COMMUNICATIONS—EXPERIENCE IN ORCHARDING. 391 
should be allowed to grow out low down on the body in order 
that the shade may protect the trunks from injury by the rays 
of the sun and the drying winds. “Low-headers” are invariably 
the best in this windy climate, especially where the situation 
is very much exposed to the severity of the winds. A thick 
hedge of some kind of rapid growing timber should be 
planted around the orchard; an occasional row through it from 
east to west would not be objectionable. I find from my ob¬ 
servation that the orchards most protected from the severe 
winds and storms of this country are much the most thrifty, 
and much the most prolific in fruit. 
5th. That all fruit trees, of whatsoever kind, should be 
thoroughly cleansed, at least once in each year with some kind 
of good wash such as common soap-suds, weak lie, or com¬ 
mon white-wash. I prefer the latter, well put on with a com 
mon white-wash brush, from the roots as high up as a man 
can reach among the limbs. Doing this twice a year will give 
the trees a fine, smooth and glossy bark, and entirely protect 
them from the devastating effects of the “ bark louse,” and 
from other insects that prey upon apple trees ; even the borer 
is said to be kept off by this method. 
6th. That in all cases, the soil in which apple trees are 
planted should be cultivated each year with some crop that re¬ 
quires frequent plowing and hoeing. Corn, I think, is the 
best, as it is not exhaustive to the land, and serves as a kind 
of wind-break or support to the trees. The trees should be 
well staked, and tied securely to the stakes with a piece of soft 
cloth, so wrapped around as to prevent its rubbing and chafing 
against the stake. This will keep them steady in the roots 
and very much facilitate their growth in an erect position. 
The greatest care should be taken in all cases in working 
among the trees not to bruise them in the least, as there is 
nothing more fatal to the prosperity of an orchard than a care¬ 
less, reckless way of working among the trees. 
The plowing in all cases should be done by a single horse 
with a short whiffietree, or a good steady yoke of oxen. Great 
care should be taken not to cut any of the roots with the plow. 
