^alei^dar for ^^t^ii^ber. 



O. M. LORD. 



The new strawberry bed now needs careful attention. Exces- 

 sively warm weather with frequent showers has pushed the runners 

 vigorously, and the weeds and grass are not behind in growth. 

 Among the trees and bushes, we have been forced to resort to 

 scythe cultivation. We do not highly recommend this method, as 

 more or less weeds will go to seed, adding to the work of next year. 

 The berries are all gathered, and no cultivation except among 

 strawberries is needed. Cultivation late in the season stimulates 

 new growth, which is liable to winter-kill. 



It is a paying business to gather and feed out or destroy fallen 

 fruit. Apples and plums have fallen befoie ripening in this vicinity 

 much more than usual, largely owing to the prevalence of insects. 

 Prof. Pammel says the fungous diseases can be controlled by 

 carefully destroying infected fruit that sometimes remains on the 

 trees all winter, maturing and scattering their spores to attack the 

 next crop. 



As predicted last spring, a good many apple trees have finally 

 died from the effect of the cold last winter. Where they have been 

 allowed to stand the vitality is gone, but where in many cases they 

 were cut back severely the roots are sending up vigorous growth, 

 which should be allowed to stand till next spring before trimming. 

 Trees so grown may not be symmetrical, but will often produce 

 fruit in abundance before young trees can be brought into bearing. 



The effect of the last winter's cold was so variable and peculiar 

 with different varieties, that we are still at a loss to know what to 

 recommend. Some varieties that have generally been considered 

 tender came through all right, and sonae counted as hardy died. 

 We can, however, give one general rule applicable to most varieties. 

 Where trees fruited heavily last year they suffered most. My old 

 Walbridge that have fruited since 1884 are dead, but young trees 

 that did not fruit last year are unhurt. Mr. Philips, of Wisconsin, 

 however, makes a significant statement in the last "Wisconsin Hor- 

 ticulturist." He says if he were to plant another orchard and could 

 have but one apple, it would be the Wealthy. I would like to dwell 

 on this subject, but as it will be thoroughly discussed at our next 

 meeting, it may not be profitable to say much here, but there is food 

 for thought among those who would buy trees this fall. 



The exhibit at the state fair will be another source of information 

 that will be invaluable to those who would plant trees. 



It is an open question whether it would be better for us, on low 

 priced land, to adopt the methods of successive crops in garden and 



