V. - What is the best form of an Apple tree, and which is the time for pruning?

Mr. Sharp thought he might not agree with others in his views of pruning. Would head all fruit trees low. Branches pruned near the ground are more vigorous and stocky than those formed further up the main stem. They show a disposition to ascend instead of running out horizontally, make a good spreading top, and can bear more weight without injury. Trees trained in this way are also less exposed to the winds. This is particularly the case with pears.

J. J. Thomas was opposed to pruning the heads of trees high. In many orchards trees might be seen some three stories in height, from successive grafting.

Mr. Fish agreed with Mr. Sharp. Branches pruned near the root are stronger than those formed six or seven feet from the ground.

Mr. Hooker considered the question a difficult one. Trees grow naturally of all forms. The Northern Spy has an upright growth, Greening crooked and drooping, while the Baldwin makes a round-headed tree. Cut out the young wood from a Tompkins County King, as is desirable for a Northern Spy, and soon there would be no bearing wood left. This variety requires shortening in, while the Northern Spy requires thinning out. It is well to study the habits of trees, for, do the best we can, they will have their peculiar shape.

Mr. Barry said there is a difference of opinion about the height heads should be formed in orchard trees. He believed in having the heads low. Many advantages result from this course: the sap has not to travel so far; branches near roots are stronger, and not subject to so many accidents, are less exposed to weather, and protect the trunk from effects of sun and freezing. All oar orchard trees are found leaning to the east, the effect of our strong west winds.- The higher the head is formed from the ground, of course, the more they are exposed. Low-headed trees are more easily pruned, and the fruit is gathered with much less difficulty and danger. The advantages are numerous and obvious to every grower of fruits. Some think the head should be formed so high that a horse with plow could work under the branches. This is not necessary. The principal feeding roots are at the extremities, and as far out as the ends of the limbs or further. Manure and culture are not needed under branches. Plowing injures the roots by tearing and breaking them. The best fruits are produced from trees where the ground under the branches is always shaded.

A slight forking under the trees is all that is required.

Mr. Moody said they had to come to some system of culture that would suit farmers. Farmers would not use the fork. Had found no evil from plowing. Commence plowing when the trees are young, and the roots will not come near the surface. Would form heads four or five feet from the ground. Some tender trees have the bark injured by the sun in winter. This is prevented by growing branches low.

Mr. Beadle said the climate in which trees are grown, may have a good deal to do in determining the form of the tree. Mr. Moody spoke of the sun burning the trunks of trees. Had seen the same frequently in Canada, the bark injured for seven or eight feet up the trunk. Thought it the effect of the sun followed by hard frosts. By keeping the head low, the trunk is protected. Never saw any ill effects from heading trees low. In Canada they have severe southwest winds. Every tree leans. The main crop is blown off high trees. Mr. B. would not use a plow under or near the trees in an orchard. The roots like to come near the surface for light, and air, and dew.

Mr. Hooker said the advocates of low heads seemed determined to drive those in favor of higher heads into a false position. Although he did not believe in forming heads as low as some, he was equally opposed to having heads as high as some have described, and as is often seen. But the heads should be formed so high as to admit of horse work under the trees. Farmers can not use forks and spades in cultivating their orchards - they must depend upon horses.

J. J. Thomas had made a good deal of observation in the length of roots. The radius of the roots is equal to the height of the tree. If the tree is twenty feet in height, the roots will extend twenty feet from the trunk in every direction. Mr. T. inquired if any one had ever known injury to result from plowing an orchard. The tearing of the roots a little he thought not so injurious as neglecting to stir the soil. Apple roots, many of them, go down low, but peach roots lie near the surface.

Mr. E. Moody said orchards should never be seeded down. In order to allow the dews to penetrate the ground, it must be kept mellow, and the natural attraction and affinity from below will draw the moisture. A good "summer fallow" never becomes dry. An orchard should be so planted as to be cultivated almost entirely with plow and cultivator, using but one horse, with so short a whiffletree as to drive within one foot of the tree. I say horse, because in large orchards farmers will use teams, and will not use forks or spades.

Dr. Sylvester said it is necessary to shade the trunks of trees, and it is also necessary to to keep the tree growing to obtain good fruit. To effect this, it is necessary to keep the ground well cultivated, and it is hard to do this if the head is formed very low.

Mr. Sharp is determined to head his trees low, and has a pair of small mules for working under them; and when the trees are too low for these, will try a pair of asses.