STATE HOE.TICULTTJEAL SOCIETY. 179 



the south end of the orchard showing more hurt than those fur- 

 ther in. 



All the season through this was the subject of many consulta- 

 tions with different persons. The main object desired was to se- 

 cure a protection that would combine cheapness, durability and 

 efficiency. 



As soon as the apples were all disposed of, which was about 

 the last week of September, preparations were at once begun to 

 get the trees ready for winter. First the bodies were cleared of 

 all dead places, loose bark removed, where the water might 

 stand; all dead limbs cut away. After this each tree was gone 

 over carefully and thoroughly waxed where any whittling or 

 scraping had been done. Also the crotches of the main branches 

 were waxed as far as they could be reached conveniently. Dur- 

 ing the operation of scraping and cleaning, a great many eggs — 

 of what I know not — and worms of different kinds were un- 

 earthed and destroyed. 



The next step was to obtain lath and binding wire. Five or 

 more laths, according to the size of the tree, were then woven 

 together, about ten inches from each end, with the wire. The 

 ends of the wire were left long enough to complete the distance 

 around the tree and fasten loosely. These shields were then 

 placed on the south side of the trees. The cost of these shields, 

 including the wire, time of making and putting on the trees, was 

 a trifle less than three cents per tree. The cold weather came a 

 little too soon for me, as I intended to further protect the trees 

 by laying bits of burlap on the south side of the larger branches 

 that the shields could not cover. Another fall will see that this is 

 done also, for the more perfect the protection we can give our 

 trees from the winter sun the better their condition at the open- 

 ing of spring. 



One word with regard to the worms in the apples; they are in- 

 creasing every year, and unless some radical measures are taken 

 to prevent their increase our orchards will soon be worthless. 

 London purple has been recommended to me as being the best 

 preventive, and this coming spring I intend to use it thor- 

 oughly. Secretary Gibbs gives the best method of using it, in 

 the report for 1884. 



The paper of Mrs. Underwood was received with applause. 



President Smith inquired how many apples Mrs. Underwood 

 had sold from the orchard in the year 1883. 



Mrs. Underwood. If I remember rightly either 1,400 or 1,500 

 bushels, making in all about 3,000 bushels in two years. 



