36 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



village plot is not excluded. The bill-side and the valle}^ are com- 

 petitors. AVomen and children nia^- engage in it. There is much 

 that fits the kindly touch of the hands of the gentler sex in it. Its 

 pursuit doubles and quadruples the value of the lands on which it 

 is pursued. It beautifies and elevates the home, and refines the 

 character. 



'•Better than gold is a peaceful home, 

 Where all the fireside chanties come — 

 The shrine of love — tlie heaven of life, 

 Hallowed b_v mother, or sister, or wife. 

 However humble the home may be, 

 Or tried by sorrow by heaven's decree, 

 The blessings that never were bought or sold, 

 And center there, are better than gold." 



DISCUSSION. 



The Secretary. I object to the recommendation in the excellent 

 paper whicli has been read, of setting trees directly over the drains, 

 and especiall}' to doing this at the time of filling the drains. 

 Drains, in a soil which needs underdraining, will, during a large 

 portion of the year, contain water, and always moisture. Tlie roots 

 of trees seek moisture, and if placed directly over the drains, will 

 extend downward into the drains, instead of "awa}' from them." 

 The choking of drains b}' roots is a fact of frequent occurrence, and 

 when a drain needs repairing it will be impossible to uncover it with 

 a row of trees standing over it. On the other hand, if the drains 

 are placed midway between the rows, they will tend to draw the 

 roots to tlie greatest possible distance, will be for a long time free 

 from the danger of choking, and can be uncovered for repairs with- 

 out destroying the trees. 



The recommendation to plant trees in "out of the way -places." 

 if intended as a general rule, does not meet my approval. A good 

 orchtird, designed to be a permanent source of profit and pleasure, 

 will not be "•in the way," in an offensive sense, if given the best and 

 most convenient location which the farm aftbrds. 



The writer has not over-stated the importance of high cultivation, 

 or of intelligent and constant care in the growth of an orchard. 

 Too much importance cannot be attached to the subject of pro- 

 ducing a vigorous growth and early development of the trees, or 

 keeping up the fertility of the soil. 



