156 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



desirable — clovers, field peas, or winter vetch. Also of the non- 

 leguminous plants — rye, oats, barley, turnips, and buckwheat 

 are valuable. In this connection weeds are not to be disregarded. 



Cover crops serve the following purposes: withhold moisture 

 from trees, preventing late growth; conserve plant food; prevent 

 soil washing; temper severe freezing of soil; hold foliage from trees 

 for manurial purposes; add humus to soil; and increase water 

 holding power. 



Spraying should be just as regularly and faithfully followed in 

 the first years as when the bearing age is reached. The statement 

 that spraying is orchard insurance is not far from right. 



There is a tendency at the present time to overdo the orchard 

 planting business. As a suggestion it would be well for the pro»- 

 spective planter to consider seriously the advisability of planting 

 half the number or acreage and on this concentrated plantation 

 center all his energy, greatly to the advantage and improvement 

 of the crop. 



Discussion. 



Question. Is the spraying of the bark of fruit trees worth while? 



Lecturer. A. more modern method is spraying the bark with 

 lime-sulphur solution which helps to keep the bark clean. An 

 over-zealous person is apt to go too deep in scraping. 



Question. Can the Delicious apple be grown successfully in 

 Massachusetts? 



Lecturer. Beyond the extent of one or two trees I would pass 

 it by. 



Question. When should we spray with lime-sulphur? 



Lecturer. All the time and at all seasons. The lime-sulphur 

 spraying is now proving much more satisfactory than ever. 



Question. Is there any advantage in the use of dynamite for 

 fruit tree-planting? 



Lecturer. I have had no personal experience with it. It may 

 be helpful in some soils but is unnecessary in other soils. 



Question. How many trees forty feet apart can be planted on 

 an acre? 



Lecturer. Twenty-seven. 



