20 



A MEMBER: Can a Red Astrachan be made an annual 

 bearer ? 



MR. CONANT : AVell, I have never seen the Red Astra- 

 chan under any definite system; yet I have seen Red Astra- 

 chans that were annual bearers for a few years. 



A ME^IBER : That is a terminal bearer you remember. 



THE CHAIRMAN: Are there any more questions? 

 Don't let Mr. Conant escape yet; he knows a lot more than 

 he has told us. 



MR. WEEKS : I would like to ask Mr. Conant what 

 elements prevent clover being a success; he says it is not 

 very successful Avith him. I wish to know what element he 

 has in his location, which prevents clover being a successful 

 cover crop. I refer particularly to Alsike and sweet clover 

 mixed. 



IMR. CONANT : In a large percent, of our bearing or- 

 chards, the trees are set reasonably close together, and it is 

 almost impossible to get a good stand of clover as a cover 

 crop, and growing in the shade it will not develop to the ex- 

 tent that it serves as a sufficient cover crop. I never have 

 seen a satisfactory stand of clover as a cover crop. Some 

 are trying vetch, and that may prove to be a very good 

 cover crop under certain conditions. 



MR. 'MAINLAND: How would it answer on those trees 

 growing so rapidly, to practice root pruning as it is done in 

 Europe sometimes — dig a trench a certain distance from the 

 tree, trim the roots nicely and fill the trench again? Would 

 that affect the growth? 



]MR. CONANT ; I am sure I am not in a position to 

 ;inswer that question. It is quite a problem; I w'ould not 

 dare to give an answer to that question. I should try to 

 <'heck those trees by some other meaps than root pruning; I 

 believe it can be done. 



THE CHAIRMAN: I suppose you would find root 

 pruning effective but expensive. I think that I\Ir. Conant 's 

 notion of using heavy growing cover crops commercially 

 would be much more satisfactory. 



