METHODS OF MULCHING. 331 



on either side of the trees, trying to give them the natural forest 

 condition, the same that our grove has, and the other row we 

 mulched with a dust blanket. Both of these rows produced apples 

 this year. I think the better apples were on the trees that were 

 cultivated and more of them. Aly theory was that we would en- 

 courage the roots to keep too close to the surface and so w^ould be- 

 come exposed to the frost and to the sun. 



Mr. Jno. Freeman : I wish to ask a question for information. 

 What do we mean by a dust mulch ? How often must we cultivate 

 from the first of May to the first of November? Must the cultiva- 

 tion be continuous, and how often must it be done tO' make what is 

 called a dust mulch under any plan of cultivation ? We were taught 

 in my youth and early age that we must not cultivate after a certain 

 time' or we would cause injury. Now I would like to get all the 

 information I can on this point of the dust mulch. 



The Secretary : We all know that our president is a very mod- 

 est man, and as he is a modest man he is afraid to announce to you 

 that he is next on the program with a paper that treats expressly 

 of the subject about which Mr. Freeman desires information. Now 

 I think it would be well for him to read his paper before Mr. Free- 

 man's question is answered and perhaps that will solve the problem. 

 (See index for paper entitled "The Dust Mulch in Minnesota," by 

 W. W. Pendergast.) 



NURSERY CULTURE OF THE APPLE. 



J. p. ANDREWS, FARIBAULT. 



In view of the fact that apple trees have root-killed four or five 

 dififerent winters during the past thirty years it is a good precaution 

 to plant the ven- hardiest seed obtainable. 



Where stocks are grown on a commercial scale, the common 

 apple seed has been almost invariably used. Though French crab 

 seed is used some it is probably no hardier, if any different, from 

 our common apple seed. This year we saved a bushel or such a 

 matter of the seed of the Siberian crab. Early Strawberry, Virginia, 

 and some others and shall continue to use the Siberian hereafter on 

 account of its hardiness. 



After separating the seed from the pomace it should be planted 

 in new, rich, deeply plowed, subsoiled and thoroughly pulverized 

 ground in the fall or early spring. If not planted till spring the seed 

 should be thoroughly mixed with sand in the fall and remain out 

 during winter where it will keep moist and freeze. 



After growing one season, take up and pack away in the cellar 

 in the late fall and graft during the winter, care being taken to keep 

 the cions, stocks and grafts packed in sand or some material that 

 will keep them cool and just moist, until they can be planted out in 

 early spring. 



