344 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



tioned winter injury as due to tillage, and he was located in the 

 northern part of the state. As was anticipated, negative and 

 positive opinions were expressed as to the relation of cultivation 

 to blight. In some localities, the injury from this disease is of 

 minor importance, and probably by methods now advocated for 

 its eradication it can be controlled in most every orchard. The 

 consensus of opinion is that cultivation is of benefit to young 

 orchards. If so, why shouldn't it be of benefit to bearing or- 

 chards, that is, where the soil does not wash and the moisture 

 is not excessive? It has been definitely proven that toxic sub- 

 stances are derived from grass which are injurious to the growth 

 of trees. Such being the case, perhaps the young trees, before 

 their roots have penetrated deeply, are more subject to injury 

 than those of older trees. However, many of the feeding roots 

 of the old trees intermingle with the grass roots and undoubtedly 

 suffer considerable injury. You may ask, does not the grass as- 

 sist in maturing the wood? But if the wood of the young trees 

 which are commonly cultivated is not injured, is that not suffi- 

 cient proof that old trees will not suffer by the same treatment? 

 Granting that there is danger of winter-killing, we can resort 

 to cover crops to mature the wood and protect the roots. Thus 

 considering "the pros and cons" for tillage and sod, it seems as 

 if many orchards now in sod might be materially benefited by 

 either an alternation of cultivation and sod or tillage, combined 

 with the use of cover crops. 



Where Shall I Buy? — Beginners are very apt to ask this question. 

 They have suspicion of nurserymen in general and ask the opinion of 

 others as to some in particular. 



"Is Black & Co. a reliable firm?" one asked the other day. 



We like to believe all nurserymen are reliable, and that they aim to do 

 as they agree and satisfy the buyer. 



We are aware that mistakes are made, and dissatisfaction follows. 



The prospective buyer should read up on the business, for the more 

 familiar he becomes with the literature, the wiser will be his decision as 

 to whom he will patronize. 



Study and compare the catalogues. You can read much between the 

 lines. 



You can see where enthusiasm leads to extravagant claims, and which 

 are moderate and sensible. 



It is not the province of the Fruitman to point out this or that man as 

 specially worthy of your confidence. There are scores of good men who will 

 treat vou fairly. — "The Fruitman & Gardener." 



