36 STATE POM0LOGICA.L SOCIETT. 



buds swell, so as to give the roots a chance to start before the leaves 

 begin to grow. If the roots get an earl}' start the tree will make a 

 better growth the first year. There is a great advantage in grafting 

 3'our own trees, for in this way alone 3'ou are sure what varieties of 

 fruit you are going to have when the trees begin to bear. There 

 are few orchardists who have bought trees without being disap- 

 pointed when the apples appear. All over the State thousands of 

 trees have not proved true to name. 



It will avoid sunscald in the trees if they are inclined a little 

 towards the southwest. Great care should be taken to have the 

 soil firmly pressed down about the roots. As a rule he never cuts 

 back the limbs of the tree he is setting unless they are bruised- If 

 the roots are short, and there are too many limbs, cut off the lower 

 ones. Sometimes when the last year's growth is large, or there are 

 few limbs, cut back the limbs so as to be in proportion to the roots. 

 Did not believe in setting the trees in the fall. It might do to get 

 ready in the fall, but he would wait till spring before he set trees. 

 If trees are to be set in the fall they should be set early in October. 



In setting out trees, the distance should be determined somewhat 

 by the variety. The upright growers may be set as near as twenty 

 feet of one another, but more spreading varieties like the Tompkins, 

 should be forty or forty-five feet apart. The most desirable size of 

 trees is three-fourths of an inch to an inch in diameter. After the 

 trees are set for several years a hoed crop may be. grown to advan- 

 tage, though you cannot expect a good crop from the ground and 

 another from the trees. It is a very good idea to mulch the trees 

 when they are first set, as the mulch will keep the soil moist and 

 keep back the grass. He did not believe that anyone in Maine had 

 been guilty of applying too much manure to orchards, there is rather 

 danger in using too little so that the trees suffer for a want of suf- 

 ficient plant food. Ordinary manure from the yard and stable is 

 good enough, but if commercial fertilizers are to be used bone meal 

 and some form of potash are the most desirable. 



Willis A. Luce followed with the results of his own experience. 

 The supply of manure has been insufficient and to increase it he has 

 pastured both sheep and hogs in the orchard. Pigs will do good 

 work but he objected to old hogs as they learn how to get the apples 

 off the trees and sometimes damage the trees. Hogs will work over 

 the surface and leave it nice and mellow, though he had never been 

 . able to make them level it up. Both sheep and swine eat the wind- 



