31S ANNUAL REPORT 



PRO TEC TING THE STEMS OF FRUIT TREES. 



Is there any effective method of protecting the stems of apple 

 and cherry trees from sun-scald, causing decay of the bodies and 

 consequent death of the trees? 



W. T. Nelson, of Wilmington, in the Illinois report of 1881, 

 recommends setting young trees leaning to the southwest, and 

 protecting trees in orchard by setting up fence boards or siding so 

 as to keep off the two o'clock sun. 



Tyler McWhorter, of Aledo, 111., in same report : '* What is 

 generally called sun-scald is the effect of the sun shining upon the 

 frozen tree after an intensely cold night. Where the rays strike 

 the body of the tree the sap or moisture is melted, while all around 

 is frozen; this occurs usually at about two o'clock in the afternoon, 

 when the sun's rays produce the greatest effect." 



Geo. P. Peffer, in same report: '^I agree with Mr. McWhorter. 

 The sun shining upon the body of the tree in day time thaws the 

 sap, and then freezing at night continually evaporates the moisture 

 in that part, and death to such part must ensue; but if protected 

 from the rays of the sun during the day, this sun-scald will be pre- 

 vented. I have shaded my trees with pickets and with stiff paper." 



The Secretary. In conversation with a fruit-grower of Jefferson 

 County. N. Y., last fall, I was informed that it was the general 

 custom in that region of commercial orchards to protect theii' 

 young apple trees from sun-scald. The method there is " boxing," 

 as they call it; that is, two pieces of fencing nailed together and 

 fastened to two stakes. 



LETTER FROM HON. MARSHALL P. WILDER. 



Boston, Dec, 7, 1882. 

 My Dear Sir: I thank you most sincerely for the excellent 

 and useful report of the Minnesota Horticultural Society. It is 



