STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 329 



TRIMMING FRUIT TREES. 



Just about this time people are very apt to think that their ap- 

 ple trees need trimming and they go at the work in such good 

 earnest, that in a couple of years at the latest they are looking 

 about for new trees to fill vacant spaces. We have had consider- 

 able experienci in this matter of pruning and have learned that 

 more trees are killed by the knife and saw then by every thing 

 ^Ise except utter neglect to take any care of them. In this climate 

 at least, apple trees should never be trimmed at all except in mid- 

 summer say from June 1st to July 15th and no main limbs should 

 ever be taken off, but only such as come from the larger ones in- 

 side the top and such as cross and gall each other. If the trees 

 are young and vigorous the places where small limbs are cut off, 

 if it is done at the right time, will entirely heal over ; but the best 

 plan is to so train trees from the start that they will never need 

 any pruning more severe then can be done with the pen blade of 

 an ordinary pocket knife. If there are trees in the orchard or gar- 

 den that absolutely need pruning dont touch them yet but wait 

 till June and then cut carefully and gingerly. — JOHN N. MUR- 

 DOCK in Wabasha Herald, May 9, 1883. 



FRUIT PROSPECTS IN SPRING OF '83. 



In view of the public interest this spring to know the effect of 

 the hard winter upon fruit trees, plants, vines, etc., in various parts 

 of the Northwest, circulars of inquiry were sent out requesting re- 

 ports. All the letters received, or abstracts of the same, are given 



