134 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



which branches should be removed until they have reached con- 

 siderable size. The most essential pruning tools are a good 

 strong knife, hand shears and a narrow saw. Various modifica- 

 tions of these tools' are offered, but simplicity is usually to be 

 desired. 



To summarize : Modern ideas and practice of tillage are the 

 product of a gradual process of evolution. The beneficial effects 

 are undeniable, and are manifested in an improved physical condi- 

 tion of the soil. In the conservation of moisture, and in the 

 augmenting of chemical activities, in the management of orchard 

 lands, the fact that tillage is practiced is more important than the 

 method employed. 



The philosophy of pruning rests upon the fact that each branch 

 of a plant is, in a measure, independent, and that there is never 

 competition between these members. Pruning is not injurious 

 per se, and is often of great benefit, but damage often results 

 from the careless or injudicious use of the knife. Fruit bearing, 

 while to a certain extent an individual characteristic, may be 

 greatly modified by judicious pruning and thinning. 



The season at which pruning is performed is of less import- 

 ance than is the manner of making the cut and the treatment of 

 the wound. 



DISCUSSION. 



C. S. Phinney: In the case of propping up limbs heavily 

 laden with fruit, does the bending of the limb injure the vitality 

 of the tree? 



Prof. MuNSON : Yes, the twisting of the wood undoubtedly 

 checks the growth of the tree. There is no doubt that we seri- 

 ously abuse our orchards by permitting them to bear such loads 

 of fruit. We do not thin the fruit sufficiently. I should say 

 thin the fruit rather than prop the trees. 



Mr. PhinnEy: Then you think that the propping checks the 

 growth of the tree ? 



Prof. MuNSON : Yes, the twisting of the limbs will tend to 

 this. I may say that twisting of limbs is a method sometimes 

 employed to throw trees into bearing; it checks the growth. 

 The great object of nature is to perpetuate the kind. If a plant 

 is crowded it always has a tendency to produce seeds, to per- 



