STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 95 



to insects, I veiy much fear that mulch affords a better lodgement 

 to the codling moth than they can find either in turf or tilled surface. 

 A large proportion of these worms, on leaving the apple, drop to the 

 ground and then start for the tree, an unerring instinct seeming to 

 guide them toward its trunk, which they ascend a little vfa-y, in 

 search of shelter, giving us an opportunit}- to trap and destroy them. 

 If the ground is encumbered with any kind of impediment a large 

 part of the worms appear to be prevented from reaching the tree, 

 doubtless making their cocoons under shelter of the rubbish on the 

 ground, where we cannot find and destroy them. The apple maggot 

 is another insect which may profit from the presence of mulch, though 

 too little is known of his habits and wants to warrant us in drawing 

 positive conclusions. 



Finallj^ the man whose earthly possessions consist largely of apple 

 trees surrounded by such combustible material as dry mulch has 

 good reason to wear an anxious face those breezy spring days be- 

 tween snow and grass, and cast many a nervous glance to windward 

 on the watch for the column of smoke which is to be the precursor 

 of the ruin of his hopes. Perhaps by and by we shall have a system 

 of insurance against such losses, but for the present we who choose 

 to mulch must shoulder a great risk. I have never known of any 

 very serious losses from fire, but minor losses have occurred in m}' 

 own neighborhood, which would have been great disasters had the 

 entire ground been covered with mulch. Perhaps it would be well 

 to leave the ground immediatel}' about the trunk of a tree bare of 

 mulch. When the trees are young this space could be hoed, and 

 when they are older it could be allowed to go to grass, which would 

 never be ver}' stout under the spreading branches. 



Thus, as I intimated in the beginning, though for a while I was 

 able to blow a good horn in favor of mulching, yet has candor com- 

 pelled me to come out of the little end at last and own myself just 

 ready to crawl into my boots through fear of what may befall me as 

 the result of what I have done and propose still to do to my apple 

 trees. 



The next paper presented was, 



MISTAKES IN FRUIT GROWING. 



By D. P. True. 



After twenty years of mistakes and some partial successes, I think 



you will pardon me for the use of a few moments of your valuable 



time, and these few words of caution are not intended for you, as 



