58 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



The practice of mulching trees, except perhaps for the iBrst 

 year or two after planting, we look upon as a choice of evils made 

 by those who are unwilling to cultivate properly. Mulching will 

 inevitably engender insects that will injure the tree, and with 

 proper culture, is not at all necessary. It is a saving of labor at 

 the expense of the tree. 



From the first planting, the orchard requires the watchful eye 

 of the cultivator, that it may be kept properly pruned. When 

 is the best time to prune ? has been well answered — whenever 

 you see it necessary. In the spring, before the leaves start, there 

 is more leisure, the bare branches better show their deformities, 

 and encroaching limbs are more readily discovered. But when- 

 ever pruning is necessary, then prune, keeping in mind that the 

 great object is to keep the limbs from coming in contact with 

 each other, to prevent too thick growth, to preserve a good shape 

 to the tree, and to encourage a good spread thereof. 



All pruning should be done with a sharp knife, and the wound 

 left as smooth as possible. AVith proper attention, it will never 

 be necessary to remove a limb wdth a greater diameter than one 

 inch. As the properties of the soil are constantly being used, 

 they must be as constantly returned by proper manuring. 



GRAFTING. 



When trees bear their first fruits, we are often disappointed 

 therein, as it frequently happens that whereas we had expected 

 the best varieties, we only find those that are entirely worthless. 

 Carelessness in selecting the scion from which the buds are taken 

 is the chief cause of this trouble. When this occurs, we have, 

 to make the tree of any use, to resort to grafting. 



The physiological rules wdiicli govern propagating by grafting 

 are the same as in budding, namely, inserting on one tree or 

 stock a portion of the wood, with a bud attached, of the variety 

 desired, in such a manner that a perfect union will be formed be- 

 tween them. 



The manner in which grafting is usually performed on trees of 

 any considerable size is known as cleft grafting. Cut the branches 

 square across wdth a fine saw, and smooth them off with a sharp 

 knife. They are then split down about two inches wdth a sharp 



