376 Transactions of the American Institvte. 



January 7, 1868. 



Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the chair; Mr. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



MANAGEMENT OF APPLE OKCIIARDS. 



Mr. W. P. Gates, Wiudham, Coun. — I have an orchard of about 

 one thousand trees, which were planted some twelve or fourteen 

 years ago, yet they have produced but little fruit. The orchai'd 

 is on high ground, which is natural for grass, and a part of it is well- 

 sheltered from the northwest and northeast winds. The trees 

 which are the most exposed produce the most fruit. Will pas- 

 turing sheep, or sowing plaster, help it? Or would bone dust or 

 lime be better? 



Dr. Sylvester. — When there is a scarcity of grass, as in hot 

 weather, sheep will bark the trees. Hogs and lime are much better 

 for an orchard than either sheep or plaster. The hogs will root 

 in the soil, which will be of more benefit than plowing. The trees 

 should be frequently washed with strong soap suds, to prevent 

 then' becoming hide bound. 



Dr. Isaac P. Trimble. — ^This question is of much importance, as 

 the apple crop has been almost a total failure this year in New 

 Jersey. We have enough orchards in our State to more than sup- 

 ply ourselves. Land for crops will degenerate as well as for 

 apples, if not cultivated. Those that are well attended to, do well. 

 It is of much importance that the ground be pastured with horses 

 and hogs, so that the insects in the immature fruit may be des- 

 troyed. A plenty of apples are to be had out West. I do not 

 believe that apples have degenerated at all; the trouble all comes 

 from carelessness. 



Dr. Horatio D. Shepherd. — I don't believe very much in hog 

 plowing; but I have read somewhere that coal tar is good to keep 

 insects away from the apple trees, and in one case I knew of its 

 being tried with success. 



Dr. Isaac P. Trimble. — We do not wish to give out as a Club that, 

 in our opinion, coal tar does apple trees any good. Why should 

 it? The insects hostile to the apple tree come on the wing, and 

 coal tar daubed on the trunk will have no effect. If we want 

 apples we must cultivate for them and fertilize for them. 



Mr. Thomas Cavanach. — If any one wants to kill his trees let 

 him use petroleum; yet it is beneficial in a diluted state, applied to 

 shrubs and plants to keep off insects, but it is death when applied 

 to the roots. I knew a line of shade trees on an avenue that were 



