360 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



and symmetry to their progeny. Blood will tell. Like will pro- 

 duce like, to a certain extent. 



When pig8 of a degenerate stock are kept for breeders, their 

 get will always be inferior to themselves, because they have not 

 the inherent power to transmit their excellent points to their 

 oftspring. There is a point beyond which like will not produce 

 like, but the product will be unlike the progenitors. 



Farmers who desire to succeed in producing stock of any kind 

 must make themselves familiar with the unalteral)le laws of pro- 

 creation and transmission, for they hold good from the highest 

 order of intelligence that exercises dominion over the beasts of 

 the Held to the lowest order of quadrupeds. Therefore, be wise 

 to select the pigs for raising your future herd of swine when they 

 are sucking. 



Injury to Pear Trees. 



Mr. C. S. Locke, West Dedham, Mass., says : During the late 

 storm a stone wall was blown down, and it covered a row of dwarf 

 trees just in prime bearing. As the snow settled, the branches 

 and stones went down, and now the trunks are bare poles. I would 

 ask the Club whether it is best to graft them now^ with their own 

 wood, or wait and let branches shoot out. They are Bartletts, 

 Dutchess, and Glout Morceau. 



Mr. John Crane. — I would not graft wath the Glout Morceau. 

 It is not worth cultivation. Because it is a thrift}'^ grower, the 

 tree peddlers have w^orked it off and cheated the people. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — As regards this gentleman's trees, 

 much the best way is to let them sprout from the trunk. 



Cutting Back Apple Trees. 



Mr. Abram Daveudorf, Minden, N. Y.: Last fall I set out 200 

 apple trees. When shall they be cut back? 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — We prune too much in the walking-stick 

 form. The practice originated in gardens, where land was scarce. 

 An apple tree W'Ould be all the better to start a foot from the 

 ground, when the tops will not l)e higher than twelve feet. 



Mr. W. S. Carpenter. — My plan in setting out trees is to cut off 

 both branches and roots, and more of the former, and annually 

 remove interfering branches. 



Mr. R. J. Pardee. — Usually I would cut back at the end of the 

 first year's growth. Then the form can be established; it should 

 be conical and handsome. Still, the tree should start low. Much 



