342 



THIRD ANNUAL SESSIONS 



for some years adopted the methods of protecting the trunks of trees 

 with wooden veneers, corn stalks, cloth, heavy paper, (never black pa- 

 per), or anything that would lessen the effect of the sun on the trunk. 

 It should be remembered that trees are grown close in the nursery row; 

 that in the nursery they are protected by each other. When transplanted 

 into the open ground, the bark oft-times suffers severely, the same as 

 your arm would sunburn of you should roll up your sleeves in mid- 

 summer. 



Controlling the Form of the Tree. 



The planter should observe that not all buds of a branch are on the 

 outside, nor are they all on the inside, near the center, but are distributed 

 the whole circumference of the twig. This is of importance to the planter. 

 Why? Because it enables him, at will, to control the future shape of the 

 tree. If the tree is so formed as to carry an open head, the sunlight is 

 admitted to the center of the tree, the fruit colors better' and It is more 

 attractive. Therefore, in shortening branches, it is wise to trim trees that 

 normally have an erect habit in such manner that the last bud is an out- 

 side bud. 



Usually the flow of sap forces the most vigorous growth to the last 

 bud left on the branch. Now if the last bud is an outer bud, the effect 

 is to gi've the head of the tree a spreading form. In case the form of the 

 tree is such that the branches are unevenly distributed about the trunk, 

 should the last bud be a side bud, then the tendency of the growth is to 

 close the opening and give more symmietrical form. In trimming trees 

 that have a very spreading, sprawling form, then the reverse would be 

 the proper method, leaving an inner bud, which would assist in correcting 

 a sprawling form of growth. It is wise in pruning a tree to train it to a 

 growth that shall protect the trunk from sun scald, that is, that the trunk 

 may be properly protected from south and southwesterly winds. 



Orchard Cultivation. 



In the first two years, lies much of the secret of success with trees 

 and plants. We find that most people plant trees, but we regret that very 

 many neglect them afterwards. 



Nursery Stock. 



In the growing of nursery stock, particularly apple and forest seed- 

 lings, where we have been desirous of getting the utmost possible growth 

 in one .seasion. we have found that, in the middle of summer, it was 

 advantageous to cultivate as frequently as once in four days, that the 

 trees that were cultivated six or seven times a month gave, as a re- 

 sult, at the end of the season, a larger percentage of No. 1 plants than 

 blocks of stock less frequently cultivated. We would suggest that with 

 mjost planters, orchard cultivation, once a week will be sufficient, or 

 oftener, if there should come a shower of rain between, tx) crust the 

 surface. 



