STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 59 



IVIr. TiNKHAJVi of No. Monmouth. A number of years ago 

 I got the idea that I could raise apples and sheep together. 

 I have worked on that plan, and have succeeded very well. 

 Of course, at first I made some fiiilures, as every one will in 

 commencing a new business. I got the idea that by fixing an 

 acre of land and putting in four sheep, I could raise sheep 

 without any considerable expense or labor ; but I soon found 

 out that the plan was a bad one, — that the sheep must have a 

 living as well as the trees ; and that the practice was simply 

 robbing Peter to pay Paul. I changed my mode of operation. 

 I said to myself, more sheep and more land. I never plowed 

 a furrow in an orchard in my life, and I have done well. I 

 raised sixty-five barrels of grafted fruit the last year. I have 

 mulched considerably, but you cannot depend entirely upon 

 that ; it is an easy method of cultivation, and I must own that 

 I like an easy way to do my work. Now a word in regard 

 to setting trees. We read, and have been told that you must 

 do your work in this respect "just so," — you must hire a man 

 and have him dig half a dozen holes in a day, and do it in a 

 particular manner. When I hire a man to dig holes for trees, 

 I want him to dig 30 or 40 of them in a day. I do not think 

 a tree ought to be grafted the same 3^ear it is set. It ought 

 to be let alone two or three years until it gets a good growth 

 before grafting it. I used to have a great deal of trouble 

 with scions dying. I think November is the time to cut them ; 

 then, if properly taken care of, you will have good, vigorous 

 shoots from them. I would say a word on pruning trees. I 

 do not think any two men ever agreed as to the proper time 

 for pruning. I think from the 10th of August to the 10th of 

 September is the proper time. 



The Pkesident. We wish to hear from the next man who 

 can tell us how to raise good fruit in such an unfavorable year 

 as the last. We have him here, and I hope he will volunteer. 



Mr. WooDWAED. You are mistaken in your man. I did 

 not expect to be called upon. I will say that I cultivate my 

 trees, and follow it up. I have practiced top-dressing con- 

 siderably. 



