CHESHIRE INSTITUTE 6i 



At the opening of the afternoon session the contents of 

 the Question Box provoked a lively discussion. 



"Stirring the Soil" was the subject of a very practical 

 address by President J. H, Hale, who said, in part: 



"This is one of the most important operations in agri- 

 culture, — more important, even, than applying plant-food, 

 because stirring the soil sets free so much of the plant-food 

 already in the soil. In New England we have frosts to 

 stir and break up the soil, which is a great advantage and 

 one not enjoyed by all sections. Frosts help to release 

 much plant-food, and thorough cultivation following makes 

 this plant-food available. Underdraining is often of great 

 use in aerating the soil. 



"There is a right and a wrong way to plow. The right 

 way is to turn over all of the soil. The idea of stirring 

 the soil is to separate the soil particles and help to retain 

 moisture by creating 'a dust mulch.' 



"There is no one best implement for cultivating: all 

 kinds have their value. Use fine-toothed tools whenever 

 possible. The new weeders are excellent tools. 



"Stirring the soil means success, especially in a season 

 of drought, when the stirring will result in larger and finer 

 fruit crops." 



"The Outlook for Orcharding in Connecticut" was dis- 

 cussed by Geo. F. Piatt, of Milford ; J, N. Barnes, of Yales- 

 ville ; A. C. Sternberg, of West Hartford, and others. The 

 general opinion was that orcharding, especially of apples, 

 will give good returns for capital invested ; that it is not 

 going to be overdone just yet ; that lower prices for orchard 

 fruits must be expected as competition increases, but that 

 growers must aim to reduce cost of production, which can 

 be done and still maintain high quality. 



The closing address of the day was by Dr. W. C. Sturgis, 

 on "Spraying Apparatus." This was of a most practical 

 nature, covering many questions as to the best pumps, 

 nozzles, etc., for the fruit growers' use. "Get the best 

 apparatus you can find in order to do successful spraying," 

 was the Doctor's advice. 



Questions and informal discussions rounded out a very 

 interesting and instructive meeting. 



