STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 47 



Question. What is your method of treating trees, beginning with 

 the setting? 



Dr. HosKiNS. I do not think much of the old-fashioned way of 

 digging a hole as big as a hogshead. A place large enough to 

 admit of straightening out the roots in good shape is sufHcient. 

 The dirt should be carefully pressed firmly against all the fine roots. 

 No water at all should be added. Only three branches should be 

 allowed to grow at first. Pruning should be done while the limbs 

 are small. My theory is that it should always be done with the 

 pen-knife. 



Question. Would you set trees as soon as the frost is out of the 

 ground ? 



Dr. HosKiNS. Yes, sir ; just as soon as possible. 



Question. Do 3'ou apply any manure ? 



Dr. HosKiNs. Never put any manure in the hole in setting the 

 tree because as the manure decomposes it leaves a vacant space and 

 the roots which pass through this space will die. Manure upon the 

 surface. I manure my orchard as highly as a market garden, and 

 always find that the last load pays the best. It is not necessary to 

 place the manure very near the tree, as the roots will cover the whole 

 orchard. If you should remove the turt from the orchard 3'ou would 

 find that you had but one tree. The soil would seem to be filled 

 with one continuous network of roots. 



Question. Do you allow grass to grow in the orchard? 



Dr. HosKiKS. I allow grass to grow in the line of the trees, but 

 generally want to plow between the rows ; however, if land is rich 

 enough to bear heavy crops of grass it will generally produce apples. 



