INDIANA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 259 



being easily cultivated and of reasonably rapid growth, and require as 

 much attention as would bare soil in clean cultivation. No doubt the 

 hoe would be used oftener and to better effect where such crops are 

 grown than otherwise. 



Although many conditions render orcharding uncertain, yet the essen- 

 tial feature in soil cultivation is to retain and make available the water 

 in the soil. From scientific observations, it is found that the roots of 

 fruit trees penetrate the earth to a considerable depth and the amount of 

 water in suspension in the same depends almost directly with the depth 

 of penetration. And when the precipitation for a given period falls ab- 

 normally below the average, the result is almost immediately noticeable 

 and directly traceable to such condition. So that by constant, level culti- 

 vation the soil may be able to retain and give up such moisture when one 

 of the essential condiments in orcharding will be in part accomplished. 



When' such deticiencj' of the water supply exists over an extended 

 period, it has been found necessary to supply the same by artificial 

 methods. This is the case with western orchards where irrigation has 

 not only been found practicable but absolutely essential, and the life of 

 the tree, although often jeopardized, has been extended and the orchards 

 saved and encouraged to beai'. 



The volume of available water in the soil is not only of special value 

 to the proper development of the individual trees themselves, but an im- 

 portant factor in the developntent of the fruit as well. It induces a 

 greater profusion of bloom and a healthier setting of fruit. It has been 

 found essential both to the proper growth and ripening of the fruit, and 

 is believed to exert an influence in its keeping qualities, especially after 

 being removed from the trees. 



DISCUSSION. 



Amos Garretson: I did not write any paper on this subject, for I knew 

 I could not do it justice. I have been cultivating my orchard for about 

 six years., and I have seen the good results. There was no time during 

 any di-y season, but what you could go into the orchard and take your 

 foot and raise moist dirt. It is planted in straight rows. 



Mr. Kingsbury: How many of the apple growers present cultivate 

 their orchards? (Answer.) Seven. 



Joe A. Burton: If you should take a walk over in my orchard you 

 would say I do not cultivate at all, but I cultivate the way I want to. 



President Stevens: We will have next one of the most important 

 things in fruit growing— "Spraying"— by Mr. Henry. 



