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LiBRARY
THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN
BRONX, NEW YORK 10458

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HON. SAMUEL L. FULLER,

First President of Michigan State Horticultural Society.

WHINY -stxTea ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

> BCR BER A EY

OF THE

STATE HORTICULTURAL SOGIETY

MICHIGAN :

BY) Seaton ITY:

LANSING
ROBERT SMITH PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS AND BINDERS
1897

‘

MON on veUbie Ae oP ULEER:

FIRST PRESIDENT OF MICHIGAN STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

No part of Michigan has been more fortunate in the influence exerted for the
good of the state by its progressive public men, than the Grand river valley.
Prominent among the men whose influence has been widespread, blessing the
state, is Samuel L. Fuller of the city of Grand Rapids. His early enlistment
in the cause of agriculture and horticulture, and his persistent and unceasing
efforts for their promotion and advancement have brought results that should
endear him to every lover of the best interests of the state.

He signed the first call for a meeting to organize the State Horticultural society,
and was made chairman of the meeting. He was unceasing in his efforts to build
up the society and make it a power for good, his interest never flagging. He
gave office room for meetings and consultation. He seemed to see more clearly
than others the possibilities of horticulture in Michigan. He made a trip through
Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Dakotas, and on his return told the society to push
on the work of horticulture; that the great northwest was waiting and hungry for
Michigan fruit. His enthusiasm over the subject seemed to know no bounds.
He prophesied that the northwestern states would want all the choice fruit Michi-
gan could raise. He clearly saw the benefits which Michigan enjoyed by reason
of its being a peninsular state, and was sanguine in his belief that horticulture
in Michigan had a bright future. He was also an early worker in the Grand
River Horticultural society and in the West Michigan Farmers’ club. He seemed
to be the life of both societies, attending all their meetings, acting officially most
of the time as president or secretary. He often expressed a wish to be relieved of
official duties, but the members of the society said ‘‘No, we can not get along without
you; you are half of the meeting.” He had a good and cheerful word for every
farmer and horticulturist he met. He was a warm friend of farmers’ institutes,
and was one of the first to advocate an appropriation sufficient to hold at least one
meeting each year in every county in the state.

Public spirited, yet he wanted no office for pecuniary gain. To benefit his
fellow-man in the field of labor was to him sufficient reward.

Mr. Fuller came from that section of western New York made famous by the
first thorough work in tile draining, by the veteran farmer John Johnston. He
imbibed the vital importance of thoroughness and honesty in agricultural methods
which characterized all his later utterances.

He was the pioneer in western Michigan in making and feeding ensilage. He
was not afraid of things because they were new or strange, and often said he
would be thankful if our judgment was right half the time. He believed earnestly
and heartily in the great value that would accrue from organization, and remarked
frequently that the fact that no two men believed exactly alike upon the same
matter was a strong argument in favor of any method which would bring them

iv -HON. SAMUEL L. FULLER.

together to compare notes, see their own errors, and come to right conclusions and
fortify their final efforts.

He often spoke of the value of the counsel he received from his wife, saying
it was his custom to consult her upon all matters, even to the details, because he
had so great confidence in her advice and judgment, and because he believed that
was the true method of living.

He was particularly proud of the achievements of young men, and harbored
no jealousy when a young man forged to the front in any line of activity. He
often admitted a feeling of pride in having been able to give counsel which had
enabled young men to avoid errors or take advantages of opportunities.

The unostentatious and silent yet salutory influence of such men makes the

world grow better. :
S. S. BAILEY.

SAMUEL LUCIUS FULLER.

Mr. Fuller is of Puritan descent, and was born in Geneseo, Livingston county,
N. Y., in 1818. His mother came from Connecticut and his father, the Hon.
P. C. Fuller, was a native of Berkshire county, Massachusetts.

Mr. Fuller received an academic education, graduating from the celebrated
school of Dr. Beck in Albany. In the spring of 1836 he came to Michigan, spending
the summer in traveling over the state, and in the autumn of that year settled in
Grand Rapids as a surveyor and engineer. He found employment there and
elsewhere, doing some of the time important state work. He helped lay out
the city of Grand Rapids and the canal at the Sault Ste. Marie.

In 1840 Hon. Chas. H. Carroll engaged him to return to Livingston county, N. Y.,
as his private secretary. In 1844 he left Mr. Carroll to take charge of his father’s
estate in Conesus.

In 1853 he went to Europe to purchase thoroughbred cattle for an association
of farmers of Livingston county. On his return he purchased the state premium
farm near Geneva, N. Y., known as the “Delafield farm.” Ill health compelled
him to relinquish it and return to the “homestead” at Conesus, where he remained
until his health was re-established. During that time he served in the legislature
two years aS member from that district. During his residence in Livingston
county he was always active in whatever would promote the welfare of the
community, ever holding the confidence and respect of his neighbors. He sat
for years on the board of supervisors, was president of school board, and was civil
magistrate, constantly acting as referee in legal disputes and administrator of
estates. His patriotism was unimpeachable, physical inability alone preventing
his entering the army when the civil war broke out.

In the spring of 1863, having become interested in the Central Express company,
he went to New York to superintend its management.

In 1868, the company having sold its interests to the Merchants’ Union, he came
to Grand Rapids to engage in private banking, with his brother, Edward P.
Fuller, which business they successfully carried on several years. His late years
have been devoted exclusively to the management of their private business.

Since the above matter was written, the death of Mr. Fuller has occurred. He
went to his rest April 27, 1897, interment ensuing in Oak Hill cemetery. The
funeral was very largely attended and there were manifested many evidences of

the high esteem in which he was held both by the public and by his more intimate
friends.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

OF THE

Me

MICHIGAN STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

ALLEGAN, MICHIGAN, }
December 31,:1896. §
To Hon. HAZEN S. PINGREE, Governor of the State of Michigan:
I have the honor to submit herewith, in compliance with legal requirement, the
accompanying report of 1896, with supplementary papers.
Respectfully yours,
EDWY C. REID,

Secretary of the Michigan State Horticultural Society.

OFFICERS

OF THE

STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR 1897.

PRESIDENT—ROLAND MORRILL, Benton Harbor.
HONORARY PRESIDENT—T. T. LYON, South Haven.
VICE-PRESIDENT—C. J. MONROE, South Haven.
SECRETARY—EDWY C. REID, Allegan.
TREASURER—ASA W. SLAYTON, Grand Rapids.
LIBRARIAN—ROBERT L. HEWITT, Lansing.

EXECUTIVE BOARD.

F. J. RUSSELL, Hart, 1 year. L. R. TAFT, Agricultural College, 2 years.
R. D. GRAHAM, Grand Rapids, 1 year. | C. J. MONROE, South Haven, 3 years.
R. M. KELLOGG, Three Rivers, 2 years. | W. W. TRACY, Detroit, 3 years.

STANDING COMMITTEES.

ON FRUIT CATALOGUE—L. R. TAFT, Agricultural College, Chairman; T. T.
LYON, South Haven; A. A. CROZIER, Agricultural College; W. A. SMITH,
Benton Harbor; C. A. SESSIONS, Grand Rapids.

ON NEW FRvuITS—T. T. LYON, South Haven, Chairman; C. A. SESSIONS,
Grand Rapids; S. R. FULLER, Eaton Rapids; C. ENGEL, Paw Paw.

ON FINANCE—C. J. MONROE, C. W. GARFIELD.

ON ENTOMOLOGY—G. C. DAVIS, Chairman.

ON VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY—L. R. TAFT, Chairman.

ON LANDSCAPE GARDENING—E. FERRAND, Chairman.

ON VEGETABLE GARDEN—W. W. TRACY, Chairman.

ON FORESTRY—C. W. GARFIELD, Chairman, Grand Rapids; L. R. TAFT,
Agricultural College; C. A. SESSIONS, Grand Rapids.

Peocke DINGS, OF “THE” WINTER MEETING.

HELD AT HART, FEB. 26 AND 27, 1896.

Remarkably pleasant weather helped greatly to make a pronounced
success of the winter meeting of the society, held at Hart, Oceana
county, the 26th and 27th of February. These dates, however, prevented
the expected attendance of Prof. John Craig of Ontario experiment sta-
tion and Mr. J. H. Hale of South Glastonbury, Conn., the famous peach-
_grower, who much desires to meet his fellow-horticulturists of Michi-
gan. The dates also excluded the Agricultural college people, who were
unable to absent themselves at the very beginning of the new school
year. Nevertheless, there was abundance of good papers, and more than
the usual number of questions, the discussion of the latter being a very
prominent feature of the meeting.

The people of Hart provided everything requisite to the comfort and
pleasure of the visitors. The court-house was the place of meeting, and
it was at all times in fine order for the occasion. Music, both vocal and
instrumental, was in abundant supply, while the townsmen no less than
the farmers exerted themselves to make agreeable as well as profitable
the time of their guests. The attendance was large, often filling the court-
room to its utmost capacity.

At a session of the executive board, the resignation of Charles W. Gar-
field was presented and accepted, Mr. R. D. Graham of Grand Rapids
being appointed to fill the vacancy. This was done with much reluc-
tance, so far as acceptance of Mr. Garfield’s resignation was concerned,
but his reasons were so urgent, and his twenty years of official service
had been so faithfully rendered, that concurrence with his wishes were
unavoidable.

Reports of the standing committees were as follows:

bo

STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

RESOLUTIONS.

Resolved, That in coming to Hart, our hearts have been captured by the hearty
welcome we have received from the open-hearted people of Hart and Oceana county,
and that our hearty thanks are due, and are hereby given, to all the good people
here who have in any way assisted in preparing for this meeting, in providing this
room for our sessions, in enlivening our opening with soul-cheering music, in
furnishing us homes during our stay, and in giving a full local attendance of inter-
ested people, such that each session has excelled its predecessors in interest and
instruction; and so long as breezes blow and fruits ripen, our heart-beats will echo,
“It was good for us to be there.”

C. J. MONROE.
ASA W. SLAYTON.
CHARLES B. WELCH.

EXHIBITS.

Your committee would report that they have examined the exhibits and have
found the following:

Upon the president’s table, three varieties of apple, grown by Mr. M. Nelson of
Menominee, Mich., consisting of Northwestern Greening, Wealthy, and Pewaukee.
Specimens of the first-named variety weigh nine and one half ounces, and of the
Wealthy, eight and one fourth ounces. All were in excellent condition and free
from blemish. Such grand, beautiful fruit, from the upper peninsula, opens
another field and adds another laurel to Michigan’s fame as a fruit state.

There were also on exhibition, some fine, thrifty plants of primrose in variety,
grown by Mr. E. D. Richmond of Hart. Another bouquet of fresh, fragrant flowers
trom Mr. Elmer D. Smith of Adrian, arrived at noon. They were yellow tulips,
narcissus, carnations and ferns. We all love them—the sweet fragrant heralds
from a stiller and more beautiful world. Beautiful flowers and our most beautiful
thoughts go hand in hand, and one fosters the other.

Samples of field and sweet corn and grasses, shown by Mr. D. L. Garver, were
both good and instructive.

Six samples of commercial fertilizer of the “Horse Shoe
tion. They were neatly put up in bottles.

The East Ross Basket Co. shows bushel and half-bushel crates, together with
baskets. Both baskets and crates are well made and recommend themselves.

L. B. RICE.
C. J. CONRATH.
BENTON GEBHART.

”

brand were on exhibi-

ww

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING.

Poe ieee ND DiSCiUSsSslons.

THE STRAWBERRY IN MICHIGAN.

BY MR. C. M. WELCH OF DOUGLAS.

There are nearly as many advocates of different methods of growing
strawberries as there are growers, but the method that will bring the
greatest number of dollars and cents, other things being equal, is what
we as practical growers want. Many of our growers have been quite
successful with the strawberry, and each has, in a measure, methods of
his own, some ways of doing things that have aided largely in making
the business a success with him.

The methods pursued in our vicinity, western Allegan county, vary
from setting the plants on half-prepared land, with as little care as pos-
sible, and growing them in connection with a crop of weeds and grass,
to following the more improved methods of preparing the soil and cul-
tivating in the best way known. The plan more commonly followed,
and one that has brought good results, is to thoroughly prepare the soil
the same as for other farm crops, set the plants in the spring and give
good cultivation throughout the season, the plants being allowed to form
in matted rows. Mulching is practiced but very little. The beds are
picked as long as they will bear a paying crop, or until the grass or
weeds become so troublesome as to make it unprofitable to longer clean
them out.

For fertilizers, when used, stable manure is mostly depended upon,
although many growers have been using in a small way different com-
mercial fertilizers.

As the possibilities of the strawberry become better known, and we
begin to realize that in the near future it is to occupy an important place
among what we call our money crops, and we begin to comprehend our
many advantages along the lake shore, over other sections of country,
for its profitable cultivation, there is a marked improvement in the care,
culture, and handling of it.

As I am better acquainted with my own doings than with my neigh-
bors’ I will give the methods I have pursued and that have made my
strawberry patch the best paying part of my farm for the capital
invested. As a rule we, in common with other growers, set our lower
lands because of their holding moisture better in a dry time, which,
being near the lake, we are safe in doing. Our soil is a rather low,
sandy loam with a clay subsoil, well underdrained, one that has brought
us some fine crops of berries when we have had some very dry seasons.
For years we have grown them after the manner of farm crops, using
in preparing the ground and cultivating the crop the same tools and

+ STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

methods as pursued in other farm operations. However, the expense
of putting out and caring for a crop of strawberries being greater per
acre than for farm crops, we made them somewhat a special crop,
and endeavored to do as much work in fitting the land and cultivating
the crop as we thought could be profitably done. The past few years
we have changed our course somewhat, and followed plans that have
proved very satisfactory so far, and whereby we hope to increase our
yield and lessen the expense of growing the crop—in fact, be able to
erow better fruit at a less cost per quart. While we are using ashes,
bone meal, and other commercial. fertilizers, in a small way, we are
depending mostly on clover, and have grown some of our best crops
on clover sod alone. Whenever possible we commence preparation of
our strawberry ground two years before we want to set it, by sowing it
to clover, which is left to grow until nearly time to cut, when it is
either cut and left on the ground, and the second growth allowed to
come up through it, or the cows are turned on it a few days and allowed
to eat and tramp it down as fast as they can, and the second growth
allowed to come up; or it can be harrowed down—any way to get the first
crop broken down while it is green, and the larger part left on the
ground. In the fall the ground is given a thorough plowing. Don’t
hurry this job, because upon a thorough preparation of the soil will
depend, largely, the success of the crop. The past two years we have
plowed our land sixteen inches deep, turning over about seven inches of
the surface soil and working the balance with a subsoil plow.

In the spring the ground was thoroughly worked with spading har-
row and harrow. The rows were marked three feet ten inches apart,
with a light, two-rowed hand-marker, making just mark enough to see.
We set as early in the spring as the ground and weather will permit,
usually the last of April or the fore part of May. ‘The plants are set
from two to two and a half feet apart in the row. An ordinary spade
is used to make the holes, one man or bov dropping and two setting,
making the holes and setting as they go along, the dropper straighten-
ing the roots of the plants ready to set and dropping only as fast as the
plants are needed. Care is taken to set the plants as near the same
depth they grew as possible, and to press the earth firmly around them.
If the weather is very dry or the land in condition to work, we begin culti-
vation soon after setting. The past season having been a very dry one,
we cultivated with a light harrow what was set each day, and continued
Shallow cultivation the entire season; and although it was quite late
before the plants rooted, we got a much better stand that we expected.

Hoeing is done where needed and as often. The blossoms are picked
off and the runners cut, the fore part of the season, which enables us to
get the weeds pretty thoroughly subdued, and at very small cost, before
letting the runners take root. If this work is done at the right time
and in the right way it lessens the cost of growing the crop very much.
We aim to get the rows about sixteen inches in width and the plants not
too thick in the row, some varieties doing best in much narrower rows.
We have some soils that would not grow a profitable crop except in wide
rows. This way we get one heavy and rather late crop of berries and
one lighter crop. Some varieties seldom grow more than one paying
crop, and unless we can manage in some way to overcome the effects of

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 5

the draught after picking, we will be compelled to pick only one crop
and plow under. Our rule is to pick two crops and then plow under, when
the ground is soon sowed to clover, which in turn is plowed under, when
it is again ready for strawberries.

If there is one thing of more importance than another, it is to set good,
thrifty plants. We always take plants from a newly-set bed, discarding
all poor and late-set ones. You may enrich your land, prepare it the
best you can, and have an unprofitable patch by setting poor or mixed
plants. Good, true-to-name plants are the cheapest.

We have a small trial plat where we try a few of the more favorably
recommended of the newer kinds each year, and are able to decide for
ourselves as to their merits or demerits before setting them in large
numbers.

Near the lake, where we are likely to have foggy, damp weather dur-
ing blossoming time, I would not set more than three rows of imper-
fect-flowering kinds together, and at least two rows of perfect-
flowering kinds with them. The largest crop and finest fruit we ever
grew was from a patch set two rows each of imperfect- and perfect-
flowering varieties, all through the patch, and that in a year when the
strawberry crop was generally quite light.

We have cultivated some of our beds early in the spring before pick-
ing, but find it of doubtful value and will try it very carefully here-
after.
~ In regard to varieties, my knowledge is somewhat limited, as our peo-
ple have kept pretty closely to tried kinds. Some have been successful
with one variety and think it has no equal, while others have had equal
success with another kind. We have set varieties that seemed to be
successful the first year but which never did anything afterward; while
others, that did not do so well at first, afterward proved excellent. We
have realized the most money from setting for our main crop only two
or three well-selected varieties, and in giving a list of kinds I will not
undertake to give a complete list of those grown about Douglas, but
those that are best known at the present time.

Jessie has been largely planted because of its large size, fine color,
and thrifty, hardy plant. With some it has been a money-maker and
almost a sure bearer; with others it has been a somewhat shy bearer.
It needs good soil.

Perhaps no berry we have will furnish as many quarts from the same
number of plants as Haverland. ‘The berries are of good size, easily
picked, and the blossoms withstood the frost the past year better than
other varieties. It should be kept in rather narrow rows, and mulched
to keep the berries off the ground.

Bubach is a favorite with all who have grown it, and will be largely
set this spring. Its season is rather short.

Many report Crescent as bringing them the most money, but larger
kinds are taking its place. It is a sure bearer, and will stand neglect
the best of any ber ry known.

Sharpless has proved a rather shy bearer, although a favorite with
Some on account of its large size.

The old Wilson has many friends and is lar gely set to fertilize imper-
fect-flowering kinds. It is considered the best berry we have for that

6 HV STATE. HORTICULTURAL? SOCLE EY.

purpose, and would be largely set for market but for its rusting so
badly some seasons.

Parker Earle is well spoken of and will be largely set this spring.
It has done best in narrow rows and on good soil. The objection to
it is that it over-bears. The berries run quite small on the latter pick-
ings, and the plant seems to exhaust itself in bearing the first crop.

Gandy is claimed to be the best late berry. It is a light bearer and
requires good soil. It blossoms late. The past spring it had not blos-
somed yet when we had our late frost, although all other varieties had.

From every grower that has tried it there is nothing but praise for
Beder Wood. It is early, large, of good color, and hardy, makes plants
freely—a fine berry with which to fertilize Warfield.

Princess has been but little grown, but promises well.

Eureka, so far as grown, has proved of doubtful value.

Cumberland has become unreliable because of its rusting so badly.

Michel’s Early is well spoken of as an early berry. It furnishes a
few good pickings before other varieties ripen.

Swindle seems to be true to name.

Great claims are made for Timbrell, by those who have fruited it, as
being a rather late, good-size, fine-flavored, and very productive berry.

Enhance, Brandywine, and Marshall have not been thoroughly tried
with us yet, but promise to be valuable additions to our list of market
varieties.

But, for all conditions of weather and all kinds of soil, no berry
ever grown with us has become so generally a favorite as Warfield.
It is one of the best shippers we have. However, it does best in rather
thin matted rows and on good soil.

BY MR. E. L. BRILLHART OF LUDINGTON.

The first requirements that present themselves to my mind, for any
kind of fruitgrowing, are these: A person able to stand disappoint-
ment, and live with a happy heart on the prospects of a future crop;
one with natural desire for, and sole interest in, fruitgrowing, the grand-
est of all callings. He should be intelligent, energetic, and very par-
ticular; and with two more well-developed “bumps,” one for neatness,
the other for punctuality.

With these qualifications assured, it would be safe and advisable to
look for a suitable location, which should be as close to market as
possible. Low, wet, or valley land should be avoided for strawberries,
on account of plants “heaving” in winter and always catching the slight-
est frosts in the spring. Select if possible a level piece of ground, ele-
vated above all adjoining land, a place that is exempt from all common
spring frosts, our greatest drawback here. The soil best adapted is a
rich sand and clay loam, with clay subsoil.

I would first clean the ground of all stumps and stones, to the depth
of ten inches, then cover the ground from sight with good, decomposed
manure, prepared for the purpose. Plow as early in the spring as pos-
sible, and as deeply as the soil will permit. I apply ashes and all other
kinds of fertilizer on the furrow, before dragging. For pulverizing the

4

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING.

soil I use the steel-frame spring-tooth harrow, setting it to run its
lowest depth, and keep harrowing, till the frame fairly swims in the
mellow soil. Then roll the ground down until firm and immediately
go over it with a light smoothing-harrow, forming a fine dust mulch
about one inch deep, so checking all further evaporation.

Marking is with me a particular point, not only to get the rows
straight but uniform in width, so the different tools can be adjusted to
run close to the row, without disturbing the plants, the marker I use
being preferred to the old style. It consists of four runners, made of
2x6 scantling, nailed to two twelve-foot boards, with thills, to be drawn
by a horse, which makes a very straight but shallow mark, making it
much easier for setting plants than a deep, dried-out mark.

Be very careful where you get your plants. Many people delude
themselves into the idea that it makes no difference, so long as they are
strawberry plants, making little note of kind or sex or of the dilapidated
condition of the old, run-out bed from where they are taken. Such
plants are worse than stunted pigs; for those you can bring up to be
thrifty, but the plants you never can.

In starting I would procure plants from some person that makes a
specialty of growing pure-pedigree plants.

I take great care in this, to have all varieties marked, and by planting
two or three acres every year I secure strong, healthy plants that have
not been exhausted by fruiting.

As to varieties it is hard to decide, on account of new kinds constantly
coming on the market, the difference in soil and ways of treatment mak-
ing a marked difference with same variety. I find by observation a great
many that are not posted in regard to staminate and pistillate varieties.
The staminate or male plants can be set by themselves, producing perfect
blossoms as well as fruit. The pistillate or female varieties produce
imperfect blossoms that have no pollen, and must be set close to the
perfect-flowering kinds. The wind and bees will complete the task of
mixing. The leading varieties with me, for business, are Wilson, Cres-
cent, Warfield, Bubach, and Parker Earle.

The old reliable Wilson has given good satisfaction with me, it being
very hardy and productive. I use it mostly to fertilize other varieties.
Crescent is the best early variety I have tried. The berries resemble Wil-
son very much, in shape and growth, but are of a little lighter color and
more productive. Warfield, a grand berry, has but one fault, excessive
plant growth, thus forming more fruit than ordinary soil can perfect.
But for hills, and especially half matted rows, this variety is hard to beat.
The berries are perfect in shape, and very solid, with a beautiful dark,
glossy-red color, one of the very best for canning and shipping. Bubach,
which makes a short, strong growth, is a good variety for large fruit,
and is valuable for home market or fancy trade. I have grown speci-
mens measuring 7? inches in circumference. Parker Earle stands ahead
of all other varieties for me. Any berry that will stand the severe freez-
ing of the night of May 19, and the worst drought we ever had in this
section, and bear an enormous crop of fine, large berries, deserves more
credit than I can put into words. It was the only one of eleven varieties
that produced a full crop. It is especially adapted to hill culture, being

8 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

naturally inclined to stool, a very strong grower, and having thick heavy
crowns and roots. The berries are of good size and quality and will
hang onthe vines for days, in the hot sun, without souring or scalding.
I picked this season a pint of berries from a single plant that had been
set only two months, without seemingly impairing the vitality of the
plant. It made a strong, rapid growth after fruiting. There are many
other varieties that are worthy of trial, but these five can be relied upon
for profit in this section.

To take up plants, use a potato-hook. Strike deeply, throw out the
earth and plants together, shake out the plants, and immediately put
them into bushel baskets, when enough are secured for one day’s plant-
ing. Remove from all exposure to wind and sun, to the packing-house,
where all runners, dead leaves, and weak plants are sorted out. Pack
the plants, straight and tight, with roots down, in half-bushel climax
baskets. Mark the name of variety on the basket. As fast as filled, set
the basket in four inches of water, in a tub, leaving about five minutes,
or till the roots are wet. Then set them in the shade till needed.

Setting the plants is particular work. I use a dibble made of half-
inch hard wood, eight inches long and five inches wide, beveled to a
sharp edge, and cover the lower point with tin to keep it sharp. I take
the dibble in the right hand and brush the dry dust from the surface,
then push the dibble into the soil, making a V-shape hole deep enough
to admit the roots; and at the same time reach into the basket at the
left, for the plant, invert the hand and plant, shaking it till the roots are
all separated, then place it in the ground, arranging the roots fan-shape;
then take the dibble and stamp around the plant, filling all depressions
around the roots. Then press the ground down so firmly that a leaf
could be pulled off without disturbing the plant. Be sure that the
crown is on a level with the soil after setting.

The best time to set strawberry plants is in the spring. Fall planting
should be done in August or September, so the plants can get well rooted
before winter. .

There are three ways of growing strawberries: (1) The matted row,
which we see almost everywhere, is too thick to stand the dry weather
we generally get and still produce good, marketable fruit. (2) The half
matted row, about ten inches wide, where plants are not closer than
six inches, will on good soil produce a fine lot of berries. (3) The hill
system is the best way to grow nice berries. Set the plants three feet
each way, or three and one half feet by eighteen inches, making it easy
to cultivate and keep clean. So soon as the runners appear, cut them
off with a sharp hoe or cutter, thus retaining the growth and vigor for
new crowns to the hill.

The strawberry plant is a constant multiplier, so it is for us to decide
whether we want the plants all over the ground, in rows, or consolidated
into one mammoth hill, which will in all cases produce the finest fruit.
If everybody would adopt the hill system there would be more satisfac-
tion all around, and less grumbling about scrub stock and poor returns.

This simple act, cultivation, of which the theory is so poorly under-
stood among many farmers, would better be investigated, so as to stop
the old practice of deep cultivation to conserve moisture. I use nothing

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 9.

but the hoe and Planet Jr. strawberry cultivator, which consists of
twelve teeth and pulverizing attachment. With this cultivator, a Breed
weeder, and R. M. Kellogg’s plant-setter and automatic runner-cutter,
the work of strawberry-growing would be much easier and more profit-
able. It is high time for the growers to wake up and procure all labor-
saving tools, which will do the work easier and better, and we thus be
able to raise larger yields of choice berries. The market is always ready
and waiting to give good prices for fancy fruit of all kinds.

BY MR. W. W. RORK OF AGNEW.

For ten years we have been growing strawberries in a small way.
From the first we desired to know for ourselves the very best and to
produce the best. We began with Bidwell, Sharpless, Downing, May
King, and Russell’s Prolific. Since then we have grown Wilson, Man-
chester, Gandy, Michel, Dew, Bubach, Cumberland, Gillespie, Lowa
Beauty, Regina, Beverly, Middlefield, Leader, Enhance, Marshall, and
Timbrell. To cover the season I have largely planted Michel, Bid-
well, Gandy, and Dew. I am still further trying Marshall and Tim-
brell. Marshall is tender in vine and will kill in the bud with frost.
Timbrell did well last year, save that it scalded so that few berries
came to the picking in good condition. The balance of those named I
discarded. Bubach is not as productive as Bidwell, is too soft, and
quality none too good. Gillespie is an excellent berry every way but
not as productive as I would like. I may try them again. Enhance
is productive, but too poor in quality and softens quickly when over-
ripe. Beverly is fine in color, quality, and firmness, but under-size and
not very productive. Dew is very large, fairly good, and firm, but tender
in plant and bud, and bears fairly well only on good soil. It pays very
well on account of its size and lateness of ripening. Gandy should be
better in quality and yield. We are looking for a better late berry.
Nothing has done better for an early berry than Michel, when not
allowed to make too many plants, which it will do under any but the
most vigorous treatment. I am looking for something better to take
its place but have not found it yet. I will speak of only one more,
Bidwell. With me this is the nearest an ideal berry of any I know.
Perfect in vine, vigorous and hardy, has never failed to give fine berries
through neglect, frost, and drought. It ripens early and continues as
long as Gandy. The fruit is of good size all through the season, is
productive, can provide new blossom stalks if Jack Frost gets the first,
is the very best in color and firmness, while its quality is second to
none. It has brought more money than any I have grown. I now have
some new varieties on trial—Brandywine, Staples, and Annie Laurie.
So far Brandywine and Staples are promising. Annie Laurie made a
good growth but seemed shy in bearing. I have also two foreign sorts,
Noble and Latest of All. The first did well, the other made a small and
Singular growth, but is almost as green as in summer.

We now come to the soil. It is low, dark, moist sand. We have not

: used fertilizers, but the ground was new and well supplied with ashes
2

10 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

from heavy burnings. All were planted on the same ground and had
equal chance.

We take our plants for setting from new beds. We plant early in
spring, putting the ground in readiness the previous summer by plowing
well and cultivating till everything is twice dead. In the spring, culti-
vate and plant in rows four to four and a half feet apart and twenty
inches to two feet in the row. We are not troubled much with weeds,
but stir the ground as often as is needed. We pay but little attention to
runners. Early in the fall we narrow the rows to about eighteen inches
and cultivate the next summer as is best. We prefer the matted row
for these reasons: We do not mulch, and the wind blows the sand
away from the hills and covers the crowns; it is also less work, and gives
as large a yield if not allowed to mat thickly; the fruit is also cleaner; we
have never failed of a fine crop. So far our land has been new and will
be for a time. If it were old we should depend upon clover and ashes
largely for fertilizing. -Our farm lies one and one half miles from the
lake. With us the low ground is not more subject to damage by frost
than is the high. Growth starts later, and blossoms and fruit are later.
We have sold most of our berries in the home market and in inland
towns. There is a good demand for first-class fruit honestly packed.

We join hands with all who love the ideal life and home amid trees,
vines, fruit and fragrant flowers, and who are bound to put the business
to the front, not forgetting the public good and the happiness and pros=
perity of the coming generations.

BY MR. J. B. HOUK OF LUDINGTON.

Almost any kind of soil, if well fertilized and free from foul seed,
that has good water and air drainage, will grow strawberries. For the
early varieties, a south slope is preferable, but for the late ones a north
slope or level land is best, if not subject to late frosts.

In preparing the soil it should be put in the best possible condition
by plowing in the autumn and again in the spring, and by frequent har-
rowing. Then roll or use a fioat. Do not leave on the ground any rub-
bish, such as stone, roots, corn stubble, or anything that will hinder cul-
tivation. When ready to plant, it should look like a garden. In grow-
ing strawberries, like other crops, when the soil is well prepared it takes
less labor to keep it clear of foul grasses. Mark both ways, as far apart
as itis wished to set the plants. We set three feet each way, and think
that is about right where you wish a narrow matted row.

In setting plants we use a short-handled spade to make the holes, then
place the plant in the hole, being careful not to get the crown of the plant
below the surface, and have the roots straight in the hole, and not have
any of them above ground. Then step firmly on one side to press the
soil around the roots.

Cultivation should be started as soon as possible after setting, so as
to hold moisture and destroy the weeds. Cultivate both ways until mid-
season, then place the runners the way it is wished to have the matted
row. Do not let the row become over six or seven inches wide. IKXeep
the plants well hoed; pick off all the blossoms; do not let plants bear
fruit the first year after setting.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 11

In selecting plants, be sure to get the varieties that do the best in your
locality and on the kind of soil you have. The variety that will do well
on sand may be a failure on clay and vice versa. In taking up plants,
care should be taken not to cut or injure the roots any more than neces-
sary. The varieties that have given the best satisfaction in this locality,
are Wilson, Crescent, Warfield, Greenfield, Haverland, Gandy, and Man-
chester. Wilson is one of the old varieties and one of the best yielders,
and does best on sandy soil. Crescent is another old standby that does
well on sandy land, is rather small, but very productive. Warfield is
one of the best if grown on moist soil, but is a short-rooting variety and
will suffer from drought on sandy soil. Greenville is one of the new
varieties, but with us, the past season, it gave good satisfaction. It is
one of the large, late ones, and holds its own all ‘through the season, the
last picking being as large as the first of the Wilsons. Haverland is
one of the best berries we have. It stood the frost and snow storm last
May the best of any berry we had, and ripened all its fruit in good size.
The berries are very handsome, of large size and good quality. Gandy
is a well-known variety, is one of the largest and latest, but a shy bearer;
it is a good market berry, always brings a good price. Manchester is one
of the large late berries that do well on some kinds of soil. I notice in
several localities it is in the discarded list, but around Ludington it is
grown extensively on muck land and gives the best satisfaction when
other varieties fail. There are scores of other varieties that have been
tried in this place, and so far we have found none others that will come
up to the requirements of a good market berry although we have quite
a number that have not fruited yet, and expect great things from some
of them. In setting new varieties, set just enough to give them a good
trial, as there is more lost than gained in setting largely of untried sorts.

BY MR. C. E. WHITTEN OF BRIDGMAN.

I think it is an admitted fact that Berrien county grows more straw-
berries for market than any other county in the state. Our township
(Lake) will rank second in the county, with a total of 8,649 bushels mar-
keted in the season of 1894, with a grand total of 62,493 bushels for the
county the same season. These figures are from the report of the Sec-
retary of State. I had thought to be able to give the exact number of
acres growing in our township last season, but could not get these fig-
ures. I will say, though, that nearly every farm has from one to ten
acres in bearing.

Twenty-five years ago, when this industry was in its infancy, it was
thought that the lighter, sandy soil was best adapted to strawberry
culture—in fact, was the only fit soil for it. Time has wrought many
changes in this, as in all other lines, and today we pick our best land
for this crop. My ideal would be a rich, sandy loam, rather low if it
could be properly underdrained. Of course, care should be taken to
avoid locations much subject to spring frosts, as these are the bane of
the strawberry-grower, ofttimes the most brilliant prospect changing uc
a dismal failure in a single night.

In fitting the land for this crop, I think those meeting with best sue-
cess practice fall plowing, this being done as late in the season as practi-

12 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

cable. I do not think any one has plowed as deeply as our friend
Kellogg of Ionia advises, nor do I think it necessary on our sandy soil.
However, we want land well plowed.

In the spring, as soon as the land is in suitable condition to work, we
harrow thoroughly with a spring-tooth harrow, following with a smooth-
ing-harrow and plank drag or roller.

The method of culture most common in this locality is that known as
the matted row system. Right here I may say that many make the mis-
take of letting the rows mat too thoroughly. To assure best results,
especially with those varieties which are free plant-makers, as Warfield,
Greenville, and others, only a small proportion of plants setting should
be allowed to root, and these from the earlier growth. Then all later
runners should be clipped, thus throwing the growth into a smaller
number, insuring a vigorous plant for fruiting the next season, which
would probably produce fine fruit; while, if all the runners were allowed
to root, the plants would be so thick on the ground that at best they
would be weak and puny, and if they survived the winter, would give
an unsatisfactory crop of small and “buttony” berries.

The usual mode of setting is to have rows marked out with a light
marker, although some use a line, having rows from 33 to 4$ feet apart
according to variety. One man leads with a spade, and with a thrust
and slight side motion makes an opening to receive the plant. If only
rowing one way, an intelligent workman will soon learn to space about
the right distance between plants, without measuring, and will progress
quite rapidly.

The plants should have been prepared previously. They should be
nicely trimmed and roots straightened, and roots should be kept moist
while in the field.

The most particular part is in getting the plant set at just the right
depth. This requir es an experienced hand to assure success. He follows
with the plants in pail or basket, and, grasping each plant by the crown,
giving a quick jerk or flirt to straighten the roots, places it in the open-
ing made by the spade, being very “particular to have the crown just at
the surface; then, with a good strong pressure of the foot, the opening is
closed, holding the plant firmly in the soil.

The amount of care taken in setting will determine to a great extent
the future success or failure of the enterprise. If set too deeply the
heart will decay and plant die, while if not deep enough the plant will
be liable to drying out, with same effect. It is also important to have
the roots spread out as much as possible and not bunched in small
space.

As soon after setting as practicable, the surface should be stirred to
preserve moisture in the soil. For this purpose we use what is known
as an Ajax harrow. This is a steel-frame, horse-cultivator with spike
teeth. With this implement one can run very close to the row without
covering or loosening the plants. There is still a narrow space
untouched, and hand hoes are called into play to loosen this; but avoid
deep working if possible. We should never allow the surface to crust
over, and the cultivator should be kept going as often as once per week at
least, and oftener if the season is very dry.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEBRTING. 15

One thing I failed to mention in the setting was fertilization, or more
properly speaking, pollenization. It is generally conceded that imper-
fect pollenization is the cause of so many “buttony” and “nubby”’ berries
toward the close of the season, and some are alternating two rows of
pistillates with two rows of staminates. Ordinarily I consider every
fourth row a staminate enough.

As to varieties being grown in this locality, I will speak of pistillates
first. I presume Warfield would lead in acreage, although Crescent
would probably give it close second. Warfield is much the better berry
of the two. While Crescent seems to adapt itself to almost any soil
or condition, Warfield is a little more particular and does not do its best
on a light, dry soil, but seems to need a good, strong soil. Haverland
and Bubach are both very productive of large and showy fruit. Bubach,
I think, will average a little the larger, while Haverland is probably the
more productive. Barton’s Eclipse is similar to Haverland and is prob-
ably a little firmer and higher colored. I predict that this will become
a standard market sort when its good qualities shall become better
known. Greenville has had a big boom since its introduction, three
years ago, but Iam not prepared to say much for or against it yet, as I
have not been able to thoroughly test it. Last season I should have
fruited it, but frost made nearly a clean sweep of this as well as sey-
eral other sorts that I was testing for first time. Greenville seems to
be very vigorous and healthy, and promises well, although I hardly think
it will come up to the introducer’s claim for size, which was “an improve-
ment on Bubach.”

Among the newer kinds, Bisel is very promising. It is a strong and
healthy grower, and if properly pollenized is very prolific. I would
recommend this as a good market variety. Timbrell, after all the boom
it had in its introduction, proves to be very nearly a fizzle. I think
among staminates Lovett is being used as a pollenizer more than any
other variety. Next to this comes Wilson, Beder Wood, and Michel,
while some still hold to Jessie and Sharpless; but these last named are
too likely to be “nipped in the bud” to be very profitable. Parker Earle
has been very popular with some, while others call it a failure. The
secret of the difference of opinion seems to be in the different treatment
given. This variety needs good, strong land, and should not be allowed
to make a matted row, as it sets more fruit than it can perfect under ordi-
nary conditions. Gandy and Enhance, while very different in other
characteristics, are both very late varieties. Brandywine, first intro-
duced last season by Matthew Crawford of Ohio, is also of medium to
late season. This is claimed to be a very promising sort. It certainly
comes well recommended. Splendid is another candidate for recog-
nition, which comes well spoken of. It is early to midseason. I would
recommend this as a pollenizer for Warfield.

This does not cover all the varieties being grown in this locality, but
it is enough for the length of this article.

14 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Brassington: Is Bidwell bisexual?

Mr. Rork: It has a perfect blossom; it bears very freely. It is the
handsomest berry there is, in the basket, i think.

@. Can you get the white tips ripened?

Mr. Rork: JI never had any. Whether it is my soil or what, I dont
know.

Mr. Morrill: One gentleman mentioned Manchester in his paper.
Now, with us it never produced a good crop, because it would always
rust and go down from the time you had one good picking

Mr. Rork: I saw it on the shore. It had a beautiful bi
was destroyed, as you say, because of rust.

Mr. Brassington: Have you compared Warfield with Bidwell?

Mr. Rork: I have not grown it, but I have seen it. Bidwell is much
larger and better formed. I don’t know about the productive qualities.
Bidwell produces more berries, for me, and will average with almost
anything. It is very productive and the berries are large and glossy.
It has a long berry, once in a while; the first berry is flattened.

Mr. Morrill: It resembles Haverland very much?

Mr! Rork:, Yes.

Mr. Morrill: I was wondering if you had the genuine Bidwell.

Mr. Rork: I originally was not in the farming business, but have
always dabbled at it. When I got my strawberries, I had three varieties
and set them out; after that, I wasn’t near the place for some time,
and when I returned I found the plants gone or scattered and mixed
with weeds and briers. But there was that one variety which had fine
berries wherever I found it. I was away two or three years, and lost
my health, and when I came back I found that one berry which did
not seem to care for soil, blackberry vines, or weeds, and wherever there
was a stool there were fine berries. So I made a new bed of these plants.
The vine was like Bidwell. As I have seen Bidwells elsewhere, they
don’t look quite like mine, but I don’t know what else it is; it isn’t
Sharpless, and it isn’t any of the others that I started, so 1 concluded
it must be Bidwell.

Mr. Hale: I would like to inquire about Warfield. Are there two
varieties ?

Mr. Morrill: Yes, but No. 1 has been renamed, and No. 2 is the oniy
kind that has been disseminated to any extent. |
Mr. Hale: I have tried it every way, but it entirely failed to vield.

Mr. Morrill: Your land is just such as I have seen enormous crops
of Warfield grown on.

Mr. Hale: I got it because it was recommended highly.

Mr. Morrill: Did you use some staminate variety with it?

Mr Hale: I did.

Mr. Rork: The seedling of Warfield has a perfect blossom, and is very
much liked, but I am inclined to think that on sand alone it will not
come up to standard.

Mr. Morrill: Warfield No. 2 is a robust grower, but has short roots. °
It is peculiar in that respect, and it is a tremendous runner; and, a vine

ossom, but it

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MERTING. 15

getting started, and haying roots an inch or two long, will produce fruit
the next year, and they will load so enormously that they can not carry
the crop through, if in matted rows; in narrow rows or hills, it out-yields
anything, but suffers badly from drought. It may be that you suffer
from dry weather in Oceana county, and in that case Haverland will
undoubtedly surpass it.

Mr. Hale: I tried it three years in succession. With me, Parker Earle
heads the list.

Mr. Rork: How does Warfield compare in size with a good Wilson?

Myr. Morrill: - It is far superior when grown as I suggest.

Mr. Hale: Has anyone tried Lovett?

Mr. Rork: The catalogue recommends it highly.

Mr. Morrill: It is a very good berry; a really good berry.

Mr. Gebhart: What kind of soil did Mr. Welch grow Warfield on?

Mr. Welch: My Warfields were grown on good moist soil, and they
have gene ahead, with me, every year, of any other variety. Itisa 2ood
large berry and has stood the drouth as well as other varieties, consider-
ing the amount of fruit. Jessie picked a light crop, though it stood the
drouth. Beder Wood, I think, it not quite so early as Michel’s Early,
but it is a good-size, firm berry. [ have not grown Michel myself, because
several of my neighbors have grown it, and said it was only good for one
or two pickings, and Beder Wood is certainly a very pr oduc tive berry;
it is a light redii in color, firm and round.

Mr. Burdick: What about VanDeman?

Mr. Morrill: It is a slight improvement on Michel’s Early; is a trifle
firmer, perhaps.

Mr. Burdick: I have grown it some, and have thought it was Wilson.

Mr. Morrill: Itisa little longer and darker.

Mr. Burdick: Iam using it for.a fertilizer. What about Timbrell?

Mr. Welch: I have neighbors that grow it and they speak well of it.
It has been of good size, productive, and late. There is one thing in
regard to strawberries that perhaps we become confused on. I have
set but few early varieties. There is no money in them for me. I want
something that comes in the middle of the season and later, and I see
that many are resetting where they have early varieties, and this matter
should be taken into consideration, where a person is setting a bed.

Mr. Morrill: Do you like the manner of ripening of Timbrell?

Mr. Welch: What little I have seen of it, I do not. I have hardly
proved it enough to form a just opinion. The first year of Warfield I
was a little disappointed, but after that it proved good.

Mr. Rork: It colored well with me, but it showed scald.

Mr. Morrill: It ripens as though it had measles.

Mr. Rork: Last year, at the top of the berry, before it was fit to pick,
it softened.

Mr. Morrill: It will do that, if the temperature reaches 100 degrees.

Mr. Rork: It was pretty warm; other berries, however, were not
affected in the same way.

Mr. Rice: It has been suggested to me, by persons in the upper pen-
insula, whether it would not be possible to grow strawberries there, and
to get good prices. They report heavy yields and fine quality, but it was
questioned whether, coming into market after the season was about over,

16 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

they could get any price at all. Mr. Welch seems to indicate that he gets
the better prices later in the season. Is this a general rule, or will people
become tired of them and want something else?

Mr. Rork: With me the late varieties pay the better. I only failed
once on late berries; I shipped them to Muskegon, and they were very
fine, but they wrote to me saying there were blueberries and raspberries
in market, and the returns were only moderate.

Mr. Rice: Would you recommend a man’s growing them there and
shipping here?

A. J should be a little doubtful.

Mr. Hale: Is there any late berry that is better than Gandy?

Mr. Rork: Enhance is not so late. It sets a great quantity of berries,
begins medium and holds on quite well, but it is not so late as Gandy.
Dew is of about the same season, and I prefer it a little to Gandy;
Lidwell will bear more than either, ana before they get into sight, and
yield pretty well after they are in sight.

Mr. Morrill: I wish to ask Mr. Rork how long he kept Gandy in the
same bed, to test it?

Mr. Rork: I have changed my beds; I have had several beds.

' Mr. Morrill: Have you discovered that at three years old, Gandy is
better than at one?

A. Yes, I think that is so.

Mr. Morrill: People who are setting strawberries should be careful,
in setting two varieties, to get varieties similar in their habits. Some
varieties, like Warfield, Haverland, Wilson, and a few more will produce
the best crop the first year. Sharpless, Gandy, and others will do better at
three years old; some are pistillates, some staminates; and if you expect
to get the best results from the field, plants of like habits should be
selected. A careful selection, with that in view, is essential. I think the
best patch of Sharpless strawberries that I know, in this state, is nine
years old. Gandys I have seen in excellent form at five years old. The
first year I grew them (and I grew them when they cost a lot of money) I
was much disgusted, but I kept them the second year, hoping they would
be better, and they were. I discarded them, however; but a good many
plants have been disseminated, and, in the hands of men who will allow
the plants to struggle along for years, they have made their reputation.
They are admirable in the crate, but you can not expect the best results
until the second or third year. They require a good, heavy soil, and
even then they are not heavy producers.

Q. What should be put in with Grandy? <A. They don’t need any
other variety.

Mrs. Perkins: I would really like to ask if, when plants are set in
August, they are ready to fruit the next year?

Mr. Welch: I haven’t had much experience with August setting, but
what I have had has been a failure. We choose the spring.

Mr. Rork: I began with fall planting, but I am cured of it. I never
realized so much from it, as from the spring. I never gained anything,
and lost a good deal.

Mr. Hale: I don’t think either one of the gentlemen has answered
the question. She asked if they would bear.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. ity

Mr. Rork: She can let them bear if she wishes to, but I desire to pre-
vent her setting them at that time.

Mrs. Perkins: Is it best to keep the plants back in spring, to avoid
frost, by mulching or otherwise?

Mr. Rork: We never have tried that much; but what little we have
seen, it appears to be a pretty difficult thing to keep anything back in the
spring and make much of it afterward. You may keep the roots frozen,
but the top of the tree will come out if the atmosphere is right. You may
mulch them so deeply that nothing will get to them, and then you smother
them so that they will not amount to anything; and if you keep it up
you will only get a few feeble berries. I never have succeeded at it,
and I am very skeptical about mulching.

Mr. Gebhart: I tried it two years ago on a nice patch, and mulched
heavily with manure. Four rods of this patch I kept covered with
mulch as long as I dared. I saw they were becoming white. I began to
uncover them and let them have a little sunlight. Finally I uncovered
them entirely. They grew very rapidly after they got the light, and
blossomed and fruited about the same time as those which had not been
covered, in the same patch. It did not seem to make any difference what-
ever.

Mr. Morrill: Did you ever suffer any loss by frost, where mulching
was practiced?

Mr. Gebhart: I suffered a loss on those three acres, all over. It was
mulched all over, except a little patch, and that came out better. They
were tougher, and I picked from them the bulk of my crop; they seemed
to be stronger and hardier, and produced quite a nice crop.

@. That was on higher ground? A. Probably three feet elevation.

Mrs. Perkins: When plants are set three feet apart, in mulching how
do you do, Mr. Morrill?

Mr. Morrill: I have had some disastrous experiences. I have read
a good deal (more than I ought to, I think, sometimes), and I have done
a good deal of work where I would better have saved my money and
material; and one of the things which has proven the most complete
loss, is the attempt to winter-mulch strawberries. I have made the great-
est failure in strawberries, where I have practiced it. Perhaps my condi-
tions are different. The next greatest failure is to attempt spring culture
the bearing year. I came to the conclusion, after a few trials, that there
was a good reason for it that I should have understood sooner. We are
likely to get spring frosts after the bloom is started. If the soil is uncoy-
ered, it will absorb-heat from the sun and air. That heat is given off
during the night by radiation and often protects an open piece of land
that has not been stirred, giving off a little heat, sufficient to save a crop.
Where mulched, if there is any warmth in the soil the radiation is broken,
and frosts strike through quicker. On my own place, a piece that was
mulehed was killed, while a patch within six feet, where not mulched,
came through all right. Another peculiar experience I had, and I don’t
believe anyone can tell me anything about it, was mulching with clover
chaff. I once mulched a large field with straw. I didn’t have quite straw
enough, but happened to have a lot of clover hullings. It struck me
that they would be an excellent mulch, and I put them on. There was one

3

18 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

place, in working from the side, about the size of this room, where in
wheeling the mulch in and spreading it we did not quite come together,
and there was just that patch that was not mulched. The part mulched
with clover chaff grew well, and everything went along finely for awhile,
but almost every blossom blasted; it made a great growth of leaves,
but no berries; but that little patch not mulched was full of berries.
My own practice has been to mulch nothing until after the fruit has set
and all danger of frost is over. Then I wheel the mulch in, the men get
down on their knees and put it under the berries to prevent sanding.
That is all the mulch I want now.

Mr. G. H. Haight: I never grew any berries except for my own use,
but I have practiced mulching in winter and spring. All the benefit I
received was to keep the berries clean and retain the moisture.

Mrs. Perkins: Is there any danger of getting the soil too rich, of the
rains washing the clover into the soil, and thereby making a too vigorous
growth?

Mr. Morrill: They might, but I have never heard of anyone getting
the ground too rich. I have been on Mr. Louden’s place, the gentleman
who originated Jessie, and have seen there 160 to 200 varieties, on the
richest soil I ever looked at. Ditches four feet deep are in a perfect bed
of compost, and that has been loaded with fertilizers and stable manure
until it is the richest garden land I ever saw. It is at Janesville, Wis.
The vines have fruit stalks as large as a pencil, and I have seen berries
picked there, fourteen or fifteen to the quart. The vines stand knee high
to me. The foliage is enormous, and the fruit corresponds. I have no
fear of getting Michigan soil too rich.

Mr. Hale: Did I understand you to say you had lost by spring culti-
vation?

Mr. Morrill: Yes, sir, I have seen damage from that.

Mr. Hale: Don’t you practice any cultivation during the fruiting
season?

A. Not until the crop is off.

Mr. Dykeman: Is .nulching of benefit for retaining moisture?

A. That really was not my suggestion. I don’t think it helps any in
that; simply prevents sanding.

Mr. Rork: I wish to ask Mr. Morrill a question. You do not cultivate
any, you say, until after you have picked your crop?

Mr. Morrill: Then I plow it under. That is the easiest way I can
make money growing strawberries.

Mr. Rork: I find that too early cultivation makes them susceptible
to frost, but I thought after frost was out of the way cultivation helped
preserve the moisture.

Mr. Morrill: Sometimes you get in a position where you don’t know
just the best thing to do. Cultivation also prevents radiation, and the
night may come soon after when you can’t get the radiation out of your
soil. owing to the mulch, and the crops are killed by frost. It is ina
worse condition for two or three days than if it had not been touched.
Another thing, the strawberry grows late in the season, and the last
thing it does is to fill the surface soil full of roots that are going to do
business. In cultivating, you are breaking off many of them, just as
they are starting in to do their work, and you are asking the plants to

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 19

make new feeders. Asa rule, we don’t get a drouth that will hurt straw-
berries until about the time they begin to ripen, and at that time they
need much moisture; and I wish to say that I think irrigation practiced
on strawberries would be the greatest success of anything. It needs
something to retain the moisture and prevent rapid evaporation; but
with the cultivation comes also other results that have more than over-
balanced its good effects with me. So I give the best cultivation I can
the year the plants are set; get it into as fine condition as possible. The
next year, pick a crop and turn the bed under, and I have grown 100
bushels of potatoes per acre on top of the vines the same season.

Mr. Dykeman: Mr. Morrill, did you say that cultivation made danger
of freezing? I have been told that, and my experience was the other
way.’ I have seen corn and potatoes freeze less where cultivated.

Mr. Morrill: That would be a new experience, to me. There is some
local condition, probably, that affects that. I hardly think that can
be a general condition.

Mr. Rork: I have observed, especially on our sandy land, that spring
plowing disturbs the moisture. If I were going to plant an orchard, I
would plow it in the fall and only cultivafe it in the spring. You can —
not get the sand too firm. You stir it in the spring, and if you are a
little late, you will get drouth.

Mr. Morrill: Now, suppose that is clay soil. We do not know what
Mr. Houk’s experience is based upon. We want to make that distinction
and have it clearly understood, between heavy land and light loam.

Mr. W. H. Barry: Mr. Houk’s land is heavy and that would make a
difference. I know he advises spring and fall plowing, on the same piece
of ground, for raspberries.

Mr. Dykeman: I have cultivated corn with my mittens and overcoat
on; and it froze quite hard, yet where I cultivated it was not killed.

Mr. Beadle: Five or six years ago, we had early potatoes planted
near the house, and I had the same idea this gentleman has; and so we
worked the ground thoroughly and covered them up pretty well, and
as far as we got the man to work through that night, we had good
potatoes, and the rest did not amount to anything.

Mr. Morrill: There is a good point in your experience. You covered
your potatoes.

Mr. Dykeman: My theory is that breaking the ground lets out more
steam.

Mr. Morrill: Prof. Kedzie would tell you that you would prevent
evaporation, check it.

Mr. Dunwell: Would this spring cultivation have the same effect in
the orchard?

Mr. Morrill: You have reference to the action of frost. I think there
are numerous cases where peaches have been killed, so far as they were
worked, within twenty-four hours.

Mr. Morrill: A frost on a damp night, when there is abundant dew,
and the water forms in drops on your strawberries—on such a night
your damage is slight or nothing. But have a dry condition and then
get frost, even a light one, and you know where you go. The more mois-
ture, the safer you are. The moisture takes the frost out gradually,
and little or no damage occurs. Another time, perhaps you will call

20 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

it a black frost. There isn’t moisture enough in the air to deposit any-
thing. When it thaws out, everything wilts. The more moisture in the
air, the safer you are; there is no question about that; I think that is the
general opinion of people who have watched it. How many of you have
gone out in the morning, where you have been plowing, and where you
turned the furrow over have found it frozen to a crust, yet you could
not detect a crust where the next furrow was torun. That would rather
dispel that theory, because I think, as a matter of fact, that it is a theory.
I never saw freshly plowed land but it was more liable to freezing than
other.

Mr. Rork: ‘There is one other thought in this. In the moisture escap-
ing, there is heat given off.

Mr. Welch: Whenever we have had a spring that was quite moist, I
have noticed that we never had our strawberries hurt by frosts. Last
year, when the warm weather came on, I thought we were past the frost
point, and I plowed a portion of my orchard just before that frost, and
my neighbors on each side had not plowed theirs yet; and right in the
orchard [I have one piece of ground that was sown to crimson clover,
which I skipped. That part ‘of the orchard was completely loaded with
peaches; and one orchard, on the one side, did not have a quarter of a
crop, and the other, on the other side, had about half a crop. One of my
neighbors went home and cultivated his strawberry patch. There was
only a fence between his patch and the strawberries of his neighbor, but
the neighbor had lots of strawberries and the man first mentioned did not
have enough for home use. I am pretty well satisfied that it is best not to
disturb the ground until after the danger of frost is over,

Mr. Monroe: Last year, at South Haven, there were at least a dozen
orchards that were cultivated, in different neighborhoods; and in nearly
every case, those who cultivated lost by frost. In one case a man culti-
yated half his orchard and half remained uncultivated, and on that that
was uncultivated he saved his crop.

Mr. Morrill: I have seen similar things so often that I supposed it
was a fixed rule.

Q. Is it well to wait to cultivate small fruits until the danger of frost
is over?

Mr. Morrill: I am careful about cultivating them when I think there
is danger of a change in weather. I am speaking now of small fruits,
such as blackberries and raspberries. But if we have had a cold period,
two or three frosty nights, after we have had the third I am always free
to go ahead, because we know it is going to be warm for three or four
days. I have been very successful in avoiding these little dangers for a
number of years, since I have practiced a few such things as that. But
the strawberry I let entirely alone. This discussion is very interesting
to me, and to a good many people, but it leads us into the study of several
things of which the successful fruit man understands the importance.

Condensation, evaporation, radiation—all these things he must under-
and to work intelligently in fruitgrowing, and the day has come when,
to make very much of a success, we must have a more or less clear idea
of all these.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 21

THE CANNING INDUSTRY.
BY -MR. A. W. SLAYTON OF GRAND RAPIDS.

Did any of you young chaps ever attend an old-fashion apple-paring
bee, fifty years ago? No? Well, then, notwithstanding your ’phones and
your wheels and your base ball teams, you have not had all the world
has had worth living for—not yet, nor have I; and, since all our thoughts
must be of what is coming or of what is past, it is well to retlect that the
thoughts of the future are mostly airy nothings. Not one in a thousand
will ever materialize, while thoughts of the past may float in the ethereal
“what might have been,’ or may rest on the bed-rock of what was,
and so be a tangible reality, a ponderable substance, to be seen, heard,
tasted, enjoyed by the senses we now possess. Looking backward, there
is the old log house with its big kitchen, dining-room, and parlor all in
one, with the open fireplace at one end, and its swinging crane and
dangling pot-hooks parting the leaping flames of a generous fire; while
the black teakettle simmers on a bed of coals at one side, its heavy lid
rattling time to the merry rhyme within; at the other side sits sedate
pussy, watching the ascending sparks and expressing her happiness in
a contented purr, while black Carlo snugs down near by, his outstretched
nose between his two paws, his hazel eyes opening now and then seem-
ing to ask, “Am I in the way? Won’t you sit down?”

It is an evening of the early November of fifty or more years ago. All
the boys and girls of the neighborhood (there were boys and girls in
those days) have been invited to the paring bee, and they come early,
for they are all willing to work, where there is more fun than work; and,
being seated in a row around the room, it somehow happens that a pair
of boots are in front of each alternate chair. Verily, the p-a-i-r pairing
has begun.

Empty pans or tins and sharpened knives are passed to each guest
by the mother of the house, while the father fetches in baskets of apples
and keeps all well supplied. At first all begin at paring, but soon it is
seen that the girls are the best at that and the boys are set to cutting
and coring, and thus an ecomonic excuse appears for each boy to be
seated by the side of some girl. I opine that it was at such a bee that
Darwin evolved his theory of natural selection.

You, John, were set to stringing the quarters, and with a big darning
needle and twine and a half hour’s work you succeeded in getting a
string a foot long, and you pricked your fingers so much, and had to have
the needle threaded for you so often, that Samantha was sent to help
you—that is, to do the stringing while you laboriously held the end of
the string. Awkward Jacob cuts his finger, and ready Rachel tied it up
with such a dainty rag and smile that I half wished it was my cut finger.
It is nearly 9 o’clock, and there is but one basket more, so fun comes in
faster. The girls try to see which can pare an entire peeling from stem
to blossom without break, and Susan first succeeds. She steps to the
middle of the room, takes the long peeling by one end, swings it around
her head three times and drops it, and all see that it has formed a good
letter S on the floor; that means that the lucky one’s name begins with

22 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

S. Sam! Sam! is called. So, smiling, smirking, simple Samuel steps
softly, smacks soundly sweet, simpering Sue; she squeakily, squawking,
squarely squirming squeamishly. Were you ever there?

Soon the ten bushels are pared and strung, enough for nearly a barrel of
dried apples; the dishes are cleared away, a big pan of doughnuts is
passed around, and then an hour is spent at “snap-and-ketch’em”, “hold
fast all I give you”, “marching to Quebec”, ’’crossing London bridge’,
and occasionally “going to Rome”. Should you visit that home on the
morrow, or for a week, you would see those strings of quarters hanging
in clusters near the chimney and the windows, dependent from poles
overhead—fragrant festoons, foreshadowing full family feasts for the
future. Weeks afterward, the five-pail brass kettle holds sway in the
chimney corner two nights and a day, soaking a peck of the dried fruit one
night, cooking it slowly next day, cooling off next night; and this
being well seasoned with boiled sweet-apple cider, furnishes sauce for
the table and for pies for a fortnight.

Other fruits, peaches, plums, cherries, were either dried on tins near the
fire or in the tin bake-oven before it; or they were “done up” in preserves
with sugar, ‘pound for pound.” °*Twas rich sauce and good. But what
days did our mothers spend cooking over the sweets to keep them from
souring, or in looking over each piece of the barrel or two of dried fruit,
several times the next summer, to banish intruding insects!

Good bye, old-fashion paring bee! Gone, gone with the threshing flail
and the flax wheel.

Fifty years ago no human being had ever tasted canned fruits or flesh.
Dried fruits and salted meats constituted the only variation from the
local products, and the only supply, out of season, on land and sea the
world over. Some silent peaceful revolution has changed those methods
in every civilized household throughout the world. Scurvy, that scourge
of the ocean, is nearly driven from the face of the earth. Now, the
arctic explorer, climbing for the pole, breakfasts on fresh lamb from
Chicago, dines on sweet corn from Maine, and sups on green peas from
Hart. The missionary in far off India varies his fare of boiled rice with
salmon from the Columbia or peaches from Michigan. The dweller in
Sahara may occasionally forego his dried locusts and partake of plums
from Oceana.

Do any of you remember that picture, in the old Olney’s geography,
of a pigtailed celestial bearing a long bamboo on his shoulder, from which
dangled by strings tied to their tails, many quadrupeds, and underscored
“Chinaman peddling rats and puppies for pies?”

Now, whether that picture ever prevented my volunteering to go as
consul or ambassador to China, I can not say; but I do think that if the
next administration teases me to go, that I shall take for pie timber a
plentiful supply of lake shore fruits.

Away back in the forties there lived in the southwestern part of the
town of Macedon, Wayne county, N. Y., near Mud Creek, a queer, quaint,
quiet Quaker by the name of William R. Smith; queer, because he took to
growing nursery stock, and trying new ideas, and he was an Abolitionist;
quaint, because of his queer name, and quiet because he was a Quaker.
My father then lived two miles from him. About 1845 or ’6, Mr. Smith
conceived the idea of preserving fruits for future use in a fresh state,

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 23

by in some way excluding atmospheric influences. After three or four
years of experimenting, perfect success crowned his efforts, and he pub-
lished the methods in the Rochester papers, the Genesee Farmer, or the
Rural New Yorker, one or both. He took out no patents, but earnestly
urged others to try the new process instead of drying.

The first fruit cans I ever saw were brought from Rochester by Mr.
Atwood of Kent county, Mich., in 1850, and the following winter I had
the pleasure of seeing a can opened and of tasting of pretty good fresh
peaches in January, a miracle then. At that time the process was to fill
the tin cans with the prepared fruit and a little water, immerse in kettles
or boilers of cold water three fourths their depth, heat to boiling, and
continue twenty minutes; then remove from the fire, place on the covers
and seal by filling the deep channel in which the rims of the covers
rested with melted wax. Often, as the cans cooled, the half cooled wax
would be forced by atmospheric pressure in among the fruit, making it
necessary to keep a constant watch and to replace it. In 1858 the first
glass cans were brought to Grand Rapids, but the sealing process was
the same. About 1865 or ’66 the melted wax sealing gave way to rubber
bands and screw caps for both tin and glass cans; and observing house
wives soon found it far more convenient to cook the fruit in bulk, and
with dipper and fruit funnel fill the cans with the hot fruit, the cans, if
of glass, standing in hot water or being wrapped with a thick cloth
saturated with cold water. But little change in methods has taken place
in the last twenty years, but the practice has become so universal that
now there is hardly a man, woman, or child in any civilized country of
the world whose food, pleasure, and health have not been greatly
improved by the canning process.

Last fall I was at a small factory at Fairport, N. Y., and was told that
they made 85,000 tin fruit cans every day. I did not remind them of
the fate of Ananias, but for fear of learning bad habits came quickly
away.

When I think of the great canning industries in most of our states,
and of the greatly increased consumption and consequent cultivation
of fruits—when I compare the present household methods with those
of fifty years ago, the better general health, and the greatly increased
longevity, I feel that much of the improvement is due to the labors of
that humble Quaker, and that high by the side of the names of Fulton,
of Morse, of Howe, of Edison, should be written the names of William R.
Smith and his estimable wife.

Not one person in a thousand of those who are now benefited by the
canning process, knows even the name of the inventor. Do not we as
growers and lovers of fruit, does not our country as being greatly bene-
fited, does not the world, owe a monument to the memory of William
R. Smith?

DISCUSSION—-THE CANNERY AT HART.

Mr. Rice: When Mr. Slayton commenced his description of that scene,
I imagined it was western New York. In regard to William R. Smith,
I wish to add to the tribute, not to him, but to his wife. That was as
much due to Mrs. Smith as it was to him. I worked for him when I was

24 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

sixteen years old, in 1850, and they put up then one can of fruit for
every day in the year, and it was looked upon with the greatest wonder,
that there was fresh fruit for every day in the year. They used quart
tin cans, the same as now, and the cover was sealed on with solder, as
now, a pin-hole being left in the center. When it was just in the right
condition, after boiling some time, a drop of solder was put on the pin-
hole. Shortly afterward came the glass cans or bottles, which were the
wonder of the people. Then they made an experiment. They wanted
to see whether it would stand shipping, and a friend of the Smiths, who
was an ocean captain, carried some of it to Europe and brought it back;
and that story was told everywhere, that the fruit had been shipped to
England and back again, and had stood the journey.

Mr. Morrill: It has occurred to me as rather remarkable that new
canning companies are being organized everywhere, while the old can-
ning factories at Baltimore, along the Chesapeake bay, and all through
Maryland, are idle, and could be bought at twenty-five cents on the dol-
lar. The industry is being extended in Michigan, and I understand that
you have recently put in a factory here for canning vegetables and fruit.
These are things which are very pertinent for you to discuss at the pres-
ent time, and I wish you could hear something of the success of canning
as it has been started here.

Mr. Markham: We have an industry of that kind here and we think it
means business. Two years ago they canned an immense lot of stuff;
peas seemed to be the main article, although we canned everything we
could get in the shape of peaches and plums. I sold them my peaches;
they also canned apples, but last year we were out of apples. We think
everything of the factory and believe that it has come to stay and will
be useful. I was well satisfied with my sale to them, of peaches; they
were pretty nearly all one variety.

Mr. Morrill: Did they take first-class fruit?

Mr. Markham: They took mine, just as they ran, except culls, and they
paid me two shillings for those. They gave me seventy-five cents right
through, that year, delivered at the factory. I drew eighty bushels in one
day with one horse. I was well satisfied; some thought I might do better,
but it saved a lot of work. I can do a little better with my plums else-
where than with them. They paid $1.25 that vear, and I am inclined to
think that, when we have a good crop, that would be a good price, though
I think I can do a little better. But if I have a crop of peaches and they
will give me seventy-five cents, they will get them.

Mr. Burdick: If I can get seventy-five cents at the factory I shall not
bother much about shipping.

Mr. Rice: Mr. Markham stated that his peaches were all of one variety.
What was that variety?

Mr. Markham: Mostly Chilis, and they considered them as good stock
as they could get.

Mr. Morrill: I think Mr. Willard has said that is the best canning
variety in the world. :

Mr. Burdick: They are if you give them water enough. They want
water.

Mr. Brassington: For two years we have been interested in this vicin-
ity in the canning factory. The principal crop canned has been peas. To

.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. Zé

wt

the farmers generally it has been beneficial and rather profitable. I
have grown a few acres every year. The first year I had eight acres, last
year about four, and the profit per acre, above all expenses, was $25. Of
course, we are out nothing; we get the seed from the canning factory and
we don’t pay anything down for it, and when we settle up this is taken
cut. There is no investment except the farmer’s labor and the use of the
land. Last year I sowed, I think it was the 17th of April, and the 17th of
June I brought in a load of green peas. In sixty days I got my $25 per
acre. Not later than the 25th of June, everything was harvested and I had
my money. It really has been, as a rule, quite profitable. Some of the
farmers in this vicinity have made considerable more. I think the maxi-
mum runs up to $45 or $60 per acre, net; but this was medium soil of
mine; the soil had been run somewhat when I got the farm, and it was
rather a light soil for peas.

Mr. Morrill: What is the best variety?

Mr. Brassington: The best variety, taking into consideration the
bearing qualities and canning qualities, is Perfection. It yielded the best
with me, and they liked it best at the factory.

Mr. Morrill: Is ita dwarf or half-dwartf?

Mr. Brassington: It would come under the head of half-dwarf; it is a
little taller than either Little Gem or American Wonder. It does not
fall down at all, and bears more pods than any other variety. I tested
six of the leading varieties, including American Wonder and French
Canning, and this pea carried more pods than any of them and yielded
more per acre.

Mr. Morrill: Are they subject to any difficulty here? A. Not the
least.

Mr. Morrill: Subject to insect depredations? A. Not any.

Mr. Morrill: Have you tried to raise seed?

Mr. Brassington: I tried to raise seed a year ago. I sowed the seed
last year, and found that there were many little holes in it, so I started
a little patch, and not more than one quarter of the seed grew.

Mr. Morrill: You can treat your seed with bi-sulphate of carbon,
otherwise I think you industry here will be injured.

Mr. Brassington: The canning people get their seed from the northern
portion of the state where they are very free from the bug and blight.

Mr. Rice: Do you sow in drills?

Mr. Brassington: No. I sowed broadcast and then took a spading
harrow and went over it thoroughly (the object of the spading harrow
was to prevent the peas rolling into furrow), and then I plowed them
under, five inches deep. The great difficulty I experienced last year was
from frost. I sowed quite early (I think it was the 10th of April) and that
heavy frost in May hurt my crops.

Mr. Morrill: Such a feeling as that is very exceptional. How about
the harvesting?

Mr. Brassington: That is quite a problem. Of course, it is expensive,
if you have to mow them by hand or rake them off; but there is a better
way that is generally practiced here—to smooth the ground with a
smoother, or roll it thoroughly, and then mow it with a mowing machine;
still, in a dry season, I think that does harm, as it has a tendency to make

3 4

26 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

a crust; so, when my peas come up this spring, I shall put on a little
light drag, and dragged the ground.

Mr. Morrill: Breed’s weeder would be the thing for them.

Mr. Brassington: Yes, that would be just the thing to prevent the
soil from crusting over, and to prevent evaporation. Of course, the pea
crop is something that is seriously affected by drouth when it is nearly
ready to harvest. They ripen and harden so rapidly that it is almost
impossible to harvest them so as to get them into the factory in proper
condition; and if there is any way to prevent that by retaining the moist-
ure in the soil, one should resort to it.

Mr. Reid: How are the pods stripped from the vines?

Mr. Brassington: They have a threshing machine at the factory here.

Mr. Morrill: How would the old-fashion self-raking reaper work?
A. I think it would be just the thing. The ideal implement.

Mr. Rice: Do they all ripen at once? A. Yes, unless you sow them
at different periods, and then time does not always help them out. They
seem to ripen about the same time, whether sown earlier or later; but a
variety will help you out, and they intend to have at least two varieties,
so as to prolong the season of ripening. It is difficult to harvest them
in time.

Mr. Morrill: Would it be with proper tools? A. Perhaps not.

Mr. Rice: What would be your second variety? <A. Alaska.

Mr. Morrill: Have you any ideas as to how to secure uniform ripening?
You know that is one trouble, to get uniform ripening. It lies in the
perfect preparation of the soil and accurate planting as to depth and
width.

Mr. Brassington: And perhaps you could regulate the depth better
by planting the seeds with drills.

Mr. Morrill: You can; that is why I asked that question.

Mr. Brassington: If I had a drill, I would thoroughly fit my land
before I drilled in the seed, but would plow the land in the fall so as to get
all the moisture I could, and thoroughly fit it in the spring by harrowing,
and perhaps I would then roll them and go over it again with a Breed
weeder, leaving the surface perfect and clean, so I could use a mower or
weeder.

Mr. Morrill: Breed’s weeder would destroy the weeds and prevent the
grass from forming. What has been said brings out one fact that I
always like to figure on. Mr. Brassington places a minimum net profit
on his work of $25 per acre. While that will not satisfy a peach or plum-
grower, when you stop to think you find that would show that that land
was paying interest on $300 per acre for the year he grew that crop. In
any other business, that would be considered a most excellent invest-
ment. Any crop that nets you $10 per acre, from a commercial stand-
point, is a good thing, and there is something to figure on there. We
don’t like to talk about $10 per acre, net, in any horticultural crops; but
at the same time, any crop that will do that is a good thing.

Mr. Markham: When pea harvest begins, we talk peas here, contin-
ually, all of us. Two years ago the crops obtained seemed impossible;
last year we had a drouth to contend with, which was pretty serious in
some places, but I am Surprised that, with as many raising peas as there
are here, more of them do not become as enthusiastic as I do.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER .MEETING, 27

Mr. Morrill: Let me suggest another thing; we are very familiar with
the canning industry, and Acme is the poorest possible tomato for
canning, because it “waters” badly and Beauty goes with it; and
repeated tests have shown that they may can them and give them solid
packing, and in thirty to sixty days they will open up and “water” badly.
Early Harvest has much the same fault; you want something as hard as
Perfection or Favorite, or Stone. Stone is one of the very finest, and so
is the New Livingston Red. They will remain solid packed. I grow from
ten to forty acres each year of tomatoes. I have been for twenty years
at it, and quit within the last year. I have the Chicago market and two
canning factories, and have been between two fires, to grow a tomato
for the factory and for market. If I grow what the factory wants, my
only course is to contract, and I don’t really like the figures, for the
Chicago market often proves the best. I took as high as $500 per car on
Chicago market one season (1892), but at the factory they pay us $8 per
ton, and we will run from six to twelve tons per acre.

Mr. Burdick: I am a canning factory man. I am glad it is here, and
I will say that if you stand by them, they will stand by you, every time.
When we commenced, they wanted us to contract to raise tomatoes. We
did not know anything about it but we finally concluded to try it, even
if we did not make a cent. We wanted the factory and we found we
had to give them some encouragement, something they could rely on,
to get it here; I contracted tomatoes, string beans, and peas. When they
come to get the string beans handled, the ““Yankee” help would not work;
it was talk and play, and one thing and another, and the beans were not
taken care of. I noticed one day a pile of string beans thrown out back of
the factory. I said, “What does this mean, are you throwing them out?”
[There they were, paying us for them and throwing them out.] ‘Yes,”
he said. “Well,” I said, “I don’t want you to take any more of mine.”
He said that it was impossible to get them dressed; that it would be
necessary to secure old-country help. I sold tomatoes last year for good
prices, $1.80 per bushel I started in with, and the last I got was thirty-
five cents, so the factory did not stand in my way last year, on tomatoes.

Mr. Markham: It isthe same here as anywhere. A good many farmers,
if they think they can do a little better, don’t want to contract with the
canning factory; if they get in a pinch, they will go to the factory, which,
of course, is not always in shape to take them. The factory is at quite an
expense; it costs some money to start it. They are business people, and
I think it is one of the grandest things we have. Last year everything
was wrong, nothing worked right at all; but two years ago we certainly
were enthusiastic over the canning factory.

Mr. Burdick: It was a dry season last year, and the peaches clung to
the stones so that it was almost impossible to dress them, and they
finally had to give it up.

Mr. Gebhart: I would like to ask Mr. Burdick in regard to prices.
Did you sell to the canning factory at those prices? A. No, they were
not working that year, last year, with tomatoes. In regard to the small
fruits, they will not have anything to do with them for canning, but they
will take most of the peaches and plums.

28° STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES

BY MR. EDWARD HAWLEY OF FENNVILLE.

Few persons, even among our professional horticulturists, fully realize
the vast strides that have been taken during the past quarter century in
the demand for good fruit on the part of the consumer and in the efforts.
on the part of the producer to keep pace with that demand. It seems but
a few years since the only fruit universally met with in our smaller mark-
ets was the apple. Fruits now considered indispensable—pears, peaches,
plums, quinces, and grapes—were then produced in limited quantities
and only in specially favored localities, and were to be found on sale in
none but the large markets. Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
were known only as wild fruit, and the currant and gooseberry were con-
fined to a few sorry-looking bushes in a secluded corner of the farmer’s.
“ garden ”’—that little patch of a quarter of an acre or so, securely fenced
with pickets, wherefrom the farmer’s table was supposed to be supplied
with the necessary vegetable diet. In those good old days, “ befo’ de
wah”, if a man should have announced an intention to plant currants
and gooseberries by the acre, expecting to find a market for the fruit, he
would have been promptly placed on the list of cranks, and as a matter
of fact commercial growers of these fruits were not to be found except
in the immediate vicinity of the large cities. How changed these things.
are now we all know. Large farms are entirely devoted to small-fruit
culture, and the despised currant and gooseberry of a former generation
are now taking a front rank among the indispensable fruits, and. not-
withstanding the extensive plantings of the past few years, the supply
has not yet caught up with the rapidly increasing demand. And allow
me to state here that the fear of overproduction of good fruit of any kind
is something no grower need vex his mind about. It is one of those
things that possibly can, but probably never will, be done. The writer
well remembers some forty-odd years ago of choice Spitzenburg apples
selling in New York city at retail for one dollar per barrel. The apples
came by way of the Erie canal from western New York, and the cost of
barrels, commission, and some 300 miles of freightage reduced the net
price to the producer to less than 50 cents per barrel. Yet the profits
were considered in those days sufficient to warrant the extensive planting
of new orchards throughout that portion of the state, and the wiseacres
then, as now, foretold the dire results that were sure to follow. Then, as
now, their prophesies came to naught. The average price of good apples
has continued to advance from that day to the present time. Let our
fruitgrowers ponder well the lesson. ‘

The currant and gooseberry are by no means fastidious as to soil or
location. Of course, the land should be wel] drained; if not naturally,
then by underdrainage. Air drainage is of minor importance, as these
fruits are seldom. injured by extreme cold. I know of no fruit that
responds quicker to heavy dressings of manure. An amount of fertility
that would kill a peach orchard will not injure the currant or gooseberry,.
but will greatly increase the size and quantity of the fruit.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 29

Among the many varieties of currant and gooseberry, comparatively
few kinds should be chosen for a money-making plantation. Of currants
we find a great difference in varieties in ability to resist the borer. The
difference consists in the greater robustness of growth and harder wood
and smaller pith which some varieties possess. By selecting these vari-
eties, which fortunately are among the most prolific bearers, the dreaded
borer will be able to make but little impression on the plantation. I give
a list of four varieties which a somewhat extensive experience has proved
most profitable with us in the order named: London Red, Victoria,
Prince Albert, and Long-bunch Holland. The last two are extremely
late and the picking of them can be deferred until the height of the
season is over, often bringing a better price than the earlier varieties.
Both white and black currants we have discarded as unprofitable, though
if we could get a strain of blacks that would bear, there would be money
in it, as the price is usually higher than for the reds.

The red currant bears its fruit on spurs which are the more numerous
at or near the junction of the wood of different years’ growth, which fact
should be borne in mind while trimming. If the new growth is cut back
each year to within three inches of the old wood, the bush will be found
plentifully supplied with fruit spurs throughout the entire length of the
canes, and will be in shape to bear a maximum crop. As to the suckers
that start from below the surface of the ground, they should be removed
each year unless required to form a new bush, as sometimes happens
when the old stem becomes injured or broken off. Some growers destroy
the suckering habit by cutting the suckers on the young bush close to the
main by using a thin chisel. We prefer, however, to have the suckers for
the reason above mentioned.

The only gooseberries we have raised to any extent as yet are the
Downing and Houghton, both reliable and prolific varieties. Most
growers prefer the Downing on account of large size and fine appear-
ance. Our experience, however, leads to the conclusion that Houghton
is fully as profitable a berry, all things considered, as the spines are
more flexible and the skin tougher, two qualities which will be appreci-
ated when harvesting, for in the case of Houghton the berries are easily
stripped from the canes with no danger of bruising and are then passed
through a fanning-mill to clean out the small berries and leaves.

The insect enemies and fungous diseases of currants and gooseberries
are easily combatted—if we except the borer which, as stated’ above, we
can afford to ignore if the proper varieties are planted. The green worm
that appears early in the season is easily destroyed by spraying with
hellebore or a weak Paris green mixture, hellebore being preferable if a
good article can be obtained. But the quality of this drug can not always
be relied upon, and recourse must then be had to Paris green. We think
it pays to use the Bordeaux mixture in connection with the insect
poisons as a preventive of the leaf fungus, which sometimes causes
August leaf-dropping.

Our experience would lead us to recommend the following practice, of
course modified by the necessary variation to suit soil and circumstances:
Secure your trees and prepare the soil in the fall and plant as soon as the
frost is out in the spring. Plant in the row eight feet apart and four

30 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

or five feet in the row. Start the head at or very close to the ground,
training it in saucer shape, thus giving the sunlight plenty of chance to
reach the ripening fruit. Prune vigorously from the first year, cutting
the new growth back to about three inches. Cultivate early, shallow,
and very often. Spray with the first appearance of the currant worm.
In regard to profits: In a well cared for plantation an average yield of
125 cases per acre can be relied upon. The cost of picking currants is 20
cents per case, and of Houghton gooseberries 10 cents, while the market
price during the last ten years has ranged from 75 cents to $1.50 for
gooseberries and $1.00 to $2.75 for currants.

If the future has in store half the profit that the past has shown possi-
ble for these fruits, we can truly recommend the planting of them on a
par with peaches and plums.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Morrill: How does Houghton compare in size with Downing?

Mr. Hawley: Houghton is a smaller berry, and when it is ripe it is red.
Downing is a greenish berry in its ripening, and larger, and brings a
better price in market. Q. Why do you recommend Houghton in prefer-
ence to Downing? A. As stated in the paper, we have found, in our
experience, that the Houghton can be harvested so much more cheaply
than Downing. Downings are hard to pick. The Houghton bushes can
be stripped. The method employed is to strip the berries from the
bushes with a gloved hand and run them through a fanning-mill. With
Downing, you can not do this. Of course, you save in the harvesting, in.
this way; and then, too, they are more prolific with us.

Mr. Rork: Have you tried Chautauqua? A. We have experimented
very little beyond these two varieties. We tried Industry, but gave it up
as a bad job.

Q. Did you plant Industry in the shade? A. No, sir.

Q. Is your gooseberry land high and dry, or low, moist soil? A. Our
whole plantation is on clay loam, and it is not the best land in the world
for either currants or gooseberries. Until our wet season, it worked
finely. In 1891 the older bushes were nearly destroyed; but at three
years we reaped our greatest harvest of currants, and part of the bushes
did not produce that year the amount of fruit they should.

Judge Russell: What is the best land?

Mr. Hawley: So far as my experience goes, the best land for the cur-
rant is the best land for the peach tree. In Fennville (west of Fennville)
there is a strip of land which is gravelly and very rich, and it raised the
best peaches in that country, and the best currant bushes. We have not
experimented extensively, and yet I have seen these currant plantations
growing through that section, and last year they all made the best growth
of currants I ever saw.

Q. What variety of currant do you recommend? A. Why, so far as I
have seen, and so far as we have raised them, Prince Albert is the best
currant that grows, and probably the reason it is not more widely
planted is because it is the hardest currant to raise in the nursery. The

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 3k

nurserymen can not raise Prince Albert and sell it with the other
varieties.

Mr. Reid: 1 would like to ask if you have tried any of the English
varieties? A. Everyone knows that they can raise gooseberries in Eng-
land that would surprise us. We can not raise gooseberries here which
at all compare with them. There is an Englishman living near us who
has experimented a good deal and he claims to have one variety that he
can produce here.

Q. Which variety is that? A. I don’t know, in regard to that. I pre-
sume it was Industry.

Q. Is it not a fact that the reason that the English gooseberry mildews
so much here, is that the shrub is kept fruited too near the ground? A.
I should think that would be the case. It might be that, if we could
raise them high enough, they would be all right. I have never seen
them except in the bush form. Perhaps they raise them in England in
the tree form.

Mr. Wright: I think I can find them in America, where the bush has
been in the first place partly neglected and allowed to grow up into the
air, and then made a second growth, producing what I call an inde-
pendent trunk. Berries that grow on the top part of the tree are not
affected with mildew, but the berries on the shrub (the bottom part of
the plant) will be mildewed every time. I think if the people who under-
take to grow gooseberries, whether they be of the English or American
varieties, would prune them into tree form, and give them proper circula-
tion of air underneath the bush, they would avoid the mildew that the
English fruit is subject to here.

Mr. Morrill: Does any one in Michigan produce them successfully? A.
Not in Michigan, but in Ohio they are produced successfully, both Indus-
try and Lancashire Lad.

Q. But Industry has been a failure all over this state, with all sorts of
treatment? A. It is not a failure in Ohio, but they are Englishmen who
raise them, men who understand the proper cultivation in tree form.
The English gooseberry is raised in tree form at home.

Mr. Gebhart: Is it not a fact that Industry is inclined to grow down
and crawl along the ground? For several years I have tried it and I
had an excellent crop of berries the first two years; but since then they
are inclined to grow down and lie on the ground, and they have mildewed,
even with spraying them half a dozen times. Now, the Lancashire Lad
bush (my experience is limited) seems to be more of an upright grower,
and I have had some fine berries. Also Champion, which is a great
producer.

Mr. Morrill: Columbus is also promising and said to be an American
variety.

Mr. Reid: If you take the precaution to keep the old wood pruned
sufficiently far from the ground, and keep the bottom limbs somewhat
pruned back, it will prevent them from drooping so much on the ground.

Mr. C. E. Rollins: I have an experimental patch, set with gooseberries
and currants, and I have some in the tree form, and also in the bush;
those in the tree form are probably eighteen inches from the ground, and
are not troubled with mildew. By keeping them trimmed up, the new

32 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

growth, and the tops trimmed off, I did not have a pint of mildewed
berries last year. They were very large and fine. - I have six varieties
of the currant, and Victoria does the best. I have trimmed them
every year back to about four to six inches.

Mr. Morrill: Have you London Red? A. No sir, I haven’t; I have Red
Jacket.

Mr. Morrill: I shave’ reference to the.‘currant.- A. “No sir; -2rimee
Albert, Victoria, Holland, and Black.

Mr. Morrill: Have you North Star among them? A. No, sir.

Mr. Anthony: I have had experience in some lines. I have grown cur-
rants and gooseberries the last twenty years. Downing is the leading
variety with me. I think that with some varieties an attack of mildew
is almost unconquerable. I am growing the Downing which originated
in Mr. Downing’s garden. I obtained the plants from him, and so far
they have been very free from mildew; and that is the strain Iam growing
and offering now. >

Mr. Morrill: How about currants—-what does best? I have grown
Fay successfully, and am growing Victoria and Prince Albert now. I
hear that they are very good, and I hear Wilder spoken of highly.

Mr. Brillhart: Iam yet pretty young in gooseberry-growing. I have
Downing. I have not planted any other kind. That is good enough for
me. I set some 360 plants, one spring, and that same season I picked 37
quarts from them, and the next spring 43. They were nice plants, two
years old. I got them from Mr. Willard. The bushes made a tremendous
growth, two and a half to three feet across the top. I think next summer
there will be a good crop, 12 to 15 quarts from some of the best bushes.
They all look about alike. Last spring I set out 1,900 more, and I intend
to continue. That is the only variety I have tried. They are very large,
and nice enough for anybody.

Q. How about currants? A. Well, in currants, I have Fay, Victoria,
Prince Albert, and Wilder. Wilder is something new to us here, but has
made a tremendous growth, far ahead of Victoria, and that grows fast
enough for anybody. It isa very strong grower, and I believe it is a very
promising currant. It has fruited twice in this section.

Q. What is the size of the berry? A. The currants were larger than
wild cherries, a half larger than Fay.

Q. As large as a.good sample of Cherry currant? A. Better than
Cherry currant. They were very full. I think, if we measured correctly,
they measured five inches through and seven inches long—that is, a solid
mass of currants on the stem. I never saw such a sight.

Q. Did you or Mr. Gebhart count the berries? A. No, I did not count
them, but in size the bunches were about twice as long as Fay.

Q. But Fay is long sometimes and short others. A. Principally “ short
others.” For Fay, I can say that I have picked from a quart and a half
to three quarts, or three and a half, from one bush. I picked them this
season after the frost was over. Victorias run from twenty to twenty-six
berries on a cluster; Long-bunch Holland something the same, and Cherry
from ten to fourteen, and Fay goes from nothing to pretty good. I can
say of Wilder that if anybody could see it as I saw it, he would not choose
anything else; in fact, I sent in my order for 750 of them at ten cents

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 33

apiece. They will cost me $75, and I am well satisfied. They are nice
plants, varying from a foot toa foot and a half when I get them, and they
are very strong growers. Before I set them out, I made 940 cuttings, and
there are 600 still growing. Off from the Wilders I cut 4,000 more this
fall, and they were the only currants that were set last spring that made
any growth at all. Victoria, set right next to them, made all the way
from six inches of growth to a foot, and Fay came next; they made from
three to five inches growth.

Mr. Reid: I would like to have Mr. Wright tell us of the character of
the soil in Ohio where they grow the English gooseberry so successfully.

Mr. Wright: The soil in which those gooseberries are grown is a
mixture of clay loam and gravel.

Q. Pretty moist? A. Not over and above. It is subject somewhat to
drought; but we, as growers of the gooseberry, find that the gravelly
hot soil is best, with a sufficient addition of barnyard manure as a
fertilizer.

Q. The climate, you say, is subject to drought somewhat? A. Some-
what, the same as in Michigan.

Mr. Reid: The reason I ask the question is that there seems to be a
disposition among those who have spoken, to refer to mildew as the
result of branches being near the ground, and the ground being too
moist. The scientific investigators all say that the cause of mildew is our
excessively hot and dry summers. The gooseberry succeeds better in the
moist climate of England. When I have seen mildew it has been on top
of the bushes, as much in one place as another.

Mr. Hanson: I have two acres of rather damp ground. Shall I plant
them to gooseberries and currants, or black and red raspberries?

Mr. Wright: Just one moment. As regards mildew, we base our
theory upon the fact that we are subject in England to mildew on our
grain crops, in the same proportion, or more so, that you are here in your
small fruits, and whenever we get a mildewed crop of wheat, we get it all
in one night, and we get it on soil that is subject to an under current of
water, land which can not be sufficiently drained. It is claimed that the
hot air that prevails at that time, and the evaporation of moisture from
the under current of water, kills our wheat; and when we have a whole
field of wheat killed by mildew, it is always killed at a time when we have
excessively hot nights. The same is true of the gooseberry. We think
the cause of mildew is this hot air and the dampness of the earth not
having sufficient room to evaporate from the fact that the bushes are so
near the ground.

Mr. Reid: Yes, but our gooseberry mildew comes in a time of drouth.

Mr. Hawley: If I may answer Mr. Hanson’s question, I would advise
setting currants, because I have currants to sell, and no raspberries!

Mr. Hanson: This is the situation with me: I planted a young plum
orchard last year; set the trees sixteen feet apart, and there were about
four acres in the lot. About half of this is low, damp, sandy loam.
Now, I presume if I plant anything it must be of the bush variety, and of
course I would like to know which would pay better, to plant raspberries,
or gooseberries and currants.

5

34 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Brillhart: I would plant it te raspberries, and I would choose
Marlboro. Cuthbert would make a too rank growth and be too tender,
but Marlboro needs lots of moisture and good, rich soil, and*it will bear
beautiful berries. It is a great seller.

Q. How about its yielding? A. It will yield more quarts of berries
than any variety known.

Q. How about the hot seasons? A. It will stand anything.

Q. How about crumbling? A. It will stand up with anything, on my
soil. On my soil Marlboro does not make the growth within half of what
Cuthbert does, but I can pick more quarts of berries than off the Cuth-
berts. This will be the ninth summer, for my bushes, and they look as
well as ever.

Q. Do they break to pieces when you pick or ship? A. No, sir, they
don’t; and you can slip them on the end of your finger.

Mr. Morrill: I have had some experience with Marlboro. When they
first came out I invested $750 in them, and I got the money back from
them; but in three years the foliage fell and the crop failed. I repeated
my attempt two or three times, and finally had to give it up, but I never
had anything sell in Chicago as they did. For two years my price held at
$2.75 and $3 per twelve-quart case, while other varieties went at seventy-
five cents and a dollar. They were overhauled and sorted and carefully
put in, and every berry in its place. It cost me fifteen cents per case to
do that, but they brought a wonderful price. There was nothing else on
the market, and I don’t know where I would go to make money any
faster than to cultivate Marlboro, where it can be grown successfully;
but even when they failed at three years, I made money on them. On the
Hudson river they have done well and at Saginaw, I have heard, they
have done well; and even north of here.

Judge Russell: I have similar soil to that which has been mentioned,
and I am planting black-caps, the Conrath variety; but I am only doing
that because it comes in advance of Gregg, of which there are too many.
I don’t like to be where the crowd is too thick, in fruit matters.

Mr. Rork: Have you Kansas? A. Yes.

Q. Which do you like best? A. Kansas is the stronger grower, but it
does not yield so well. It is just as nice a berry, and a little better
grower, but it does not yield, with me, over sixty per cent. of Conrath.
The question of anthracnose is a serious one with black-caps. Conrath
so far has been free, though with me neither has had this disease.

Q. You say Kansas is the more vigorous grower? The other is good?
A. Excellent. With me it is an ideal black-cap.

Q. Which stands drouth best? A. They both had to stand much of it
last summer, and they came through in fine shape. Kansas has been best
in this section.

Q. Better than Conrath? A. I think so. .

Mr. Morrill: Kansas isa grand, good berry, but Conrath with me is a
better one.

Q. What is your soil? A. Rich, black, sandy loam, very nice; and my
present plantation is on quite new land. I have eight acres, set last
spring on the older land, and they came along finely and showed vigor
in spite of drouth.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 35

Q. Do you advise setting the black-caps? A. No, sir, I wouldn’t advise
anything. I can simply tell you what I am doing. It is a bad plan to
advise. Among red raspberries, I am favorably impressed with the new
Loudon; it made a wonderful showing with me. I see the N. Y. experi-
ment station says it must have a rich, moist soil—that is, Loudon. When
it is at home, on the grounds of Mr. Loudon, at Janesville, Wis., it is on
a rich ridge, which is underlaid with gravel and very dry.

Mr. Gebhart: I have plants of Kansas and Conrath growing side by
side, one year old, and Kansas is considerably the better grower, though
I have a neighbor who says he has fruited Conrath and he does not think
it much superior. I don’t see how Conrath can have any larger berries
or produce any more in a given piece of ground than Kansas has done in
this country. I have had 1,500 quarts to the acre, on one-year plants.

Mr. Morrill: I think my year-old plants of Conrath exceeded that. I
had a thousand plants, and they netted $110 in Chicago.

GROWING THE RASPBERRY.

BY MR. ©. J. CONRATH OF ANN ARBOR.

Perhaps, to you large and prosperous peach-growers of Oceana county,
the raspberry seems insignificant. However, some of you may be inter-
ested and others may begin to think.

It seems that to some the raspberry is closely related to the hazel bush
or to milk-weed, and, not thriving under similar conditions where the
hazel or milk-weed would, is discarded as unprofitable. Can anything be
sadder, when the poor bush was so willing to respond to even limited
cultivation? The thought that the bushes can not realize pain, or know
their friends (contrary to Mr. Kellogg) is really a blessing. Imagine the
suffering and the endless hungering throughout the fields of the country,
were they conscious! Imagine yourself rooted to the ground in speech-
less terror, with enemies sapping the very life-blood from your system,
and your whole being parched and dry. It is well, I say, that they know
it not.

It is very gratifying, however, that others have made a success of
raspberry cuJture. Around the larger cities, especially, has this class
of fruit been remunerative. My own trials and experiences have bcen
very satisfactory. Unless circumstances and locality are favorable (and
I mean by this the market and help in harvesting the fruit) I should not
advise planting a large acreage. Many mistakes are made in this line,
and men become discouraged by failures.

From eight to fifteen acres of small fruits, well selected, makes about
as much of a plantation as one man needs, and can handle successfully. I
speak here of growers living near small towns. Near larger cities the
acreage may be increased accordingly. ;

In regard to land, any good corn land will produce good crops of
raspberries with proper care. I prefer a field that has been cropped the

36 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

previous season with corn, potatoes, or any cultivated crop. Thorough
plowing, harrowing, and rolling just before planting are essential—the
more thorough the better. We mark with a four-foot marker, one way,
and with a one-horse plow make a single furrow in every second mark,
Then, with a three-foot marker, cross the field. We then plow lengthwise
again, throwing the soil the other way, thus making a dead-furrow to
plant in. This method gives us a chance to cultivate the first year both
ways. Early potatoes and string beans can be grown between rows the
first season. By planting them closely one way, the bushes help support
each other, and the fruit is less likely to become gritty.

When the canes grow to fifteen inches the first season, we pinch them
back. The laterals now make their appearance, and when these touch
the ground, which is in August, they are covered with soil for new plants.

The second year, when the canes are two feet high we pinch them back,
meanwhile thoroughly cultivating with a Planet jr. As soon as the fruit
season is over, we hasten the removal of old wood, and, burning the same,
one more good cultivation and that work is done.

In cutting back the fruiting wood in the spring, we trim according to
variety, size, and strength of the canes. If the laterals grow down to
touch the ground, cut back from twelve to eighteen inches. If they
make a poor growth, cut back from one third to one half. If more than
four canes grow on one stool, take them out to that number.

The foregoing relates to black-caps.

For red varieties, I should use the same method of cultivation but
would not advise heading back the young canes. The wood of raspberries
requires thorough ripening to withstand the cold winters. I consider
Gregg somewhat tender on that account. Some seasons its wood
does not ripen. Cuthberts, and all the red varieties, with us, fail to ripen
the laterals, and consequently suffer from severe cold. A year ago a hail
storm accompanied by strong wind visited our section the latter part of
May. The raspberry canes were then from two to three feet in height.
Both red and black varieties were cut and bruised. Black-caps sent out
their branches, and last summer produced a good crop, considering the
drought, but reds were almost a total failure. The canes were nearly
all winter-killed, especially those which sent out laterals.

In selecting varieties among the blacks, Conrath, with us, has sur-
passed all other early sorts, and Gregg for late. Palmer is good,
but the last pickings are small. Kansas is a large berry, but the plant
is tender. Souhegan and Tyler make good promises, but fail after two
or three gatherings. Ohio is productive, but lacks both color and size.

For red varieties, Marlboro on good, rich soil, takes the lead for early,
and Cuthbert for main crop. Hansel and Crimson Beauty lack vigor.

In harvesting the fruit, two pickers take a row. We use the basket
box. Each person is provided with a strong cord which is attached to a
box called the string-box. On the bottom of this box are bunched from
five to ten others. When one is filled it is taken by a man provided with
tickets, who pays for each quart as he gathers them up. One man takes
charge of ten rows and carries two twelve-quart trays. When these
are full they are carried to the end of the row, placed in bushel crates,
and taken to the packing sheds. Here each quart is looked over, and
sticks, leaves, and berries with the stems clinging to them are removed.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 37

Occasionally a handful of leaves or a lump of earth or a piece of wood
to help fill up the bux, is found. The offender, if caught, is at once sent
home; and seldom more than one has to leave.

For the fruit sold to retailers and that which is shipped away, we
place a card in the bottom of the box, printed side down. When the
contents of the box are emptied, the card is brought to view, printed side.
up. It tells the lady of the house the name of the variety, invites her to
try the fruit and, if suited, call again. We have found this a very effect-
ual way of advertising our fruit.

The question now comes, does it pay? If properly carried on, I say
raspberry-growing does pay. But 1 should not depend upon the fruit
alone. Those little tips, trailing along on the ground, might be covered
and form plants. A dollar received for plants is worth as much as a
dollar received for fruit. You say you can not sell them. Not unless
you make the effort; but it also requires an effort to sell the fruit. Both
combined assure success.

Let me quote a few figures from a trifle over three acres of Conrath.
It was what we called the oat hill. In 1891 we grew a crop of oats on the
field and threshed 67 bushels, valued at 30 cents, and five loads of straw
brought about $35. The next year we raised 300 bushels of potatoes
from the same place. They sold for 60 cents per bushel, or $180. Pretty
good! Last year we dug 42,000 plants from the oat hill. We received,
wholesale price, $15 per thousand, or $630. We picked 275 bushels of
berries, which netted $2.40, after the pickers were paid—$660, or $430 per
acre. I do not wish to give these figures as a basis to work on. We
received an advanced price for our plants, being a novelty; but $6 is a
low price for plants. The berries at $2 per bushel would leave $275 per
acre.

To sum all, I would say: Limit the size of your patch; select the best
varieties; give thorough cultivation; make an object of the propagation
of the plants, and place the fruit on the market in good condition, and
you will find the culture of raspberries pleasant and very profitable.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Farnham: At what time should the cultivation begin, and when
should it end?

Mr. Conrath: We begin early in spring, as early as the ground can
be worked. Last year our success depended on thorough cultivation.
On twenty-one acres I had one man spend all his time with a horse and
cultivator. When he was through with one end he started in again. We
had but one little shower in April, and there was no time but we could
remove the loose soil and underneath it was moist. Others, in the next
field from us, lost their berries by drouth. They literally dried on the
bushes, and in one case a plantation got afire, and unless there had been
help the whole plantation would have burned. So we keep on cultiva-
ting, from the time we get into the patch until the fruit is ripe.

Prof. Slayton: Was that deep or shallow planting? A. Ours have
been mostly black-caps, and we plant deeply.

38 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Prof. Slayton: Are you troubled any with yellow rust, on the leaf?
A. I have found in some cases single plants affected, and when we have
anything of that description, we remove the entire plant and burn it up.

Q. Do you use a plow at all? A. No, we find that that ridges up the
soil, and leaves it uneven. If properly cultivated with the Planet jr., or

-»Ajax,,or any improved cultivator, you can keep the soil in proper con-
dition, and it is always level.

Mr. McClatchie: Have you tried planting in squares instead of rows?
If so, why do you prefer rows? A. We can get more fruit from rows
(matted rows); and another thing one cane helps support another. It
requires a little more work. We usually go over the whole thing the
first year and remove all the weeds that we can not get with the cultiva-
tor. After that the bushes shade the ground so that the weeds never
grow very high, nor the grass either. When grass appears, the timothy
or clover, we go over it.

Q. What fertilizer do you use? A. Common barnyard manure I have
found is the best.

Mr. McClatchie: Do you recommend that the red raspberry be raised
in matted rows? A. Yes, sir.

Prof. Slayton: Do you shorten back the canes as they grow during the
summer? <A. Assoon as the cane, in the black-cap bed, is a foot high, we
pinch it off.

@. How about the red? A. I should leave the red alone. In the little
paper I had, I referred to a hail storm the last week in May. The berries
were set and in blossom. The suckers on the leaders were out, probably,
from two to three feet, and there was a heavy northeast wind which swept
down under the rows and cut many of these off on the north side. These
bushes naturally sent out their laterals, and those were the ones that
froze, and last summer they were almost a failure.

Prof. Slayton: At our Adrian meeting some one advocated no sum-
mer pinching.

Mr. Conrath: That applies to what I have just said in regard to reds,
I would leave them alone; but the black, pinch back by all means.

Q. At what time do you remove the old wood? A. As soon as the fruit
is off, and we burn at once. That has been our method, and we have
kept exceedingly free from disease. Prof. Taft visited us, and said, “ You
have done well.”

Q. What do you find the most convenient way for removing the old
wood? A. We have a hook made from old files. They are heated and
bent. It is hard metal. The hook is like a small crescent, about two
inches on the outside and about an inch on the inside. We keep it sharp.

Q. This is attached to a handle? A. Yes, sir, so that a man standing
can remove the wood. The handle is 34 feet long. It is less tiresome
and does the work as well.

Q. Where the black-caps have not been pinched back at all, they have
long limbs. Would you cut those back? A. Yes, sir.

Q. How much? A. We are a little more severe on our one-year-olds
than the two-year-olds, and of course we make ita plan to pinch them
off from the beginning. A plant pinched off would be in different con-
dition from one not pinched off, and on our plants that are pinched we cut
the laterals back to six or eight inches, and if a cane has grown out and

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING, 39

trailed along the ground I should cut it back to twelve or fifteen inches
the first year. I should cut the laterals back to six or eight inches.

Mr. McClatchie: We have found shears with handles three feet long
better than the hooks. We have discarded the hooks; the shears cut
easier.

CROSS-FERTILIZATION.

BY MR. ELMER D. SMITH OF ADRIAN.

Producing new varieties of fruit and flower, by artificial cross-fertiliza-
tion, is very interesting, as well as profitable when improvements are
gained and the general public are gratified in these gifts of nature’s
most precious gems. Knowing you are deeply interested in the various
kinds of fruit, and having had no experience in this direction myself,
I feel entirely out of place in presenting a paper on this subject. How
much has been or is being’ done in improving the several species, I am
unable to say, but there are several gentlemen present who have kept
in touch with progress along these lines that will gladly inform you.
Twenty years ago it was believed impossible to secure seed from the
chrysanthemum any other way than by nature’s own method. See, to-day,
how many fine seedlings are being produced by the union of the most
desirable, through artificial fertilization. How susceptible fruits are to ©
improvements I can not say, but from the new varieties offered each
year it is evident they are not incapable.

The advantage of hand polienating is, the operator determines the
parents of the seedlings, while in those from naturally produced seed we
know the quality of the seed-bearing plant only. The staminate parent
may be good, bad, or indifferent. It is at least rational to conclude that
greater achievements will result from seedlings of selected parentage
than from those the wind and insects have haphazardly united. In this
work we are confronted by some arbitrary laws of nature over which
we have no control, and which, like many of her doings, are mysterious.
There is a very marked tendency to revert to the original; or, in other
words, to partake of antecedents, and sometimes of those very remote.
In crossing two white carnations we would expect the progeny to pro-
duce white flowers, which some may do, although there will almost
invariably be pink and red among them.

It is important that the work of pollenization be carefully done to
secure without doubt a cross between the two desired varieties. The
pistil and stamens are the organs of the flower with which we must
become familiar, as well as control to prevent self-fertilization. In the
apple, pear, peach, and cherry, the center organ is the pistil, which is
encircled by the stamens. The tips of these, or anthers as they are called,
supply the pollen. Like the rose, most of the fruits produce pollen in a
few hours after the flower is open, when it is in the proper condition to
be used. By observation it will be easy to determine which flowers will
open on a certain day, and these are the ones to be prepared.

When it is decided which variety shall be the pistillate or seed
parent, select a cluster of buds and remove the petals (the colored

40 kine STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
leaves of the flower) so as to expose the pistil and stamens, and at
the same time remove the stamens. This is easily done with either
scissors or small tweezers, and early in the morning is the best time,
before the stamens give off pollen, the object being to prevent self-
fertilization; and to further guard against such a course, the pistil
should be covered so that the dust-like pollen can not be brought into
contact with it by the wind or insects. For this purpose use light muslin
or cheese-cloth, of convenient size to cover the cluster nicely, and keep
in position with a pin. When we have proceeded thus far we have the
unfertilized pistil, which will soon be ready to receive pollen, and so
must decide what varieties shall be the staminate parents. The flowers
that open on a bright morning will by ten o’clock be abundant with
pollen. This is easily collected on a camel’s-hair pencil. The flower
previously prepared may then be uncovered and the pollen applied to
the upper surface of the pistil, or stigma, as is termed. Cover the flower
again for a day or two, and the work is completed. A whole cluster of
flowers may be thus worked by repeating the operation from day to day
as they reach the proper stage of development.

In plants for florists’ use it is important that they have a good, vigor-
ous constitution, and to impart this to the seedling the more robust
varieties are selected for pistillate parent. I have no doubt that hardi-
ness and vigor are desirable qualifications in all kinds of fruit and so I
advise such to be used for bearing the seed, and depend upon the pollen-
furnishing variety for productiveness and quality. A complete record
of the work may be kept by using an ordinary tree label, numbering each
operation, and at the same time entering in a book a corresponding num-
ber with the record, thus: No. 1, Karly Crawford X Early Michigan; No.
2, Early Crawford X Barnards. In all cases the seed parent is first men-
tioned. Do not fail to keep a record of your work. It will be very gratify-
ing to know just how a choice seedling was produced, and very likely
will suggest to you a way whereby other desirable improvements may be
made. When the fruit is ripe, the seeds should be saved, carefully num-
bered, and placed away for safe keeping until planting. Like all work
of this kind, it is only by persistent effort that good can be accomplished.
It seems to me that there are great possibilities in store for some one
who will take up the work, and I can see no reason why his labors will
not be fully rewarded.

DISCUSSION.

Prof. Slayton: It is just as easy to cross different varieties of fruit
or flower as it is different varieties of cattle or sheep. The process is a
similar one, only, in the blossoms, in perfect blossoms, we find the two
organs in the same flower. The paper has described that part thoroughly.
You understand, of course, after this blossom has been treated as the
paper describes, the seed must be used, and the product of that seed
will be the hybrid. That is what will show the effects of the crossing.
In fruits you can not take a tree and cross it, and expect that the fruit on
that tree will be affected. But you plant the seed that is in the fruit, and
raise the tree, and in five or six years you will have a fruit that will show
the effects of the cross.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 41

Mr. Brassington: Do you advise the intermixture of different varieties
of tree in the orchard?

Prof. Slayton: I certainly do. We have found recently that very few
blossoms are fertilized from the other organs in the same blossom. But
when you think of the size of the grain of the pollen, the millionth part
of an inch, and what possibility it has of reaching the adjoining flowers,
it is remarkable. For instance, among the grapes, some one might ask
how far apart the different varieties of grape should be planted, in order
that they may be fertilized. Suppose they are eight feet apart. <A
particle of this pollen must pass over those eight feet. How many grains
of pollen are there in a single blossom? Here is a circle sixteen feet in
diameter. How many grains of pollen will it take to completely cover
that circle so that a single one of those grains will strike that flower.
The chances for the wind to carry it are about one in a million. Who,
then, or what, does it? Probably the insects in ninety-nine cases out of
a hundred, with grapes planted that distance apart. I suppose no one
intended to say that the blossoms should be planted in juxtaposition.
We must depend upon the insects. While we were speaking this fore-
noon, my mind ran back to our apple and other crops. What is the mat-
ter with our insects? We have been trying for some years past to kill
all the insects by spraying our trees with various mixtures and poisons,
and our apples have failed, as well as many of the other fruits.

Mr. Morrill: I don’t think there is any spraying done when fruit is
in blossom, is there, and the blossom-working insects are the only ones
that do this business. Does any one spray in a manner to kill this class
of insects?

Mr. Rork: Every species of plant has a kind of abhorrence of self-
fertilization, so it is best to plant varieties near each other, even though
they are pollen-bearing varieties. I think the wind can do a good deal.
Mr. Husted, the originator of Michigan Early, and I suppose of Triumph,
the new freestone peach, told me that he brought it to pass by inter-
fertilization. He said he was careful to cover the limbs with thin cloths,
and then, by inter-fertilization of the sort he wanted, he secured Early
Michigan, and in Georgia he secured Triumph.

Mr. Reid: As regards alternating varieties, I recall hearing Prof.
Bailey describe the orchards of Mr. Willard and Mr. Hammond at
Geneva, N. Y. He said that there was no order to them whatsoever;
that the varieties were all mixed up; scarcely a row of a variety; pears
and plums and apples are all mixed, all over the grounds; and he said
that, whereas many other orchards were not bearing at all well, this one
was a mass of fruitfulness. It does not seem, in the light of such evi-
dence as this, that there can be any doubt as to the wisdom of planting
varieties in alternate rows, or even in closer proximity. Our president
has done a little work of this kind, and I know of no better way to get
light on it than to have him relate how he created the Osage muskmelon.

Mr. Morrill: I don’t know as that would be of so much importance.
I will say a little in this line, and then, if you want me to say anything
about that, I will. It is a well-established fact, that nature abhors
inbreeding. Man, by the conditions under which he places his subject
plants or animals, may enforce it, and the product will unquestionably

6

42 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

be weakened. In the fruit, it is in the seed; that is not the part we mar-
ket, but without perfect seedlings there can never be perfect fruit, and
our best growers today are convinced that, even with the varieties that
are self-fertile, they secure better results by having the presence of some
other plants of the same species near by, so that the intermingling of
pollen may take place, giving a stronger seed and thereby securing a
stronger and better fruit. The blossoms on a whole tree are practically
one blossom; they are alike; the stamens on one are just as useful to the
pistils of that blossom as the stamens of another, and no more; but some
other variety, adjoining, may be very valuable to that blossom; and, as
I say, they prefer cross-fertilization with another variety. At least, it
produces better results. We understand that, all of us who have had
anything to do with animal breeding and it applies just the same to the
plants and fruits. Mr. Kellogg exploited the idea at Grand Rapids, that
a tree knew its friends; had sensibilities. That is a pretty theory, but,
literally speaking, it is impossible. But it is a good idea to get into
your head, because trees and plants do respond to your care, commencing
with the day you plant; and if you have these idealistic notions there is |
no question but your results will be better. Pollenization is a matter
that people are coming to be very much interested in, because it is so ©
little understood, and the possibilities seem to be so great. There is
no question but excessive pollenization is weakening. Mr. Reid spoke
of the Osage muskmelon, which I worked on myself. It was before I
knew half so much as I have learned since, and the work was done in a
crude manner; it was simply by planting two varieties together, and
allowing the insects to do the pollenization, and making a selection from
what resulted, and following up that selection. Finally, when it did not
please me, I went all through that process again, with this cross-breed-
ing. That is the difference between cross-breeding and hybridization.
The mule isa hybrid, but the Percheron and a trotting horse may be
cross-bred. This was a matter of simply cross-breeding, with already
well-established varieties. The first melon used was known as Miller’s
Cream. I don’t know how that was secured. Then there was a little
vellow-tlesh melon that was brought from the Osage river section, in
southwestern Missouri, found in the hands of a Swedish gardener there,
by a neighbor of mine; he kept some of the seeds because it was delicious,
and brought it back with him. The Orange Christiana was the third
melon used. We began with Orange Christiana and Miller’s Cream.
Selection goes a good way in building up anything, just about as far
as cross-fertilization. You know what you can do with any vegetable by
selection; but that leads us off to another field that would occupy us a
day, and every minute be valuable.

Mr. Brassington: Have you discovered that some varieties are weaker
in pollenization than others?

Mr. Morrill: Peaches are the best able to take care of themselves of
anything I know of.

Mr. Tower: What about the Wild Goose plum? How do you fertilize
it?

Mr. Morrill: Give it up. JI don’t think it is worth fetilizing any way.
It can be, but the only way is to select any plum that blossoms and casts

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 45

its pollen at the time when the Wild Goose blossom is ready to receive
it. I would name, as one variety, Miner; but after you have experi-
mented you would better save one tree, to get a little fun out of it, and
plant something else for market.

MICHIGAN PLUM CULTURE.

BY MR. JAMES M. HAIGHT OF HART.

Mr. Haight prefaced his paper by saying: “I wish to say that I come
before you with diffidence. I am well aware that many men here have
been growing piums longer than I, and are abundantly able to teach me.
I want to say a word about the capabilities of Oceana county for grow-
ing plums, though almost every one knows it. Mr. Willard of Geneva
made a statement at Shelby, that he had traveled over the Pacific coast,
from one end to the other, and observed all their fruit there, and seen it
under all conditions, and that he never saw finer prunes than Oceana °
county produces; and he said, ‘If I were a young man again, I should
immediately go to Oceana county and go into the business.’ This is a
good deal, coming from such a man as Mr. Willard. We have been grow-
ing plums about ten years only. We have about 2,000 trees, four or five
hundred of them in the prime of life. We have twenty-six or twenty-
eight varieties only. There are very many of the older varieties; the
new ones we have not, to any great extent, and there are some I think we
do not want.”

Were I to begin at the foundation of plum-growing, I would look well
to the soil. It is true that Lombard will do well on sand, but even that
variety will do better on heavier land. I consider a rather heavy clay
loam the best.

The next matter to look after is to determine what the varieties shall
be. Having settled this question, we naturally wish to find a nursery-
man who will deal honestly with us. - But the best way is either to grow
your own trees or buy from a nursery near at home, of a man you are
acquainted with, and where you can see the trees before they are dug.
Honest men are in the nursery business in nearly all parts of our country,
and I am sorry to say dishonest ones are, too, and it is almost useless to
expect straight goods from the best of them; for, when their stock is
exhausted, they buy of other dealers to fill their orders. So you know
nothing of where your trees come from.’

I bought three or four hundred trees last spring of Hammond & Wil-
lard. They pride themselves on having black-knot conquered, but I have
cut quite a number of knots from those trees. Therefore, I say, grow
your own trees. Then you will be sure you have the varieties desired.

I advise budding on peach stock, if the land be dry on which you intend
to plant your trees. It is true that some kinds of plum can not be made
to grow on peach, will not unite; or, if they do, will soon die. This has
been said to be the case with Damsons, but by grafting it can be done,
as I have Damson trees so grafted.

44 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

I would not plow a plum orchard after the fifth year from setting. The
soil then is full of roots, and the mutilation of roots by the plow would
be too great. The cultivator, or even a spring-tooth harrow, is to be
preferred. A great deal is said lately of Breed’s weeder. I have never
seen one, but certainly if its value as a cultivator is equal to its price it
must be valuable indeed. Do not set poor trees. Money invested in
such is worse than wasted.

Perhaps no fruit grown in Michigan needs better soil or more fertiliz-
ing than the plum.

I do not pick any plums until they are ripe and fit for use.

To destroy the curculio I jar the trees, catching the insects on a sheet,
and of course killing them. It is advisable to burn, or in some other way
destroy, all fallen plums, thereby lessening the next generation of cur-
culio, though the better and more often cultivation is given the orchard,
the less curculio will there be.

Jt is said, do not use strawy or green barnyard manure. I say, use all
kinds; do not think wood ashes are as valuable as they have been repre-
sented to be, though certainly worth applying.

I have sprayed for shot-hole fungus with good effect. I have not made
thorough work of spraying, though, as far as I have gone, I have seen
no advantage in spraying for curculio. Men differ in regard to this,
many declaring it will certainly kill or keep off the pest.

In plums as in all other fruit, the larger and finer they appear, the
better they sell. I would advise planting varieties that ripen in succes-
sion, from earliest to latest. Bradshaw is the earliest we have in bear- -
ing, and I think, of all plums on earth, Bradshaw is liked best by the
curculio. But after all the anathemas against curculio, I do not think
them an unmitigated curse, though they often destroy a crop of plums.
Yet I have known them to save the crop where the trees were over-
loaded, the curculio being allowed to sting them at will. The fruit was
thinned thereby.

It is well known that if the plums hang in clusters, so as to touch each
other, they will be small and lack color as well as flavor. They are also
much more likely to rot, as this disease is communicable.

I have watched the use of Bordeaux mixture by plum-growers, for the
rot, but have never observed any good results.

In gathering from the tree we pick with a knife, cutting the plum from
the twig, never pulling them off, though this is only practiced with the
large varieties. As to packing, if you expect to hold your grip on the
market, and have anything in your pocket-book, be honest. If you care
nothing about your own reputation or that of your neighbors, put the
culls at the bottom and fine fruit on the top, and the result will be
certain.

BY MR. 8. D. WILLARD OF GENEVA, N. Y.

Mr. Morrill: We have a letter from Mr. Willard which touches on

plums.
Mr. Reid: Reminding Mr. Willard that this meeting was to be held
in Oceana county, for which he seems to have unbounded admiration, I

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 45

wrote to him, saying that we would like to have a letter from him con-
cerning plum culture. His answer came in due course, and is as follows:

GENEVA, N. Y., Feb. 17, 1896.

My Dear Mr. Reid: The mercury from 16 degrees to 20 degrees below zero for the
second time within six weeks, means that the peach crop of ‘western New York, for
1896, is a used-up community. I hope the people of the Michigan lake shore are
not in the same position.

I have just received an invitation to give a talk before a farmers’ club in Onon-
daga county, where they wish to discuss the fruit interests instead of grain and
potatoes. Week before last I spent an evening on fruit topics with the agriculture
elass at Cornell university, of about 100 in number, and you can imagine those
bright, active minds were loaded with all imaginable practical questions on this
subject that could be thought of. Among others, where is the best place to grow
plums, Mr. Willard? “The east shore of lake Michigan would be my choice, young
men, if at your age I could start anew, with my little experience and opportunities
for observation.”

What would you grow? “Well, my advice has ever been to not confine one’s
efforts to one single variety. As a rule, I regard it as an unsafe principle to bank
on, and yet I should start off with the largest orchard of prunes to be found on
the Atlantic slope, with the firm conviction that in this there would be no mis-
take. The growing cities across the lake will consume to the growers’ profit all
the prunes that will be grown for a half century to come.” And thus I elaborated,
setting forth the advantages of soil, climate, and surroundings, until you would
have thought I had some special interest in your state and was “to the manner
bern.”

And now, how I wish I could attend your coming meeting in Oceana county! I
feel when meeting with your people that I am with my friends, and enjoy every
moment, and then add so much to my stock of valuable information that it is just
a grand investment.

Inasmuch as I can not be with you, and there are so many with whom I feel
so thoroughly acquainted in that most excellent plum region, I am inclined ,to
give you a few notes from my big memorandum book that I frequently refer to
when preparing for the next season’s work.

Well, while looking ahead to the end of my life work, as a sensible man should,
I yet can not stop; hence, in the latter part of December, of my life’s calendar, I
shall put out a thousand more plum trees, all Lombards—not to be fruited as
Lombards, but to be top-worked over to such sorts as I believe will be wanted in
the future and may be grown with more profit than others.

Every year confirms me in an opinion long held, that the profits in fruitgrow-
ing are greatest in growing those varieties that the masses do not grow. Hence
I shall continue to work on this line, which I regard as the wise thing for me,
while at the same time acting up to my convictions.

Some years ago, when spending a few days at Hart and seeing the acres of
promising orchards that had been planted, I said to some of my friends, ‘Too
many Lombards; some one will be sick, one of these days.” Perhaps the time has
not yet come, but it surely will, sooner or later. Hence, I say again, as I have
ofien said, plant the very early and very late sorts, and allow some other fellow
to make his ventures on the mid-season sorts that come in when there is a glut
of every sort of fruit on the market, from every point of the compass.

With us Lombard is cheaply produced, and yet, as a rule, it sells at the low-
est price, and ofttimes so low as to leave no margin for profit. Again, every one
planting an orchard is inclined to plant plums, and also to plant this sort; hence
the danger, sooner or later, of an over-production of one kind. Is not this pretty
much the situation today in Oceana county? As a rule, the demand is greatest,
in all markets, for dark-colored plums; and so I would advocate such sorts most
largely. But the region where the prune is, or will be, grown, this side of the
Rockies, is pretty largely confined to a limited section in New York and the
shore of lake Michigan; and, being rather slow in coming into bearing, the masses
will be slow to adopt it as their favorite.

So far as my observation has extended, it has never been sold at anything
short of good paying prices, while there is an increasing demand for the fruit

46 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

every year. It may be grown with success upon the peach or plum. It is a hardy
tree, and, all else being equal, may be depended upon for a crop in alternate years,
and possibly with a light crop the off year. The fruit is of greatest excellence,
both for eating from the hand and preserving, and has no equal for keeping in
fine condition for long-distance shipments. So much for the prune,

Some one inquires, ‘‘What other good sorts, or most valuable, for the commer-
eial orchard?’ My response is, “Few early are wanted, and among them my favor-
iie is Field, a seedling of Bradshaw, of about same size, a little darker in color
and ripening ten days earlier. A commercial plum orchard is hardly complete
without a few Damsons, that are generally wanted in the city markets. Hence I
would add in the list some Shropshire, French, and Blue Damsons. The Reine
Claude de Bavay, while a little tender as a tree, is a great producer of excellent
fruit, and being classed in the list of late plums is unexcelled as a light-colored
fruit, and finds a ready market at paying prices. It is my choice outside of the
dark-colored sorts. Black Diamond is a gem indeed. It ripens just a little after
Lombard, and when better known will be sought after. While Grand Duke, Arch-
duke, and Monarch, all large-size sorts, should be found in the coming orchard,
French Copper, an exceedingly poor grower, of medium size, is unexcelled as a
producer, and comes so late, with no tendency to decay, that it is one of the best
paying sorts in the list. The difficulty is that, in its growing habit, it is so rough
that no nurseryman will grow it at a price planters are willing to pay.

The Japanese varieties have paid me well, especially Burbank, which so far I
regard as much the best.

Lombard possesses advantages that make it the most desirable of all; as a
variety on which to work sorts having bad habits of growth. So I often plant it
for this purpose only. From a quarter century’s experience with a multitude of
varieties, I see no reason for discouragement to the intelligent plum-grower; but,
with the prosperity which is bound to dawn upon the country sooner or later
(and sooner than many anticipate), I fully believe there is a fortune within the
reach of those men who put in the plantings of the right sorts in the right place.

It is quite possible that my choice of varieties may not be the wisest selection
for your lake shore, but they certainly are most desirable for my location, and
some of them I am thoroughly assured will do equally well with you.

As usual, I am hurried with my work, otherwise I would be glad to add a few
words as to feeding, pruning, and other points of importance in connection with the
work.

Your friend,
S. D. WILLARD.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Haight: Has any one noticed a spot of some kind on the plums,
these latter years? Perhaps it does not date back more than three or
four years; it is a blue spot about the size of your finger nail, and it
appears on Damsons and one or two other varieties. It is something
new, and I have been unable to have it explained.

Mr. Morrill: Is it a disease?

A. I think-so.

Q. Is it materially damaging the fruit? A. After the plum is grown
there is a hard lump.

Mr. Hawley: In regard to that blue spot, I believe he refers to a con-
dition of the fruit which I have noticed. I sent some of the plums to the
department at Washington, and the reply was very unsatisfactory, say-
ing it was caused by the puncture of some insect, which had been grown
over. However, we have noticed it on the German prune, and nearly
every fruit, when it arrives at a certain stage, will have these spots under
the skin; and if I am not mistaken, it is at times mixed with gum.

Mr. Haight: It is, that is right.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. AT

Mr. Hawley: And yet they took it there and pretended to investigate
it, and their report was very unsatisfactory, so I presume the nature of
the disease was very little known.

Mr. Morrill: Has any one put it under microscopic examination?

A. We pared the skin away and found black specks, streaks, running
in different directions. It is possible that they were right in Washing-
ten, but what insect it was they did not state.

Mr. Haight: It has been suggested that it was caused by a defective
pit.

Mr. Morrill. What causes the imperfect pit? Imperfect pollenization?

A. I don’t know about that. But that could not be the cause, because
many of the pits were all right.

Mr. Gurney: I have had the matter under consideration. I have
noticed these spots on the Lombard plum and others. The curculio has a
bad name, and I do not know any other enemy that it would be better
to charge it to. I think the curculio, the second brood, will sting the
plum in August, and not every egg hatches that is deposited, and I think
the trouble is caused in that way. They tear a hole in the plum, deposit
an egg, and it does not hatch, and there is a blemish on the plum; and
many of these cuts are about the shape of their work. We did not know
what else to lay it to, except the curculio,.and I am inclined to think that
that is what it is.

Mr. Haight: Inasmuch as the curculio has been in the country a long

time, and these were only found recently, it does not seen just reasonable.
They usually rise slightly above the surrounding surface of the plum,
and it dries and there is gum.

Mr. McClatchie: It is a well-settled fact at our experiment station
that the curculio, the second lot, does not lay eggs, and if that be the
case it is not the curculio which causes the difficulty. I confess, I don’t
know the cause; I would be glad to know what it is. We have noticed
the same thing and know no remedy, nor yet the cause.

Mr. S. Wanmer: There is a good deal laid to the curculio, but we can
not lay this to him. I notice on my prunes, before they crack open, a
dark spot; in the dark varieties it is very dark, and in peeling it down I
have noticed that it comes sometimes from the pit; sometimes it does
not reach clear to the pit, but it is a good deal like dry rot of the potato,
and for a couple of weeks before they burst open you will notice this
dark spot, so I am satisfied that it is not the work of the curculio at all,
but some disease. Some years nearly all my prunes have been that way,
and I killed the curculio thoroughly; before I get them sorted this gum
rubs off, and it is not noticed on the fruit at all, with some exceptions,
and they are all right when you can them.

Mr. Morrill: Your inference would be that it is a fungous trouble of
some character?

_ A. I think so.

Mr. Haight: I sprayed for this, but it had no effect. The plums do not
drop, do not seem to be injured at all, excepting that little hard spot, and
it is an eye-sore in the preserved fruit.

Q. Do they show up badly after they are picked? A. In the green
plums it does show, but not in the blue plums.

Q. It is present in the blue plums? A. In the prunes.

48 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Q. How about Lombard and Bradshaw? A. I have seen it in Lombard
but not in Bradshaw.

Mr. Hale: Did you spray for that?

Mr. Haight: Yes, before they leaved out at all, and until that spot
appeared.

Mr. Barry: How long has this been known here? Is it more than two
years?

Mr. Haight: I couldn’t say just exactly when I first saw it, but cer-
tainly I don’t think it was further back than four years ago. Mr. Wan-
mer perhaps knows more about that than I.

Mr. Wanmer: I have noticed on a farm across the road from mine
this same thing; the first time I noticed it, it was on some yellow variety.
That was seven or eight years ago, and I worked the place for awhile and
gathered the fruit; and, as I say, the gum rubs off. Of course, on the
light-colored fruit it shows this mark quite plainly, but the fruit sold
well.

Mr. Gebhart: I don’t think the cause can be laid to the cureulio. I
have noticed it three years in my orchard. Two years ago, I had two
acres of German prunes, and I don’t think there was one in the whole
lot that was not punctured. It was just enough to break the skin. I laid
it to an insect that stung or bit the fruit. The German prune is most
liable to injury. In the German prune, it begins before they commence
to color. Generally a little gum comes out, and that rubs off. In the
green plum you can see it. I don’t know as it affects the dark-colored
fruit for the market, but it certainly does the green plums.

Mr. Morrill: Then you are satisfied that it is the work of an insect?

A. Yes, I have seen it three years, and I am satisfied that it is insect

work. Of course, as Mr. Gurney suggested, the curculio is the most
mischievous of all, but we can not lay it to him. We have sprayed before
and after, but it don’t do any good.
* Mr. Morrill: I would suggest that specimens of that puncture be sent
to Prof. Davis, at our own college, and give him an opportunity to study
the matter, and if it is of any consequence Mr. Davis would gladly come
here and study it.

Mr. Rice: My attention has never been called to this, but as I think
of it, I can remember that same little globule of gum on our plums, just
as it is described; I can remember having seen it for years.

Mr. Morrill: I have been looking over the Report since you have been
talking, and I see that Prof. Davis has not taken the matter up, and
evidently his attention has not been called to it. The investigation might
be valuable, and can be had without any expense.

Mr. Markham: I have been in the plum business a number of years,
inasmall way. I of course have made it a study, as much perhaps as any
one. I have tried all varieties. I had Lombards, because everyone said
they were the best. I say yet, that a careless man can raise Lombards;
but when it comes to fine, large, nice plums, you have to work. I have
Bradshaw, and in fact most of the varieties, and I grow my own trees,
and have done so for a number of years. I see that Mr. Willard, in his
letter, recommends planting Lombards, and then to top-graft with some-
thing else. I have a still better idea in my own mind that I am prac-
ticing considerably. Plant a peach tree and let it become three years

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 49

old, and you can put a top-graft of plum in very nicely. I do not recom-
mend this for very old trees, because it does not work as well; the old
tree does not grow as fast as the plum; but you take a thrifty peach tree,
three years old, and you can grow a plum tree on that quicker than any
other way I know. If I were not positive of it, couldn’t show it to you, I
would hardly believe it myself; but I am satisfied that if nothing occurs
this year I will have an immense crop off of these very trees. Some would
say, you have to fight borers; but if a man isn’t willing to fight borers
he would better go out of the business. The borers, so far as I am con-
cerned, are not great bugbears, because I think I have them under such
control that they don’t bother me much. I am satisfied that you can get

-a plum tree that way quicker than any other. Occasionally I buy a tree,
when I want different varieties. Another thing about this top-grafting.
I know you should not try to put Lombards in. I know that Bradshaw
succeeds well and Quackenboss is the best I have ever found.

Mr. Morrill: The Japan varieties will do it, too.

A. I never tried it, but I know they grow, budded in that way, and
they are fine. So far as Mr. Haight’s article is concerned, he is on the
right track. I am not a sprayer for curculio. Mr. Willard has been up
here. I went with him one day all over this country, and he adopts the
jarring method; in fact, I have one of the machines he uses, and I think
every man who is going to jar should secure something of that kind.
With this method you have them right in a box. In working around
with the other methods, you step on the fallen plums and crowd them
into the ground, and they are just in good condition to hatch out in four
or five weeks. I have undertaken to pick or sweep them up, but with this
new machine we get all that drop off and have them in a box, so that
they can be destroyed. Of course, I think it is the only way to raise
plums. With spraying, some will fail and some succeed, but I never
heard of a man who jarred thoroughly and kept his ground clean, who
would say that he had failed. As regards varieties, there is one thing
about Bradshaw. We always look forward to getting a good price for
them, but when they are ripe the market is somehow low. They are too
early. My experience has been that the Gages have brought the best
price. People inquire for Gages. I don’t know why, except that we have
always had Gages, and people think they must have them, and I don’t
believe we can grow too many of them. I pick my plums with a shears,
because there are some varieties which you can not pull off, unless you
pull out the stem, and that injures the fruit. So I use shears, and it is
just as rapid and more satisfactory. That is, with larger varieties.

Mr. Morrill: What is your opinion or experience as regards thinning
Lombard to make a good-size plum? If they are thoroughly thinned,

_won’t they make large and salable plums?

A. Well, yes, they have been with me, but as a rule people don’t let
them become ripe. I have seen them picked when I wouldn’t give a cent
per bushel for them. A plum can hang until it is ripe, and it should;
and I can say this, that I have never had any variety that was satisfac-
tory but I wished I had more.

Q. Will you describe your method of catching curculio, the contrivance
you use? A. Well, it is something like an inverted umbrella. It is round,
and of course, being in that shape, anything that falls into it goes right

7

50 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

to the center. You run it along beside the tree, and jar the tree. There
is a box which holds nearly a bushel, which can be slipped out, and the
insects destroyed. I like it very much, for it catches the plums as well as
the bugs. Speaking of the little spot on the plum, I think it is the second
brood of curculio which cause that. There is something that stings or
bites it. We notice it more on white plums, but I never have noticed
it so that I paid much attention to it.

Q. After you have gone through the operation of catching the curculio,
are there not plums which drop? <A. Certainly, and we catch the plums
too.

Q. How long do you continue this operation? A. Well, you have to
follow it up very closely for two or three weeks, and you should not miss
aday. I have been asked that question a number of times. Every time
you get a chance, go at it, if it is twice each day. With some varieties,
it is almost impossible to catch any unless you jar often. I keep my
trap set, and when I pass I give the tree a thump. Of course, with Lom-
bards, you do not have to follow it up so closely, but with the larger
varieties it is necessary.

Mr. McClatchie: I have a little to say about the curculio. I hear you.
say you must keep at it two or three weeks. Perhaps this is necessary
in Oceana county. I follow it up only one day, and never failed to raise
a crop of plums. I know just what I am saying; I have practiced it year
after year. I don’t want that whirligig umbrella, I simply want Mr.
Willard’s plan. Instead of two sheets I take one. His plan is to take
two sheets, and have four men, besides one to jar the tree. He would
take a quilting frame, put the sheet across, a man at each end and one
either side of the tree, and they would walk along with the frames.
They would never stop. The fifth one would have his mallet ready to
strike the tree when they were under it, and the curculio will not fly
off as long as you keep the sheets in motion. Early morning is a little
the best time, and we work at it until six o’clock. J claim that if you
jar a tree once every hour, all day, you get all the curculio there are on
that tree, and I have practiced it, year after year, and have never failed
to have a good crop. I do not use the two sheets, because I haven’t a
Jarge enough orchard. We simply have a sheet nine feet square, and
put a frame all around it, and two strips across to support it; and then
we walk up to the tree, and when we are under it I strike it. The men
never stop. I have two men carrying this frame, and I do the jarring
myself. Just as soon as they are there, I strike the tree, and they back
up enough to get clear of the tree, and then go to the next tree.

Q. How soon do you start?

Mr. McClatchie: That you must watch closely. I do not miss a day,
at the time they commence. They commence on the first warm day after
the plums are out of their jackets, and just as soon as I find that they
have commenced, I take a warm day, such a day as bees would be active;
and as I have only a couple of acres, we get around ten or fifteen times
aday. At the first jarring I have counted 150 from a tree, and at the last
jarring we would not get one.

Q. How many times, with your system, do you think it necessary to
jar each tree? A. I jar it until I do not find any; that is usually about

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 51

half a dozen times; I think some fly away. I think, however, that the
first time we get two thirds of the whole brood.

Mr. Rork: While it is in blossom the curculio is there, like the potato
bug. He is there, and if you shake the tree you will thin them out before
they have a chance to do anything. As to spraying, it seems to me that
some one is not careful in observations about spraying. I both spray
and shake. If you jar a good deal, you won’t need to spray much, but
the spraying is easier done, and it kills other things, insects and the like,
and I consider one or two good sprayings will be beneficial. I can drive
them from one row of trees to another with cold water, and I can drive
them with spraying from one orchard to another.

Mr. Morrill: Mr. Markham did not go quite far enough in describing
that trap. It is simply a labor saver; it is on wheels and has a trap under
it. I have it and it is a very nice arrangement.

Mr. Lewis: We were taught years ago to catch the curculio soon after
the foliage gets out; there was one method highly recommended, and
called trapping. It was to place shingles under the tree. The theory
was that at night they would seek shelter under the shingles, and the
theory was borne out by the facts, for we would find them there, on tak-
ing the shingles up in the morning. That is before the trees have blos-
somed. Then, when we took up spraying, we were recommended to spray
before the trees blossomed, and we killed a good many that way, because
they fed on the foliage. Take it all in all, we have a good many theories,
and the facts must be sifted out by observation. I find in jarring, how-
ever, that you won’t find them very plentiful until the fruits are large
enough for their needs, and then they will come in swarms; they come
from somewhere. I recollect, years ago, jarring to catch them on early
peaches. I had an orchard contiguous to a forest, and onthe row nearest
the forest I had more trouble than on all the rest. I had an idea that
they came from the forest. They are all over the country, and when it
comes time to deposit their eggs they are on the move for food, and I do
not find many curculio until the conditions are right. Of course, you
will find some, but they come in swarms when it is warm enough.

52 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

PHASES OF PEACH CULTURE,

DISCUSSION OF QUESTIONS.

How early would you plow?

Mr. Hale: I would plow differently from some, I would begin working
early in the spring, and in that I am conflicting with Mr. Morrill.

Mr. Rork: It is surprising how quickly a little stirring of the soil will
start anything. I think there is danger in stirring it too soon. There is
one advantage in waiting—you can do it all at once; and if there are any
weeds to come up, you destroy them in the plowing, and turn them under
alittle. If you wait too late, then you do not finish until after the drouth
sets in and you have lost part of your moisture. I consider all of these
things.

Mr. Hale: If you wait until after the 19th of May, to get rid of the
frosts, I believe it is too late to save the moisture. After the ground is
thoroughly settled, I would commence cultivation early; I have practiced
it and found it beneficial.

is there any difference between Lewis and Harly Michigan; if so, what is it?

A Voce? Pes:

Mr. Morrill: In regard to that topic just gone by. Mr. Hale is itocated
where I should think he would escape the frost if there is such a thing
in the country. His orchard lies upon a high ridge, a most perfect place
for early cultivation; and don’t you think, Mr. Hale, that your deductions
might not fit other cases? Don’t you escape when other people catch it?

A. Yes, but not last winter.

Mr. Adams: Iam really afraid that we will get the idea of cultivating
too early in this country. I was given an illustration in my own orchard.
Mine is located as Mr. Hale’s is. Four years ago, it happened that I
had a row of trees on the side of my orchard that I plowed in the fall.
The variety is Snow’s Orange, a very hardy kind. I had, as I say, plowed
these early and they were in bloom, three or four days before the rest,
and from that row of trees I did not pick a bushel of peaches, though a
half row of Snow’s Orange, adjacent, bore quite a crop of fruit. They
had not been plowed early. I believe in waiting until all danger of frost
is over, and then push it.

Mr. Hale: I dislike to dispute with neighbor Adams. Last year, in
my old orchard, which is on a little lower ground, though high enough,
I did not work until after the frost, because I could not get to it. My
other orchards I had worked. My old orchard was, part of it, entirely
killed, and the other was not.

Mr. Barry: I think it was a year ago last May that our county society
held a meeting at Mears, and they discussed this matter. We had, all of
us here, believed in waiting until all danger of frost was over, and we
had been practicing that; but after we got through with that meeting,
about fifteen growers who spoke on that subject, every man of us agreed
that we would begin to work our orchards earlier.

Or
veo

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MERTING.

Mr. Rork: There is a difference between an old orchard and a young
one. There is a difference in the condition of things when you plow.
That has been discussed a little already. If the ground is dry or wet,
it makes a difference. I had a strawberry crop saved, once, by the steam-
ing of the ground. It stood in a wet place, and the ground was warmer
than the atmosphere, and the steam warmed the atmosphere; if the
ground had been colder than the air, | would have had trouble. There
are exceptions to every rule, and I think the hint of our president is
worth a good deal, and that we should study all these things, these differ-
ent conditions, location and surroundings, and soil; but even then, some-
how, what one man can do another can’t, right in the same spot.

Mr. Morrill: That is true.

Mr. Reid: The question was asked if Lewis and Early Michigan are
alike, and some one answered yes. The question was asked, what is the
difference?

Mr. Hale: I am growing both of these peaches, and I say, fearlessly,
that they are not the same. I have both of the Early Michigans—I
ordered both kinds. Now, Lewis is a white peach with greenish-white
flesh, and the other has a more creamy cast and more solid meat. That
is the main distinction I am able to make, although Michigan is uniform
and larger.

Q. Which one of the Michigans is it that has a yellowish cast? A. I
can not tell you; I have the No. 15 and No. 16, both.

Mr. Morrill: You can tell by the leaf. One has globose and the other
reniform glands.

Q. Now, I would like to ask Mr. Morrill if he thinks they are the same?

Mr. Morrill: I have no right to think they are the same. One origin-
ated in Berrien county and the other at Lowell, but I have them both in
my orchard, and I have watched them closely to find the difference
between No. 16 and Lewis, in the color of fiesh, color of foliage, ete.,
peculiarities that any close observer sees in a variety as it goes through
the season. No. 15 is different in gland from No. 16, and that is the
material difference, and it is not quite’so strong a grower. Their origin,
however, undoubtedly was different. One originated with Mr. Ray at
Watervliet and was planted by Mr. Lewis at Fennville, among Chili
seedlings, while Mr. Husted of Lowell claims to have deliberately
originated Early Michigan by cross-pollenization. Whether both men
are telling it exactly right does not make any difference; but these two
varieties, No. 16 and Lewis, are so nearly identical that they are prac-
tically alike. But if Michigan proves as valuable as Lewis has for me,
_it is valuable indeed.

Mr. Rork: Did you ever notice any difference in the limbs?

A. Unfortunately, Michigan has been sent out mixed, pretty generally.

Mr. Morrill: I think that five or six years ago, in this room, J asked the
question if they were identical, and I was quoted in the papers as saying
they were. It made me trouble, and I do not wish to be quoted as say-
ing they are alike, but in my orchard they are very much alike.

Mr. J. H. Hayes: Does any one know, positively, the desirability of
Triumph?

Mr. Morrill:. I haven’t seen the peach, but I talked with Mr. J. H. Hale,
and he says the peach was all right with him. Mr. Davison said he had

54 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

sixteen trees of a variety that fruited soon after Alexander; it was a large
peach with a rosy cheek, and of excellent quality, and he does not know
where it originated nor how it came on his place. Its flesh was of a
cream color and of excellent quality.

Mr. Morrill: You say it ripens ahead of Michigan?

A. Yes, right after Alexander. It is very large.

Mr. Morrill: Are they some known variety?

A. They were bought for Early Michigan, but are not. They are far
out of that season; they are good shippers, do not spot, and look well.

Mr. Morrill: You are describing Early Canada quite well.

@. Is Early Canada a freestone?

Mr. Morrill: Yes, quite free.

A Member: The peach Mr. Davison speaks of came with Early Mich-
igan. I set them myself, and they have proved, as nearly as I can judge,
Early Michigan, only they are two weeks earlier. They are a fine peach,
and I set No. 16 the same year, quite a quantity of them. We have tried
them two years, and have Lewis the same age, and they seem a better
quality; they are of light cream color, while Lewis has a greenish-white
color, when it is fully ripe. The grain of the peach is finer and better and
the size more even.

Mr. Barry: Will Early Canada grow as large as Mr. Davison says?

Mr. Morrill: I have seen them of very nice size; they are good ship-
pers and profitable. The secretary has a clipping regarding Mr. Hale’s
big Connecticut orchard which may be of value. Before he reads this,
I wish to call the attention of those who have these Reports, and who
are inclined to think that brown rot of the plum, cherry, and peach is
caused by curculio, to refer to page 303 and read the account of it there.

The Secretary: This account of Mr. J. H. Hale’s orchard in Con-
necticut was written by Mr. H. W. Collingwood of the Rural New-Yorker,
and followed his articles describing the Hale orchards in Georgia:

The great Georgia orchard we have been talking about had its origin in Con-
necticut. The Rural New Yorker has told before now how Mr. Hale and his
brether were left when mere boys, at the father’s death, on a debt-burdened farm,
without capital or experience. They saw clearly that success had only one latch-
key—that was to grow some new crop, and grow it well. There is an old peach
tree on the farm that is over sixty years old. That old tree showed these boys
that it was possible to grow good peaches in Connecticut, so they went to work
to fill in the skeleton of that possibility with work and study. They did it, and,
therefore, that great Georgia orchard may be said to have sprouted from this old
tree.

Of course, the conditions of culture and sale in Connecticut are different from
those at the south. The northern orchard is scattered, while in Georgia the
peaches grow in one large block. Mr. Hale thinks the soil of the Georgia orchard
{fs the stronger, while the northern fields are more hilly and stony. The cost of
growing a tree to a profitable age in Connecticut is twice as much as in the
south. The fields are smaller, there are more stones and more hillsides to culti-
vate, labor is very much higher, and very much more fertilizer is used. The
advantages are that markets are much nearer, and transportation is so quickly
and cheaply carried on that the peaches may be left longer on the tree, and thus
command a higher price because of better appearance.

“You told us how much cheaper the southern labor is,’ I said, “but is there
rauch saving in the fertilizer bill at the south?”

“Well, you saw how little we have used down there. Up here, we use a ton or
more per gcre of a mixture of bone and potash—three parts bone and one of

muriate. In fact, we do not mix them, but apply them separately. We have used
more or less cotton-hull ashes.”

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 55

“But don’t you need more in Georgia?’

“Yes, and we shall use more hereafter. One reason why we used so little there
was that we wanted to test the soil and see what it needed. After one crop, we
know that it needs more potash to give the peaches more color, and that will be
supplied. The cow pea crop is a great help in the Georgia orchard. We have
found that certain varieties of cow pea will grow with us here.”

Yellows has given little trouble in these orchards. The oldest orchard is now
sixteen years old, and has given eight good crops. It is now vigorous and thrifty;
guood for five more crops at least. Another twelve-year-old orchard is still in
excellent condition. The healthy appearance of the orchard is to be attributed
to the careful cultivation of the soil and the skill with which the trees have been
trimmed and thinned. They are never permitted to overbear. More than half
the growing fruit is pulled off early in the season. Mr. Hale shows an orchard of
twenty-two acres that was thinned by seven girls during haying time, when the
men were busy in the hay field. If a good-size tree produces 500 peaches, it
earns its full salary, and should be given a share of the profits—payable ip
potash and bone.

The color of these northern peaches is something remarkable—a dark, rich crim-
son cheek, ‘‘Potash paints the peach,” is Mr. Hale’s motto, and he says that nothing
but an ample supply of potash will give this rich coloring.

The varieties grown at the orchard are Mountain Rose, Early and Late Craw-
fords, Stump, Oldmixon, Salway, Elberta, Crosby, Smock, and Keyport White.
This gives a good succession. In Georgia, but two grades are made, but in Con-
necticut three grades are packed, each one with a certain colored label—the lar-
gest red, second size white, smaller blue. The culls are sold without label.
The Hales are patriotic people, for the “red, white, and blue” are displayed every-
where.

When asked to give the proper distance apart for trees, Mr. Hale took me to an
orchard of twenty-two acres, one half of which is set 18x18 feet and the other half
12x12. Accurate account has been kept of the relative profits of these two halves,
and, with five crops, the closer-planted half is $7,000 ahead. While the other
may gain somewhat now, it can not entirely catch up. It was this experiment,
chiefly, that induced Mr. Hale to set the Georgia orchard 18x13 feet.

Some weeks ago, I spoke of the effect of girdling on an Elberta peach tree.
This tree split open and, to bring it together, the workmen put a wire around
both limbs of the crotch and pulled them up by twisting the wire around with a
stick. The wire cut through the bark and girdled the tree. As a result, the tree
was filled with fine great peaches, while the other Elbertas were green and hard—
at least ten days behind in ripening. It will probably kill the tree, but this
accident suggests an experiment that Mr. Hale will try next year. He has an
orchard on leased land, the lease of which expires in two years. Next year, he
will girdle 100 or more trees in various ways, and thus see the effect on quite a
large scale. The next year, if necessary, he can girdle the whole orchard for his
last crop, even though it kill every tree. If it will hasten the ripening of some of
the earlier varieties by ten days, the increased price would pay for the trees.

Some of the white workers in the Georgia orchard had the pluck and ambition
to follow the business north, and are at work handling the Connecticut peaches.
The way business is conducted at the north was a revelation to these young men.
“Why,” said one of them, “I can stand on a corner in Hartford and see more people
in half an hour than I could see all day in Macon, Ga.’ These great, thriving
centers of population, with the thousands of workers right at the end of an
electric wire, may well seem wonderful to those who have kpown nothing but
the market needs of a small city. In fact, the dazzling changes that are taking
place in New England agriculture may well take away one’s breath.

“Tf you will get up at two o’clock,’ said Mr. Hale, ‘‘we will show you a new
trick about marketing peaches.”

The electric road from Hartford runs directly past Mr. Hale’s house. There
is a side switch in front of the orchard, and on this, during the day, three empty
passenger cars were left standing. All day long, the peach baskets were packed
into the cars. When we got up in the morning we found an electric car from
Hartford hitched to the three cars of peaches. With Mr. Hale’s son for conductor,
and his little girl for passenger, we went whirling at a twenty-mile gait into Hart-
ford, with 1,000 bushels of peaches behind us. There was no stop until we reached
the store of the. Hartford agent. By six o’clock a. m. the peaches were all

56 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

unloaded, sold, and distributed, and the empty cars hauled back to the side-track
in front of the orchard, ready for another load.

There was a saying of the work of, at least, ten teams; all done quickly and
without fuss. That is what farming is coming to. The same thing might be done
in thousands of other localities. These light, electric roads must be made to serve
the farmer by hauling freight as well as passengers. At the opening of the peach
season Mr. Hale hired cars, decorated them with flags and labels, and made
great bowers of peach boughs with the fruit hanging. Then, with sixty local
fruit dealers seated in the ears, he ran all over the electric lines of Hartford.
Why not? Why not advertise the peach business as well as the clothing trade?

The coming farmer must make use of all these new devices, or some one else
will take the chance away from him. It will not be many years before a carload
of cotton-hull ashes can be shipped from Georgia, and run right into the Con-
necticut orchard without being once opened. These electric lines must be of use
to farmers for freight. It is but a question of time before a large proportion of
New England marketing will be done by electricity. The fact that it can be
done, gives New England farmers a great natural advantage.

Mr. Reid: Mr. President, suppose you give the growers some idea of
the practice of cutting back and heading in, which makes the cultivation
of peaches at twelve feet apart profitable.

Mr. Morrill: I can not give any one an idea which would make prac-
ticable the setting of trees twelve feet apart.

A Voice: I understood Mr. Reid to say that Mr. Hale’s practice is to
cut them back.

Mr. Reid: I understand that he does, somewhat after the manner of
Mr. Morrill’s pruning today, and that he constantly heads in for several
years, successively, and grows the trees a short distance apart, claiming
that he will get a greater profit in the lifetime of an orchard. It says
here that he sets 12 x 12 in Connecticut and 13 x 18 in Georgia.

Mr. Hale: I have been all through his orchard in Connecticut, but the
trees are grown upright. I never saw trees with such long, slender
growth in my life. He does not cut back. He told me he thought he
would cut back his younger orchard. He fertilizes heavily; his three-
year-old trees look like six-vear-olds. But they winter-kill, badly. He
said it had occurred to him that it might be because he fertilized too
much. One orchard, where they had not fertilized at all, looked like
ours.

Mr. Morrill: In Michigan, I would not set a peach orchard closer than
20x20. That is close enough for me.

Q. How about plums?

Mr. Morrill: You peoplé know more about plums in a minute than I
do in a week.

Mr. Rork: We would set them the same distance you do the peaches.

Mr. Rouse: I put them 10 x 20, and it was too close.

Mr. Morrill: Have they been cut back?

Mr. Rouse: Some, but ten feet is not enough.

@. Have they been systematically cut back? A. I guess not.

Judge Russell: I should say twenty feet each way.

Mr. Morrill: They say Judge Russell has the finest orchard in the
world.

Judge Russell: They have lied about me for twenty years! I am
setting eighteen feet apart.

Q. And are you cutting back regularly? <A. Yes, sir; I am trying to
follow Mr. Willard’s instructions. I do not know where I am going to

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 57

land, but I am working along that line, cutting back from one half to
two thirds every year, and I have some very fair-looking trees, though
they have never borne very much yet.

Mr. Barry: I have only a few plum trees, set five years ago, and at
the end of the five years they were throwing up shoots in the middle of
the row. They were set twenty feet apart. I don’t worry about the
sprouts, but the roots will occupy all the space you give them.

Mr. Rork: Does any one know if the life of a plum tree on a peach
stock is as long as on a plum?

Mr. McClatchie: Some twenty-eight years ago I read that plums would
grow on peach trees. I tried it. Every one grew. They are standing
today, large, thrifty, and healthful. They made better growth than other
trees, and have borne more plums.

Q. While they are speaking about plums, I would like to ask a question
of the gentleman who recommended grafting plums on older peach trees,
top-gratfting, if it made any difference when the grafting was done, early
or late? A. It should be done early, real early in the spring.

Mr. Reid: Something was said about the Breed weeder being high-
priced. What is the difference between that and the other tools?

Mr. Morrill: The price is about $14 for a No. 4, the best pattern,
and I should not hesitate at the price.

Judge Russell: They are selling their weeder this year for $11.50.

Mr. Morrill: You can send to the factory in clubs and get them here,
for $12.50; $12 to $12.50.

Judge Russell: I was corresponding with the Boston office and they
said they were introducing them at $11.50.

Mr. Morrill: Then there would be the freight added, and it would be
$12 to $12.50 here, and the retail price in this state is $14.

Q. What sweep has the No.4? A. Eight feet. The No. 4 is sectional,
in three sections. You can take off the two outer sections and use it
between rows, or, you can set it together for full width. I bought four
of the No. 4 for my place. We have five this year.

Q. Do they straddle the row? A. They say not. I have used it in the
peach orchard and think it is a grand tool. The land, though, must
first be fitted, and then you put on your Breed weeder and keep it at
work.

Mr. Rice: I used it on potatoes last year, four inches high, and it did
not disturb the plants. You have to use it, though, before the weeds
show.

Mr. McClatchie: I have cultivated corn, one foot high, and it did
not do any harm. It is a poor thing to take weeds out, but a good thing
to keep weeds from coming up.

Q. Is there much difference between the Universal Breed weeder
and the “Z’’ Breed weeder? I had an idea from what I heard at the
institute in the winter that the “Z’’ was best.

Mr. Haight: I was just going to speak in regard to the price. With
us, this winter, they are offering them, freight prepaid, for $11.50, the
No. 4, and they offered to any one getting up a club of seven to put in
an extra one, and that brings it down to the neighborhood of $10.

A Member: I would like to answer that question regarding the dif-
ference between the Universal and the “Z.” I have both, and I would

8

58 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

prefer to use the “Z’” every time rather than the Universal. The Uni-
versal is not sectional, and it is straight in its tooth; it will go deeper
than is necessary, unless you carry the whole weight of the machine
in your hands all the while. With the “Z” you won’t have to do this.
There are two advantages in the “Z” that are not in the Universal. The
sectional part you can use as long as necessary, in its full form, and
then take off the two sections and use it among the potatoes and corn,
and you can use it anywhere that you can use an ordinary cultivator.
If you are going to make a success with either style, you must use it
before your weeds get too far up, or you can not use it to satisfaction at
all. You have to be ahead of the weed and not let it get ahead of you.

Judge Russell: I started in with a Breed weeder last spring, and
undertook to cultivate my orchard with one, and I am satisfied that
with an ordinary farmer they would not be of much value. I am satisfied
that if we would get the best results from one of these we must take
better care of the soil, and be more thorough as we go along. I under-
took to take good care of my orchard last summer, but I found that
after I commenced cultivation with the weeder I did not seem to have
courage enough, and finally concluded to get a smoothing-harrow, which
worked better. In fact, I condemned the weeder, but, after talking with
Mr. Morrill and Mr. Kellogg I became convinced that perhaps the diffi-
culty was in part with myself. Therefore, I say, if you gentlemen are
going to use a Breed’s weeder, and expect to get good results, you must
tone yourselves up and do better work than you have been in the habit
of doing.

Mr. Wright: In the use of the Breed weeder, we provide another
farm implement, to be used if the weeds get a little too far ahead. We
use the Acme harrow. This gets the soil in such condition that you
can profitably use the Breed weeder. I have used the “Z” weeder when
the corn was thirteen inches high, and on potatoes when they were nine
inches high.

Q. Doesn’t it work differently on different soils? I should think that
Judge Russell had a heavier soil. What I want of a weeder is to retain
moisture in the land after it is thoroughly pulverized on top. A. That is
one of the principal benefits.

Judge Russell: Most of you know where my south orchard is. There
isn’t a man in Oceana county but has been in it, and it is a sand land
where I used the weeder, and land that is sandy enough for anybody;
but if the weeds are half an inch high there is no use going over them
with a Breed weeder.

Mr. Barry: Is it essential to plow a peach orchard after it is five
years old, or can you stop plowing and use a spring-tooth harrow and
other lighter tools?

Mr. Hutchins: It depends. Some people do well on light soils with-
out plowing, but the surface needs turning down.

Mrs. Perkins: When is the best time to plow in setting a new
orchard?

Mr. Morrill: What is the character of the soil?

Mrs. Perkins: Sandy.

Mr. Morrill: My own opinion is, if it is possible, to do it in the fall.
{ would, in order to set-the trees the first good day in the spring.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 59

Mr. Dunwell: Do you know of any crop that will make a growth to
hold snow and make a mulch in the spring?

Mr. Morrill: I have a neighbor who is using oats. They live long
enough to catch all the foliage that falls, and they furnish sufficient
material to catch and hold the snow, and in the spring they are a dead
mulch; and they protect the land by saving the leaves where they fall,
and prevent severe freezing and too rapid thawing.

Judge Russell: What time do you sow them?

A Member: We sowed, in a portion of our orchard last fall, crimson
clover. That is one thing I have neglected. I should have brought a
stem. It is looking finely now, but whether it will stay, and go on
and make a growth, after the freezings and thawings of March, I don’t
know; it looks well now, however.

Q. When did you sow it? A. After the first rain in August. The
first time it was moist enough.

Q. How high did it get in the fall? A. It did not stool out at all. We
-also sowed seven acres with a drill, after turning a rye crop under.
That is looking finely. Have any others tried it?

Mr. Morrill: There is a good deal of doubt about crimson clover. In
western New York, the experience seems to have been the same as here.
They went into the matter thoroughly in Rochester, but the concensus
of opinion was that, even if it never lived the winter through, it was
profitable to sow it. At the same time they agreed that there was
danger in attempting to sow it in a peach orchard; that it secreted an
excessive amount of nitrogen if it was continued too long. But experi-
ments conducted at Cornell showed the value of an acre’s growth was
$13, dead the first of December, and from that down to $7 or $8, and
from that they concluded it was very profitable. Some men, however,
further east, said that even where it was killed there were good results.

Mr. Rice: Do you know whether the two have been compared, oats
-and crimson clover?

Mr. Morrill: I don’t know of any such comparison. My own opinion
is that the principal benefit to be derived from the oats would be simply
the retaining of the foliage and the covering of the soil to prevent freez-
ing and thawing and not so much for the manurial value of the oats.

Mr. Rice: When we sowed crimson clover, we did not sow it for
the green growth, but for the fertilization from the root. When you
get crimson clover that will stand three inches above the surface of
the ground, you will have roots nine inches below the soil. We sowed
it for the benefit of the fertilization from the root. When the plant was
two or three inches above the ground the root would be eight or ten
inches in the ground, and there would be a mass of fibres as large as
your hand. :

Mr. Morrill: That is true, and the root is as good a nitrogen trap as
‘the ordinary red clover.

Mr. Rice: Yes, sir, you derive these benefits from the same source
-as in case of large red clover.

Q. Is it profitable to put ashes around young peach trees, when setting
in the spring?

Mr. Morrill: Keep it away from your roots. If you have ashes to
-apply, put it on broadcast. The potash will not get away until used,

60 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

on most soils, and it is valuable in most peach orchards, although I have
heard it said, today, that it was not; but with me, it has been valuable.

Mr. McClatchie: I have tried it at the rate of 100 bushels per acre,
and could not observe any benefits. Of course this land was new, had
. not been cleared more than eight or ten years.

Mr. Morrill: Was the timber burned on the land?

A. Yes, sir.

Mr. Morrill: Undoubtedly it was well supplied with potash. If your
land does not contain the potash, you must supply it, but I don’t think
any man can set down a general rule for the application of potash or
of other fertilizers. I have used a carload of commercial fertilizer on
some land, with good results, and on other with none. I have two
farms. On the one, I never apply ashes, but on the other we are con-
tinually spreading ashes, because I have seen a return of not less than
$50 per ton where I have applied ashes.

Q. Are our early peaches, clings and partial clings, going to be profit-
able any longer?

Mr. Dunwell: I should think that would be according to the condi-
tions. What affects our early peaches now is the southern trade, and
{ think if their crop should be killed ours would be valuable.

Mr. Morrill: They are killed, three years in five.

Mr. Dunwell: That is the reason why I don’t know whether it would
be best to stop raising the early peaches. I think if I had good varieties
of early peach, I would keep them.

Mr. Hutchins: In setting a peach tree, would you put a handful of
oats in, to form a mulch?

Mr. Morrill: I wouldn’t. Perhaps some one else would.

@. Is there any experience in regard to cut-worms destroying our
young trees? Has anyone a new remedy?

Mr. Morrill: What have you tried?

A. Nothing very much, but I have had some trouble.

Mr. Barry: Some tried molasses and Paris green. I wonder how
they came out.

Mr. Warner: I believe I can give a remedy for the cut-worm, the
first year. Use buckwheat the vear before. Sow it in the ground, and
you won't be troubled with cut-worms. I know this by experience, and,
if you want to be rid of them right along, use buckwheat,—sow it every
year, though I won’t warrant it for more than one year at a time.

Mr. Rice: Someone told me to sow buckwheat. JI did so, and have
not been troubled much with cut-worms. When I stop cultivating in
August, I sow buckwheat and mix it with rye. If the buckwheat ripens,
I leave it for the quails, and in the spring I turn under the rye, and I
think using the buckwheat with the rye helps.

A Voice: A good remedy is to take tarred paper, cut it into squares
of ten inches, split them to the center, w map around the tree and bind
there. °

Mr. Rice: That is a very good idea. Wool is a failure.

Mr. Morrill: Do your Oceana county cut-worms carry step-ladders?

Judge Russell: I am very glad to have such a man as Mr. Rice hete
to back me up in my statement to you. I told you wool wouldn’t stop
them, and of course vou know better.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 61

Mr. Morrill: No, I don’t know anything about your kind of cut-worm.
Either there is more enterprise among them here, or something, but
J know they will not go over wool on my farm.

Mr. —————:_ The only remedy I have found is the thumb and fore-
finger.

Mr. Morrill: That is a tedious way.

Mr. Reid: Have you ever tried spreading poisoned foliage around,
Paris green on dock leaves?

A. Yes, but the wind blows it all away, and you have to replace it
next morning. Another good remedy is to take common turnips, cut
them into slices and soak them in a strong solution of Paris green.
‘They will remain fresh for three days, and will rid the land of, cut-worms.
I tried it and saved a large corn crop.

Q. What about sowing buckwheat—will it keep away the borer? I
thought it did, in my orchard, once.

Mr. Morrill: It seems to be an objectionable plant to some insects.

A Member: I find the borer as much where I sow buckwheat as
where I don’t.

A Member: Last year I set 500 peach trees and sowed buckwheat
on all that ground with the exception of three fourths of an acre. On
the buckwheat ground I scarcely found a cut-worm, but on the small
patch where I had potatoes I found any quantity of them. Had to fight
{hem.

Judge Russell: There is one thing that has not been referred to,
today, and which, it seems to me, is of a good deal of importance. The
question of pruning. I would like to have Mr. Morrill give us some
statements with reference to the pruning of a peach tree, commencing
with a small tree. It is a matter we don’t claim to know much about,
and I believe it is important.

Mr. Morrill: Many of you have had more experience than I. I have
no objection to detailing my method, although I have told it so many
times, that it seems “a chestnut.” My practice is, after setting a tree,
and allowing the young growth to start, the same season to take off all
the limbs except those that I wish to form the top, to give the tree from
twenty inches to two feet of clear body, then select from three to five
strong limbs within the next twelve to sixteen inches of body, and the
top, in setting, is cut off at that point. At one year old, we cut back the
growths that are excessively strong. With most trees, when they start,
some growths will be stronger than others. At the same time, if I
find a limb that ought not to have been left, I take it off. The following
year I calculate to have them pretty evenly balanced, so far as growth
is concerned. I keep cutting back the strong and encouraging the
weaker. The following year I cut back the annual growth one half, and
where I had cut back the year before, I thin out.

Judge Russell: In starting your top, do you pay any attention to
the number of branches you start? A. Yes, from three to five, depending
on what I want to get.

Mr. Morrill: Let me say right here, that a man who trims a tree and
forms it right must have an ideal in his head. He must have a plan
according to which he is going to build that tree, and that plan can

62 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

not always be the same that he adopts for its neighbor. They are never
exactly alike. You must plan your tree somewhat in reference to the
local conditions, the prevailing winds, and a number of such things,
which must be studied for years. Each year following, I cut back
from one half to two thirds, and thin out the excessive thickening. In
cutting off a strong limb, I usually select an outer bud or shoot, off of
the main one, and cut to that, so that it will be the strong limb. Then
it will take a strong growth in the direction you wish, without too snuch
thickening. I have abandoned the practice of a leader in the center
of the tree. I started with that, and if I were in a southern climate
I would still do so, but I discovered that on the north side of the
tree I did not get the perfect coloring I wanted, not as good as on the
south side, so I cut out all those leaders I had saved, and have had
finer fruit since. This cutting out, as I do it, leaves trees looking as
though there wasn’t much of them until the growth starts, but they soon
fill up and make the rankest, finest trees in the world.

Mr. Dunwell: What is the expense of pruning an orchard four years
old, by your system, heading back? A. That depends on how much
growth you have on it. I think it costs me $1.50 to $1.75 per acre; but,
as the age increases, the labor increases, infinitely. Last year, my
eight-year-old trees took nine to nine and one half days to the acre.
My foreman gave me the figures this winter of the time he spent with the
men there, and I think it was nine or nine and one half days to the
acre, with the shears. We work with the hand pruning-shear, on a
ladder. It may be slower and more tedious, but we know it is all right.
Taking it by the acre, the whole lot, different sizes and varieties, it
would be about nine and one half days per acre, on the eight-year-old
trees.

Mr. Rice: In cutting back the leading shoots of a four or five-year-old
tree, would you clip your extreme outside shoots in proportion, in
symmetrical form, or would you leave them to continue their growth?
A. I trim the middle shoots a little the hardest, because they are a little
the strongest. I mean just the strong ones. The short shoots are really
the fruiting limbs of a tree, but I thin those out.

Mr. Wright: If in cutting back your leading shoots you bring them
down on a proportionate level with your outside shoots, could your out-
side shoots then form a symmetrical tree, or would you leave the outside
shoots to continue? A. You have seen pictures of the old-fashion bee
hives. I make my trees conform as nearly to that as they will permit.
and that often leaves the outer shoots longer and shortens the upper
shoots harshly. I thin so that when the pruning is done, and it should
be done before the foliage is out, it looks very thin, and, except you look
up a row, you will hardly catch any form of it; but after the leaves are
out, you see the form.

sung? Russell: You say it should be completed before the foliage is
out?

sate Morrill: Yes; if the foliage is started, it checks the growth mate-
rially.

@. How soon do you begin?

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 63

Mr. Morrill: In about ten or fifteen days from now, and then use every
nice day, every day that will be comfortable for the men.

Mr. Rice: If after beginning your pruning, ten days from now, you
were not able to get through before the sap started to flow freely, would
you discontinue your pruning for that season, or would you prune, and
abide by the results?

Mr. Morrill: JI never stop until I finish, though I would hustle around
and get help.

Q. Would there be any serious damage from pruning, cieaia there
come a frost?

Mr. Morrill: On what is known as the Pier farm, north of me, there
are six hundred acres which are largely set to fruit. The foreman is an
intelligent German, and he was telling me a few days ago that for four
or five years he has done his pruning in the winter, whatever he could.
He told me, Monday, that they were all done now, and so far he has
never seen any damage. I know he is an observing man, and careful.
I almost wish my men were pruning now, but the days will be longer
by and by.

Prof. Slayton: There is no great difference at what time you cut
back the annual growth, but the earlier you do it the further you must
cut from the last bud you want to grow. If you cut in January, cut
one fourth of an inch beyond, because the bark will kill down a certain
distance, according to the length of time until the bud starts to grow.
If you do it the first of April you must cut close to the bud.

Mr. Morrill: Our time of pruning being March and April, we cut close
to the bud we wish to draw out, and it always comes. There is one
thing I have noticed, that has made me think the fall might be a good
iime for pruning. In budding we have selected trees in the orchard
that we like to use the wood from. We take them off in September, the
strong terminal shoots, such as will do for budding, and the tree throws
out very strong buds. The balance of the wood develops very strong
fruit buds, and they winter perfectly, and those trees appear to be getting
better and better. I know that a few years ago a theory was put out
of September and October shortening in of peaches, but I was always a
little skeptical; but this practice for a number of years, on the same
trees, has led me to believe, by the results observed, that it is all right.

64 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

SELF-STERILITY AMONG CULTIVATED GRAPES.
BY PROF. S. A. BEACH OF GENEVA, N. Y.

It has long been known that some kinds of cultivated grape, either
form imperfect clusters or set no fruit at all when they are planted
alone. Because they are unable to fruit satisfactorily of themselves
they may properly be called self-sterile. Many of the self-sterile grapes
yield abundantly when they are planted near enough to other kinds so
that their blossoms may be fertilized.

A similar condition exists among cultivated strawberries. In the cata-
logues where strawberry plants are offered for sale the letters “p” or
“s” are usually placed after the names of the varieties, to indicate
whether they are pistillate or staminate. The pistillate kinds have imper-
fect blossoms and can not fruit alone. To secure fruit from them it is
necessary to plant staminate varieties near enough to insure fertiliza-
tion of their blossoms.

But there is quite a remarkable difference between the self-sterile
strawberries and the self-sterile grapes; for it is easy to see that the
strawberry has an imperfect blossom, while the fruiting grapevine
always bears perfect blossoms.

An examination of the strawberry blossom shows at once that the
male organs, called stamens, either are wanting or exist only in rudi-
mentary form. In the self-sterile grapes the stamens are always pres-
ent and produce pollen. The only apparent structural difference
between their blossoms and those of self-fertile kinds is that some of
the former have short stamens. Even this difference is not always found,
for, as we shall show later, some self-sterile grapes have long stamens
like those of the self-fertile grapes.

The extent to which self-sterility exists among American grapes is
evidently a subject of much practical importance to vineyardists, yet
it is only within recent years that it has been carefully studied. So
far as I know, the first accounts of systematic investigations with grapes
in this line that were ever published were those issued in 1892, giving
the results of my experiments for that season. The work which was
then undertaken has been continued during each succeeding year with
as much thoroughness as time and opportunity would permit.

The work has thus far been conducted solely in the vineyard of the
New York state experiment station, Geneva, N. Y., where the large
number of varieties which are readily accessible afford a very favorable
opportunity for making observations on this subject.

About one hundred and fifty varieties have thus far been tested here
as to their self-sterility. These include nearly all the important old
varieties and most of the promising new sorts. The results show that
there are many kinds of cultivated grape which can not of themselves
set any fruit, as for example, Brighton and Eldorado; other kinds form
small, seedless, or abortive berries or imperfect clusters, as Duchess and

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 65

Woodruff, and still others, like Delaware and Niagara, set perfect
clusters. Here is found one explanation for many cases in which dis-
appointment has followed the extensive planting of new varieties which,
when grown in mixed vineyards, gained a reputation for productiveness.
When, on the strength of such reputation, their cultivation was extended
and they were planted alone, partial or complete failure to fruit has been
the result, because the variety was self-sterile. Unless a grape has been
thoroughly tested and found to be able to set fruit alone, it is certainly
unwise to plant it in vineyard blocks by itself.

The method followed in these investigations has been to cover the
clusters with paper bags before the blossoms opened, thus preventing the
fertilization of the flowers by pollen from outside clusters. It is evi-
dent that any fruit which formed within the bags, under such circum-
stances, must have been produced from the covered blossoms alone.
The kinds of grape that are able to form perfect bunches of fruit under
such conditions may reasonably be expected to possess the power to
set fruit of themselves, and do not need to be mingled with other varie-
ties. After the fruit ripened, the covered clusters were examined and
compared with the uncovered clusters which grew on the same vines.
It should be remarked that the vines which were under experiment were
all located in vineyards of mixed varieties, and so the uncovered clusters
had plenty of opportunity to be fertilized by other varieties.

In cases where, for any reason, the test has been unsatisfactory, it
has been repeated again the following season, so that the results which
are here given are believed to represent very closely the real character
of the different varieties mentioned, so far as their self-sterility is con-
cerned. Possibly, under different conditions, some of them may show
a difference in their ability to set fruit alone, but I know of no instance
in which healthy, vigorous vines of any of these varieties have shown
such a difference.

In order to present the results of these experiments in concise form,
the varieties under investigation have been classified as to their ability
to set fruit, when self-fertilized, into four classes. The ability to set
fruit when self-fertilized means, in other words, the ability to set fruit
of themselves unaided by pollen from any other variety. The following
classes are based wholly on the development of this characteristic:

Class I includes those grapes which forms practically perfect clusters
when self-fertilized. In this class are found Ambrosia, Bertha, Croton,
Delaware, Diamond, Early Golden*, Etta, Herald, Janesville, Lady
Washington, Leavenworth, Lutie, Mabel*, Marvin’s Seedling White,
Mary’s Favorite, Mathilde, Metternich, Monroe, Moore’s Early*, Niagara,
Opal, Poughkeepsie Red, Prentiss, Profitable, Rochester, Rogers’ No. 13,
Rogers’ No. 24, Rogers’ No. 32, Senasqua, Telegraph, and Winchell.

Class II contains those varieties which, when self-fertilized, are likely
to produce rather loose or unsymmetrical clusters, although perfect
enough to market well: Agawam, Alice, Big B. Con., Brilliant, Bur-
rows No. 42c, Carman, Catawba, Caywood No. 50, Centennial, Champion,
Chandler, Clinton, Colerain, Concord, Cottage, Diana*, Early Ohio,
Edmeston No. 1, Elsinburg, Elvicand, Elvira, Empire State, Esther, Glen-

*Further investigation may show that this variety belongs in class II.

9

66 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

feld, Golden Grain, Hartford, Highland, Hopican, Illinois City, Isabella,
Isabella Seedling, Iona, Jefferson, Jessica, Lady, Leader, Lindmar, Little
Blue, Mills, Missouri, Reissling, Olita, Paradox, Paragon, Perkins, Pock-
lington*, Rockwood, Rommel, Rutland, Standard, Triumph, Ulster, Ver-
gennes, Victoria, Wheaton, Worden.

It appears from these investigations that the grapes named in classes
I and II can set fruit satisfactorily of themselves and may safely be
planted alone.

In the following classes are named those varietes which, when self-fer-
tilized, produced imperfect and unsatisfactory clusters or utterly failed
to set fruit. If any of these are set at all they should be mingled with
other kinds in order that their blossoms may be properly fertilized.
Possibly, as stated before, some of these varieties may differ under
different circumstances, as to their ability to set fruit, but I have not
known any of them to do so.

In class III are named those grapes which produced some fruit, but
the clusters were likely to be imperfectly filled and unmarketable.
Some of them, like Eumelan, rarely set any fruit, while others set
moderately compact clusters, and all gradations were found between
these two extremes. This class includes Adirondack, Alexander
Winter, Amber Queen, Beagle, Canada, Canonicus, Daisy, Dr. Collier,
Dracut Amber, Duchess, Early Market, Eumelan, Geneva, Gold Dust,
Nectar, Noah, Northern Muscadine, Norwood, Perkins, and Woodruff.

Class IV contains those varieties that either set no fruit or formed
abortive berries which never developed into perfect fruit: Aledo,
Amber, America, Aminia, Barry, Black Eagle, Blanco, Brighton, Burnet,
Clevener, Creveling, Denison, Dr. Hexamer, Eaton;, Eldorado, Elvibach,
Essex, Faith, Geertner, Grein’s Golden, Hayes, Herbert, Hercules, Jewel,
Juno, Lindley, Marion, Massasoit, Maxatawney, Merrimack, Montefiore
Norwood, Red Bird, Red Eagle, Requa, Rogers’ No. 5, Roscoe, Rustler,
Salem, White Jewel, Wilder.

In the early history of grape culture in the United States, east of the
Rocky mountains, numerous attempts were made to grow European
varieties, but without success. Among the chief causes of failure, as we
now know them, were their susceptibility to the attacks of rot and
mildew, and, worst of all, to the attacks of a native insect known as
phylloxera.

Baffled in their attempts to secure vineyards of such grapes as were
successfully grown in Europe, the American fruitgrowers turned their
attention to the native wild vines. Improved varieties of these were
eradually introduced into cultivation, and as a result grape-growing
has become a permanent and important industry in many sections of
the United, States, where all previous attempts to establish vineyards of
European varieties had failed.

About forty years ago great interest was aroused over the possible
rapid improvement of American grapes by the production of hybrids
between the native species and the choice European kinds. At that time
the remarkable series of hybrids produced by Mr. E. S. Rogers of Salem,
Mass., known as the Rogers Hybrids, began to attract attention. Many

*This variety may belong in class I.
+Further testing may show that this belongs in another class.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 67

others besides Mr. Rogers undertook the same line of work, and during
the next thirty years there appeared numerous hybrid grapes of
undoubted excellence, so far as the fruit was concerned. Many of them
were very attractive in appearance and of remarkably fine quality. A
few of these hybrids have proved valuable for commercial vineyards,
but it must be conceded that on the whole the results of the efforts to
improve American grapes by the production of hybrids with European
varieties have been disappointing. The purely native kinds, such as
Concord, Worden, Catawba, Moore’s Early, and Pocklington, still form
the bulk of the commercial vineyards. Moreover, many of the most
successful vineyardists of the country declare that, for commercial vine-
yards, it is still best to plant only varieties of purely native origin.
Personally I do not favor quite so radical a view on this question as
that just stated. It must be admitted that there is good ground for
looking with suspicion on any new candidate for the commercial vine-
yard which shows traces of European parentage. But there are some
of these hybrids which are several generations removed from the Euro-
pean parent, which may properly be looked upon as high-grade natives.
These may show but slight traces of European parentage, and in them
we may find hardiness, vigor, and productiveness of vine combined with
attractive shape and color of the fruit cluster and good quality of fruit.
A good illustration of such a variety is found in the well known Niagara,
nndoubtedly the most popular white variety for commercial vineyards
grown in the eastern United States.

By raising seedlings from self-fertilized seed of Niagara, I have demon-
strated that this grape is not, as some have supposed, purely of the
Labrusca or Fox Grape species. It is certainly a hybrid, and evidently
it is partly of European origin. Delaware is another example of a
well-known commercial variety which is generally conceded to be partly
of European origin. Moreover, a very few of the newer grapes which
are known to be hybrids seem to possess the characteristics essential
to a successful variety for the commercial vineyard. So, while admitting
the general truth of the proposition that in the eastern United States the
successful commercial vineyards are composed chiefly of purely native
grapes, we nevertheless have reason to expect that new and superior
kinds may be developed by breeding what I have termed the “high-grade
natives.”

In this connection it is interesting to note the pdrentage of the vines
in the four classes above named, and observe the relation that exists
between hybridity and the ability of the variety to set fruit of itself.
Tt is found that more than four fifths of the fourth or self-sterile class
are hybrids, while less than one half of the self-fertile kinds included in
classes I and II are hybrids. So we see that the proportion of self-sterile
kinds is much greater among hybrids than among varieties which are
pureiy of one species. That is to say, hybridity among grapes appears to
favor self-sterility.

The data collected in connection with these experiments also afford
material for a study of the correlation of the structure of the flowers and
the ability of the vine to fertilize its own blossoms. In the perfect blos-
som are found both male and female organs well developed, as for
example, in Concord, Niagara, Worden, and most other commercial

68 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,

varieties. In such blossoms the female organ, called the pistil, occu-
pies the center of the flower. After it is fertilized this develops into the
berry or fruit. Immediately surrounding the pistil are the male organs,
the stamens, which are thread-like and tipped with tiny yellow sacks.
Some vines produce none but male blossoms; that is to say, the stamens
are well developed but no pistil is found. These, of course, are never
cultivated, for they never can bear fruit. There are vines, on the other
hand, whose blossoms have a well-developed pistil, but the stamens are
short and curl down and back toward the stem of the blossom as soon
as the flower opens. Among the well-known kinds that have such short
stamens may be named Barry, Black Eagle, Brighton, Essex, Eumelan,
Gertner, Lindley, Marion, Massasoit, Merrimack, Salem, and Wilder.

It will be remembered that classes I and II, as given above, contain
self-fertile varieties only. It is a remarkable fact that not one of these
kinds has short or recurved stamens. So far as I know there is no
variety of grape which has short stamens that is able to set fruit satis-
factorily alone. It is safe to say, as a rule, whenever a grape is planted
which bears short or recurved stamens it should be planted near some
other variety, in order that its blossoms may be properly fertilized.
Otherwise it will be likely to produce imperfect clusters or utterly fail
to set fruit.

But one fourth of the self-sterile grapes named above in class IV have
long stamens, while in class III, that includes the grapes which of them-
selves can form only imperfect clusters, four fifths of the varieties have
long stamens. So we see that long stamens are not a sure indication
that a variety is self-fertile, although all the self-fertile grapes that we
know invariably have long stamens.

Reviewing briefly the points noted in this essay, we observe:

1. Before setting any untried variety of grape in a commercial vine-
vard it should be determined whether such variety is able to set fruit
when standing alone.

2. One great hindrance to the improvement of our cultivated grapes
by hybridizing them with choice European, or Old World, varieties, lies
in the fact that so many of these hybrids prove to be partly or com-
pletely self-sterile.

3. Grapes with short stamens are, so far as we know, wholly or partly
self-sterile.

4. Self-sterile varieties may fruit satisfactorily when they are planted
near other kinds of grape—so that their blossoms may become fertilized.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Reid: I suppose there must be some gentlemen present who have
noticed something with regard to this matter of fertile and sterile bloom
in their orchards of plum and pear in this county, and some of them
should be able to tell us concerning it.

Mr. B. Gebhart: Ihave not taken particular notice of it; still, I have
noticed that there are better and larger crops of some pears if they
are mixed with certain other varieties, while in cases where they stand
alone, perhaps in the same soil, they do not seem to produce fruit,

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 69

though I never paid any particular attention to the different varieties in
classing them.

Mr. Brassington: I have a hillside; the soil is gravelly, rather porous,
so much so that it does not wash with heavy rains. It is inclined to
the east and south, quite steep, but can be cultivated. I intended to
set it to grapes, but not having had experience in their culture I really
did not know what variety to set, and whether it would be a suitable
place to grow them.

Mr. Benton Gebhart: In regard to soil I can not answer. As to
varieties, I have been testing about thirty different sorts and have come
down to about three, for profit in marketing, as well as for my own use,
Worden, Niagara, and Brighton. I find that these are the best and most
productive, and ripen in time for market. The trouble with many varie-
ties is that in this region they will not color, and the fall atmosphere
seems to be too damp.

Q. Then Concord is not in your list? Mr. Gebhart: That does well,
but I claim that Worden is far ahead of it. Empire State has never
done anything for me.

Mr. Morrill: What is your opinion as to exposure?

Mr. Gebhart: I prefer southeastern, just as warm as we can get it;
get away from the lake breeze all we can. If we can get behind a hill,
on the southeast slope, I think it is preferable.

Mr. Burdick: I have had a little experience in growing grapes on a
side hill. The hill is rather sandy, top-soil, underlaid with clay. In
setting I dug down four feet through the sand to the clay, and filled in
the top soil. My varieties are Concord, Delaware, and Worden, and
they have done well. The slope is southeast; a pretty steep hill.

Mr. Brassington: Would you recommend Delaware, Mr. Morrill?

Mr. Morrill: With us Delaware sheds its foliage, except under excel-
lent care and cultivation. I am not a grape-grower at all, myself.

Mr. Burdick: With me it carries its foliage well.

Mr. Morrill: Where it does, it is an excellent grape from which to
get money.

Mr. Slayton: I have had no experience in this county; at Whitehall
I cultivated grapes several years. I had only three or four varieties;
they did well, but it was on level ground, the first plateau above the lake.
Martha and Concord were the ones I had there, mostly, and Wordens.
With my present experience I should choose the three named (Worden,
Brighton, and Niagara) for family use. Worden and Brighton first, and
if you must have a white grape, Niagara.

Q. What would you consider the best market variety for commercial
purposes? Mr. Slayton: For this locality? That I could not answer.

Q. Well, in your experience? Mr. Slayton: For our locality, around
Grand Rapids, our best market varieties are Worden and Concord. But
grapes are dead with us. Seven or eight years ago we could get ten or
eleven cents per pound for our first grapes, and they would gradually fall
to three or four cents. Last fall we could not get more than two cents
for the first ones on the market.

Mr. Brassington: Would that pay the cost of production?

Mr. Slayton: I do not know.

70 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Reid: I have heard the growers at Paw Paw and Lawton declare
that two cents, with full crops, is a paying price. Of course they would
like to get more.

Mr. Morrill: Our people at Benton Harbor and St. Joseph claim
to me that they can make a fair profit at 11 to 124 cents per ten-pound
basket, delivered on the street there, and that is not one cent per pound
‘for the grapes themselves. But they get a crop of anywhere from three
to six tons per acre, under good culture, and with a little knowledge
of the cost of pruning, staking, wiring, picking, and hauling, you can
very easily figure it out and see whether it will pay. The growers there
are, as a rule, quite large growers, and that makes a difference. As
to the best market varieties, Worden is fast superseding Concord on
the Chicago market. It is better in every way, though in long shipments
it shatters a little worse. It is not quite so tough and durable. Brighton,
while it will not produce with us to compare with either of several other
varieties, is, when it comes on the market, an excellent seller. Niagara
meets with a fair sale in limited quantities. No one should get the
impression that white grapes are going to take on the market in any
such quantities as blue grapes; there is a call for a certain amount
of red and white to mix with the others for table purposes, but for
culinary purposes, Worden, Catawba, or something of that class will
lead.

Mr. W. D. Markham: I have been here thirty years and have set a
few grapes. When we commenced there was nothing known of any but
Concord and Delaware. We set them because they were the most com-
mon kinds, and I have had some good grapes and some not so good.
I have had some as fine Concords as I ever saw, but the trouble with us,
as with most everyone, was that we did not know how. I have improved
somewhat, but the fruit is inclined to be sour. I have conceived the
idea that Worden is so popular because it ripens early and is sweet.
If you get Concord ripe it is good enough. Salem mildews badly but is
fine if you can get it. I am somewhat encouraged that we can raise
good grapes here, but we must know how to trim, cultivate, and care for
them.

Mr. Brassington: Mr. Markham, do you find Worden a tender grape?

Mr. Markham: I have not had much experience in growing it. I
think if I were going to start in I would set Worden pretty liberally.

Mr. Rice: It stands our climate at Port Huron, and that is worse
than this.

Mr. Burdick: Ihave found it a good, hardy grape; I do not think there
would be any danger in setting them here.

Mr. Morrill: If I were to express an opinion, I would say I believe
that the hills of this vicinity, judging from what I have seen in other
parts of the state, are ideal locations for grapes, from the fact that
there is good drainage, proper character of soil, and exposure to sunshine
and air. Everything seems perfect. But this is not the northern limit.
In Benzie county they grow fine grapes.

Mr. Reid: Mr. Markham’s reference to half-ripened grapes points to
a feature in the marketing of grapes that is becoming unbearable. They
are rushed into market as soon as they color but before they are ripe,
and this injures the public taste for grapes. People who buy a few

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 71

pounds of such unripe fruit are relieved of all liking for grapes for that
season, and unless something can be done to induce growers to refrain
from this practice there will be serious injury to the grape market.

Mr. Morrill: There is a point in connection with that. Your location
naturally compels you to select early-ripening varieties. Perhaps that
very fact may induce you to plant some such variety as Champion.
Our people have planted much of it, but I am very glad it has not been
recommended here. In our section, in order to have an early crop, there
are many Champions. They are sent to market so sour that it would
make a pig squeal to eat them, and by the time Worden comes people
have had about all they want of grapes, and the price has been estab-
lished very low. If Champion had never been introduced, while there
are a few who would not have made so much money, the majority would
have made more, because nothing destroys the market so soon as inferior
fruit, and I hope you people, in your efforts to secure an early grape,
will not take to anything like that.

Mr. Brassington: The reason I asked about soil was, that at Catawba
Island and various other places I am told they have a shale formation.
Especially is that true in France, where they grow grapes. The soil
is largely mixed with shale, and it seems to be the soil best adapted
to make quality in the grape. Now, of course, if we can not grow a
grape here that has quality, it certainly would be worthless as a com-
mercial grape. I see that they have been in the habit, in the French
vineyards, of sowing soot or any black substance for the purpose of
warming the soil. I suppose that is the object, to get heat.

Mr. Morrill: The Chautauqua grape region is composed largely of
shale formation, but we in Michigan grow grapes just as successfully.

Mr. Reid: The Lawton Concords are reckoned better than anything
of the same variety produced in New York.

WHEN THE FRUIT IS READY FOR MARKET.
BY MR. EDWARD HUTCHINS OF GANGES.

If any are entitled to feel an honest pride in successful achievement,
surely the promoters of our horticultural societies may justly exercise
that emotion, for certainly the wide expanse of orchards now growing
along the eastern shore of lake Michigan and the large and rapidly
increasing quantities of fruit shipped abundantly testify to the efficiency
of their work.

But the low prices obtained last season, together with the almost
absolute certainty that in five years more production will be doubled,
admonish us that we may very profitably devote more attention to
methods of greater economy in disposing of our fruit. When manufac-
turers find their margin of profits narrowed down to near the vanishing
point they very naturally meet to consider ways of increasing profits.
Fruitgrowers have already reached a point where they may very profit-
ably do the same. Some timorous persons are found even now express-

72 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ing apprehension that peach-growing is already overdone, and that no
profits may be expected in this vocation hereafter.

It will be interesting to inquire if this is the case. The total produc-
tion of peaches in this country last year, throughout the various peach-
growing sections from one ocean to the other, was probably between
four and five million bushels. These sections are so situated that a
comparatively even distribution of the fruit among all parts of the
country and outside of this country is easy and natural. The quantity
produced would, if evenly divided among the fourteen million families
of five persons each, of our own population, give between one fourth
and one third of a bushel to each family. Surely people would con-
sume several times this amount if they could get all the peaches they
wanted.

A very important point for us to consider is that we are not properly
supplying those markets which naturally belong to us, and our Michi-
gan growers are subjected to a great disadvantage on account of this
inequality of distribution. Right at home one has only to go a few
miles beyond the borders of the fruitgrowing sections to find numbers of
people who use no peaches at all. Pay a visit to some farm house and
perchance the good wife may set out as her very best, reserved expressly
for company, some small, ill-flavored peaches which she has gathered
from some neglected seedling tree left to struggle for existence in some
fence corner; but rarely will one find any of our fruit of good quality
such as we ship.

During the last few years I have occasionally met men from different
parts of the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and the Dakotas, who
have handled fruit, but in the main what they handle is from California
and not from Michigan. Only a few weeks ago I chanced to meet a
man who carries on a grocery business in a town in central North
Dakota. This man sold some California peaches last season which he
received from Minneapolis. That fruit was shipped at least twice the
distance from Michigan to Minneapolis and then shipped back west to
him. Michigan should supply the greater part of the fruit consumed in
all of those states as well as those lying south of them; but it is a
fact not greatly to our credit that California is supplying by far the
greater part. Until Michigan can successfully contest the ground with
California at least half way from lake Michigan to the Pacific ocean,
we need not consider solved the question of fruit distribution.

Another matter equal in importance to that of a better distribution of
our fruit is that of greater economy in our methods of disposing of it.
Probably three fourths of the fruit grown in Michigan has been con-
signed to commission dealers in Chicago and Milwaukee. Every one
acquainted with business methods must admit that this is a most expen-
Sive, unsystematic, and unbusinesslike method of disposing of the fruit.
The one fact that fruit grown 2,000 miles away is allowed to take such
a prominent place in the markets immediately under our noses does
not commend the system to us. No other class of business could or
would place its pocketbook into the hands of other men without any
bond, without any check or means of knowing whether the amount
returned corresponded with the sales, and the fact that our fruit can

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 73

be thus disposed of and still leave a margin of profit in these dull times
is evidence that we have an unusually profitable business. How many
lines of business are there that could live under such a system’? How-
ever, we have grown into this method of disposing of our fruit, and we
shall no doubt be compelled to continue in it for the present .to a con-
siderable extent. Iam not disposed to make war on the commission men
unnecessarily, for I believe that they do the best they can with our fruit,
as a rule, and they certainly have played an important part in building
up our peach industry; but they are circumscribed by such limitations
that they can not dispose of our products with sufficient economy to
afford us ample remuneration with an output such as we may expect in
the future. I will make this charge a specific one.

It has been my practice to mark my better grades of peaches with
name and address, the consignments being made to Chicago. This cus-
tom has brought letters from commission men in several places to
which the fruit has been reconsigned—from Buffalo, Cleveland, Cin-
cinnati, Toledo, and others—asking for consignments to them direct.

Let us estimate as nearly as possible what proportion of the final
selling price it cost to market those peaches which we shipped to Chi-
eago and which were reshipped to Buffalo, making our estimate on a
basis of last season’s prices. We will assume that the average selling
price in Chicago was 20 cents per fifth basket, which I think is sufficiently
‘high. The freight and cartage cost 4 cents per basket and commission
2 cents, making 6 cents in all, and our net returns would be 14 cents.
The charges to Buffalo from Chicago would perhaps be 4 cents or a
little more, and commission 10 per cent., which would bring the price up
to about 27 cents in Buffalo. Then there is a buyer’s profit, amounting
at least to 10 per cent. of the Chicago price, making 29 cents, for we
must bear in mind that, even if the fruit was not sold to a buyer in
Chicago, but was consigned to Buffalo direct by our Chicago commis-
sion house, still they had made their returns to us and they stood in
the light of buyers, and as such were compelled by self-interest to make
returns to us sufficiently below the probable prices in Buffalo to leave
them the protection that a prudent buyer would need.

It appears, then, that on the most conservative estimate we can con-
sistently make, the peaches that netted us 14 cents in Chicago must have
sold in Buffalo for more than double that figure. Suppose we had
shipped those peaches to Buffalo instead of Chicago. The expenses would
have been no greater than from Chicago to Buffalo. On the basis of this
estimate we should have saved freight to Chicago, 4 cents; commission,
2 cents, and a buyer’s profit of 2 cents, 8 cents in all, or a saving of 40
cents per bushel, over 27 per cent. of the selling price in Buffalo.

Of all the fruit consigned to the commission dealers of Chicago and
Milwaukee, only a very small proportion is consumed in those two
cities. The larger part by far is sold at points outside, and subject to
those unnecessary expenses which I have indicated. From information
I have been able to gain I am satisfied that on the whole we scarcely
realize more than fifty per cent. of the final selling price of our fruit, and
even that price is governed by a comparatively restricted market, the

10

74 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

great section of country that should be using our fruit being largely
monopolized by California, as we have seen.

A large proportion of useless expense may be cut off by making Michi-
gan a distributing center instead of Chicago. This may be accomplished
to a considerable extent by encouraging buyers to come among us, as
is done in some sections now. But I think a most important work
would be that of widening our market and commanding all of those
important points within our easy reach. This work will necessarily be
done through organized means, or it will have to be left to do itself,
as has been the case in the past, and in the face of outside competition.
The latter method will therefore be as slow of success in the future
as it has been heretofore.

There is an abundant and growing need for organization. Even with
a general system of disposing of fruit to buyers, the grower is on an
unequal footing, as his information regarding the condition of the various
markets is only meager at best; and I may suggest that a very important
work would be the establishment of a bureau of information having a
line of communication with all the important markets, so that the grow-
ers could be advised of market conditions daily during the shipping
season.

BY HON. R. D. GRAHAM OF GRAND RAPIDS.

I will endeavor to give you a few facts and figures which may bring
out a discussion of the subject of transportation. For the purpose of
making a showing to the Joint Traffic association of the trunk lines,
we have obtained the following estimate of peaches shipped during 1895,
by counties:

Bushels.

Ae rane OUI y A sts oes LS ots Bathe pate Ie eee ato 1,250,000
Kent s@ oun bays ser ene. .c. aioe ae eee ee ae attest 695,000
Oceana gunkiy. 620°... 5. ee ae is AR 250,000
MasonC Gitmbyes 22 ore os). Pe ot SR CEL 150,000
Tonia x@ ously Bas 6 os Fes 25S ee ek. SHE as 60,000
Van Burens@oumby:<):'\: 24.7. .RRaek ot Oe eee eee 80,000
Barrys Coumtyecc. 600: .2 a. so SURREAL ow nik ee eae 15,000
Ota CIS reels eee renee nie. SERIE I A BRL Ot 2,500,000

Of this amount, of course, a great many went across the lake by boat,
but the Chicago and Milwaukee markets are not giving our growers
satisfaction of late years, and in turning our attention to eastern mar-
kets we find that the traffic associations discriminate against our baskets,
carrying peaches in crates for about one half what is charged for peaches
in baskets. Two years ago, by making the proper showing to the Central
Traffic association, they were induced to classify peaches in baskets as
second class, and give them a correspondingly low rate; but their terri-
tory only extends eastward as far as Buffalo, N. Y., from which place we
have been obliged to pay a one and one half first-class rate on peaches in

a

ie

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING.

baskets, which practically shut us out of all markets east of there.
Following is a list of some good eastern markets, showing the present
cost of transportation and what the cost would be with the change of:
rates:

Ist, New York $1.08 per 100 ths, 20, 000 Ibs Per CAV sss ieeeeee ee ener eee es $216 OO
2d, 625 ° CO DA SRMIRE TO OD CU eit eae eA on aOR TOE ote ere 125 00
(or a saving of $91 per car).
Ist, Philadelphia SIO ow (Sava Ole DSO) sr. sera ewes lst ke Cie arses were 210 00
2d, Oe PLB face UR REA NAL ca 08S ei Oe yk BEE Se RL 121 00
Ist, Rochester Pete RONEN Oe HO Se DU) Cte Ne PAAR MSN oc, te Piia anaes « aoe ogaic ou ohdlons 160 50
2d, us LARS ICIS eR eater Iara A AE a A OS IP 92 00
Ist, Syracuse oe (SayanerSO2 OO) isco n cea gee ats oe ee ca cte ste ison 162 50
2d, Ges PREM RS he tse ece oe) cette ga aedhiaiett rat ees eA ealolamiaene eithd shemale 100 00
Ist, Albany ile 034 (Sai valioy RG) sted seat soe eat sts opting 2 uor id enor 207 00
2d, ss CU Ae Aes Ske acetic ey cion che Paap RTOS See's achetarh spt ocses eat ans hye 120 00
Ist, Boston il; 184 (Sav tions LON comecee nore meee tt ate ache y seit cortescs crete seein 237 00
2d, as CGO a mee Ree ris etre ee eons cima RU Ra Meer titers Saas Sate Wee ate 137 00

The above list will show that the difference between the first- and sec-
ond-class rates is enormous, on the quantity shipped, and there seems
to be no reason whatever for this discrimination, as there is not the
least difficulty in loading the minimum amount, 20,000 Ibs., on any
ordinary car, whether in baskets or crates, and besides, many other
fruits, such as plums, quinces, lemons, oranges, and bananas, are given
the lower rate. It has been said by some that if the rates were lowered
in the eastern division, the New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland peaches
would come further west, and that we would be the losers. However,
the Grand Rapids fruitgrowers have made arrangements to send a man
to New York, who will take a sample of our basket and try to make
a showing before the Eastern Traffic association that will bring about
a more equitable adjustment of rates.

BY MR. J. J. GEE OF WHITEHALL.

Three things are essential to successful fruit culture—the man, the
location, and the market. Some men, we are sorry to note, were born
under an unlucky star. For want of energy or judgment, or from causes
beyond their control, failure meets them on every hand. Others fail who
have the ability but do not deserve success. Their lack of integrity
invites defeat sooner or later. They would never consent to leave a large
peach in the bottom of the basket or a small one on top. They remind us
of the Jew in the story of the four friends out west. A Baptist, a
‘Catholic, a Jew, and an agnostic were very warm and intimate friends.
The agnostic was taken sick, and in his last hours called in his three
friends, made his will, each being remembered in a substantial manner,
and appointed them executors, each agreeing to carry out all its pro-
visions, one of which was that each should deposit $200 of his own
money in the casket with the remains. In probating the will the Bap-
tist was asked if he had placed his $200 in the casket. He replied, yes;
that while he considered it a foolish waste of money, he had promised his
friend in his last hours, and felt bound by his word. The Catholic was

76 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

asked if he had deposited his $200 in the casket. ‘“Yis, indade;’ he-
‘niver wint back on a frind, dead or alive,” and had put in $200 in gold.
The Jew was asked if he put in his $200. “I surely did, sir; I put in my
check for $600 and took out the change.”

The first element of success, I would repeat, must be the man. He
must have energy, perseverance, integrity, and be fertile in resource.
The second element, though just as important, is location. This we all
know must be generally free from killing frosts.

In regard to location, I am safe in saying that the success attained the
last ten years in growing those fruits to which western Michigan has
given attention, warrant the conclusion that, with proper care on such
locations as can be found in great numbers along this shore, a crop can
be secured in at least four out of five seasons. Why these lands along
the eastern shore of lake Michigan are practically adapted to the tender
fruits is so well understood by my hearers that I need not discuss this
feature of the subject. Nor could I add any light to the subject of eleva-
tion, air drainage, or soils. Suffice it to say, time and experience have
demonstrated to our entire satisfaction that we have an excellent loca-
tion for fruits, and that many know how to grow them to perfection.
With these natural advantages in our favor, and a better knowledge of
varieties and how to grow them, of diseases and how to check them, and
of the most approved methods of culture, I am certain Michigan has a
great future before her in the production of fruits.

3ut the more and finer the fruits we grow the more important becomes
the question of how and when they shall be marketed. The great prob-
lem that confronts the California and Ge orgia growers today is, how to
market their immense crops to advantage; and this question demands the
best efforts of the best minds in the business, if we hope to reap even fair
returns in the years to come.

A friend engaged in fruit culture in California, writes me that he has
to pay $1.34 freight per forty-pound box to Chicago. This means $1.67
per bushel of fifty pounds. Mr. Hale tells us he pays $40 to $50 per
car to New York city or Boston from Georgia. This of course is for
fancy fruit sold at fancy prices; but we must understand that the bulk
of our fruit can not be sold at fancy prices, and, in justice to the millions
of poor people in our country, ought not to be.

However, we have the best natural advantages for marketing of any
fruit location in the United States. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan,
Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, in which the bulk of our fruit is mar-
keted, and by which we are surrounded, and in which the most distant
point of distribution is only about 400 miles from our orchard, had a pop-
ulation in 1890 of 16,685,000, and contain the largest percentage of well-
to-do people on the face of the earth. The wealth of this region is more
evenly distributed, and the masses more able and willing to purchase
the comforts and luxuries of the home. While the population of these
states is vast it is also rapidly increasing.

In the February number of the North American Review for 1896, Mul-
hall, the statistician, Ss a forecast of the population of the United
States for the census years 1900 and 1910, compared with 1880 and
1890, as follows: pean in 1880, 50,156,000; in 1890, 62,622,000; in

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 77

1900, 75,100,000, and in 1910, 90,000,000. The rate of increase claimed
by Mulhall is twenty per cent. per decade, which will give the seven
states named a population.of about 20} millions in 1900 and 24 1-3 mil-
lions in 1910.

This is our home market, and a home market, up to a certain limit,
is the best market we can have. This long ago became an American
axiom, and it is for us to see if possible that the railroads and boat lines
give us such rates as shall enable us to place our fruits at the door
of every one of these twenty millions within forty-eight hours after
picking. ;

California has no home market. The whole territory west of the
Rocky mountains, an area twice the size of the seven states named above,
had a population in 1890 of only 2,690,000. Hence California is com-
pelled to cross vast mountain ranges, a continent, and sometimes an
ocean under heavy tribute before the orchardist of that state can hope
for reward; and Georgia looks to our northern cities to take her fruit at
paying prices. But, unless we can secure vastly improved facilities for
distribution, the great natural advantages we possess remain a constant
menace to the continued profits of the orchards.

Men in their eager pursuit of wealth remind one of a flock of sheep.
Let one take the lead and make a success in any enterprise, and the bal-
ance rush blindly after. To confirm this, one has but to recall the Cali-
fornia gold craze of ’49 or the Pennsylvania oil fields of later date, or the
rush for western prairie or northern and southern pine lands of quite
recent years; or, still later, the potato craze of 1895. Hence, I would
suggest to those who contemplate extensive planting of new orchards,
be cautious; only plant what you can care for thoroughly and make into
first-class shape. More net money can be made on ten acres under prime
care than from forty acres under neglect, and at less risk.

Again, should we not guard against taking too sordid a view of this
question? Success in any enterprise that is to engage our time and
study should not be measured alone by the standard of dollars and
cents. The great artist’s success is not determined by the price he
may pay for his wonders upon the canvas, nor the author by the market
value of his books, so much as by the effect these efforts have upon those
who are benefited by them. When the Creator sought the most favor-
able conditions possible for the moral and physical well being of Adam,
he placed him in the Garden of Eden to care for its fruits and flowers.
What can be more elevating to the mind of man than coming into close
contact with the works of nature in field and grove, where the birds sing,
the flowers bloom, and the fields give forth their ripened grain and
golden fruits? I have viewed with pleasure and a sense of awe the vast
undulating prairies of the west, covered with their rank growth of wheat,
oats, and corn. I have enjoyed the variety and beauty of eastern land-
scape, and of our own southern Michigan, but never can I forget the
delight with which I viewed a landscape in this grand county of Oceana.
It was in the spring season. In the valleys were spread the dark velvet
green of wheat and meadow. The sun had kissed the orchards into leaf
and blossom. The hills in all directions were crowned with blushing
orchards of peach, in beautiful contrast to the snow-white bloom of the

78 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

plum, cherry, or tinted apple that often skirted their lower borders.
Nestling here and there among the orchards or lower valleys were the
cosy homes of those whose busy hands had wrought this wondrous
change of nature, and standing here, there, and yonder were grand blocks
of primeval forest that had stood the storms of a century, like the lone
pyramids of Egypt standing silent sentinels of the past and present.
Here was an inspiration to the poet or artist. Tell me there is nothing
in the culture of fruits and a beautiful landscape but cold hard cash!
Low and groveling indeed must be the man who can live in the midst
of such scenes and not be ennobled thereby.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Hale: These gentlemen have told us facts that we already know;
we would like, now, to listen to the remedy. You people have been
growing fruit longer than we, and we would like your ideas on the
subject.

Mr. Adams: I would like to ask Mr. Hutchins if there is any plan
fixed yet, whereby it will be possible to get very much of our fruit
outside of Michigan?

Mr. Hutchins: With us that is, we trust, taking care of itself. Buy-
ers are coming in and taking our fruit; that was the case, to a con-
siderable extent, last season. Some days more than half the fruit was
sold outright, and at prices that just about saved us, I believe, the
expense of shipping to Chicago. We get about Chicago prices at home,
and we are encouraging buyers to come in there. But we are just a
little diffident about suggesting remedies. You know, if a man devises
a scheme and puts it into successful operation he is declared to be enter-
prising; but if a man suggests a scheme and it is not put into successful
operation, he is a visionary. I have suggested what I consider the
best means of solving this question, and that is by organization. I do
not see as anything can be accomplished in any other way, but I think,
with thorough organization, this matter can be worked out. In fact,
I know it can. It may take time, but in our section they have had
organization, and they are accomplishing what they desire in a very satis-
factory manner. I will say, further, that I would like to see a thorough
organization of the fruitgrowers, all up and down this fruit belt of
Michigan. I think it would work to our advantage to have our local
organization, with headquarters or central bureau, to collect informa-
tion to ascertain what are the conditions of the market, because I do not
think there is a fruit section in the country any more favorably located,
so far as markets are concerned, than ours in Michigan, and with proper
and systematic work I believe we can reach the markets and can save
at least 25 per cent. of the expense to which we are now subject in
ne our fruit. I do not see any reason in the world why we should
not.

Mr. T. 8S. Gurney: This transportation question is a matter that I
have had under consideration a number of years, and I am certain that
if the farmers of this section, the fruitgrowers, could come together and

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 79

agree upon something, we could make some arrangement whereby we
could be benefited. Certainly we are just about raising our peaches and
plums on shares. We are getting about half, perhaps a third, and I
don’t know as I blame the railroad companies so much. They are some-
what to blame, but we are to blame also; and before we can ask the
transportation companies to help us we must put ourselves in shape so
that they can help us. Now, you very well know that a railway company
can not take ten, twenty, or one hundred baskets of fruit and land them
anywhere and take care of them when they get there. The express com-
panies can, and while a railway company can take care of a barrel of salt
or something that won’t perish, peaches and plums, when they get to
the market, must be cared for, and the railway companies can’t do this.
Now, last summer I had a practice of putting up my best fruits so that
at the bottom of the basket the peaches were as good as on top, with
the exception that at the bottom the basket is a little smaller than at
the top, and I put my name on each basket; and while I was shipping
peaches to Chicago, day after day for three months, peaches and plums,
and sometimes to Milwaukee, I kept getting letters from Dayton, South
Bend, Canton, and all through Indiana, saying “peaches are worth so
much today and are scarce.” (About twice what I was getting in Chi-
cago.) “Ship us a carload at once,’ Well, now, I couldn’t do that.
I would have been glad to, but you know there is no one grower in this.
part of the country who has a carload of peaches of his own, that he
can ship at once. When I got those letters I would go over to the depot,
thinking I could get a nice price at Dayton or South Bend (for the tele-
gram would say the market was high and bare of fruit) and look around.
There were growers there with two or three carloads of peaches in the
aggregate. I would go to these men and say: ‘Here, if we can get up
a carload of peaches and ship them to Dayton, or somewhere down there,
we can get a nice price.” ‘Well, mine are all marked South Bend,” or
“Mine are marked Detroit,” etc., and the result was, mine had to go right
along where the rest of them went. We had no organization, we were
shipping in the dark. We did not know whether there was a glut where
we were shipping, and yet at other places, not far away, there might be
an entire scarcity of peaches. I am not disposed to find fault with the
railway companies, as I said. If we can put ourselves in a position
where we can say to them, “We want you to take a carload of peaches
to Lafayette, Ind., and when they arrive there will be a man to take
care of them,” we can get the peaches shipped at a reasonable rate and
on time, and when they get to their destination they will bring good
prices. My idea is, there is a remedy for this. I don’t blame the com-
mission men. They will not handle your fruit unless you send it to
them. If you can be independent of them, you are all right; but so long
as you keep yourselves in the condition where you must send them your
peaches, you will have to take what they give you. I have in my mind
a sort of remedy, but I regret to say I fear the farmers and fruitgrowers
are so jealous of each other, have so little confidence in each other, that
we never can make it work. We tried this once, and very soon found
trouble. But now for the remedy. I would call a meeting of the fruit-
growers in the vicinity of Hart. I would form an organization and

80 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY:

have it, if necessary, incorporated, and have a president, a secretary,
a board of directors, and a treasurer, and charge each person so much
for joining, say fifty cents per year. Produce a little fund in this way.
Then I would have the board of directors agree on a business manager,
and have it understood that he should do business for all of us. Such
a man could go today to any basket factory and save you 25 per cent.
on your baskets. He could go to the factory, and say, “I have the buy-
ing of all the baskets for that vicinity,” and if that factory would not
make it an object to him the next one would. You can save money on
your baskets. This business manager, with a committee, could go to the
railway company and say, “We want such and such rates, to such a
place, and if you don’t give it to us we will ship by boat.” You would
not have to draw your peaches to open water more than two or three
weeks before the railway company would be down on their knees and
give you the rates wanted. (Applause.) We have tried it, and we know.
Then I would have the business manager, when the proper time came
for strawberries and other small fruits, telegraph around to different
places. If I had only five dollars’ worth of strawberries, and I wanted
{o find the best market and I had to telegraph forty or fifty places and
pay six dollars for telegraphing, I would not make much. But if I had
a hundred men to telegraph for, it would not cost each one more than
four or five cents, and all would know just where the market was. Here
is another point: the business manager can go to Chicago, Detroit,
Lafayette, to any commission man, and say, “I control all the peaches
around Hart and Shelby and Mears. They will be shipped to the person
I suggest, and we will pay you five per cent. commission and no more.
We are going to have a man around here, occasionally, that you don’t
know, to see how you sell our fruit.” If that man would not sell for
five per cent. commission, I guarantee that the next man would, and as
soon as they find out the power the manager has, the commission men
will all be down on their knees, and they will do this work cheap. There
is no doubt of that. Then I would have every man put his name on his
basket, and nothing else. Just his name and address. I would have
this business manager say to these commission men, ‘When that fruit
comes, check it up and see if it agrees with the receipt, and you take
out one tenth of one per cent., or one mill, per basket, and send that to
the treasurer of this society. Then take out your commission, and send
the balance of the money to each party, according to the number of
baskets he had. In that way, with the exception of the fifty cents entry
fee, if one man had one hundred baskets, and another man 1,000, they
would all pay pro rata. This money would go to the treasurer, and
whatever you wanted to do in the way of telegraphing or sending to
places to see how your fruit was being handled, you would have the
money to do it with. I have an idea if you start this in that way, and
do it once, you will not only make money, but you will soon drive the
commission men to send their men right here on our streets to buy our
peaches, as we want them to; and when you don’t want your organization
any more, you can drop it. I don’t believe there is any way of compelling
them to come here and pay us for our peaches on the spot, so long as
we send them there and let them dole out to us what they see fit. Besides

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 81

this, the railway company will be in a position where they will have to
accept our terms.

Mr. Hutchins: I wish to say that while this gentleman has, in gen-
eral, just about outlined my ideas, at the same time he still clings to
the idea of letting commission men dispose of our fruit and take off
at least twenty-five per cent. of the value of it. I think if you can once
get the fruitgrowers organized and get the thing into proper working
order, the various markets can be reached direct, and we can save the
commission and the expense to Chicago and other points. In other
words, make your distributing center right here. Another thing: I
don’t doubt at all that you can find plenty of commission men in Chicago
or any other city who would come here if you could hold out sufficient
inducements. It was done at Douglas—I think I violate no confidence in
speaking of this. We have an organization there, and we told the com-
mission men we considered a cent per basket for cartage excessive, and
we had no difficulty in finding houses that would do our carting for half
acent. That leaked out, and the result was that a large proportion of
the commission houses in Chicago only charge half a cent for cartage.
We told them we considered their solicitors a nuisance; we wanted the
privilege of doing our own soliciting, and we would ship them a reason-
able quantity of our fruit, and they might give us the three per cent.
they gave their solicitors, and they readily consented to that. When we
proposed that, in an audience like this, people said that we perhaps did
not know whether we had made the three per cent. saving or not. We

don’t know what they do with the fruit, so we are not just satisfied that
it is the saving we think it is. Notwithstanding that, you see what the
organization can do; and further, I think an organization, with the proper
machinery, reaching out to these various markets, can induce buyers
to come and take our fruit direct—as at Fennville, where there were
men from cities all through Ohio and northern Indiana, some from as
far as Utica, N. Y., last season, buying fruit and disposing of it in their
own markets. Now, I think that is the proper course to pursue; induce
the buyers to come here, and then, in order to meet them on equal foot-
ing, let us have this line of communication, as this gentleman suggests,
so we will know what the markets are, and be prepared to command a
market price.

Mr. Morrill: Have you made any special effort, or how did you induce
the buyers to go to Fennville?

Mr. Hutchins: I think the great inducement was the low price of
fruit. We were shipping eight or ten carloads per day, and they found
they could do better with our fruit than at Grand Rapids, although
there was one commission house in Chicago that sent a buyer there.

Mr. Morrill: I understand that on an average you received about
Chicago prices after you got the buyers to going there. You say you
think the low prices induced them to go there; did competition maintain
the prices, or did they combine?

Mr. Hutchins: Those fellows seemed to buy the peaches as cheap
as they could, and I don’t suppose there was any real combination among
them, although I noticed they were very friendly, and they seemed to
agree on paying about the same price for a given quantity of fruit on

11

82 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

a certain day. Of course, when the market was up, they came up a little;
when Chicago market was down, they dropped somewhat, but as a rule
they about followed Chicago prices.

Q. But on the whole you found it advantageous? A. I have not yet
found a grower who sold to the buyers but is ready to declare that
another season he will do the same if he gets the chance.

Q. Is it simply the convenience, and the certainty that you were not
being robbed when you took the money home with you, or the fact that
you got better net prices? A. I suppose, as a rule, the money satisfied
people the best, in any case. It is always gratifying to have something
to say about fixing the price. About the time the buyers came in there,
peaches were going in Chicago from thirteen to seventeen cents per
basket. Of course that narrowed the margin down pretty close with
us, and when these men offered us something like those figures, we were
sure of that much, at any rate, and that the peaches would not leave
us in debt.

Q. They largely shipped away from Chicago, did they? A. Yes, as
near as I could learn, that was so. There were one or two Chicago buy-
ers there, but the rest went to other markets. They were buying as high
as fifteen carloads per day. At South Haven there were 281 cars shipped
east, and I think the greater portion of those that were bought were not
shipped to Chicago.

Mr. Rouse: While I agree fully with the sentiment and principle that
my friend Gurney offers, I call to mind the fact that two years ago there
was just such an organization as that, with a constitution covering all
the ground he gave, and the officers were elected and all arrangements
made to proceed to business. The members signed the constitution and
proceeded to business. They paid m their money, and I would like to
know what became of that. Friend Gurney was chairman or president
of that association, Judge Russell was treasurer, and I would like to
know why that organization was not continued, when it seems as if it
would be so profitable?

Mr. Gurney: I would say that there was such an organization, and it
is in existence today, and I was president of it, and we have a treasurer,
and he has some money (the membership fee was fifty cents), and I was
put on the executive committee to draft some by-laws. After we got the
by-laws ready we had a meeting and proposed this plan of hiring a
man as business manager, and to pay him we engrafted into the by-
laws that this man should be instructed to take out one tenth of one
per cent., or that the consignee should take this out and send it to ihe
treasurer, to provide a fund to pay these expenses. When these by-laws
were put to vote, this part of them met with so much opposition that it,
and I guess the whole of the by-laws, were voted down, and the executive
committee did not think it best to hire a business manager without
knowing where the money was to come from to pay him; and conse-
quently, from that time on, I do not think there were any more meetings.
Hence my remark, that I am afraid that the farmers as a general thing
would be so jealous of each other that we could not run a thing of this
kind successfully, because, to run it successfully, you must have money.
Consequently, so far, the organization is a failure.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING 83

Mr. Morrill: Do I understand you that the one tenth of one per cent.
was considered an exorbitant commission?

Mr. Gurney: I don’t know, but the majority of the farmers thought
it might be provided for in some other way, and they were afraid more
would be taken out, or not accounted for, or something—at any rate, the
by-laws were not adopted.

Mr. Hale: As nearly as I can judge from Mr. Hutchins’ remarks, the
only way is to get the men to go and buy the fruit; and then, he says,
the fruit netted just about the same, and I don’t yet see the remedy.
What Mr. Gurney has advanced is good, if it can be put in practice. I
think he is wrong about the parties not being willing to agree to one
tenth of one per cent. I think the executive board was never called
together to make the arrangement.

Mr. Morrill: There is an organization at Fennville which has a fund
on hand. They take a certain contribution out of the shipping of the
fruit, and after paying their expenses they have a surplus which they
have applied to the mending of the roads. Grand Rapids has also done
something in this direction, and there ought to be a way for you to do
something.

AN EXPERIMENT IN IRRIGATION.

BY MR. W. S. BURDICK OF HART.

I have been requested to give my experience in irrigation. I would
say that what little I have done in that line has been on the surface, and
my experience has been rather limited, as I had only a small stream of
water to do with and many difficulties to overcome; but, as great doings
sometimes grow from small beginnings, I will tell you how I used the
stream of water, and it may help others who are like situated.

I had two and one half acres that I wished to irrigate. One half of
this was in fodder corn, and we were very avxious to save it, as it was
our dependence for feed. We plowed a dried-up meadow on which to
plant this corn. It was planted the 18th of June, right in the drouth. It
came up, and that is the most it did do. The rest was set to blackberry,
gooseberry, and tomato plants. We also had a narrow strip of potatoes,
planted by the side of the stream about the middle of May, that I was
anxious to irrigate. We had two dams across the stream, one at
the head, the other about eighty rods below. The first dam being out
of repair, we irrigated the potatoes from the other pond by cutting a
ditch at the side of the pond and turning the course of the water and
leading it between the rows of potatoes. A few years ago I had potatoes
on the same ground that I wished to irrigate, and not knowing just how
it should be done I turned the cold water on the plants and kept it
there until the plants were thoroughly wet. The result was, the plants
were chilled and nearly drowned; but since then I am careful not to
let the cold water touch the plants at first, but by leading the water
between the rows the warm sand would take the chill from the water

84 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

while it was soaking back to the roots. We also wet one end of the
fodder corn, but as the pond was small it was impossible to get the water
as we wished. We then repaired the first dam (or tried to). We hada
wooden spout in the bed of the stream that we thought would answer.
We packed in the dirt and left it to fill, which would take about three
days. When it was nearly full the water forced its way through by the
wooden spout, and out went the water into the second pond, causing it to
overflow, and away went water and trout over the potatoes again, which
was more than we had bargained for. But it couldn’t be helped. We got
the trout into “the drink” again as quickly as possible, and concluded
to try again. I then got four-inch tile and placed it in the bed of the
stream, and built the dam again. When it was full the water was five
feet deep at the breast of the dam; the size of the pond fifty by seventy
feet. From the second pond we made a ditch across the potatoes, because
we were obliged to take it that way in order to get it on the upper side
of the corn. The whole distance I wished to take this water was forty
rods. JI have irrigated from this stream in a small way several years,
but never undertook to carry the water so far as I did during the last
drouth, and it was a success. Letting the water out of the first pond
into the second raised the water and caused it to flow through this ditch,
and when it came to the corn, with my hoe I opened this ditch and let
the water run down through the corn until the pond was empty. The
ground was so very dry that I was obliged to let the pond fill three times
before I got the plants well irrigated. The corn, except that which had
been irrigated once, was about six inches high, and every leaf twisted
tight. This was the twentieth of July. It was a pleasure to see that
corn untwist and grow. It changed color almost immediately. The
corn that was irrigated twice during the drouth grew to be over six
feet tall, while that which was irrigated once grew three feet tall. If I
could have irrigated the whole of the corn twice it would have made
some difference in the amount of feed. The Souhegan raspberry canes
grew to be ten feet long, but as this was my first experience with that
berry I do not know but they generally grow that long. Among the rest
I had a few sunflowers that went up like Jack’s bean, and the stalks were
so large my wife advised me to cut them up for firewood. I have turned
the water around blackberry bushes after the fruit had begun to ripen,
and they were large and juicy. I have also drawn water from this brook
up hill, to water 140 peach trees. We dug away the earth from the upper
side of the tree, three or four feet from the body, and used one barrel
of water for four trees. We did this three times during the season, and
it paid. The peaches were larger and of better color than those not
watered, but when we have 1,200 trees, and all up hill, it is certainly a
piece of up-hill work that I do not care to undertake. I am satisfied that
to raise crops and fruit successfully in this sandy soil, it is to our advant-
age to irrigate in some way if possible. I have endeavored to tell you
as plainly as possible how I handled this stream of water. My dams are
now in good condition, and if I have occasion to use the water another
season I think I can do much better than in the past. Any man who has
a stream of water on his farm can do as well as I did, and I hope better.

PROCEEDINGS OF .THE WINTER MEETING. 85

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Morrill: Such seasons as the last two make people wonder if
there is not some way of getting the water where it will do some good.

Mr. Rork: I have had no experience in artificial irrigation, but I like
to study nature. I am not sure, sometimes, but she is a better teacher
than any of us. She has a method or irrigating and a method of mulch-
ing and of fertilizing, and that is, by means of the snow. The question of
the water supply and of irrigation is upon us. Much of our water supply
is lost, when the snow drifts into the ravines and streams, and melts
while the ground is frozen, and runs to the rivers and lakes. We did not
have so much dry weather when we had plenty of forests, and the snow
brought plenty of ammonia, and we grew fat. Now our forests are gone,
the wind blows off the snows, and we lose the benefit of them. Some
of us, up our way, have organized a forestry committee, and we propose
planting trees, shelter belts, along our farms, that they may catch the
‘snows and save them. I was in Minnesota once, where they could not
dig deep enough to get water, and when they dug they got rocks, so they
went to work to save all the snows. I think in this country it stands us
in hand to save the snow that falls on our fields, if we can. In my judg-
ment there is no one thing that will do us any more good than to save
our snows.

Mr. Monroe: Mr. Burdick, how large a tract can you irrigate by the
method mentioned?

Mr. Burdick: I had five or six acres irrigated by having all the water
run down hill.

(). How did you manage about the sand? A. I prepared my ditch.
At first I let the water run slowly, and went along as the water was
running. I took my hoe and puddled the ditch, and when I got through
the water would run in the ditch without soaking away much. I have
heard it argued that we could not carry the water over sand. I can carry
my water a hundred rods, and carry it all the way on sand.

Mr. Rice: We get rather curious ideas someway. Today I was told
that I would have to cut down the timber on each side of my orchard,
to keep the frosts off, and now I am told to plant it, to keep the snow on.

Mr. Morrill: Try both.

Mr. Hutchins: I know of two or three places that were surrounded
by timber last season, with substantially the same conditions that he
suggests, and they were the only ones I know of that were injured by
frosts. It makes the temperature a little warmer, advances the buds,
and brings them along so that they catch the frosts. I think, after
the gentleman has had a little experience, he will conclude that it is
better to lose the snow.

Mr. Rice: I think I will cut away the timber and sow oats, and let
them stand there to catch the snow. I didn’t like the idea of going to
work and planting the timber, when I have it cut down.

Mr. Rork: I did not suppose you would plant a forest.

Mr. Morrill:: There is a difference, as you say, Mr. Rork, between a
shelter belt and a forest.

86 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Rork: It does not answer to base very much of an opinion on a
single incident. Now, this year, north of us, near Grand Haven, where
the bluffs are high and there is fine hardwood timber, it has always been
frosty, and as a rule, under those bluffs, they are several degrees colder
than we are, but this year they went scott free and we froze. I would
rather have a covering of snow than aH the ditches there are, unless it is
a big one, like the Mississippi.

Mr. Burdick: My pond and ditch are in a valley. The snow comes
from the hills and drops in there, waist deep, frequently, and I find that
when we have a drouth that pond and the ditches come in exceedingly
well. It is a pleasure to have ten or fifteen thousand barrels of water
stored up to use in dry times. A thousand barrels will give you 12 inch
rainfall for an acre, so you see it does not take a very big reservoir or
pond to irrigate an acre. If you will use a cultivator or Breed weeder
it only takes a little water, rightly applied.

Mr. Monroe: I think that this is one of the questions about which we
need to be pretty careful. We have had such glowing pictures of this.
irrigation question, presented in different parts of the country, that we
are likely to over-estimate its value. I know there was no one thing in the
west in which I was more disappointed than that matter. I had read
quite a number of pamphlets on the subject, and I remember, when we
were in California, the glowing picture presented as to the advantages
of irrigation. Work was not interfered with at all; when they got ready
for water, and the crops were ready for it, all they had to do was to turn
. onafaucet. We had a very pleasing picture of the easy manner in which
water could be supplied, but when it came to the actual facts it was
greatly changed, and I am satisfied that we are likely to grow enthu-
siastic over the matter, and to spend a good deal of money foolishly in
irrigation; for, with my observation (and I tried to look into the matter
thoronghly), I doubt whether in that western country they can irrigate
much cheaper than in this state. At the Agricultural college they put
in a plant, as a part of the experimental work, with a view to testing the
matter carefully, and as the ordinary farmer or gardener would do. It
covers something like nine acres and is under the charge of Prof. Taft,
who has had wide observation in regard to irrigation plants. He took
special pains in California, last year, in looking up the various methods
of distributing the water, so as to know in dollars and cents, as nearly
as possible, just what it costs for the various crops. There are a num-
ber of places around the state where they are making these tests, and
I think it is one of those things about which we should take a second
thought. We should let a few people experiment, and watch the effects
of their experiments so as to get the benefit of them. I may say, further,
that over at the college the intention is to carry that along from year
to year, so that we will know exactly what it costs, and just what the
returns will be from different crops. My attention has been called to
several cases where parties are putting up windmills, and have bought
traction engines and are putting in considerable piping, and it is very
clear to me that it will be a losing job. We had a case at our place, that
of Mr. Stearns. He has applied it in as inexpensive a way as possible.
He buys water of the village, draws it in barrels, and puts it around his
trees. Mr. Stearns is a practical man, and he is entirely satisfied that

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MERTING. 87

that method of applying water pays him, but he has no expensive
machinery to go to pieces. There are simply these barrels.

Mr. Rice: I don’t know but I am a little prejudiced against snow.
I was brought up in Wayne county, New York, and there we have snow
from early November to May 1, and all my early life was spent digging
through snowbanks in the winter, or wading through them, trying to
get to school; and still, in that same country, we used to be troubled with
drouth. Our corn used to dry right up and we were troubled greatly,
and I don’t believe the snow will carry you through the drouth of sum-
mer. I think it is necessary to cultivate thoroughly. At every one of
our meetings we hear people tell about how the rainfall is less than in
years ago. I think that idea should be exploded, and I chance to have
here in my notebook memoranda made some time ago, that the lakes, in
1819, were within seven inches as low as in 1895. There is the dredging
out of channels, etc., to lower them. The amount from 1880 to 1895 is
only three inches; and you may remember that at our meeting at Adrian
an old settler told how the marshes and rivers there were so dry, in the
early days, and that it was not so dry here, even this year, as it was
sixty years ago; and I know in our part of the state, we suffered more
from the drouth in 1858 and along there, than in late years, since the
country has been cleared. Then it was all woods.

Mr. Morrill: In company with a few other gentlemen, this winter,
I visited an asylum for insane at Kankakee, for the purpose of seeing
how it was run and to see the irrigating plant they had put in. They
have 3,500 insane patients to feed, and there are 1,200 acres occupied by
the buildings, farm, and garden. The garden occupies ninety acres, and
this is irrigated and a careful account kept. It is as systematic an
institution as there is, perhaps, in the United States. In 1894 the garden
showed a loss when the produce was credited for its value. The super-
intendent decided to put in an irrigating plant. The soil is excellent
Illinois prairie land. They had a pumping station, of course, for the
institution, and they simply added the pipe to that and had the Kankakee
river to pump from. The results, as shown by their books this year, were
wonderful. It not only paid for itself, the whole plant (and this was
surface irrigation), but for all the help employed, and left a nice margin,
and the produce was cheaper this year than the year before. There was
an instance where they had plenty of water and plenty of money to put
it into operation. They sent to Colorado and got a skilled irrigator to
take charge of the work, and they flooded at the rate of six inches of
water ata time. The first thing they did was to lay tile under the land.
That tile had not run for two years, and this year they kept it running
quite a large portion of the time, by the water on the surface. We
might infer from this, that it would be profitable for us. It might be,
if we had the money, location, and water, but when we as fruitgrowers
attempt to talk about irrigation, we must recollect that we are located on
hills and rolling ground, and practical irrigation is absolutely impossible
with us, except for limited areas. The idea of pumping water on these
hills would hardly be a practicable one, I imagine, and I think the only
practical irrigation, for the majority of us, is better tools and cultivation,
and the conservation of every drop of moisture that falls.

88 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

HELP ON THE FARM.

BY PRESIDENT MORRILL.

I have had considerable experience with hired help. I keep a good
many men, and there are some things which I think I have learned, and
I will speak on those lines. I think we should get it pretty fairly
impressed upon ourselves that labor is a commodity and nothing else. It
is something that it is necessary to have in order to run our places
successfully. We have to go into the market and buy it. When we find
a man who owns labor, and we propose to exchange money for it, it is
his commodity, and about all we have to do with him or her is to receive
that, and his obligation is to deliver it in the proper manner. I think
many of us who hire help are essentially wrong in one idea we have, that
when we hire a man we own the man, when we hire a girl we own that
girl. That is entirely wrong. So far as we may know, they are our
equals in every respect, and should be treated as such until they prove
unworthy. There is where many of us fail. There is no sentiment in
the matter; I believe it is a matter of bargain. If a man wishes to hire
to us, we often hire him on his own recommendation; perhaps he furnishes
one from the last employer. After that, we have to do with the labor
he delivers, and if he is worth the money he is entitled to it; if not, he is
not. Wehave also to do with the manner in which he delivers his labor.
He must be our associate to a certain extent, and many times he is a
member of the family, practically; then there is an obligation resting on
him as well as on us.

I am sorry to say that a great many men have a wrong conception of.
their duties ina family. It is very unfortunate that we have many young
men in the country really not fit to take into our families but who get in
through this method. In the city they hire a man simply for his com-
modity, and the manner of delivering it is not so important, and they
can use a class of men not good enough to go on a farm. I mean morally
good enough. But in that matter many of us make a mistake. We some-
times hire a man whom we know to be unfit to come into contact with
any family, and we perhaps take him among our boys and girls. Many
of these men are profane and uncleanly in their habits, and many are
even worse. But there are many others, good, exemplary young men, per-
haps not so polished as others, but morally clean and all right, fit to take
in any family, and they are often not appreciated. It is a matter of fact
that the young man on a farm, in many parts of the state, who believes
in wearing a white shirt when off duty, who never uses bad language,
who does not chew tobacco, who is not a little bad at times, is far too
often regarded as not much of a man, anyhow. If that young man has
good strong sentiments, he is not going to associate very long with the
lower class of men, or in families where those things are not appreciated.
He is going to drift into better quarters, and he ought to. There are
many families who are careful enough of the men they hire, but on the

.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 89

whole there is gross negligence in that respect. If a man who was
unworthy understood that he could not get a job—I don’t know, but I
think he would either go to the penitentiary or would reform, and I
believe it would be well to put him to the test. But so long as he is all
right, so long as he is a worthy man, in our farm life as it is at present
conducted he should be treated as respectfully as your neighbor by your-
self and family.

In turn, he must do the same. If there were very many young men
present, I would like to say a word to them. I recollect a piece of good
advice I received when I was working by the month in Missouri. An old
gentleman I worked for was appointed circuit judge, and we fell to talk-
ing of the relations between the hired man and his employer, and he
said: “ Well, I can tell you how you can always havea place. If you are
smart enough to make a man believe that he can’t get along without
you, you will always keep the place as long as you want it.” That is a
very simple proposition, but it is noticeable that the young man who,
when he starts in at a place, no matter what he has agreed to do for a
price, goes through and does that exactly, whether he is satisfied or not,
does his duty and works for his employer’s interests, is sure to have a
place if there is one in the whole country. Don’t think for a moment,
young man, that you are not understood. If you are on the farm of a
man who has been in the habit of hiring men right along, the little traits
of character have become well understood by him; if you are occasionally
“making a sneak” or doing something you would not do When he was
looking, it will show up. A man who has had any experience knows
what a day’s work is, whether he is on the ground or not. Men capable
of hiring men and making money usually have a means of knowing
whether a man is doing his duty. He may not tell you, but generally
you will find a man of that character, when he sets a man on a job, he
knows what he should accomplish. You can go away and leave a man
and come back, and you have tab on him, the same as the night watch-
man’s signal in the large buildings. Now, most farmers have some
system whereby they keep tab on the hired man. He may, in the rush
. Of the season, put up with a great deal; he may not be willing to discharge

- the man, because he can not put his hand on another, and he will make
the best of a poor thing; but you can depend upon it, he knows all about
it, he has you “spotted” for a lay-off, and when the time comes that
he can spare you, and you haven’t got him where he thinks you are
indispensable, you go. But the moment he sees that you have a dispo-
sition to push things when they need pushing, and to earn the money
you agreed to earn, he is going to keep you as long as he keeps any man,
if the other essentials are present.

A young man has no business to start out in life on the farm without a
little style about him. A young man who comes from doing the chores
in the morning, from the barn to the house, in an unclean condition,
and sits down to his breakfast in that way, is not pleasant to any
woman. It is a very unpleasant thing, and a little thought will tell you
how to get rid of it—just a little attention to cleanliness, perhaps a little
change of clothing. Some men are smart enough to keep a different suit
of clothes in the barn, and leave the bad smell with the clothes. It is

12

90 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

not necessary for you to soil the carpets when you come into the house;
there is a way to’clean your feet. It is not necessary, because your work
is of a character that often leaves you dirty, that you should go unbathed.
Iam giving a plain talk to plain people, but many of you know what I
am talking about. Many forget it.

Now I will say a word to the men who are hiring. There are a variety
of ways in which you can get the worth of your money. It will never
pay you to maintain an armed neutrality with your men. You may be
able to get along with it in that way a short time, but the moment you
are not satisfied with your man and he is not satisfied with you, you
would better excuse him or have a peaceable settlement and quit. It is
hardly worth while to quarrel, but the moment you arrive at that stage,
you know it. I don’t suppose there is a man in this room but, the moment
a man on his place is dissatisfied, he detects it. Instead of forcing that
man to do anything, have an understanding with him, then and there,
because a man with that disposition often does you damage, and if you
have other men he is certainly a mischief-maker. Consequently, in spite
of the fact that you hired him for a set term, come to a conclusion with
him and excuse him.

There is a good deal in knowing how to manage men. If you are hiring
many you will know it to be a fact that many good boys and men will
become thoughtless and perhaps lag a good deal, through story-telling
and visiting, and thoughtless things. Oftentimes a little plain talk with
him will “square up” a good man. Another thing I have found very
useful is to have some one man that I can depend upon made foreman,
and practically hold him responsible for the work when I am not there.
A great many of our most energetic farmers feel that they can only
secure the best results by leading their men, doing as much work as any
man on the place. I have always felt proud of the ability to do it, but for
many vears I have found better results by walking behind my men than
by walking before. The man who leads his men is likely to encourage
them to do a little shiftless work to keep up. Now, I would much
rather have the opportunity to walk around behind my men and see that
the work is done well. I can make them understand that they have a
job, and that at a certain time they will be through with it; and if a man
isn’t doing as he should, show him kindly; I have in this way little
trouble, though every year there are men who will shirk, but we get rid
of them, and better men take their places; and saving the best and
sorting out works very well.

Now a word about girl help. This is said to be a national problem, and
consequently I will not attempt to solve it, but I think much could be
done toward making their lot a little easier. We should provide what we
can for their comfort; keep them well supplied with water, with dry
wood, and a number of little things—carrying out slops, and little things
like that. If you stop to think, you are asking your hired girl to give you
many more hours than your men. The system is wrong. If you get a
good girl don’t, because the scale of wages through the country is a dol-
lar or two per week, refuse to pay her what she is worth; and then, if she
occasionally wants a little time on Sunday, and if she is pretty good-
looking and some of the young fellows like to see her occasionally, you
must not object, if she is moderate in that line.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 91

But, of course, sometimes they get so that they can’t stay with you; and
then have no armed neutrality, but a plain understanding, and then if
one doesn’t care to stay, hunt up someone else. Sometimes I don’t think
we manage those things quite as well as we might.

What if we haven’ t the ability? Well, as a rule, a man stops hiring
and tries managing himself; but asa matter of fact, even though farming
is at a low ebb, if there isn’t anything in hiring help there isn’t anything
in farming. If I can’t hire a man who can make me a dollar per day I
would better earn the dollar and have a sure thing. If I can hire one or
two men and make a little on their labor I would better have twenty if I
am able. Of course, we have to creep before we can walk, but in my
opinion a man who works steadily for a fixed purpose, and lives carefully,
can accomplish most of these things.

It requires careful handling; and above all, treat labor as a commodity,
and good men, when they are working for you, and good girls, as your
equals. I understand that, in cities, society does not propose to take
hired girls into the family, as a member of the family; but on farms, it is
different. We do, we are plainer people, the requirements of society are
not so strong, the conditions are different, and they often are our neigh-
bors’ girls who feel the necessity of going from their homes to earn a
little money, and they are our equals.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Rice: I think there is qne point that ought to be emphasized, in
regard to young men and young ladies; and if we would encourage it, it
would make of them better men and women—and that is the. habit of
saving money. It don’t make any difference what amount you are work-
ing for, it is better to wear cheap clothes and save up a little money.
I know that a boy feels better when he has $5 laid away than when he
hasn’t a cent, and it is better to lay it away than to spend it on tobacco
or candy or anything like that. The indulging of the appetite in these
little things leads right on to drunkenness.

Mr. Morrill: O, let them eat candy!

Mr. Rice: Let them indulge in these things a little, once in a while,
but when one can’t pass a candy store, by and by he won’t pass a saloon.
Then go on and save, and when a boy has a hundred dollars he will begin
to straighten up and he will do his work better. Don’t read trash; read
good books, go to church, be respectable in every way.

Mr. Morrill: Let them be boys and girls while they can. They are
never going to see as much fun again, and a certain amount of fun is
necessary. The idea of giving advice is all right, give them all you wish
to; but I want to see a young man have a good time, within legitimate
bounds; and if he does spend a little money seeing the world and rubbing
against people, it is all right if it is legitimate. I wouldn’t give a cent for
a boy who wouldn’t take a girl somewhere and treat her as nicely as his
means would permit. I wouldn’t have such a boy around. I don’t believe
a man can be fairly “squared up” and rounded out if he doesn’t have
some amusement. Let him keep within his means. He will sober down

92 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

after a while. There is a time to play and a time to work, and when the
time comes to play, let them play.

Mr. Rice: Let him save his money outside of that.

Mr. Morrili: I believe the time comes through middle age, for men
to save and make money. Let them enjoy animal life, while they are
young, enjoy property-getting through middle life, and enjoy the savings
in the latter half of life, and not make it a prime idea to hoard.

Mr. Rice: Did you ever know a man who didn’t save money before
he was thirty, who ever had any when he was sixty?

Mr. Morrill: O, you are asking questions now!

REPORTS OF DELEGATES TO MEETINGS OF OTHER SOCIETIES.
BY MR. L. B. RICE, TO THE ONTARIO SOCIETY.

Your delegates, appointed to attend the annual meeting of the Ontario
Fruitgrowers’ association, at Woodstock, December 13 to 15, 1895, were
very well received by the association, and a very kindly feeling seemed
to develop among its members toward our society. The copies of our
Reports which you sent, were distributed among the officers and directors
of the association, the officers of local societies, and persons interested
in the work, and were very gratefully received.

We found a large association made up of bright and earnest workers
who are thoroughly interested in developing the fruitgrowing interests
in every part of the province of Ontario. The association has a member-
ship of 2,472, an increase of 378 over last year. The gross receipts from
membership during the year were $2,477.47. This, with $2,000 given by
the government, makes the snug sum of $4,477.47 to use in their work for
the year.

We were interested to know how so many men, representative fruit-
growers from all parts of the province, had been brought together in this.
work—men from the Detroit river to the St. Lawrence and the Ottawa,
and from lakes Erie and Ontario to Georgian bay, all united as one in
this great work. On inquiry we found that the province was divided
into thirteen districts and a good, practical fruitgrower chosen from each
district as a director. Each director brings in a report of the work done:
in his district, and of the variety of fruits peculiar to its climatic
influences. While the range of climate is great in Ontario, from mild in
the Niagara and lake Erie districts to very cold in the Georgian bay,
Ottawa, and St. Lawrence districts, all are fostered and encouraged in
their work by the association. The membership is also increased by the
valuable monthly published by the association, edited by L. Woolverton
of Grimsby, and furnished to each member, this alone being worth the
membership fee; but in addition each member is furnished with the
annual Report and a share in the annual distribution of plants from the
experiment stations. This gives them “value received” even though they
can not attend the meetings. The membership has also been increased
by one of the directors who has been employed to travel and hold meet--

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 93

ings or otherwise interest the people and solicit new membership. For
this work he received thirty per cent. of membership fees he collected.

The provincial government has also done much to develop the agricul-
tural interests of all the provinces.

The Hon. John Dryden, minister of agriculture, was present, and in
the course of his remarks said of the association: ‘“ You now occupy a
more prominent position in the minds of the people than at any time in
your past history. I am glad that such is the case. Just now, in the
depressed condition of many departments of agriculture, there is no
branch that is more attractive or presents greater possibilities than that
of fruitgrowing. It has become clear that certain portions of this prov-
ince are peculiarly fitted for production of the finest fruit. Some localities
are especially adapted to plums; others, not being equally good in this
direction, are admirably adapted to the production of the finest quality
of apples, while in almost every section small fruits grow in the greatest
luxuriance. The first thing needed by those starting in this industry is
definite and accurate information. Naturally they look to an association
of this kind, in whose ranks are found the oldest and most experienced
fruitgrowers, to supply this need. May I remind you that it is in order
that you may be conditioned to accomplish this, that the legislature gives
you your annual grant? It is not merely that you may help each other,
which is in itself commendable, but that through you the masses of our
farmers may be educated along this line.”

Prof. Saunders, in charge of all of the experimental stations in the
dominion, gave a brief synopsis of his work at each of the five main
stations. The central is at Ottawa; the eastern at Nappan, N.S.; one at
Brandon, Manitoba; one at Indian Head, Northwest Territory, and one at
Agassiz, British Columbia. Much of Prof.Saunders’ address was of detail
character, therefore intensely interesting to the delegates. At the farm
at Nappan there are under test 288 varieties of large fruits, 75 of small
fruits, and 279 of ornamental trees and shrubs. Fruits which have been
regarded as impossible to grow in this climate have been successfully
cultivated and a trade in them made profitable. At the farm at Ottawa
there are now under test 788 varieties of large fruits and 604 of small
fruits. At Brandon no success had been met as yet with the larger
fruits, although 241 varieties had been tried. Small fruits had done well.
At Indian Head several of the most hardy crabs had been tried but
without success. Only a few varieties of sand cherry, and as yet none of
the native plums, have been successful. Currants, gooseberries, raspber-
ries, and strawberries, all yield abundant crops when not too dry. Of the
trees, box elder does best. Mr. Saunders has hopes for all kinds of fruit
at Agassiz. He exhibited fine specimens of Cranberry pippin grown at
that station. Prof. Saunders has done a great work at these stations in
the development of fruitgrowing in high northern latitudes. He has
demonstrated for us that some varieties of the larger fruits, and most
varieties of the small fruits, will succeed in a climate as severe as any
portion of this state, the upper peninsula not excepted.

He is so earnest in this work that I should not be surprised at any time
to hear that he had started an experiment farm over in the Yukon valley
or on the south shore of Hudson bay.

94 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Prof. John Graig of the central station at Ottawa, in connection with
his interesting talk, presented charts giving date of the first blossoms
and of the full maturity of the pollen of different varieties of fruit grown
at different stations. This report is of great value to all planters as an
aid in grouping varieties for more perfect pollenization, and is worthy
of careful study.

The government’s assistance in spraying will have a tendency not only
to instruct the farmers but to show the beneiit of the work. Three com-
plete spraying outfits, with men and teams, were arranged for different
parts of the province of Ontario, and placed in charge of A. H. Pettit of
Grimsby. He divided the province into three sections and then selected
ten orchards in each section that were a fair average, and sprayed as
many trees in each orchard as could be covered by one barrel of the
mixture, making the rounds once in twelve days. He sprayed each
orchard five times. First, before the buds had started; second, just
before the blossom opened, and three times after the blossoms had fallen.
Farmers from quite a distance gathered to witness the work at each place.
Some thirty different counties in the province were visited in this way,
and the results were eminently satisfactory.

In conclusion let us briefly look at some of the lessons that one might
learn from these Canadians. The division of the territory into districts
and giving one director to each district would seem to be worthy of
imitation. This would necessitate a larger number of directors than we
now have, but would not the work be made of greater benefit to all parts
of the state in proportion? It should be not merely to help ourselves
that we gather in these meetings from time to time, not merely to build
up the fruitgrowing industry in the most favored fruit belt in the world,
but to help those not so favored. In other parts of the state they are
looking to us and demanding our help. While all can not grow the
finest of peaches, yet some variety of fruit may be found adapted to
almost every locality, no matter how sterile the soil nor how frigid the
climate. It may be apples, plums, and pears, or where only the small
fruits may be grown with success and profit. It ought to be our province
to help the poor man, the hardy pioneer of our forests, in his log cabin,
with his few acres of clearings. He needs our help. It is as important
to tell him what to plant and how to plant it to produce the greatest
comfort for his family, as to give so much attention to the development
of commercial plantations. He is not able to come to us, so we should
reach out after him.

Draw a line from Detroit northwest to Ionia, and thence to the north
line of Oceana county, and what representatives have we in all of that
part of the state east and north of that line, and what are we doing to
counsel or encourage the immense fruitgrowing interests of that, the
larger, part of the state?

A few years ago the so-called “ Thumb” produced immense crops of
the finest apples, plums, and pears. Under this stimulus large orchards
have been planted. Peaches have met with but one failure in several
years at the lower end of lake Huron. Above Saginaw there are
thousands of acres that are but “ jack-pine lands,” that are fertile and
have proved to be well adapted to apples and plums, especially the latter.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 95

One man in Oscoda county, Samuel Hill of Leinster, planted 4,000 to
5,000 trees, apples and plums, and they are reported as doing well. These
fruit lands are found all of the way north through Alpena, Presque Isle,
and Cheboygan counties. Even in the northern peninsula apples and
plums are being grown to some extent, and small fruits thrive every-
where. Why may not the Green bay country rival the apple and plum
orchards of Georgian bay in Canada? May I ask, what are we doing
to help these people? Their only instructors are the ‘tree peddlers”
and the hard knocks of experience—either alone bad enough. The corn
belt is said to be moving northward. Why should not the fruit belt be
governed by the same climatic influences? It is acknowledged that the
further north the apple can be successfully grown, the better the quality
of the fruit. Why, then, should we not help to develop the possibilities
of the northern part of our state? Is there any good reason why we
should not imitate our Canadian neighbors and divide all of this outlying
territory into districts and invite them to name an earnest, wide-awake
man, interested in the encouragement of the fruitgrowing industry in
his locality, and give him a position of director in our society?

BY MR. O. J. MONROE, TO THE WESTERN NEW YORK SOCIETY.

Mr. Rice, in reporting on the Ontario convention this forenoon, gave
you a very good idea of the activity of our Canadian neighbors in matters
horticultural. I refer to this to remind you that this is also the case
in every state in the Union, where fruit can be raised, and those of you
who attended the World’s Columbian Exposition will remember how the
western states, away up to the border line, were in the fruit business.

When I went down to attend the New York convention, among the
things I felt particularly anxious about was to try to bring back, if
possible, ideas and suggestions that would be helpful to us. It seems to
me specially important that we improve every possible opportunity
in connection with the raising of fruit and its marketing; and in visiting
a society like that of western New York I think we all appreciate that
we are going right to headquarters. It is a section of the country where
dwell the authorities on the fruit business, where the largest amount of
capital is invested, and where they have made fruit-raising, I think I am
safe to say, a more legitimate business. Perhaps I can best illustrate
my meaning by contrasting it with California.

It was my pleasure last year to visit California and attend a meeting
of the American Pomological society. The address of welcome was
delivered by a man who promotes the establishment of all societies, and
who perhaps knows very little about the practical part of the work; but
he certainly knew how to picture California in such glowing terms that
every one who heard him wished to be a Californian. The exhibits were
largely made by large companies, railroad companies and others. We
were shown about the state by that class of people. In other words, we
were constantly impressed with the feeling that they were in the fruit
business to sell land, rather than fruit; and yet, I almost hesitate to make
this criticism, for if there are any people in the world who know how

96 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

to treat you so generously and liberally as to disarm criticism, it is the
Californians. There are many things we should imitate.

But when we go to a meeting like the one in New York, we meet people
who come right from the farm and orchard. They make their living by.
the fruits, and are in the business to get a living by what they produce
from the ground, not by buying or selling the ground itself. They have
commenced by small beginnings, and have come to be, in some cases,
large fruitgrowers; and yet western New York represents the great mass
of small fruitgrowers. I know of scarcely a meeting where there seemed
to be greater enthusiasm than at that meeting in New York. People
manifested, by their interest and questions, that they were there to learn
more about their business, and that they believed they had as good a
business as there was in the country.

Another feature that was particularly gratifying was the presence of a
large number of old men—men whose memories reached back fifty or
sixty years, who have been in the business all those years; and a still
more gratifying thing, in connection with this, was the large number of
young men who were there, and the way in which that society is under-
taking to encourage the attendance of the young men. A great many of
the fruit farms of western New York are represented by the third gener-
ation, and some of the principal men are able to give their sons college
educations and travel, and the sons have improved it. It is gratifying
to know that these sons, who have education, ample means, and the
observations gained by travel, are following in the footprints of their
fathers.

There were sixty or seventy of the boys from the body of agricultural
students at Cornell university, who were brought down there to attend
that meeting. Attention was called to the fact, and Prof. Roberts invited
the members to meet these young men at the hotel and hold a reception.
His idea was that these young men might have a chance to meet the
president and secretary and other officers of the society, and the visitors,
and to impress upon the young men the importance of attending the
meetings regularly, that they might get the advantage of the practical
discussions. It was my pleasure to return with these young men to
Cornell, and the next day, after reaching there I happened to be in the
mechanical department, with one of the professors, who was formerly
here in Michigan. I said to him that it was a very gratifying thing to
me, to see those students down there enjoying and endeavoring to get
the advantage of the meeting, and then I reminded him of an experience
I had in California. I don’t wish to criticise too much, in that direction,
and yet there is a valuable fact in connection with it. I visited the Agri-
cultural college at Berkeley, in California, and while there I was looking
for the agricultural department. Not seeing any one about, of whom
I could inquire, I went to the literary building, where there were fifteen
or twenty young people, and I said, “I would like to know where I can
find Prof. ——————_,” and one of them replied, “I think you will find
him over at the ‘cow college’; and before I got to that department, as
many as three persons, in speaking, referred to it as the ‘cow college’.”
What is the effect of that? There is an agricultural college connected
with the university, but the fact is that there were something like a

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 97

dozen students in the agricultural department. The rest were all in the
literary department. Those young men were there because they were
determined to obtain an education along agricultural or horticultural
lines, and they cared nothing about the twitting.

I remarked that I was glad to see there, at Cornell, that the agricul-
tural department was recognized, and he replied, “ Why shouldn’t it be?
There isn’t any other department where they would be likely to be taken
out for a two-days junket, where they go to Rochester and take part in
the meetings of the society.” The point I wish to emphasize is, and it
seemed to me a grand thing, that they were seeking to magnify the
horticultural and agricultural department of that institution, and in
line with this, it seems to me, is the fact that we ought to give more
attention to getting our own young people out and interested in these
meetings, and in the common affairs of life; not only the farm, but the
orchard and garden. That was a very pleasant feature of the New York
meeting.

Another feature I wish to note, is the matter of exhibits. That is some-
thing we have frequently talked of and sought to encourage here. There
they had a room about half the size of this, the tables in which were filled
brimful of fruit. There were grapes and pears and apples; about two-
thirds of the room was taken up by a general exhibit; then the experi-
ment station at Geneva, N. Y., occupied about one third of the room, and
had about eighty varieties of fruit, and the pleasant feature of that was
their perfection—not only of form, but their entire freedom from scab or
worm or defect of any kind. These teach lessons, it seems to me, and
lessons of very great importance; and not only has the society sought
to encourage it, but I think it is one of the things the people ought to
take up locally, and at every gathering of this kind we should bring out
as much of an exhibit as possible because of the value of object lessons.

In line with this was the matter of implements. There was an excel-
lent exhibit of pruning shears; and to show you how much the people
were interested, there was hardly an hour but the president had to call
attention to the noise that was made in those rooms where the fruit
exhibits and the implements were.

One man felt that his spray pump was not satisfactory, because it had
ceased to work, and when he got hold of an expert it was found that
sediment from the lime had gathered and stopped the pump. The men
who manufacture these articles arrange it so that you can have some
one explain every part, the various uses and the various ways of keeping
them in motion. The perfection of the fruit from the experiment station
at Geneva was caused by frequent spraying, and thereby that feature
was emphasized.

There is one other matter I wish to mention. There are so many things
connected with a society of that kind that one hardly knows what is
most important, but I wish to say a word or two in regard to marketing,
because that follows right along and becomes specially important in view
of the large amount of planting that is going on all over the country.
Along that line, I will mention briefly that it seems to me that a very
large increase in the use of fruit might be encouraged at home. It is a
fact, and I suppose has often been mentioned here, that one has to pay

13

98 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

the foreign price if he buys fruit at home. There are people all about
us who would like to use the fruit if they could obtain it reasonably.
The grower says, “ Here are my returns.” But what does that include?
The cost of the basket, packing, marketing, etc., almost half of the total
cost. Now, with us, we have very largely increased the home consump-
tion, because a few people were willing to sell fruit without all of this
work, and give the buyers at home the. benefit of it. We encourage the
farmers around the country to come in and buy, and some people have
taken it up as a business, and run wagons around the country. They go
down into the fruit sections and back again into the farming country.

Grand Rapids is taking the lead in this matter of shipping out to other
states. In connection with that, I desire to state the fact that they are
doing away with a lot of the dressing and fussing that costs so much.
They are shipping in open bushel baskets. For years that has been done
in the east, but you know how careful we have been to cover the fruit
with tarletan, ete. In Grand Rapids they have induced the railroad
companies to shelve their cars, so that a large share of the fruit goes
just as itis packed i in the orchard. Just see the advantage in the economy
of shipping in that way. This very year we disposed “of about 600, 000
baskets in that way, in our own town. The only misfortune was that
we had to send them out in fifth baskets, and much time and expense
were lost in that way.

Being interested in a bank, I have a chance to look over the checks,
and I believe the shipping to so many different men is a misfortune. We
have men in our own community who are not large growers, who during
a season will ship to a dozen or fifteen different men. Now, that is
perfectly suicidal. The fact remains that there are some honorable men
in the commission business. The understanding between the fruitgrower
and the commission man ought to be as perfect as it is possible to make
it—as much so as if they were partners in a local business.

Some years we must depend more or less upon the Chicago market,
and the thing to do, for those who are shipping to Chicago, is to settle
upon the man there who seems most satisfactory, and then, if possible,
induce that man to come over to your place about picking time, take
him to the orchard, and let him see how you are raising fruit; let him
go into your packing shed, make him just as familiar as possible with
your ways and methods of handling. Then go over there and visit him,
and just in proportion that you can establish the relationship with your
commission man that President Morrill and others have maintained, who
have always confined themselves to one man—if you will follow this
advice, which is not a matter of guesswork but of ten or fifteen years’
observation, you will find that you will gradually increase your profits
in consigning to Chicago, and have a good deal less complaint to make
about the commission man.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. SH)

BY MR. R. MORRILL, TO THE ILLINOIS SOCIETY.

Mr. Morrill: The next report should come from Mr. Hamilton, of
Ganges, but he is ill, and as I was there with him I will make a brief
report. Previous to that, with Mr. Monroe’s permission, I will supple-
ment some things he said of the New York society. I was there also, and
last year, as well; and, not even excepting Michigan, it is the brightest
and best society meeting I ever attended, and I will tell you what makes
it good, and if we can ever live to see the same conditions prevail here
I think horticulture will be an ideal occupation. At that meeting were
gathered from 500 to 1,000 men, at each session, and a good many women,
and not just a few bright men, well informed in their business. Their
disputes, if there were any, were on the finer details of the work. They
are familiar with the outlines, all of them. We found there men of con-
siderable polish and much ability; we found young men, who had stepped,
perhaps, into their fathers’ tracks, they took the matter up where their
fathers left off—men who could get up and address an audience in a
smooth, easy, logical way. It was remarked how many could do that.
Older men, too, who would speak from experience, plainly, nicely, and
in a way that would interest you, and there were hundreds of them. It
is a place to go to learn. I can see a great improvement in the work of
the Michigan societies in the past five years. Men are becoming more
common among us who can tell what they know, and I hope to see the
Michigan State society reach the same high position of the society in
New York; but, in order to do that, there must be a general interest
taken.

The New York society numbers five hundred members and they are
active. The Ontario society numbers 2,000. Just think of that. There
is no antagonism between the different societies in the state of New
York, of any consequence. The Western New York society seems to
have the field.

Now we will come to the Illinois State society, and I will briefly detail
how they are organized and work. In the first place, they have an
appropriation of $4,000 from the state for conducting their work. It is
considered educational. Our own state has finally come to the same
conclusion. But Michigan appropriates only $1,500. The Illinois local
societies are formed wherever they can be. Most of them are in good
working order. They pay their allegiance to the state society, not in
dues or funds, but in reports, keeping the parent society well informed.
They have three district organizations—northern, central, and southern.
These are under the direct management of the state society, which holds
one meeting each year, as a state society, then one meeting with each
of the district societies. They maintain twelve experiment stations,
themselves. They select one of the ablest men, in a certain fruitgrowing
section, furnish him the plants for testing, and pay him for the labor, if
necessary, and he is expected to report on these varieties. Every year
they gather, from at least twelve locations, a report as to the desirability
of certain varieties and the peculiarities of varieties; and you can see,

100 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

with the allegiance of the whole state to that society, how they can
advance their interests, how much of loss and failure they can guard
against.

The state society of Michigan might do that, but there has been some
antagonism to the state society for a number of years. That, however,
I am happy to say, has almost entirely died out. It came through some
ill-advised measures, no doubt. Certainly it could not have been in the
interest of the public. But the Illinois people are like ourselves—they
are somewhat young. They have a few men who are far up in their
business—large, commercial growers, who travel and study and bring
home to the rest of the society everything they learn. They have a
large number, like ourselves, just commencing, and perhaps their society
just about compares with ours. ;

The Missouri State society is almost in the same shape, but they are all
in good working order, and everything is going along smoothly with
them, and they are very rapidly becoming educated in their line, as we
are.

QUESTIONS.

THURSDAY EVENING SESSION.

What is the effect of throwing soapsuds and soap-water around ornamental
shrubs?

Prof. Slayton: Death, every time. I know that is recommended by
the papers frequently. I have seen it for forty years. I have tried it
some. Near my house, I have set a cherry tree, three successive times,
in about five years, and 1 throw the slop-water there, but there is no
cherry tree there now. I had a hydrangea there, and it blossomed nicely
two years, and after blossoming, about the middle of August, it gave up
the ghost. I remembered that I had poured cold slop-water around it a
good many times, and I concluded that that was the cause of its death.
I began tu watch, then, and I found that every tree near the door from
which I carried the slop-water, was in a bad condition; and as soon as I
reflected I remembered that three or four near the house, that had died
and been replaced, in some cases three times, were all dead, and I believe
that slop-water is the cause. Since then I don’t throw a quart in the
same place that I ever threw any other quart, so far as I can remember.

A voice: The nicest quinces I ever had, had this treatment.

Mr. Wright: I have seen this operation performed on the quince trees,
and where soapsuds was used the quince trees attained a niuch greater
circumference, and never failed to produce good crops of quinces, when
other people in the same neighborhood could not get quinces at all. I
am satisfied that soapsuds is beneficial to quince trees.

Mr. Wilson: It wasn’t soapsuds I referred to, simply dishwater.

Mr. Morrill: I don’t think the advantage gained compensates for the
malarial infiuences occasioned by throwing slops in any one place.

Mrs. Gebhart: We have made a _ practice of throwing slop-water
around trees and rose bushes to prevent any malarial influences.

>

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 101

Mr. Markham: Wouldn’t you advise throwing it where the trees grow,
not close to the tree but between them—wouldn’t that be advisable?

Mr. Morrill: Oftentimes these trees are growing close to the house,
and it refers to these very trees. If any one will carry the slops away
from the house, undoubtedly it is a good thing; but I wish to throw a
word of caution in there, because I know how the back yards of many
farm houses look.

» Mr. Rork: You should make some distinction. You can kill anything
with cold water if you put on enough. You can rain it to death. I find
that a reasonable quantity of decent slop-water and soapsuds is a pretty
good thing, and I sometimes douse the soapsuds on leaves and all, but I
don’t stand and pour it on. I would expect the tree to die.

What would you graft into Russian apricots; or would I better take out the
trees?

Mr. B. Gebhart: Japan plums work well. Either a Burbank or a
Japan.

The same question is asked as to the Mariana plum or Prunus Simonii.

A Member: I would take those out by the root. They are similar to all
our natives—they are great growers on their own roots or stock, but you
put something else on them and they stop entirely.

Mr. Morrill: They are good stocks for budding.

If it is true that the second brood of curculio does not get its growth until
August, what becomes of the curculio during the winter months?

Mr. Morrill: I think we would better refer that to Prof. Davis at
the Agricultural college.

Mr. Reid: I think he would say, “Nobody knows.” Where they hiber-
nate, I think, is not clearly known.

Mr. Rork: The potato bug goes into the earth, and I think the cur-
culio does, too. :

Mr. Reid: Ever see him there?

Mr. Rork: He is a difficult fellow to see; but you set chickens there,
and they will dig, and you will find indications that they are in the
ground.

Who is the largest plum grower in Michigan, and where is he located?
A Voice: Judge Russell.

Judge Russell: I am not.

Mr. Reid: How much do you weigh?

Judge Russell: Oh!

Applause and laughter.

Is it advisable to use any other fertilizer with bone, for plum trees on poor
land, or what is the best treatment for such trees set out two years?

Mr. Barry: Before that question is discussed, I wish some one could
give an answer to the previous one; it was not put in for fun. A.
young man wanted me to be sure to see what the answer was. He
wants to know who the person is who has the largest orchard.

Mr. Reid: I never heard of more extensive plum orchards than in
this county, and I think he could probably find that person in this county.

102 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Morrill: I think so; I would mention Mr. Gebhart.

Mr. W. 8S. Gebhart: I think I have 2,560, about 2,000 in bearing.

Mr. Morrill: I know a gentleman who set 5,000 last spring, and there
are to be 4,000 added next spring, near Watervliet, Berrien county,
Mr. R. H. Sherwood.

Mr. Gebhart: Those varieties are all of the European type. I have
some 12 or 15 varieties which I shall take up or graft over—I have been
grafting them for the last sixteen years. They are not good here.

Mr. Morrill: Mr. Sherwood last spring bought and set 13,000 peach,
pear, and plum trees. He has bought 19,000 for next spring. He is
in a fair way to have quite an orchard. He is a good, thorough man, too.

Mr. Rice: I don’t want this county to take all the honors. I am
in the end of “the thumb,” and there are some extensive plum orchards
there. One man set out 4,000 apples and plums.

What is the best treatment for trees set out two years?

Mr. Gebhart: I have tried nothing more than barnyard manure for
fertilizing.

Mr. Reid: The question is whether to use any other fertilizer with
bone. The gentleman asking the question said he put on barnyard
manure and turned it under, but the soil was poor, and he thought
this spring he must do something more; and he wondered if he must use
commercial fertilizers.

Mr. Morrill: Bone meal in itself is not a complete fertilizer. It
requires the addition or presence of potash to become a complete fer-
tilizer. Potash must either be present in the soil or be added to it.
Bone meal is principally phosphoric acid with a small percentage of
ammonia, or nitrogen calculated as ammonia, and that is sufficient for
fruit, so far as the ammonia is concerned. But potash, if not already
present in the soil, must be added. If the soil needs potash, put it on in
wood ashes.

Mr. Brassington: Why would you give anything, except to produce
wood growth, to a plum tree two years old?

Mr. Morrill: You must have all three of those elements to produce
anything.

Q. Wouldn’t a manure containing more nitrogen be better? A. It
will make a more rapid, but a more tender, wood growth. It is a bad
practice to push any tree too hard with nitrogen.

Judge Russell: This gentleman has set out a plum orchard, and his
land is so poor that he has not been able to make his trees grow. I
think he would better go out of the business there.

In applying wood ashes and bone meal to raspberries and strawberries, would
you sow broadcast or apply it near the plants in less quantities, and how much
should be used per acre in a young and bearing plantation?

Mr. Morrill called for.

Mr. Morrill: This is not my evening, entirely, but that question
brings out one point to which there should be a little attention paid.
He suggests the placing of fertilizer near the plant; or, rather, asks
the question, whether it should be spread broadcast or placed near the
plant. Now, we ought all to begin to get some idea of the develop-

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 103

ment of roots on any plant. Strawberries, set four feet apart, cover
the ground with a complete network of roots before the next spring,
and the poorest roots of the strawberry, the weakest roots of the whole
lot, are those nearest the plant. Raspberries and blackberries are,
I think, the fruits mentioned, and they feed all over the ground, and
in putting it near the plant it needs considerable working to get it
where the plant can use it. We frequently see where the farmer has
piled his manure next the roots of the tree, and yet it is a well-known
fact that in an old orchard the roots cover every inch of the ground.
Still they will pile the manure around the body’of the tree, where
the roots are old. They are reaching out for new ground just as much
as they can and as far out as they can. As to the question as to the
amount of bone and ashes, I will say, in my own practice I like to use
about 500 pounds of bone and 100 bushels of ashes per acre, for any
fruit, and I don’t know but if I had the bone, or could spare the money,
but I would put in a thousand pounds. I have had nothing but good
results from bone and ashes on any fruit, but the matter of fertilizing
should be better understood. If you have but little, put it all over the
ground. The same with barnyard manure.

Is there a good winter variety of sweet apple for market, and profitable, other
than Talman Sweet?

Prof. Slayton: I don’t know anything that will keep longer than
Talman Sweet, but there is the winter Sweet Swaar.

Are dewberries a profitable market berry, and if so, how are they trained and
managed when in full bearing?

Mr. Gebhart: I have had a little experience in that. I had a dozen
or fifteen plants. I kept them trimmed back to four feet, and they
did not prove a success, and I reset them, and cut back the ends a little,
and they have borne wonderful crops the last two years.

Q. Did you train them up for fruiting purposes? A. No, not on
trellises.

Q. Were they not sandy? A. No, the vines were quite thick. They
were Lucretias.

Mr. Rork: I have grown them on a small scale, and there are three
nice patches of them near me. Mr. Slocum, near Grand Rapids, has a
fine patch of them, and makes money out of them in the home market.
He gets a good price. He is growing them in preference to strawberries.
He cuts them back into hills, two feet, lets them droop a little, throws
short straw on them pretty freely, and lets them lie there until spring.
Another man uses nearly the same treatment. He mulches a little more
heavily and presses down the vines before he puts it on, and in the spring
he shakes up the vines with a pitchfork. It is quite a craze in our
locality. They are being badly winter-killed with us, however, unless
pretty well covered. They are a fine, large berry and come in early, but
the people in market won’t buy them if they can get anything else. This
is the Lucretia.

-Q. They are generally reported as a sweet berry?

Mr. —————: Some that I had were not sweet, and they haven’t much
of a blackberry flavor with us, but they are fine and large.

104 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Wright: The dewberry, as I have seen it, is sour like some of the
blackberries, if picked before being ripe. They are grown in our location
to some extent, and when ripe, as they should be, they are very sweet,
but there is not a strong blackberry flavor to them.

Mr. Reid: Mr. Henry Hawley of Ganges has a row or two of them for
family use. He sets stakes and stretches two wires to each row, leaving
a space between of about a foot, and the bushes are sheared off at a
height of about two feet. He said he got a large crop from them, and -
there was evidence of that from the old calyxes still clinging to the
bushes. He did not pay much attention to them, having planted them for
his own use, and I think they were in sod, but he said he got large crops.
They come early and sell well.

Mr. Rork: After they are sweet, can you ship them?

A. I don’t know. <All I know anything about are sold in the home
market, and are easily disposed of. They are rather delicate in texture.

Mr. Rork: .With us, when they are ripe enough to be good, we can
not ship them far. :

What is Mr. Gurney’s method of destroying eurculio?

Mr. Gurney: I hardly dare open that subject. Of course there are
many growers who think there is nothing like spraying to kill curculio.
I don’t think it does any good. I have 600 or 700 trees. I have a sheet
put on a frame, like a wooden quilting frame, and that is on very light
wooden wheels. We take a row of twenty trees at a time, and as soon as
the plums get to be as large as wheat kernels we jar the trees. We tap
each limb, it does not hurt the tree, and when we get to the end of the
row we kill the curculio. My method is to commence early and go at
it every day, until we don’t get any more. We wait four or five days
and go at it again. There are may other methods, but the only way I have
ever succeeded is to kill them, and I have had from 700 to 1,000 bushels
of fruit, and not a stung plum among them, every year. Going at it in a
systematic manner, five or six cents per tree, it is said, will cover the
cost of killing every curculio. With the vigilant fruitgrower, the cur-
culio is an advantage; because, if we did not have the curculio, there
would be so many plums raised they would not be worth five cents per
bushel. Another thing that I have discovered, and I have practiced it
every Saturday: we pick up every plum that falls from the trees, and
every one that we discover is stung, and burn them. By doing that we
kill the worm that otherwise would go into the ground, and every year
the curculio grow less.

Mr. Monroe: My understanding is that in western New York they
decided to resort to jarring.

Mr. Morrill: Weren’t you in the hotel that evening, at Rochester, that
we had a division of the house? I don’t want to open up a profitless
discussion. I had asked a question at the convention down there, and
Mr. Willard took it up very sharply. I asked the question, “Do you people
in western New York control the curculio by spraying?” and Mr. Wil-
lard took it up very quickly, and intimated that he thought that I was too
intelligent a man to ask such a quesion, that any man who understood
the habits of the curculio, would know that it was absolutely impos-
sible. That was pretty good, as far as it went, but I reminded him of
a fact which he knew, that the people of Oceana county disagreed on

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 105

that. One man will come up and furnish positive evidence that he has
saved his plums by spraying, and another that spraying has failed. I
am not a plum-grower, and I wanted to know. But Mr. Willard made
that assertion, and it pretty nearly cleaned up the topic. Afterward he
came up to the hotel, and took me by the collar and said, “You ought to
know better than that.” I said that I did not know, and that I wanted
information. I had heard both sides. Mr. J. J. Harrison was there, and
he said, “What is the matter with you, Willard, there are plenty of men
who take care of their plums and cherries by spraying. I have orchards
where I keep them off by nothing but spraying, and I preserve my fruit
perfectly, and the moment I stopped spraying they were stung.” Now,
there were two men of national reputation directly opposed to one
another, and in less than three minutes we had three men on,a side,
including Mr. E. Smith of Geneva and two other men equally well
known. Those on one side, with positive evidence that their fruit had
been saved by spraying; and those on the other side, that it was impos-
sible. It was my “picnic.” There were six of the best men in the United
States, and they sat and disagreed for half an hour. They recited not
only their own experience, but the tests of the experiment stations,—tests
made to show that curculio could be controlled by spraying, while other
stations showed that it could not be done. Why shouldn’t a fellow like
myself ask questions?

Mr. Rice: The region about lake Ontario, on the north side of the
lake, isa great plum region. I was sent as delegate to the Ontario Fruit-
growers’ association, and of course this question of spraying plums came
up at their meetings. The president of the association stated in regard
to it, that they had definite proof that spraying did injure the curculio
to a certain extent, and in this way: he sucks his food and does not get
the poison in that way, but if the poison gets into the incision made in
the plum, it kills the egg, and in that way helps; but that was the extent
of it, and there seemed to be no disagreement of opinion at the con-
vention.

Mr. Morrill: It would be a profitless discussion, for it will never be
agreed upon, I presume. .

Mr. Brassington: I would like to have Mr. Gurney, if he has had any
experience in the use of commercial fertilizer, tell us what it is, and
perhaps he will be able to tell us something about the profits from the
use of commercial fertilizers.

_ Mr. Gurney: I am inclined to think it pays to put on ground bone

phosphate. I think the Detroit and Chicago people make a fertilizer that

is very good, and I think it pays to put it on; but you won’t see much

difference the first year. The next year you will, and I think it pays well.
14

106 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE GLADIOLUS.

[A paper read by H. H. Groff of Simcoe, Ont., at the annual meeting of the
Ontario Fruitgrowers’ Association, in Woodstock, Dec. 11 to 14, 1896, and read at
the Hart meeting by Mr. Rice.]

In an article published during the present year by one of the leading
horticultural journals of America, the statement was made that “There
had been no improvement in the gladiolus during the past ten years.”
It will be of interest to consider the general condition of this popular
flower at that time,.after it had been before the public some forty
years, and since then, during which all of the new strains have been
introduced.

Before going more fully into the question, I beg to advance the claim
that there has been more improvement during the past five years than
during the whole preceding period of its history.

The gladiolus of ten years ago descended from a cross between two
Cape species, and is known as the hybrids of the Gandavensis, the sec-
tion in general cultivation. For many years the varieties originating
from this cross have been inbred without careful selection, which has
resulted in one of the most variable plants known to the hybridizer. In
fact, this condition is made ground for the claim that there is no advan-
tage to be gained by hand pollenizing, as the leading varieties of com-
merce are the outcome of natural fertilization.

The extent to which this indiscriminate seed-raising has been con-
ducted may be better understood when it is known that commercial
seedlings are often grown from seed that can be bought for a few shil-
lings per pound. Such seed can hardly be produced from valuable
varieties, for the process of seed-raising is most exhausting to plant
life, and so apparent is its effect on the degenerated vitality of the
hybrids of Gandavensis, that if they survive the effort, it can not gener-
ally be repeated without an intervening season of rest.

Now, to admit this sweeping assertion is to concede that the work
done during a comparatively recent period, the first results of which
were introduced about five years ago, has indicated no advance on the
line of improvement, and that the time of Kelway, Souchet, Lemoine,
and others has been wasted, in their efforts to increase the beauty and
strength of the subject of this paper.

It will here be in order to consider the meaning of the term improve-
ment as applied to the gladiolus; and I take the practical and popular
ground that it should mean, first, the beauty of the individual flower;
second, strength and vitality of the plant; and third, arrangement.

During the past season, many visitors to my trial grounds, containing
some 1,000 named varieties, would stop before a hybrid of distinct merit.
The plant and straight spike stood six feet high, bearing a few open
flowers rivaling the orchid in richness and beauty. Without exception
it was pronounced the gem of the collection, thus proving the first prin-
ciples of improvement.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 107

We often hear objections made to a variety or strain, condemning it
for lack of substance. Now, while camellia-like petals are most desirable
and too rarely obtainable, their absence can not be made a point for
rejection, unless at the sacrifice of some of our most beautiful varieties.
Substance is largely a question of weather; for if, after a period of cool,
moist conditions a few hours of intense heat prevail, very common occur-
rences in our variable climate, large flowers must wilt, and the larger
they are the worse they are affected. The remedy, however, is easy and
most satisfactory. Cut the spike when the first flower opens, letting it
bloom further in the house, where the last bud of any size will do even
better than in the open ground. This treatment also strengthens the
bulb.

The first of the crosses between the hybrids of Gandavensis and
species is popularly known as the Lemoine section, the varieties of which
in general cultivation partake largely of the characteristics of the species,
their peculiarity being rather weak plants with crooked stems, bearing
small, bell-shape flowers. From these conditions the past five years
have seen developed one of the most beautiful and popular gladioli in
existence, a plant of great vigor, straight spikes, and flowers of the
largest size.

Among the newer hybrids and the best finished of the crosses with
the species Saundersonii, is the Nanceianus section, introduced in 1890.
While the general coloring of this strain is in shades of red, partaking
as it does so largely of the blood of the species, the wide-open flowers are
of enormous size and great richness and brilliancy of coloring. The
plants of the newer varieties are robust, the flowers of good substance,
and bulbs of great vitality:

To say that this is no improvement is to ignore a class the influence
of which will be seen in choice work yet to be introduced. That section
of European origin offered: under the name of Childsi, in 1893, is the
latest of the Saundersonii crosses in order of introduction. It is the
result of crossing the hybrids of Gandavensis on the species. The plant
is of robust habit, with flowers of the largest size. While lacking the
finish and coloring of the Nanceianus section, it contains the first break
from red shades among the Saundersonii hybrids as known to the
amateur.

It has been my privilege to test many varieties in advance of their dis-
semination, among which are the new hybrids originated by Mr. F. E.
Gray of Alhambra, California. When these are* introduced the
value of the infusion of new blood of the species will be more fully
appreciated. With me these plants, bearing spikes over two feet in
length, attained a height of fully six feet, with flowers of the Gandavensis
form, four inches or more in diameter.

Without reference to any strains yet to be introduced, it is with all
confidence I rest my contention on the evidence preceding, that the
gladiolus has improved, and will continue to be improved for many years
to come. :

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING.

HELD IN ST. JOSEPH, JUNE 10, 11, 12, 1896.

Only in respect of attendance was the midsummer meeting of the
society, at St. Joseph, the 10th to 12th of June, anything but the suc-
cessful occasion which it was hoped it would be. This was no doubt due
to the exceptionally early season bringing on the press of work in the
berry fields earlier than was anticipated. Otherwise the meeting was
in many respects one of the best the society has recently held.

The first evening was devoted to the discussion of a few questions from -
those in the programme, and to the address of welcome and response
thereto, the former being made by Mr. N. A. Hamilton of Niles and the
latter by Secretary Reid.

Considerable exhibits were made of strawberries and cherries, but
the lateness of the season for the former made the entries much smaller
than they otherwise would have been. Cherries were in abundant supply
and of highest quality, and there were many samples of green fruits—
peaches, pears, plums, currants, gooseberries, etc., all having some inter-
esting quality.

St. Joseph is a delightful place for any sort of meeting in the summer
time. The town itself is an exceptionally handsome one in many respects
other than its truly magnificent lake front, the streets being clean and
well shaded, the lawns for the most part neatly kept, many of the resi-
dences handsome, the business portion paved, the stores up to date in
stocks and appurtenances, the newspapers enterprising and newsy, the
hotels admirably: kept, especially hotel Whitcomb, which was society
headquarters; and, above all, the people intelligent, fraternal, and hospit-
able to a degree which leaves to their guests nothing to be desired, and
imbues them with a feeling of inability ever to adequately return the
courtesy and kindness which they meet at every hand. Certainly the
horticulturists left the city with only the pleasantest recollections of
their too brief enjoyment. The most striking feature of the town is the
high bluff overlooking lake Michigan, along which a considerable dis-
tance is a walk through a narrow but well-kept park, affording delight-
ful and inspiring views of the lake, an object of never-ceasing interest
to every visitor. The pleasures of this promenade were enjoyed by the
fruitgrowers to their limit, and recollection of it will linger long in
memory.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 109

A most pleasant and valuable feature of the meeting was the drive
made about the country Friday forenoon. Here again the generous atten-
tion of the St. Joseph people was manifest. Carriages were provided for
from sixty to one hundred guests, including the delegation from the
nurserymen’s convention, and they were taken south from St. Joseph,
then east across the river, out to the orchards of President Morrill, and
back through Benton Harbor. Despite the cold, drizzling rain which
fell during a considerable part of the forenoon, this ride was enjoyed
thoroughly, both for the beautiful scenery it afforded and for the study
of methods of cultivation of nearly every species of fruit grown in the
state. Upon many of the farms the cultivation is of a high order, though
there were enough lamentable exceptions to mark the rule. On the whole,
we think cultivation is much better in this region than in any of the
counties further north. Only in a few cases, however, was apparent the
practice of thinning the fruit from peach trees. The only orchards which
were inspected on foot were those of Mr. Morrill, of which much has
already been said in print, and concerning which the report of the com-
mittee given herewith in no respect exaggerates. The scrupulously clean
ground; the wonderfully perfect and vigorous foliage, marking the
orchards from a long distance; the strong, smooth, healthy trunks; the
rich earth, showing everywhere the color and texture acquired from
generous fertilizing; the abundant fruit, carefully thinned, only that
which was perfect remaining; the remarkable size of the trees according |
to age; the round, open, symmetrical heads of the trees, set low on the
trunks, bearing evidence of extreme care and intelligence in pruning,
and the general air of thrift and completeness, elicited unrestrained
praise from every visitor. It was clearly evident to all that Mr. Morrill’s
precepts, so often and freely given to his fellows, in no respect exceeds
his practice, but, rather, are below his actual demonstration of them.
In comparison with the orchards of Mr. Morrill and some others of the
neighborhood, there are thousands of plantations in Michigan which
appear as brush patches; and still the owners of the latter think they
are growing peaches as well as anybody. Verily, the average Michigan
fruitgrower has much yet to learn and much still to practice before he
becomes really worthy of his calling.

The visit of a delegation of twenty to thirty members of the American
Nurserymen’s association, which had been in session the preceding two
days, in Chicago, added very much to the interest of the last day’s pro-
ceedings. These gentlemen made many expressions of their wonder and
pleasure in the views they had that morning of Michigan orchards and
methods. Not less profuse were they in their thanks for the hospitalities
they enjoyed. Among the number was Prof. VanDeman, now of Virginia,
but for some years a resident of Michigan, and who was for some time
pomologist of the national department of agriculture. His participation
in the discussions was a source of much enlightenment to his hearers.
The nurserymen were an exceptionally bright-looking lot of men, com-
ing from nearly all the eastern and some of the southern states.

110 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

REPORT ON INSPECTION OF NURSERY STOCK.

The matter of inspection of nursery stock brought into Michigan from
other states being under discussion, a committee was appointed to
formulate the opinion of the society upon the subject, which they did,
and the following resolution from them was adopted unanimously:

Whereas, The state of Michigan is fast becoming one of the foremost states in
the Union in the production of the various kinds of fruit; and
Whereas, The introduction of the numerous deadly and injurious insects and
fungous diseases which prey upon the fruit trees and vines is fast becoming a
menace to the industry; and, considering that many of the other fruitgrowing
states have enacted laws for their protection, therefore be it
_Resolwed, That a committee of three be appointed to procure the necessary
information and draft a bill providing for the proper guarantee or inspection of all
fruit trees and plants introduced into this state from others, or from abroad, as
well as a proper inspection of those grown at home, said bill to be presented to
this society at its next annual meeting for its consideration, after which we shall
endeavor to procure its enactment as a law.
ASA W. SLAYTON.
R. D. GRAHAM.
Cc. A. SESSIONS.

REPORT ON EXHIBITS.

Although few in number, the entries were of unusual excellence. The season
for strawberries being about over, and few of the other fruits in condition, accounts
for the small size of the exhibit.

In strawberries we find a large exhibit by A. B. Bishop of Riverside. It con-
tains nine varieties and includes a number of the new and promising sorts. We
recommend that he be given the first prize for the ‘best box of strawberries for
market, color, firmness, and form to rule,’ for Brandywine, which stands high
in all of the points named. We award the second prize to Greenville. As com-
pared with Bubach, which was considered for second place, the specimens shown
were more regular and even in form, with little difference in color and firmness.
Marshall and Dew, although of high color, were less firm, and, particularly in
case of the latter sort, inclined to be coxcombed to an extent that lessens their mar-
ket value. We also give Mr. Bishop the first prize of $2 for the box of largest
strawberries, upon Dew, and the second prize of $1 for Marshall.

The premium of $4 for the best collection of strawberries, not less than five
varieties, for market, color, form, and firmness to rule, is awarded also to Mr.
Bishop. In addition to Brandywine and Greenville he exhibits in this class Bubach,
Tennessee Prolific, Enhance, Marshall, and Crawford. Timbrell was also shown,
but its color and irregularity of form are against it as a market sort.

The award for the best box of sour cherries goes to B. F. Pixley of St. Joseph,
for Early Richmond. That for the best box of sweet cherries to Stephen Cook
of Benton Harbor for seedling No. 2. For the best collection of cherries for mar-
ket, the first premium is given to Geo. W. Rose of Benton Harbor, for Richmond
and two sweet sorts; and the second to Mrs. Juan Hess for Royal Duke and Napol-
eon Bigarreau.

Geo. F. Comings exhibited an excellent box of Red Jacket and a box of Harly
Richmond.

We award the premium of $3 for the best collection of roses grown out of doors,
six or more varieties, including Gen. Jacqueminot, Paul Neyron, Mad. Plantier,

John Hopper, Capt. Christy, Gloire de Margottin, and Gen. Washington to Dr. A.
D. Brown.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. jue s

We desire particularly to call the attention of the society to two varieties of seed-
ling cherry (unnamed) originated twenty years ago and exhibited by Stephen Cook
of Benton Harbor. They are seedlings of Yellow Spanish crossed with Black
Tartarian. No. 2 is of large size; very dark red, nearly black; ovate heart-shape,
flattened on one side; stem 144 inches long, slender, deep set; skin firm, pulp mod-
erately soft, melting, very dark red; quite sweet and juicy. Said to be very hardy
and productive, after a test of twenty years. A very promising sort for market
or family use. No. 4is of a dark, rich red slightly shaded with black; large; slightly
ovate, laterally compressed, slightly heart-shape; stem rather larger than No. 2,
firmly inserted; flesh quite firm; free from strings, sweet, light red, free. An
excellent shipper. Both of the above sorts are too promising to be lost sight of,
and we urge the originator to have them tested in other sections.

We also noted a seedling strawberry originated by Thos. Wilde of Harrington
and named Flush. The foliage is large, firm, and healthy; fruit-stems very stout,
berries large, regular, and quite firm; color light red; flavor good, slightly acid.
Season said to be late, about with Gandy. Worthy of trial. If it proves equally
valuable in other sections it will find an empty place in the fruit list.

There was also on exhibition by Geo. F. Comings of St. Joseph a collection of
pear twigs showing the foliage and fruit of twelve varieties.

R. Morrill of Benton Harbor exhibits a branch of North Star currant. It is of
strong growth and very heavily laden with clusters of medium size. The berries
are of good size, bright red, and just beginning to ripen. Mr. Morrill also shows
a branch of Columbus gooseberry. This also shows a strong, healthy growth,
and bears a very heavy crop of large, yellowish-green oval berries.

Other parties have brought in branches of peach, plum, apple, and cherry, which
show that the fruit trees of all kinds in this section are already bending under
their load. ;

Mrs. B. F. Pixley has contributed a number of handsome ornamental plants,
including palms and ferns, for the decoration of the hall, and the thanks of the
society are due to J. H. Brumby of St. Joseph for his efforts in ornamenting the
stage with greenhouse plants, hanging baskets, and cut flowers.

J. R. Johnson of Dallas, Texas, exhibited a plant of the Columbian Imperial
grape, together with specimens of the branches, leaves, and green fruit. It is
claimed to be of Labrusca parentage with a trace of Riparia, but the latter does not
show in the foliage. The plant is very strong and vigorous, with numerous roots
of unusually large size. The stems are coarse but firm, with internodes of medium
length. The foliage is very large, smooth, and but slightly lobed; petals very
long and stout. From the half-grown specimens it is evident that the bunch is
of large size, with berries of enormous dimensions. The appearance of the plant
indicates that it has unusual ability to withstand drouth and disease, and, as it is
said to have originated in Ohio and to have withstood a winter, with a tempera-
ture thirty degrees below zero, in the northwest, its hardiness in Michigan is
probable.

Your committee visited the fruit farms of the president, R. Morrill, June 11.
The blatkberry plantation is remarkably fine and is setting fruit abundantly. The
treatment of the vines is peculiar, they being cut back to less than three feet, each
vine being tied to a wire stretched along the rows. The peach orchard of Mr.
Morrill, comprising thirty-five acres in excellent condition, contain a large number
of trees set during the last three or fotr years which are loaded with fine fruit.
The soil is of ideal quality, heavily fertilized with wood ashes and freely culti-
vated with Breed’s weeder. The system of pruning is peculiar to Mr. Morrill.
The trees are headed low and the tops are severely cut back each year. An open
top is secured for the purpose of receiving the largest amount of sunshine. The
large number of muskmelons just coming into flower are in fine condition and
promise a large crop.

We also find a large and interesting exhibit of punips and spraying apparatus
by Morrill & Morley of Benton Harbor. Their Eclipse pump has recently been
improved in several minor points and deserves high rank on account of its sim-
plicity and durability of construction, easy working, accessibility to different parts,
and, above all, its efficiency. The assortment of bamboo and brass extension rods
furnishes sizes adapted to all kinds of crops, and form an attachment that should
be with all spray pumps. The double Vermorel nozzles, as shown by the above
firm, are adjustable at all angles and do excellent and rapid work. The copper

112 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

strainer shown is a great convenience in the preparation of Bordeaux mixture,
and something of the kind would do much to relieve spraying of the serious annoy-
ance of clogging of pumps and nozzles.

We also noticed on the table a new western weed called tumble-mustard
(Sisymbrium altissimum) which is doing so much damage in Minnesota. It has
entered Michigan via Benton Harbor. One hundred plants were found growing
just south of the Vandalia salt warehouse, June 10, 1896. Your committee recom-
mend that the proper authorities be asked to destroy these new pests.

i. Re DAT,
Cc. F. WHEELER.

\

RESOLUTIONS.

Next are the resolutions of the regular committee, the most important
.feature of them being the one pledging the society in favor of the law
which directs the marking of fruit packages, about which there was
considerable discussion, all-in favor of upholding the law:

Resolwed, That the thanks of this society be tendered the good people of this
delightful and beautiful city, for their kindness in providing us this hall; for
furnishing teams and carriages for the much-enjoyed ride; for the various courte-
sies; to the ladies for the decorations; to the electric railway company for the
excursion tendered; to the press, which has given such able reports of our meet-
ings; to Profs. Wheeler and Taft for their helpful words along the lines of their
scientific studies; to the gentlemen of the nurserymen’s convention, whose presence
has added so much to the interest of our last session.

Resolved, That we recognize the importance of strict and careful grading cf
fruit and the honest packing and marking of same; that the use of short or off-size
packages, and “stuffing’, are not only dishonest but detrimental to our interests
in every way, and we recommend the enforcement of the package-marking law.

Resolved, That the growing demand for higher social and intellectual culture,
with the vast improvements in productive machinery, render it desirable that less
time be given to labor and more to head and heart culture.

Resolved, That, as we all believe that the gentle arts of horticulture, floriculture,
and home adornment tend to refine and elevate human character and society, we
therefore recommend and appreciate the work of the State Horticultural society
as one of the beneficent institutions of our grand state.

D. GRAHAM.
H. COMINGS.
E. ROOD.

a Pw

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 113

PAPERS AND DISCUSSIONS.

ADVANTAGES OF LIVING ON A FRUIT FARM.

BY MR. J. A. DONALDSON OF ST. JOSEPH.

The man who owns a small farm of good soil, in a favorable location,
well set with the various kinds of fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs,
well cared for, comes as near having an ideal home as it is possible to
have; and if he is situated where he can get his perishable products to
market in proper time, he has good reason to feel contented. For,
although he can not indulge in the hope of acquiring great wealth, he
will come nearer realizing a happy life than those who make slaves of
themselves to accumulate fortunes.

It is the first lesson that one needs to learn, who is in pursuit of happi-
ness, to be contented with an average share of the goods of this world,
and that the dwelling in ‘marble halls” does not add so much to a per-
son’s happiness as the many inexpensive things within reach of people
with moderate incomes, and the pleasant, trivial incidents that accom-
pany every moment of one’s existence.

The benefit that children derive from a rural home, both moral and
physical, should be considered a very great advantage. At such a home
the best foundation is laid for the usefulness of men and women; for,
instead of spending their time on the streets of cities, because their
parents have no employment for them, they are brought up with habits
of industry. It is a notable fact that a large percentage of the men who
are conspicuous in this country for great achievements originated on the
farm. Had these same men been reared in a large city, their physical
development would probably not have been as good, and some of them
might have been ruined in early life by the temptations that beset the
youth of cities. Of the forty-four men chosen from the city of Chicago
for directors of the World’s Fair, a very small portion were raised in
cities. A few were natives of Chicago, but Chicago was youthful and
innocent when they were born.

Another advantage that attends the business of fruitgrowing is, that
it is less liable to the serious reverses that often ruin people in trade. If
aman has an unincumbered farm to begin with, and understands his
business, is industrious, prudent, and of good habits, and favorably
located, his chances of losing his farm are very small; for although there
will be years of more or less failure, his average income can be made to
exceed his expenses, even with the present low prices of fruit.

15

114 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The unstinted amount of fruit which a fruitgrower is able to supply
his table, fresh from the tree and vine, is a consideration that should not
be overlooked. Such a healthful luxury can only be enjoyed on the farm,
in perfection, as it need not be gathered before it is in its best state for
eating.

It is not the purpose of this’ paper to influence men without experience
to change their vocations to engage in the business of fruitgrowing for
a livelihood, but to make those who are comfortably situated on fruit
farms satisfied to stay. It requires a knowledge of the business to make
it profitable, but, if one does not wish to make it a dependence, experience
is not so important. But, whether the fruit farm is made a home for
pleasure or profit, it can hardly fail to make satisfactory returns to people
who enjoy rural life.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Comings: I think the best way would be to fall in with the current
of the paper, and extend it a little. Man was placed, we are told, in a
garden, close to nature. I do not believe many here realize how absolutely
necessary it is for man to have contact with nature in some way, with
land or water or some feature of nature, to be a properly developed,
well-balanced man; and in this country we have today to face conditions
which are very undemocratic and very unhealthy from the fact that a
large number of our people have become what is called “ factory slaves ”,
people whose whole life is spent away from nature, having no contact
with the gardens, fruits, vines, or flowers; and that is unhealthy, abnor-
mal, and wicked, and will always produce a slavish character and devel-
opment, and so a large proportion of our people have drifted into this
condition of life that it is a serious question for the future of our repub-
lican institutions. I knew a striking case, a few years ago (I have known
others similar), where a man began working in a factory at $1.50 per day.
Later he received $2, and then he was put on piece-work. He worked in
one factory twenty years, and when he left that factory he had saved
more than his twenty years’ wages, and this is how: He had gone outside
of the town and bought a lot, beautified it, had a garden and fruits, a
horse and cow and chickens, and he had brought up his family there. He
worked four to six hours per day. When he had made $2 he went home
and worked on his little garden, and in the twenty years he had developed
four such homes and sold them at a profit. So he had made his living
and supported his family; his boys had been brought up gardeners and
had become good citizens, whereas, if he had rented a home, his boys
would probably have grown up rough and perhaps worthless, and cer-
tainly would never have been worth as much as citizens. That is my
idea of our civilization. A man should have his own leisure time, and his
work should be in the garden, where God planted man. These leisure
hours should, a part of them at least, be devoted to some pursuit which
would bring him nearer nature. I believe that is the only way a correct
civilization can be developed. That perhaps is a radical idea.

Mr. Morrill: I am glad Mr. Comings adds that idea to the paper,
because it is practicable and perhaps at the same time idealistic.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 115

Mr. Comings: I believe it is thoroughly practicable. Nelson at St.
Louis, and the Ivory Soap company, insist that every man shall have a
garden of hisown. The struggle for eight hours per day in our factories
is opposed by many men here. To me it seems like putting a block in the
way of civilization. I believe no man has the right to work more than
six or eight hours per day. Our men in the offices and factories become
warped and distorted by lack of contact with nature. What is natural
is scientific.

Mr. L. W. Ruth: A man told me that he was going to move to the
suburbs and get some chickens and a cow, and get right down to Mother
Earth. He felt that he needed to come into closer contact with nature.
There is no question but men develop better under these circumstances.
It may be that we farmers are growing one-sided by too much nature
and not enough business life. If we could mix it up advantageously,
unquestionably we would be the better for it.

Mr. Morrill: In this locality there is that condition of affairs, more
than in any horticultural or agricultural district of which I know. The
farmers live near the city, and are familiar with its life, and most of the
people of the town are more or less interested in farming.

Prof. Slayton: I believe it would be cheaper for the state to oblige
every family to cultivate a half dozen fruit trees than to maintain all
of the jails and prisons of the state; and I believe if the first were done
the jails and prisons could be largely abandoned. If all children were
brought up under fruit trees there would be less stealing.

Mr. Wilde: When I was a boy, my father thought I ought to learn a
trade. I learned the tanner’s trade. I went to work by the piece and I
was called by bell, and finally I felt that I could not endure the confine-
ment longer. So I started for Michigan. I bargained for the piece of
land where I now am, and when I reached here I had just one dollar
left. We have gotten along very well. I have not tried to become rich,
but rather to be comfortable and to enjoy myself and family. I have a
large family, and I have never regretted that we struck out and came
here.

116 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

THE VARIOUS PHASES OF SPRAYING.

BY MR. WM. A. SMITH OF BENTON HARBOR.

As horticultural productions increase, the enemies that feed and breed
upon them increase in like proportion. As the land becomes denuded of —
forest timber, many of these insects seek and find shelter and breeding
places in our orchards and berry patches. These are mainly divided into
two classes, those that take their food and nourishment by eating the
foliage and fruits, and those that live by sucking the juices of the fruit
and plant. Of the former class, the potato bug and slug, the tent cater-
pillar, canker worm, and currant worm, are familiar examples; while the
San Jose scale, plant lice, squash bugs, etc., are peculiar to those of the
second class. While the eating insects can be in a measure controlled
and destroyed by a judicious system of spraying, the other class must be
treated in some other way. The system of spraying has now become so
general, I might almost say universal, there is no longer any secret in its
application nor doubt of its good results if properly and judiciously
applied.

The first spraying practiced in this locality was done some nine or ten
years ago. The pump used was a rotary one, procured from a saloon
where it had done service pumping beer. Whether it had become demor-
alized in this service I can’t say, but it failed to give satisfaction in field
work; yet in both cases it doubtless destroyed animal and insect life.
The next pump introduced here was the Lockport force-pump, some speci-
mens of which are still in use. Since then many different forms and
many improvements have been introduced, so that now the machinery is
well nigh complete. There is now no longer any excuse for ffuitgrow-
ers, in this locality at least, being without this adjunct of their business,
as pumps can be procured, and these of the best style and action, in this
immediate vicinity. In the case of caterpillars and cankerworms, spray-
ing is doubtless the most economical and sure remedy. Certain parts
of eta county have been infested for years with the destroying canker-
worm. Not long ago I visited an apple orchard of some 200 old, large
trees. These trees looked as though a fire had swept over every branch.
Another orchard in the immediate vicinity had been sprayed three times,
and that remained healthy, though some trees near the line were affected
somewhat. In this case the crop of fruit for this year is utterly
destroyed, and the prospects for a fruit crop next year is not much bet-
ter; because the foliage must be renewed before the necessary prepara-
tion can be made for the next crop of fruit.

The cankerworm does its work upon the foliage of the tree, the codlin
moth upon the fruit. While the former does its work mainly in the
spring, when the foliage is young and tender, the latter continues its
work during the whole summer; and how to save the crop from this per-
sistent enemy has baffled some of our best fruitgrowers. Years ago we
were taught that there was but one brood of these insects, and that the

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. Ary

eggs were deposited in the blossom end of the apple; that by spraying
the trees at the proper time the poison would settle in this part of the
fruit and destroy the larva when it began its work. We know full well
that these eggs are not all deposited in one day, nor one week, and prob-
ably not in four weeks; and that to be effectual the larva must reach the
poison in the very beginning of its existence or it will soon be beyond
reach. Hence so many failures to reach even the greater part of this first
brood. But is this the only brood of these insects we have to fight? Like
the potato bug, the curculio, and many other pests, they remain with us
all summer and then go into winter quarters and are ready to begin
their life’s work the next year. The single-brood theory of the codlin
moth has long since been discarded. As a rule, the late varieties of
apple are far more exposed to these insects than are the early varieties.
The latter will not unusually go through in a good, marketable condition,
while the former will be almost wholly destroyed by them. Just how
late spraying, after the blossom end turns down and can hardly be made
the receptacle of the poison, can or does affect the larva or the moth is
a point not entirely plain. Theory in these matters is one thing and
practice is another.

In the summer of 1895, or rather spring, for my first spraying was
for scab, about the time the leaf buds were starting, a regular drenching
of the trees, body and top, was given. The next was soon after the trees
were out of bloom; again, about two weeks later, and again when the
fruit was about one quarter grown. In the meantime, about the first of
July, I bandaged my trees with heavy felt paper strips six inches wide.
These were examined every ten days, and the larvee destroyed, from 10 to
25 per tree at each examination. These examinations continued until the
month of October. These larvze had done their work on the fruit before
seeking refuge under the bands, and the bands could only be of effect
the next season. I found that by placing these bands or traps near the
crown of the tree and having them fit close to the bark, they proved
more effective than when placed higher up. The summer of 1895 was
exceedingly dry and so was that of 1894, seasons in which these moths
could work without interruption, and hence the general destruction or
damage to our apple crop. I am satisfied that some additional remedy
will be necessary to save our late apples, whether that remedy is band-
aging the trees or turning hogs or sheep on the ground to destroy the
droppings, or both.

Much damage has been done by inexperienced sprayers to the foliage.
This has often been the case with the Baldwin apple, the foliage of
which is somewhat tender. Sometimes the spraying is too heavy, some-
times the ingredients are not properly mixed, hence damage and not
benefits result. It would be well if we could have a professional sprayer
in each fruitgrowing section, with a good outfit, a practical experience,
‘and a disposition to do thorough work, instead of the present haphazard
way of doing, as it would in the end be far more economical and much
more efficient.

In spraying for the fungous growth, my experience is somewhat lim-
ited. In the spring of 1895 I sprayed my apple and pear trees, about the
time the buds started, gave them a regular drenching. Later, I sprayed
again with the insecticide added, and awaited results. Among the

118 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

varieties of pear were Flemish Beauty and Seckel, Which are peculiarly
subject to scab. The season was very dry, for weeks not moisture enough
in the air to form dew on the grass, if there had been any. The fungi had
little chance to grow. I watched the fruit on those trees with consider-
able care, but saw no sign of scab until after the first rain, along in
midsummer, and then very little. My first impression was that this
time I had made a success and no mistake. But later in the season,
when the fruit was ready for the harvest, by observation and reports from
my neighbors, I learned that their fruit was equally good as mine,
although they paid no attention to spraying. First conclusions are not
always correct. Perhaps, under different atmospheric conditions, the
results might have been widely different.

As to spraying for the plum curculio, there is a wide difference of
opinion. Just how the poison will or can reach the larva when it begins
its work is somewhat a mystery. The female makes a crescent cut,
raises the fiap of cuticle, deposits her egg, and replaces the skin. If
in this case the poison could penetrate the cut at all, it would probably
be before the egg had passed into the larval state, and would likely
become neutralized by the juices of the fruit before the larva was ready
to feed. “As this process of stinging the fruit continues day by day
until the fruit is mature in size, there is little chance of protecting the
fruit in this way, unless the curculio herself takes the poison and dies,
which is somewhat doubtful. With such varieties as Lombard and
others of that class, that set three or four times as much fruit as the
tree can well mature, it is easy enough to save the crop by spraying;
but with those that set fruit more sparingly, the supplementary process
of jarring is essential to save the crop.

Aside from protection to the fruit, spraying the plum trees with
Bordeaux mixture is doubtless a good protection to the foliage. Some
years ago, before I commenced spraying my trees, the foliage on most
varieties was attacked by a species of rust which caused the trees to shed
most of their leaves before the fruit was fully mature and hence lacking
in color and quality. Since I have sprayed my trees the foliage has
remained in a healthy state and the fruit matured in its proper condition.

The country is now abundantly supplied with theories and formulas
in regard to spraying, so that I need not, even if I could, add any addi-
tional ones. A few simple rules or directions should be observed. First,
the sprayer should provide himself with a good outfit, in the shape of a
well-tested force-pump; second, he should understand the most approved
proportions and the proper admixture of his spraying materials, and,
third, he should know when and how to make the application, and then
do it in a workman-like manner.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Morrill: A fine spray you consider more economical and reliable?

Mr. Smith: Of course, it takes a good power to send a spray into the
top of a high tree, and you must have good weather, free from very high
winds. That is altogether a question of nozzle and pump.

Mr. Judson: What is the best solution to spray with now—Bordeaux
mixture, or Paris green and arsenic without the Bordeaux mixture?

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 119

Will the Bordeaux mixture speck or discolor the fruit? I wish to spray
my apples pretty soon.

Mr. Smith: My own experience in this matter is all I can speak of. I
use six pounds of sulphate of copper and four pounds of lime. I use Lon-
don purple in place of Paris green because it is not quite so heavy. I use
this amount to fifty gallons of water.

Q. How much London purple do you use? A. Four ounces makes it
sufficiently strong, in my opinion. My greatest difficulty has been in
getting the lime in the right shape to add to the spraying materials
without clogging the pump. It requires a strainer before you add the
lime. I use milk of lime, but notwithstanding that it has a tendency
to clog the sprayer frequently. If we had the right kind of apparatus,
with a fine sieve, to run the milk of lime through, before it enters the
barrel, perhaps that could be avoided.

Mr. Judson: I find that spraying two or three times doesn’t do for
me. On my apple trees, last year, toward the first of August, you could
hardly find a wormy apple, and when I picked them there was hardly one
but was wormy. Where did the worms come from? Did they come from
the few that were left, that did not get the spray, or from the neighbors’
orchards? I find it is necessary for me to spray two or three times
more. I have sprayed three times already, and I expect to have to spray
two or three times more, to get apples that are perfect.

Mr. Morrill: You may have to spray your neighbors’ orchards.

Mr. Judson: That is what I wish to know. Will these fellows travel
very far?

Mr. Smith: Probably the gentleman will have to spray later in the
year. In 1894, I had as fine prospects for Baldwin apples as I ever saw,
and when they were one third grown they were entirely free from
worms, and I told everyone I was going to have the finest kind of crop
of apples. Everything else came on, and I stopped spraying. The
apples were then as large as walnuts, but when I came to pick them every
one had two or three worms. The codlin moth kept working on them all
summer, and there was no rain. That question comes in, how late can
we spray advantageously to destroy these worms? I was never more
surprised in my life than that year, and I almost lost faith in spraying.
The apples looked so fine and clear and large, and when it came to the
picking I didn’t have any.

A Member: That is the experience I had last year. I sprayed every-
thing, as I thought, as long as the bulletins recommended, and every-
thing that ripened before the very late pears was perfect. But after that,
even the Seckels, which only ripen ten days or two weeks later, were
wormy as well as the Baldwins and everything else. I might have
sprayed one or two times less, early in the season, and put it on later. It
perhaps would have been better.

Mr. Morrill: I do not think Mr. Judson’s questions have been answered
yet. He asked if the poison should be used with Bordeaux mixture.

Prof Taft: I was asked that question last night, and my reply was
that when I get home next week I shall spray the apple orchard again,
and in that be guided by the conditions. If between now and then we
have warm and pleasant weather, I shall not think it necessary to use
the Bordeaux mixture, but I shall use the insecticide for the codlin moth.

120 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

If I find that there is any appearance of scab, and the conditions seem
to favor its growth, I shall spray with Bordeanx mixture as late as the
middle of July or into August. I usually commence in June, if the season
is very moist, and keep it up until August, say, giving three applica-
tions after June; doing this, I have been able to save nine tenths of the
apples, entirely free from scab, where the proportion was reversed on
the neighborhood trees. As to the question regarding the injury, I make
it a practice always to reduce the strength as the season advances. I
think the fruit is less able to stand a strong solution, and the repeated
sprayings increase the amount on the fruit and the danger of injury.

Mr. Morrill: You are speaking of rusting now?

A. Yes, burning. I never use it quite so strong as Mr. Smith does.
Even in the first application of Bordeaux I only use two pounds to twenty
gallons. He uses six pounds to fifty gallons. About four pounds to forty
gallons has been as high as I have ever used it; the next time, four to fifty
vallons, and finally four to sixty. In some cases I found it necessary to
spray with some fungicide when I did not like to put on the lime. I
was afraid that the lime would remain there and form a whitewash, and
I found as good resuits, though less permanent, with a weak solution of
copper sulphate. That is the active principle in Bordeaux mixture, but
the great trouble is that it washes off. But to destroy the spores that
will be there in a few days I find it gives better results than Bordeaux
mixture, even, but it does not last, and if you had te put it ou again it
would be required sooner.

Mr. Wilde: Do you reduce the arsenites as well as the lime?

A. Not if I am using Bordeaux mixture. At the least, I use three
ounces to fifty gallons; and, too, it depends on the insect for which I am
spraying, a good deal. If the canker worm is sprayed for, as it should be,
when they are very small, it would be sufficient to use three or four
ounces in fifty gallons, but if they have gotten a start I like to knock them
out as soou as possible and I increase the strength. With the lime, you
‘can use five ounces, or more than that, perhaps, to fifty gallons of water,
and so for any insect, I try to adjust the strength according to the
requirements.

Mr. Cook: Iam satisfied, from my observation, if we have dry weather
about the time the fruit is setting, after the fruit is in blossom, we are
not likely to see much fungous growth. If the weather is moist and
warm at that time, that is the critical period. I am satisfied, after the
fruit gets to be large, it will not injure it much. The critical time is
when it first sets. I have known pears to be affected before they were
fairly out of blossom. In California they are not troubled with scab,
because at the time the fruit sets they have dry weather. Last year and
this year it was dry when our fruit set. I can not keep the codlin moth
from getting into the early fruit. In order to succeed in this, all the
loose bark should be scraped off in the winter. If you do it in the winter
it will destroy a great many of the larvee secreted under the bark. The
larvee do not leave the apples that are stung unless they fall to the
ground, or if they can leave them in the night, because then they are
not likely to be caught. They will crawl down the tree, find a place to
hide and in which to turn into the moth state; but if the bark is scraped
off, the loose bark, they will go under paper bands (if they have previ-

«

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 121

ously been placed there), and those that fall will go up the tree, looking
for a place to hide, and if there is no loose bark they wiil go under the
bands.

Prof. Taft: I wish to testify to the accuracy of Mr. Cook’s observa-
tions. I think he has given you the facts just as they are, and I can also
say that a band put around the tree in the spring will be of no value
until about June, so there is no use in putting on the band until about
that time, from the fact that the only insects that go in there are the
worms that come out from the first brood. In regard to spraying, I think
it is of the greatest importance, whether you are spraying for the codlin
moth or not, to spray early. We are most likely to have injury from
scab when the weather is moist and warm, about the time the fruit is
setting. Two or three years ago we had these conditions prevailing
when it was in blossom, and the fungus worked on the blossom and
stem, and the fruit did not set. To save the crop from this disease, I
think it is of great importance that we spray even before the fruit
blossoms. My practice has been to spray just before the blossoms open,
for the purpose of coating over the leaves at that time, and to protect
the blossom stems. If we can do that we can save the crop up to that
time, and three years ago we lost a crop because the blossom stems were
not covered; and then, just as soon as the blossoms have fallen, we go
over it again to coat the young apples thoroughly, and use the arsenite
to destroy the codlin moth; otherwise the eggs deposited at first will
hatch, and the little worms will be beyond the reach of our poison.

Mr. Comings: What progress has been made in finding substitutes
for arsenical poisons? It is stated by authorities that the very slight
trace of muriate in sugar is producing a large increase in the kidney
diseases of the country. The arsenical poisons are powerful chemica}s,
and I should be glad to use something else. The amount we breathe
would be, according to homeopathic ideas, a strong medication, to say
nothing of the amount we get on the skin of the fruit. Are there any
successful substitutes being found?

Prof. Taft: No, sir. But there are various forms of arsenites used.

Q. Do you hear any criticisms of arsenites, as concerns the health of
the people?

Prof. Taft: Nothing worth considering, from the fact that the quan-
tity used is very small indeed, and the amount that remains on the fruit
is comparatively small, especially if we use it anywhere from six weeks
to six months before the fruit is eaten. It becomes greatly reduced, and
taking into consideration the amount which physicians say is harmful we
could eat several bushels of fruit without danger.

Q. But we breathe it.

Prof. Taft: The material being in solution, I do not think there is
danger in breathing. You might take a small amount from the face
and hands, by absorption. I won’t vouch for the analysis, but I have seen
the statement quoted by reliable persons, and so often that I feel it
comes straight, that there is more arsenic in our wheat than upon the
apples after they are sprayed; and if we can eat wheat as we do, and
have for thousands of years, without harm, I think we can eat the apples
with safety.

16

122 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Cook: I understand this fungus is cold-proof. Why not spray in
cold weather?

Prof. Taft: It has been done, and can be done, any time in the winter,
and then I would use only the copper solution, which is more effective
than Bordeaux mixture. This would be effective against any disease.
When we use Bordeaux mixture, which is practically insoluble in
water, it settles to the bottom, and is not nearly so effectual as copper
sulphate, except as it becomes dissolved, later on, by the ammonia in the
air—there is a slow solution which takes place, and in that way it
becomes effectual. If there is no foliage, I would always use copper
sulphate, and I have had as good results in using a weak solution.

Mr. Munson: I have used Bordeaux considerably, but I have never
used it stronger than six pounds of sulphate and six pounds of lime, and
I would like the best method of preparing the lime. Is milk of lime as
effective?

Prof. Taft: I generally recommend a little stronger solution than 1
use myself, for the reason that where one has sprayed year after year
there are fewer spores, and a weaker solution will answer. I am sure
that Mr. Munson could use a solution half as strong as the beginner. But
I never come down quite so much as that, in our own spraying. You will
find that you will have far less trouble the year after spraying than
others who have not sprayed at all, and of course a weaker solution
would answer. Regarding the use of lime, I would say I have found that —
the best way of preparing it, if large quantities are to be used, is to
slake the quantity wanted for use for the week, or for months, if you care
to keep it. I slake perhaps half a barrel and do it carefully, avoiding
burning or putting in water enough at one time to prevent proper slaking.
In using a few pounds of lime, and throwing water on by the pailful,
you are likely to prevent its slaking. By taking a quantity, you obviate
this diffeulty, and there is far less danger with half a barrel or a barrel
than with less. I slake that and keep it just moist, a paste, and just
covered with water. At the same time that I want to spray, or the day
before, I take, say, twenty-five pounds of the copper sulphate (I use it in
the pulverized form) and place in a piece of burlap or an old basket and
suspend this in a barrel of water. I like at least two gallous to every
pound. I suspend it so that it is barely covered. You will then have the
clear water around it, and this will dissolve a certain amount of
copper sulphate. This solution being heavier, drops down, and so it
goes, and finally we will have it all dissolved and. in shape to use. The
common way is to take the right quantity of lime and the proper quantity
of solution and put them together and dilute. The trouble with that is,
as you have probably found, the material being quite heavy, drops to
the bottom, unless kept in motion. You will find that if you slake your
lime and dissolve the copper sulphate, and dilute each of these—for
instance, if you wish to make fifty gallons, dilute each to twenty-five
gallons, and then pour them together, stirring as you pour, they will stay
in suspension far longer, and it is only a slight amount of trouble, and
will save a good deal of difficulty in keeping it suspended. If you wish
to make fifty gallons, and have your solution all ready, take six
pounds of copper sulphate and four to six pounds of the lime mixture
and add enough water to make twenty-five gallons of each, and pour

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 123

these together, keeping them well stirred, and then stir after they are
poured together. There was a question about the lime, and I will answer
that by saying that you should have about so much lime in the mixture.
It takes from four to six pounds. I have two or three tests which I use
to ascertain about the lime. One test is by what the chemists and drug-
gists call “yellow prussiate of potash.” It is a chemical you can buy. A
piece as large as a hickory nut will be all you will need in a year. Place
this in a bottle holding three or four ounces of water. When you have put
your lime and copper sulphate in, in what you think are about the proper
proportions, drop in a little of this solution. If you haven’t lime enough,
you will find that this light yellow liquid will make a very dark brown
spot—sort of mahogany brown—very distinct. That means there is not
lime enough, that there is some free copper. To remedy this, merely add
more lime. For safety, even if I found my test worked all right, I would
add a little more lime, to make sure there was no free copper there.
That is one test, and [ think it is a good one. Another one is even more
simple. Take your pocket knife and dip one of the blades in; and of
course, if there is copper deposited on it, when you take it out, you will
want more lime; it will indicate free copper. Let it remain in the liquid
about a minute. Another test is to see if there is an excess of lime. You
can take clear lime-water and blow into it a little while. The carbonic
acid of your breath will make a cloud. You can take some of this Bor-
deaux mixture on a little plate and blow into it a few minutes, slowly;
the lime unites with the carbon di-oxide, and forms a little film. If
there is any free lime a slight film will be formed, indicating that it is
all right. It shows that you will require no more lime.

Q. Is there any danger of getting in too much lime? A. Not if the lime
is properly slaked and it doesn’t bother the pump.

Mr. Smith: Do you practice spraying the peach at the college?

A. For curl-leaf, yes, sir.

Q. What is the disease that produces curl-leaf—is it a fungus? A.
Yes, sir.

Q. Has cold weather anything to do with it?

A. Well, I thought so a year ago, but I am a little in doubt now. I
think anything that causes a check to the growth is likely to bring this
on, and a cold spell in the spring will check the tree; and in all cases
fungus will occur, if it is warm and moist afterward. So, in our experi-
ence if we have cold spells that would check the tree, and after that a
moist period and warm, we are likely to have the leaf-curl, which is
caused by a fungus. Of course, there is another curl that is entirely
distinct, but this fungus is almost the same as that of the plum-pockets
—forming a sort of sack several times as large as the healthy plums at
this time of year. They are hollow and generally of a whitish color. I
would say that we have had very good success, the last four years, where
we have sprayed for leaf-curl. This year our young trees were badly
affected, but with the sprayed trees I have seen very little curl-leaf,
hardly one affected leaf to the tree. We had a few trees which we gen-
erally spray but which we neglected this year, and these were badly
affected, as are other trees, particularly young trees, in our section.
Spray early, for this, before the leaves come out. The fungus winters
on the old shoots, in the scales of the buds, and by spraying early and

124 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

using copper sulphate solution, that one spraying will do much toward
reducing the injury. I always spray for leaf-curl at that time, and then
spray the trees again, soon after they blossom, using Bordeaux mixture
and Paris green.

Mr. Morrill: With nearly everyone who has a large amount of spray-
ing to do, this matter of getting the lime into proper form has caused
as much harsh language as anything connected with it, and the idea has
been prevalent that we should strain it through something cheap, and it
has been recommended that we use burlap. Burlap has considerable
loose lint, it is an imperfect strainer at best, and it clogs nozzles and
strainers, and a few of those things have caused a great deal of trouble.
In our own work we use this (exhibiting a large funnel) and it can be
made by any tinner. Use a twenty-four-mesh wire cloth and a copper or
brass strainer, and then none of your materials can affect it; and when
it has gone through there, net only your material is strained, but every-
thing that will affect the pump is taken out.

Q. You strain the mixtures before they are put together, don’t you?
A. I strain them right into my spraying tank.

Q. You don’t put the lime with the sulphate first thing, do you? You
strain them each separately ?

A. My plan is to mix my stock solutions. I mix my stock solutions
stronger than does Prof. Taft. I use a pound to a gallon, Then we put
into our tank the regulation amount; although I use four and four to fifty,
it makes a safe solution, and it has been perfectly effectual with me.
In a fifty-gallon cask we dissolve fifty pounds of copper sulphate and in
another slake fifty pounds of lime. We find in straining it that there is a
great deal of waste, but we make sure of enough lime. Then we strain one
of the stocks into the tank, filling up with water, and then the other stock
is strained into the tank, in this way preventing the curdling of the mix-
tures. When it comes to the nozzle, those little soft lumps will bother;
but by proper straining, and a little care in not straining the two stocks
together without plenty of water, this can be avoided. This curdling we
have found very troublesome, as it will pass the strainers and prove
troublesome in the nozzle.

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. : 125

A TALK ON CHERRIES.

BY MR. STEPHEN COOK OF BENTON HARBOR.

I don’t wish it to be understood that I know all about cherry culture
or all about the varieties. It is true I know some things about it, but I
am not so egotistical as to suppose I know all. Perhaps I may throw out
a few ideas, from my observation and experience in my own locality. It
is true that .a certain cherry might do well in my locality and not in
another part of the state. So what I have to say will relate mostly to our
lake shore country.

The first thing is in regard to location. Now, there are some places
where I would not plant cherries. I would not plant them in a hollow nor
on wet ground—always avoid low ground. I do not say it is necessary to
have a dry, sandy soil, although they will do well there; a good, sub-
stantial soil, if it is not wet, if it will produce good crops of corn and
wheat, is a good location for the cherry orchard. It is a fact that a
cherry tree will be killed by wet where a pear tree would flourish, or even
a peach tree. I think the Mahaleb stock will stand wet better than the
Mazzard, but I wouldn’t advise any one to put a cherry tree on wet soil.
On a dry clay soil, or where there is a slope, there will not be much
danger. JI have some trees situated like that, and they do well. At
the same time, you can plant cherries on any elevated piece of ground and
they will do well.

There is another difficulty, where you have a sandy knoll, for instance,
where the sand is liable to be blown off. There is danger of the frost
getting down so deep that the roots may be injured. I have seen cherry
trees killed in that way. I have never had a cherry tree injured at the
top, but there is danger that the roots may be injured. But by using
Mahaleb stock that will be avoided. That has a very strong, tough root.
In a locality like that, if a man is setting a cherry orchard on high,
elevated ground, and it is sandy, and the sand is liable to be blown awzy,
I] should mulch the trees, mulch in the fall.

What varieties should be raised for market? Here will come a difter-
ence of opinion. For my locality, as some of the leading varieties, I
should take May Duke first. That is between a sweet and a very acid
cherry, of which Richmond is a type. May Duke is sufficiently acid
for any purpose, and still, when it is thoroughly ripe, it is dark red and
very fine eating. It fills the bill better than any one variety 1 know, for
family use and as a fine market cherry, and I think when it is better
known in Chicago it will sell as one of the best, though I find that the
large black cherry will bring the most money in the Chicago market.
The reason is simply this, that our cherries come into competition with
cherries from California, and of course we know that those are large
cherries. Now, if we are going to compete with cherries from California,
the larger the cherry and the blacker, the better sale there is for it in
Chicago market. A black cherry always sells better than a red
and a red better than a light cherry, things being equal as to size, ete.

!
126 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Smith: In regard to May Duke, is it not a fact that they are
almost black when thoroughly ripe?

Mr. Cook: Yes, a dark red, almost black. Early Richmond could
perhaps be grown all over the state—inland and everywhere. Perhaps
it should be considered the leading variety for all localities. I don’t see
any on the lake shore, for May Duke will grow there, and I think sur-
passes it in every respect. It commences to bear with us at three years,
and it grows faster. Some years it bears fuller than others. Black
Tartarian is one of our leading varieties. It is put down as a large cherry,
and there are few varieties which surpass it in size. Great Bigarrean
will surpass it in size but not in quality. I have some seedlings that are
fully as large. Great Bigarreau forms a large tree with a spreading
habit, not quite. so productive as I would like, but a fine-selling cherry. I
don’t like it on one account, though; it is not quite so productive as
Black Tartarian. That is considered a standard of excellence. In Chicago
a large black cherry is like the Crawford peach—anything that is a large
yellow peach sells as a Crawford. So a large black cherry will sell as
Black Tartarian. There are a good many other varieties I could mention
—Yellow Spanish, Governor Wood, and several others, but I would not
recommend them particularly. Of course we have English Morello, but
it is worse than Richmond for acidity. I don’t know but they would sell
well in Chicago. It is a slow-growing tree.

Now, in regard to the pests of the cherry. The curculio will injure the
cherry to some extent, though where I grow them, in the open field (and
that is where cherries should be grown), they will not be troubled as much.
They only trouble me where they grow near a piece of woods, or some
other fruit row. As for jarring the cherry tree, I don’t think it would be
practicable. J think the tree would very likely die in a few years, from
bruising of the bark. If the bark is injured it is likely to gum, and when
it commences to gui it will die.

All the varieties I have mentioned will grow on the lake shore, and
the May Duke will grow wherever peaches will. It is a hardy tree.

The curculio, as I said, works most along old fence rows or near the
woods. Although the curculio goes into the ground after the cherry or
plum is attacked, there it becomes a winged insect, and then, before the
winter sets in, it seeks some place to spend the winter, and an old fence
row or woods is the place for it.

Occasionally we have the aphis. That gets on the ends of the young
shoots. Of course, I suppose they could be killed by kerosene emulsion;
but the year they came so thick, they came all at once, on the ends of the
shoots, and I was wondering what I should do. One day I was down
on the beach, and there, where the waves washed it, I discovered
immense quantities of lady-bugs. They were along there so thick you
could see them rods off. They were washed up by the waves and lay
there in rows. In a short time they were gone from there, and in a
few days I discovered that some of the trees were literally covered with
these lady-bugs, and that the lice very quickly disappeared. In less than
a week you couldn’t find one. They destroyed them at once. The lady-bug
is one of the best friends the fruitgrower has.

Regarding stocks, I don’t know whether that will interest you or not.
I find there is quite a difference in the productiveness of cherry trees,

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 127

according to what they are worked on. It used to be the practice of
nurserymen to work the cherry on the Black Mazzard stock. For several
years past I have used the Mahaleb. I wrote to Mr. Barry several years
ago, if that stock was good for the cherry, and if a tree budded upon that
stock would be a long-lived tree, if it was hardy, and if the union between
the stock and bud would be strong and permanent. He wrote me in the
affirmative. Since then I have used that stock exclusively, because I
bud some trees for my own use, and I am satisfied it is an improvement
on the old Black Mazzard stock.

Mr. Morrill: Doesn’t it dwarf the tree somewhat?

A. A little, bet it nakes a better tree and a better-shaped tree. That
is my experience. Then there is another stock on which they can be
worked to some extent—the wild red cherry, a sort of sand-cherry. The
fruit grows abont like a currant, same size and color, and is worthless.
I have tried that to some extent, and of course it is very hardy; nothing
will stand more than that will.

Q. Do you mean the sand-cherry or pin-cherry?

A. It grows on sandy ground along the lake.

Prof. Taft: That we call the pin-cherry, not the sand-cherry.

Mr. Cook: Perhaps that is the kind; it is very hardy, and some of our
cherries will grow nicely on that stock. In regard to the Mahaleb stock,
- there is one thing I have been testing which may better the difficulty
somewhat. Work them on the stock three or four feet above the ground.
-_I had my doubts for several years, whether the union would be strong

between the stock and bud. It will.

Mr. Morrill: Do you work by graft or bud?

A. Budding, by all means. In speaking of the Mahaleb, we take a tree
six feet high, and bud from the ground—one-year-old trees for budding
will do, and then cut the top of your tree off, where you want your top
to form, and you will get it right there.

There is one phase of the cherry question which I take up last, which
is yet one of the most important, and that takes us to the bird question.
This year and last the cedar birds have come from the swamps in north-
ern Michigan—or that is as near as I can ascertain their origin. They
came in hundreds. Could any one here, Prof. Taft or any one else, give
us a little history of that bird?

Prof. Taft: It generally stays here all winter, and often feeds on the
cedar.

Mr. Cook: They seem to come from the north, and I have understood
that they came from the cedar swamps where they build their nests.
About the time the cherries are ripe they come by the hundred. Now,
you know if a hundred birds light in a cherry tree, it does not take
them long to destroy the cherries. The only remedy I could see was
powder and shot, and I blazed away and killed some six or seven hundred,
and with what my neighbors killed I suppose there were a thousand.
Then suddenly they disappeared. It is a serious question with us, for
they destroy from a quarter to a third of the cherries—in spite of all we
can do. I am decidedly in favor of protecting the insect-eating birds—the
robins, thrushes and cat-birds—I allow robins to build in my cherry
and consider all those birds a benefit to horticulture and agri-

128 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

culture, even if they do take a little fruit, for they do far more good
than harm.

There is another idea I have, and which comes from my own observa-
tion. I have two trees of the Russian mulberry. Their fruit commences
to ripen about the time that of the Black Tartarian cherry does. Just
as soon as they begin to ripen, and they fruit for about a month, the birds
will go there, these cherry birds—they will leave the cherries, as will the
other birds, and congregate around those trees. I think if we would
plant that Russian mulberry along the roadsides, and even among our
cherry trees, it would be a great advantage. It would save all our frnit—
raspberries and blackberries and all.

I am in favor of protecting the insect-eating birds, but the cedar birds,
so far as I know—well, I don’t believe they ever destroy an insect if they
can find a cherry. I never saw one looking for an insect, but they are
always looking for cherries. When a bird is of no benefit I know of no
other way than to kill him.

@. How about the Windsor cherry?

A. [ have not tried it myself, but one of my neighbors had a few. It
is a good cherry and comes about as late as the Great Bigarreau. There
is another variety that ripens about the same time, which is worthless—
a large cherry and valuable, but the tree is not hardy. It is called Elk-
horn. The tree seems to be unhealthy. I think Windsor is a good cherry.

«). What is the objection to May Duke cherry, if any?

A. I know of no objection to it in any way. I put that at the head of
the list for our lake shore country. Black Tartarian and some other
varieties, I put next.

@. What about the Montmorency? A. I don’t know anything about
that.

Q. At what age does May Duke commence to bear?

A. Just as quick as it is large enough, and that is as soon as you want
anything to bear. It will commence to bear when it is three years 51d
and that is soon enough. You take a tree that is very small and’ let
it over-bear, and you are getting fruit at the expense of the tree growth.
It will bear at three years, and that is soon enough. It should be set on
the Mahaleb stock. I wouldn’t recommend any other stock. It dwarfs
the tree a little but it is all right. I have trees fifteen feet high.

@. Which sell best, sweet or sour cherries?

A. That depends on the size of the fruit somewhat. A large acid
cherry will always sell well, if it has good color.

Q. Why wouldn’t Montmorency sell—that is large—and the English
Morellos? A. English Morello is very acid, a good bearer, and a late
cherry, but it makes a very slow growth with me.

Q. If the fruit was picked off and it was not allowed to bear, would it
not grow better, and attain size in four or five years?) Then wouldn't it
be as profitable?

A. The only advantage of English Morello is that it is late. It isa
good bearer, but in the room of that tree I would take Belle Magnifique.
It is a better grower, it is a red cherry and an acid one, though not so
much used as Morello or Richmond. It is a good, acid cherry, and still a
good eating cherry when ripe.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 129

Q. At what age will Tartarian come into bearing?

A. About four or five years. Not quite so soon as May Duke, if they are
on Mahaleb stock, because it does not bring them into bearing so soon.

Q. What about Governor Wood?

A. The great trouble with Governor Wood is that it rots so badly.
That is one point in setting an orchard, which I forgot, the liability to
rot. Take, for instance, Hale’s Early peach. I have had those on top of
a dry knoll, where they would not rot at all, and on a level they would
allrot. Just so with any kind of fruit. Get it up on high ground and you
won’t be troubled with rot.

Mr. Juan Hess: I wished to speak more particularly of the time of
coming into bearing of Black Tartarian. My experience has been fifteen
years. I have understood that it would not bear until fifteen years, but
would bear every year after that.

Mr. Cook: I think that isa mistake. I have never found any difficulty
with its coming into bearing after it was four or five years old. But of
course those I speak of were worked on Mahaleb stock.

Mr. Hamilton: I think that the experience of our lake shore coasts
north is not like that of this gentleman, that Black Tartarian, Yellow
Spanish, Governor Wood, and May Duke all take longer to come into
bearing than the gentleman has mentioned. I think, however, that they
are largely on Mazzard stock, and that perhaps is the cause. I am
glad that the gentleman called attention to the question of stocks. The
_Mazzard stock will throw up a much larger and quicker growth, there-
fore I think that the nurserymen have largely grown their stock on the
Mazzard, and I think that the slow bearers are largeiy due to this cause.
I am very glad that growers have begun to notice the difference, and will
hereafter ask for their cherries to be budded on Mahaleb stock, as I
think they always should be.

Mr. Morrill: They don’t sprout from the root so badly, do they?

Mr. Hamilton: I think not at all. The old variety, grown from
sprouts, always spread badly, but I have not noticed that they spread so
much from Mazzard. Mahaleb doubtless is the stock upon which to bud
cherries, to get fruit. It dwarfs the tree a little. With us English Morello
is a very slow grower, but I think we allowed it to come into bearing too
soon, and I believe that hurt it. With the experience we have had, we
would use Richmond, Montmorency, and English Morello, the three great
market cherries. That would be my choice. I have named them in the
succession in which they would ripen.

Mr. Cook: In regard to this, perhaps we have no better authority in
the United States, on trees, than Mr. Hill, and he says he is using
Mahaleb stock for cherries.

Mr. Smith: I call Mr. Cook’s attention to one question—whether
there was any objection to May Duke cherry, and if so, what? It seems to
me there are several things. One is, that the fruit ripens unevenly;
sometimes there will be one limb on a tree that will be half green when
the balance of the tree is ripe. This is peculiar to that variety. I don’t
know that it is a serious objection. But there is another thing, black
knot. I would like information in regard to it from some of our scientists
here. It is a thing peculiar, with me, to May Duke. I have some black

17

130 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

knot on one May Duke cherry tree, and have been obliged to cut down
one or two every year in consequence of the enormous amount of black
knot. It finally kills the tree, although it is one of the best dessert cher-
ries we can grow. That is an objection. Whether it is our locality or a
peculiarity of that variety, I don’t know. That is the reason I wished to
call Mr. Cook’s attention to the matter. I don’t know of any remedy. If
there is any preventive or remedy, our professors here can probably
give us some information.

Mr. Cook: Was there any plum tree that stood near this tree?

A. Some of the trees are close to plum trees and others are away off—
twenty-five or thirty rods—and there seems to be no difference in regard
to black knot. That is, those that stand away from the plum trees have
even more than those nearer.

@. You have kept black knot down on your plums?

A. Yes, and I have tried on the cherries, but it outgrows my capacity.
It is worse on cherry than on plum trees.

Mr. Hess: With me, May Duke seems to be failing at fifteen years old.
They are not so healthy as the other varieties. English Morello, with me,
was a failure. My experience is sintilar to Mr. Cook’s. They do not seem
to grow and do well.

Mr. Cook: That is the first intimation I ever heard of black knot on
May Duke trees. I have seen May Duke over twenty years. Where did
your trees come from? ‘

Mr. Smith: They were there when I got the place. It must be some-
thing peculiar to the trees. I have raised trees and set them out, and
have never seen a particle of black knot. I had heard that in the interior
of the state there was some black knot on trees that had stood in the
neighborhood of plum trees, but I did not know that there was any black
knot here, on the cherry trees.

Mr. Morrill: There was one question asked, and I would ask Prof.
Taft, Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. Cook to answer it as briefly as possible. Of
the three stocks, pin-cherry, Mazzard, and Mahaleb, which would you
advise?

Each answered, Mahaleb.

Mr. Morrill: Then the inference would be, with three authorities favor-
ing Mahaleb, that if we get cherry trees we should ask for Mahaleb stock.

Mr. Merry: I have some cherry trees. Is there any way of knowing on
what they are budded? If I wanted to purchase, how would. I know
whether they were budded on Mahaleb?

Mr. Cook: , The men who take care of them ought to know. The nur-
seryman who buds his own stock can tell you. No one can make a
mistake when he sees the tree. The Mahaleb stock has a large root.
Mazzard has a little tap-root with a few little rootlets, while Mahaleb has
a large root, two or three times the size of the root of Mazzard.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 131

PESTS, NEW AND OLD.

BY PROF. L. RB. TAFT, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

In giving this subject to the secretary, I had it in mind to go a little
outside of what we usually think of as pests (generally of the animal
kingdom) and include some of the diseases. By including two or three
of each class, I can perhaps give you some points of value, for the reason
that during the past two or three years we have had brought among us
quite a number of new and troublesome pests as well as diseases, and, so
far as my experience goes, there have been few years when we have been
mote troubled by new insects as well as old than during the past spring.

Of the insects which have, within the past two or three years, been
brought particularly into notice, there is nothing more to be feared, I
think, than the one known as San Jose scale. Wedo not know just where
it came from, but it reached us by coming across the mountains from
California, and now it is on its way back home again. It has reached
so far west as our own borders, upon its return, and though I do not
now know of a single tree in Michigan infested with this insect, still I
should not be at all surprised if there were large numbers of them, from
the fact that for the first year or two it is not noticeable, and it is not
until the third year, when the tree is dying, that it comes to the attention
of the owner and he attempts to ascertain the namg of the insect.

You can judge of the danger from this insect when you realize that
three years is sufficient for it to destroy a tree, particularly if the tree
is young; and more than that, it is to be feared because it spreads rapidly.
While it has no means of locomotion from place to place, in itself, it is
carried by the birds and in various other ways scattered from tree to tree;
and, once there, it multiplies rapidly. It has been learned that if every
individual developed during the season should attain its full size and
develop itself, we might expect something like four millions at the end
of the season from a single one in the spring; but, of course, they do not
all mature, by any means. But, with this very rapid development, you
can see that a single insect on a tree would soon be able to do great
injury. Itisa really terrible insect—terrible not only because it kills the
trees, but because, when it has gained a lodgment on a tree, sufficient to
be observed by an ordinary person, the injury by that time might be
sufficient, and would be on a young tree, to forever blight any hopes of
fruit from it.

It is a sucking insect—it punctures the bark and sucks the juice; and
the sap thus taken, and the injury made by the insect in the bark, would
be sufficient to prevent any further growth. This insect has been found
in many places in Ohio, in at least a dozen localities, and the trees nearly
all trace back to one or two nurseries in New Jersey and possibly one or
two in New York. There is some doubt about the trees from New York.
It is possible they came indirectly from New Jersey; so far as we
know, at least, there is no nursery in western New York that is infested.

132 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

There have been nurseries on Long Island, and along the river there
have been a few cases, but the western New York nurseries, so far as I
have learned, have escaped. I think, too, our Michigan nurseries are free,
but there is a chance that this insect is scattered about on some of the
trees planted during the last six or seven years. I think it would hardly
go back of five years; but, if any of you have bought trees from New
Jersey, I would advise looking them over carefully.

When it becomes numerous on the trunk it gives the appearance of
coal ashes daubed on. On examination you will notice that each of the
scales has a minute depression on its center and upper side, and you
can see with naked eye the scales. Many of them are of black color.
With a small glass you can easily make them out, and you will gen-
erally find, where this depression is, a yellow spot. Here is a sample
(exhibiting a small branch) of genuine San Jose scale. It has been
thoroughly soaked with kerosene oil, and with the glass you will be able
to examine the scale.

As to the remedies for this. If you have a young tree that is at all
badly diseased, I think the most prudent thing would be to take the
tree out at once and burn it. If you have only a few insects on the
branches, you could cut the branches back and destroy them, and treat
the trunk of the tree so as to probably do away with further harm. Fire
is perhaps the best method, but next to that is whale oil soap in water,
using a pint and a half to two pints of soap to the gallon, and thoroughly
scraping the tree, if it is a small one; or if larger, by thoroughly spraying
it and repeating this process after the lapse of a week. If a single scale
escapes, the chances are you may have a thousand or a million at the
end of afew months. This remedy, if brought in contact with the insects,
is effective. The kerosene emulsion is also good but perhaps not as good
as the whale oil soap. If the leaves are off, make the emulsion twice as
strong as usual—one part to eight of water. That, particularly if you
repeat it, would also destroy them, and I would certainly, on account of
the great danger, advise everyone who has trees from any of these
eastern nurseries, to look over any such which have been put out within
the last five or six years; and if you find anything which looks like the
specimens here, if you will send a specimen to either myself or Prof.
Davis, at the college, we will tell you what we think of it.

There is another insect which has been troublesome in some sections.
I brought along a little twig with some on. It is the common brown plum
scale, different from San Jose scale but may prove equally destructive.
This is more likely to occur on trees which have been neglected and in
dry seasons, but it is seldom very injurious to trees which are growing
properly, and the remedies would be the same as for the other. In fact,
for any of these scale insects, there is nothing better than whale oil
soap or kerosene emulsion. Recollect that with these Paris green would
have no effect, nor with Bordeaux mixture. The scale must be killed by
direct contact, and Paris green has to be taken into the system to have
any effect.

I meant to allude to another form of pest, which came from one of
the lake shore counties, and I wish to speak of it from the fact that you
might mistake it for San Jose scale. It is very much like it, but not so
injurious, and still it is to be feared. The same remedies may be applied

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 133

for this. The insect is somewhat longer and larger than the other one,
and I think you would be able, with a little examination, to distinguish
it with the naked eye.

There is another insect which is becoming quite troublesome, and
possibly to be feared fully as much as either of those mentioned, from
the fact that it works under ground. During the last few years the fruit-
growers in Delaware and New Jersey, especially, have been greatly
troubled by what they called yellows, which in this case was not true
yellows. It did not exactly have the appearance of yellows, and when
they came to examine it they found the roots covered with black aphis.
During parts of the year they appeared also upon the young twigs and
branches and leaves; and, as many nursery trees have come from these
sections, we have frequent reports of their presence in this state, and
trees attacked havesin most cases died as a result. The insect is much
like the black aphis, spoken of on the cherry, but it is distinct from the
other varieties of aphis, and being underground it is of course very hard
to treat. The trees you purchase from the nurseries, particularly from
infested sections, should be examined and all insects upon the roots
destroyed. We resort again to the same remedies mentioned for the
scale insects. Either dip the roots in kerosene emulsion or in whale oil
soap solution. Either of these would destroy the insects, if the trees be
left there a very few minutes, and if your emulsion were properly made
it could be used without harm. When it comes to treating the older
trees, we have more trouble. Of course, those on the branches would
yield, but when they have grown two or three years it is difficult to reach
the insects; and, too, in that case, the chances are that the trees have
been so injured it would not pay to bother with them. As to remedies, I
would suggest, in sections where you can get tobacco stems readily, that
they be used. In them you would have a cheap and effective remedy, by
scraping back the soil down to the roots and spreading there a layer of
tobacco stems, using from a peck to a bushel per tree, according to size
of the roots; and then, unless the soil be very moist, soak it with water.
Or, if you prefer, you can make a tea, steeping the stems, and apply the
water from this source. The tobacco water would be the safest and best
remedy. Kerosene emulsion could also be used, and in some sections they
have made use of potash salt; but the trouble there is that, unless you
use a liberal amount, it does not kill the insects, and if you use a little
too much it kills the trees; so I scarcely like to recommend that, if there
is any possibility of saving the tree. You can use this at the rate of one
thousand pounds to the acre, and if you figure out the number of feet your
roots occupy, you can use it without much danger. If you permit this
to come in contact with the roots directly it will be pretty sure to destroy
them. These are some of the most troublesome of the recent insects, and
the remedies are about the same for all. I might mention one or two
hundred of these scale insects, and the same treatment could be recom-
mended for all.

There is one insect which is an exception, the pin-hole borer of the
peach, the one which mines the trunks of the trees. It is a small borer
whieh works its way around through the wood and in time destroys it.
That being understood, it is difficult to in any way fight it, and the only
thing I could recommend, if you know the insect is in your orchard, if

¢

154 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

it has begun to work there, is to treat the whole orchard, to prevent its
entering any of the other trees. We found, two years ago at South
Haven, a single tree in an orchard, showing the work of this borer, and
to prevent its spread the trunks and branches of all the other trees before
the first crotch in the trunk, were treated with a wash containing a large
amount of lime, and with lye. You can add wood ashes as well, and Paris
green. We have used in that case, for a barrel of water, from a peck to a
half bushel of the lime and wood ashes. We keep it well stirred and then
we add, for the thirty-two-gallon barrel, one quarter of a pound of Paris
green, and in some cases I have used carbolic acid. I think this is of the
least value, and it should be carefully used at best, and perhaps the wash
would be as well without it. It depends so much on the strength of the
acid that, as a rule, we mention only the harmless materials already
recommended.

This same wash I have used on other trees to keep away borers, and
simply used more water.

Q. How do you apply this? A. Put it on with a stiff brush or an old
broom. In regard to killing the borers, I think it is a good plan to go ever
the trunks of trees at this time of year, and use something of this kind,
or to take the common lye, prepared lve, and add to that Paris green, and
possibly carbolic acid, and dilute with water and apply with a pump.
You can spray the trunks and branches; and, unless you have observed
the effect of this, you will be surprised at the smooth and healthy appear-
ance of the trunks.

@. In what manner does the insect make its appearance, the pin-hole
borer?

A. It is a little beetle, about one-eighth of an inch long. It bores
all through the wood; little pin-holes inside the wood.

(. I have seen some trees in my own orchard where there seemed to be
an insect which would work in and go ¢lear around the tree on the
inside. A. Sometimes the ordinary borer will do that, but this goes all
through the wood, this pin-hole borer. Regarding another difficulty ‘with
which we have to contend, I have brought with me some twigs of trees
from Casco. This disease is something that is proving very troublesome
there. It is nothing new, but has been very troublesome in sections of
New Jersey and Delaware, particularly, and is generally called ‘ crown
gall.” It usually appears on the crown, but sometimes on the stems. This
generally appears first on the roots, and a tree planted with a number of
small galls is pretty sure to die within a couple of vears. Don’t mistake
this gall for the very small ones which often appear on the roots. These
are entirely distinct, but nearly as troublesome. Those are caused by
little worms, and appear all over the roots. These are just here and there,
but they are mighty in the end, particularly if they are at this point
(indicating the crown of the roots) or on the stems. The question comes
as to what causes them. There is no reason, so far as ascertained, to show
that they are of a fungus nature. Possibly they are. More than that,
itis not, so far as can be learned, the work of insects. What has done it?
It has long been well known in Europe as well as in this country, and
twenty years ago a German botanist experimented with some trees, and
he was able to produce the same effect, galls which were in every respect
the same as these crown galls that I have here. He found that by taking

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 135

a tree which was just coming into growth a few degrees of cold were
sufficient to cause this swelling or similar swellings on the various trees.
Quite a large number of plants of the rose family are troubled by this. I
sent some specimens from these trees to Washington, the other day, and
that is about all they had found out there, at the department of agricul-
ture. They referred me to this German, with whose work I was already
familiar. This disease attacks the apple and plum and peach. The grape,
of course, is out of the family, but Ihave frequently seen similar injuries
to the grape, and it is thought that this same development, where there
had been some little break in growth by frost, was brought about in that
way.

@. Do they come on blackberry roots? A. Yes, there is one like this,
and caused in the same way; another is caused by the gall insect rather
than by frost.

Q. Would it be any benefit to cut them off? A. No, not even if it has
only a small hold. I would advise throwing it away—burning it might
be best, for it is possible it may be contagious. So far as is known, how-
ever, there is no other cause which can produce it, except freezing when
the tree is growing; before it ripens in the fall, or perhaps in the middle
of May, the injury is most likely to occur. If you can be sure to cut off all
of it, it might be possible to save the tree.

Mr. Smith: Will this appear on the body or branches of the tree as
well as on the crown? A. It will attack it anywhere. There is one on the
root (exhibiting sample). This one came from Grand Rapids. The other
two were from Casco.

I would like to show you the tests I spoke of this morning, as many of
you have not seen them, and to make it plain to those present, I have
taken, there, a solution of copper sulphate. There (extending another
vial) is a little of the vellow prussiate of potash I spoke of, for a test, to
learn if you have a sufficient quantity of lime in Bordeaux mixture. Now,
that is the solution of copper sulphate, and of course has the color you
see. This has a yellowish color. A drop ef that upon this, produces a
marked effect, a brown effect, the same as in Bordeaux mixture. This
will not be quite so marked in Bordeaux, but whenever you find that this
material will produce a brownish color you will need put in more lime.
The other test is simpler and requires merely the use of the pocket knife.
If you find a film of copper deposited over the knife blade, it certainly
is pretty good evidence that you need more lime.

Q. Is there danger in having too much lime? A. No danger, but it is
not well to use more than is necessary. I always use a slight excess to
make sure—that is, a little more lime. If the knife shows any copper,
that indicates that copper is present in a free state, and you should add
more lime until that deposit is not seen on the steel.

Q. In that other test, you put in lime until you can no longer see the
brown color? A. Yes, and I add a little after that, so as to be sure. I
think it is safe to add a little lime always, even after the test shows that
the copper is neutralized.

Mr. Sherwood: Is it absolutely necessary to have the lime (if you make
a solution of fifty pounds) mixed so it is all free in water? You slake
fifty pounds of lime and put it into fifty gallons of water, and you have

136 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

limewater. Is that limewater, which is practically clear, just as effec-
tual as if the lime particles were all mixed?

Prof. Taft: I would wish to stir it up and mix it thoroughly. Along
that line, I would say that, to get the best results, the best way is to
dilute each one-half—dilute the lime you wish to use, and the copper
sulphate, and then stir them together gradually, and you will find that
they will not go to the bottom so fast as if you make a straight solution.
Dilute each before mixing.

Mr. Boynton: Providing you are using copper and Paris green, and
you apply this lime, does the Paris green have just the same effect on the
insects that it would if you added the lime? A. Yes, but the copper
sulphate with the lime has a different effect on the fungus. The Paris
green does not affect the lime at all, except that, if there is any free
arsenic, it unites with the lime and prevents burning the foliage.

Q. Do you advise mixing the lime and copper sulphate before you put
on any water? A. No, I dilute each before I mix. To make fifty gal-
lons, as an example, I would take five pounds of copper sulphate and have
that dissolved, and add to that twenty-five gallons of water, and then
mix them.

I might speak of a method for a large orchard. I have a tank which
holds fourteen barrels, and when we are spraying, we put in anywhere
from eight to twelve barrels, according to the condition of the land. The
bottom of the tank is half round, so we can cramp and turn under it; it
has a cover, and those working the pump and applying the spray stand
upon this, bringing them up about five feet; and then, with the extension
rod, they are able to use the Vermorel nozzles on any ordinary tree, and
apply the spray thoroughly. The driver handles one of these lines of
hose, or one of the extension rods on which there are one or two Vermorel
nozzles. One of the men holds the bar and the other the lines. You have
“seen some pictures where they are fenced in, but these two men, having
the supports they do, can drive over rough ground, and are not troubled
with being thrown off the tank. These two men are able to run the team
and pump and four nozzles. This tank, holding the quantity I mention,
enables you to spray two to four hours before going back to reload. With
large trees, you have to go back pretty often unless you have more than
the ordinary amount in the cask. We generally go to the smooth and
level ground while the tank is full, and to the uneven ground when the
tank is nearly empty. This tank is very valuable, because the movement
keeps it well stirred up, and we are not at all bothered with settling.

Mr. Sherwood: Did you ever make Bordeaux mixture the day before?
A. I don’t like to, but we make the stock solution a week in advance.

Q. Did you ever have any left over night, and have it crystallize? A. In
that case, you generally have not enough lime. The copper sulphate, if
you have used more than one pound to a gallon, will drop to the bottom
and crystallize if it stands any length of time. We have had no trouble
at all, because I always try to clean out each day and start fresh in the
morning. It is just as effectual, except that it settles to the bottom, and
it is difficult to keep it in suspension afterward.

Mr. Winchester: What varieties of tree does this California scale
attack?

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 137

A. Almost all kinds of tree. So far as I know, there isn’t a
thing it does not attack. I should fear almost any tree I had—certainly
all fruit trees, and all plants except the strawberry.

Mr. Graham: What means should we employ to protect ourselves
from these scales and from the aphis? We have already had the aphis
shipped in here. A carload was distributed throughout Kent county.
You can not see that with the naked eye. They were discovered merely
by accident. The man who bought them thought he discovered an odor
of tarbolic acid on the trees, and he investigated.

Prof. Taft: In that case you could not do very much, if you did not
know it was there; but with all the danger we have, I think we should
have a quarantine law, compelling all trees to be examined and passed
upon by competent authority. It seems to me, too, our spraying laws
should cover this class of insects, from the fact that they are far more
likely to do harm than those we have been spraying for in the past.

Mr. Smith: One of my neighbors has a plum tree which was full of
blossoms this year. Instead of there being plums on it, it was a kind of
sack which sometimes had an insect in it and sometimes not. There
wasn’t any seed.

Prof. Taft: I spoke of that this morning, the plum-bladder or plum-
pockets. It is caused by something like the same fungus which causes
leaf curl of the peach. It is almost the same fungus. Where a tree
is badly infested you wouldn’t be able to save all your fruit next year,
probably, but by all means pick off and burn all those which develop, and
spray the trees to destroy the spores. The next spring, give them the
ordinary spraying that you would for that or anything else—spray in the
spring before growth starts, and again as soon as the blossoms have
fallen, and after a year you should be entirely free from it.

Mr. Judson: Is the spraying law enforced? A. I am sure that the
agitation over that law has led to increased spraying. So far as I know,
however, no cases have been brought under the law.

Mr. Graham: In Kent county the law has been enforced in a small
way.

Mr. Sherwood: Could this trouble mentioned this afternoon be
avoided by dipping the trees? A. I would certainly always do that.

Mr. Graham: The trouble is, they are not observed by the ordinary
man, neither the aphis nor the San Jose scale. We do not examine them,
and nothing calls our attention to them. Now, it seems to me there
should be some quarantine or something of that kind to prevent the
introduction of these pests into the state. Other states have such laws,
and it seems to me if anyone should take action in that matter it is the
State society; it should push the matter and have some action taken,
either by resolution or some other way, to prevent the introduction of
these pests into the state.

Mr. Morrill: When we get oranges in this market from California,
which have live scale insects on them, isn’t there a strong possibility of
our introducing scale in that manner?

Mr. Graham: Certainly, there is great danger of it. Many of our
plants are different from those in California, but unquestionably some of
our plants would be troubled by the scales that come from there. I am

18

138 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

sure it would be well to have a quarantine law against insects in any
form being introduced into the state, and while it would be difficult to
enforce a law against scale on oranges, I fear there is great danger from
that source.

A Voice: It is claimed that San Jose scale will not flourish in our
climate and latitude.

Prof. Taft: It has been found in Ohio, pretty well up to the Michigan
line.

Q. Was it flourishing? A. Yes, sir; I saw a tree in bad shape. That
tree came from New York; but, as I say, it might have come indirectly
from New Jersey, perhaps, and it grew there in Ohio three or four years.
When I saw the tree it was coated three feet from the ground as if it had
been covered with coal ashes.

Q. What part of Ohio? A. Northwestern Ohio, near Toledo.

Mr. Morrill: I think the suggestion of Mr. Graham is one to which in
course of time we shall have to come. It is easier to prevent the
invasion of such enemies than to get rid of them after they are estab-
lished, and it is well to be prepared. It can only be accomplished through
some organization. The present vellows law was drafted at a meeting of
the State society, and became a law and is a very good one. It seems to
stand the test. The spraying law originated with Mr. Graham, or the
society with which he is connected at Grand Rapids, and is starting out
in very good shape and will prove an excellent thing for the people. The
quarantine law will certainly be hailed with joy by nurserymen of this
state; and if inspection was required, trashy stock would not be sent
here so freely as it is. California ships her fruit all over the United
States and to some foreign countries, but they quarantine strictly against
any stock from outside the state. It is all examined by a paid inspector.
Their law seems to stand, and there is no reason why Michigan, now
being reasonably free from such things, should not remain so.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 139

UNIFORMITY OF PACKAGES—THE NEW AMERICAN FRUITGROWERS’
UNION.

BY HON. R. D. GRAHAM OF GRAND RAPIDS.

For the 20th of May was called a meeting of delegates from the various
states and from the provinces of Canada, to assemble in Chicago for the
purpose of organizing a National or American Fruitgrowers convention.
I was sent as a delegate from the Grand Rapids Fruitgrowers association.
Those present represented, I think, nine states; California was repre-
sented—that is, southern California; the Orangegrowers’ exchange was
represented by their general agent; the Oregon Fruitgrowers’ union was
represented, and the Chautauqua Grapegrowers’ association; Illinois had
two representatives, Kentucky one, Missouri was represented, and Michi-
gan. Georgia was also represented, by Mr. John B. Cunningham, who

vas the originator of this movement.

In Georgia they have a union handling practically all the fruit of the
state; in Oregon the same; in southern California the union handles the
fruit of that section; the Kentucky people are with the Georgia and
Missouri people. Their fruit has to go long distances, they have long
roads over which to carry, making the expense something of which we
know almost nothing.

The matter was discussed pro and con., showing the advantages of
their local organizations. We had several papers on the different topics,
and I took more or less part in the discussion, of course; but though we
finally organized the association, I could see no great advantage to the
Michigan people in joining it. It is, by the way, an association of asso-
ciations. Each state or province is eligible to membership; not local
associations, simply state or provincial associations can become members.

The circumstances of fruitgrowers here in Michigan are very different
from those of the majority. We are located between the best markets
in the world—Chicago and the great northwest on the one hand, and the
east and south on the other. With the states I have mentioned it is
different. The gentleman representing California said he handled 600
carloads of fruit for that association. Mr. Fay of the Chautauqua Grape-
growers’ association said he handled 400 carloads of grapes in one year
for that association. The idea of the National association was to make
something like a clearing-house for all local and auxiliary associations
to report to. (Here Mr. Graham read a letter from Mr. Cunningham,
describing part of the work.)

It seemed to me all the way through this meeting that it would be far
better policy for the Michigan dealers to organize themselves into one
strong association for self-protection, but perhaps I may be wrong.

In regard to uniformity of packages, the expression, it seems to me,
admits of a great many constructions. What is meant by uniformity of
packages? Is it that apple barrels shall all be of one size? I should
presume that is what it meant, not that peaches should all be shipped

140 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

in bushel baskets, grapes all in eight-pound baskets, or anything of that
kind. There has been something said, in fact I have heard considerable,
regarding an ideal package for fruit. For instance, Michigan apple
barrels to be all according to one standard, the Michigan peach baskets
to be all one kind, always the same the world over, and so on with all
the packages. It occurs to me that uniformity in this sense is desirable.
For instance, the Chicago market, perhaps, demands a fifth-bushel pack-
age for peaches, and don’t want anything else. The Buffalo market, for
instance, demands a bushel basket. On the other hand, fancy fruit should.
be put up in a fancy package, while for the very common fruit, intended
for the canning factory, a larger package is more suitable and less expen-
sive. I don’t believe in shipping a fancy grade of fruit in rough baskets or
a poor grade in fancy baskets, nor even in small packages, where the
expense of the package is almost equal to the value of the fruit. I believe
this idea holds good regarding all fruit packages. Then, too, I believe
that the market to which we ship should control this—their ideas must
be complied with. It is so in other lines.

I was talking the other day with a representative of a Chicago packing-
house, and he told me that they put up the hams from that house in
twelve or thirteen styles. One market wanted one style and another
another, and they couldn’t get the prices unless they catered to the
wishes, whims, and fads of the people with whom dealings were had.

On the other hand, I believe a bushel basket should always be a bushel
basket, and contain fifty pounds, as the laws says. An eight-pound
basket must hold eight pounds, and not six, eight, or ten. Uniformity in
that sense, I believe, is desirable; and as I understand it, that was the
object of the law enacted at the last session of the legislature. That
law emanated from a fruitgrowers’ association, an Allegan county horti-
cultural society. It was brought in there by their representative, and at
first view it seemed to me that we were going a good distance out of the
way to enact any such law as that until there was a demand for it or
a big complaint from the consumer. There certainly was never any
organized effort on the part of the consumer to have such a law enacted,
but in talking with the legislators it was evident that it was simply for
the protection of the honest growers and packers of fruit, the idea being
that the majority of people, fruitgrowers and packers, wanted to do the
honest and straight thing in packing their fruit, wanted to give an honest
package, but once in a while an individual would put on the market a
“snide” package. Instead of the eight-pound grape basket, he would
get one that held a little less, and put it on the market and sell it as an
eight-pound basket. By and by the other packers and growers find it
out, and they get some of the same size, or a little smaller, and pretty
soon the package that was “snide” will be the standard, and so on down,
until we get them down in some instances so that the package is worth
more than the fruit.

I understand that some of the package manufacturers object to this law
and declare that they will defy it. It seems to me that this is entirely
out of place, and that it is the duty of the fruitgrower and packer, and
horticultural societies throughout the state, to demand enforcement or
recognition of that law, coming from them as it does. All that it requires

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 141

is that each package shall be stamped in pounds and ounces its capacity,
so many cubic inches for a pound.

Yesterday, in talking with one of the manufacturers here, he claimed
that the rule was not correct. If they followed out the rule, the eight-
pound basket of today would have to be marked ten pounds. I don’t
know whether that is correct or not. However, even if it was true, it
would make no great difference. If it is true, it is easily mended.

The idea that the package manufacturers are coming before the people
and saying that they are going to disregard that law, which was enacted
at the suggestion of the horticulturists of this state—for these basket
manufacturers to say to the people, “That law it not good and we will
sell you our baskets without the mark”, it seems to me that they are
assuming a great many more functions than they rightfully have. If they
are not satisfied with the law, let them take it to the supreme court and
make a test case of it. I believe’ in enforcement of that law, and I
believe that we will have uniformity of packages when it is enforced.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. 8S. H. Comings: The last remarks of the gentleman are a little sug-
gestive. There are some people who defy the law who are called anarch-
ists. There are other people who break the law continually, and we call
them by a more respectable name. I have an idea that corporations
which defy the law are the most dangerous anarchists we have. I have
talked and thought a good deal about this package law. There is one
law which should bring about a reform, and that is the law of profit. I
have traveled a little in the northern part of this country and have always
become acquainted with the fruit commission men, and everywhere I
have gone Michigan fruit is ata discount. It is as true as you live, Michi-
gan apples and Michigan fruit are at a discount, as compared with other
fruit. It is caused in some cases by careless packing, but in a good many
cases by dishonest packing; in some cases from a thoughtless use of
“snide” packages, and in many cases the determined use of them. There
are two influences pulling us toward these “snide” packages. One is
that the manufacturers sell more packages, when they contain less, and
the transportation companies, if the package is twenty-five per cent.
smaller, get twenty-five per cent. more for carrying the fruit. So, with
the price of our fruit growing less and less each year, we are putting a
larger percentage of money into the package. Ordinarily, when goods
grow cheap they are put into larger packages, to save cost of pack-
ing and freight. Our own interests should lead us to maintain this
law, and induce us to adopt larger packages; and for the sake of
maintaining our reputation in other markets, we should have uniformity.
New York and Ohio fruit will bring more, just on their reputation. They
say the packing is guaranteed by an association, and the people have a
reputation for putting up uniform packages.

Mr. Reid: One objection to this package marking is that it con-
templates that the package shall hold ten pounds, level full, while if
filled up to the extension top it would hold more than that. But that

142 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

really does not touch the merits of the case. They can be packed level
full, even with the extension top. The main object of securing a uniform
package is accomplished, whether the weight varies or not. If they are
not full, the consumer can see it; if they are a little more than full, he
will be all the better pleased. I have heard it stated that the Wells-
Higman company of this city have determined to ignore the law. There
will be trouble for them in Allegan county if they persist in this.

Mr. Graham: It seems to me that such a manufacturer is not only
ignoring the law, but the interests if his customers, because every grower
is liable. I was glad to hear Mr. Comings speak of the quality of the
fruit as well as the packing. I don’t like to say anything about it, it is

rather like taking my cue from the politicians. If one wants a nomina-
tion, or to stand well with the people, he talks about the corporations
and the railroads. I have been doing something of the same kind. I
have been giving it to the basket manufacturers and saying nothing to
the people “about the deceptive manner in which the fruit is packed.
But it is the truth when Mr. Comings says that Michigan fruit is in dis-
credit on account of the manner in which it is packed. It is not a matter
in regard to which we can very well legislate—more is gained by educa-
ting the people. It is not a question of dollars and cents in the way of
profit, but in the way of loss. There is no man, who expects to stay in
the business, who can afford to pack fruit in a dishonest manner.

Mr. A.J. Merry: In regard to the quantity of grapes we are to put into
a basket, we go to the manufacturer and buy an eight-pound basket. We
expect that basket will hold eight pounds. If I wish to ship ten pounds
of grapes, I must have a basket that will hold ten pounds, and it seems
to me that the kind of fruit ought to fill each basket by using the number
of pounds it is marked. With the peach, of course a bushel basket might
be made to hold fifty pounds of peaches, and we could take those dimen-
sions and call it a standard bushel; but with grapes, when I buy a ten-
pound basket I want one which will hold ten pounds.

Mr. Morrill: I think possibly we are liable to be mislead on that idea.
The marking will simply indicate what that is supposed to hold; the
packing will readily indicate to the buyer what it does hold. That is, if
there is an eight- and a ten-pound basket, side by side, and not marked,
the buyer frequently purchases one package thinking he is getting the
other; but if itis marked, he knows just what he is getting. Consequently
I do not think we ought to throw up an obstacle of that kind.

Mr. Merry: I bought on one occasion what we called a ten-pound bas-
ket. It does not hold much more than an eight-pound basket. My neigh-
bor thereupon goes down and orders a special make, takes it home, puts
ten pounds of grapes into it, and marks on the cover, “ten pounds of
grapes guaranteed.” There isn’t any mark on mine. He had a special
basket made; it was a little too large; the ten pounds did not quite fill it,
but I can’t get ten pounds into mine.

Mr. Morrill: But if you have a package that is marked, and your
neighbor uses a package that is marked in the same way, neither will be
at a disadvantage.

Q. But if this law is enforced, he can get a larger basket if he wishes.

Mr. Morrill: Yes, but the package he does get will indicate the amount
contained. It simply says to the buyer, “This package contains so many

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 145

pounds.” The differing products, with their varying weights, will cut a
figure only by guaranteeing the fact that all packages stamped alike are
of the same cubie capacity.

Mr. Graham: Suppose a package was marked, “43.1 cubic inches.” It
is something people know very little about, how much 43.1 cubic inches
are; but if you say, “This is a ten-pound basket”, “This is an eight-pound
basket or twenty-pound basket’, everyone knows what that is. The
effect would be just the same as if the law said, ““A certain size of pack-
age shall be marked No. 3.” Then, if a man went into the market, he
would know every time that a package marked three would be just the
same as one he bought last year, marked three, so far as its cubic capacity
is concerned. One gentleman manufacturing baskets told me that a
year or so ago he had a trade in one town of three carloads per week of
grape baskets, and it lasted two or three weeks, then stopped short, and
he did not know what was the matter. He went to the town, and there
learned that someone had introduced several carloads of baskets which
held three quarters of a pound less. His trade stopped entirely. Today
that smaller basket is probably the standard size there.

Mr. Reid: In making up the schedule for that law, the ten-pound
basket was designed to hold one fifth of the Winchester bushel, so as to
make as little change from the standard fruit package as might be. The
marking of the package “ten pounds” is conventional, but it provides a
uniformity which is desirable.

Mr. Morrill: I think, gentlemen, that you can readily see the point.
Michigan is getting to a condition where it produces an enormous amount
of fruit. We must begin to handle it in carloads. Buyers are looking
for that trade everywhere, but they are not looking for it in a place
where, when they order a thousand baskets of grapes or peaches, they
don’t know what that means. If they order a thousand fifth baskets of
peaches, and it means fifths, sixths, and sevenths when they get them,
they are not going to deal there. Other places are taking the business
we should have. If the buyer can sit in his office and can telegraph over
here to the head of an organization, “ We want a carload of apples,
standard barrels and standard packing,” and a man can quote back a
price to him, and furnish the fruit immediately, even if collected from a
dozen people, and that fruit opens up exactly as the buyer expects, you
at once have a trade established. Now, where in Michigan can we do
that? But when you have established a standard, and keep working
to it, with the transportation facilities you have (unequaled by any fruit-
growing state in the Union), vou have the key to the situation. Until
that is done we are all at sea. I am sorry that, with 500 fruitgrowers in
the vicinity of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, there are not more here. I
wish they were, for all this is a matter of self-preservation. I venture
that, unless some calamity happens to our fruit, within ten years many
of our people will find it difficult to pay their taxes; many perhaps will
go out of the business in disgust, unless they are willing to use business-
like methods, as do other business men.

Mr. George Comings: I hope this resolution will be passed, and that
there will be a strong effort made by the fruitgrowers of Michigan to
insist upon the marking of packages.

144 STATE ‘HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

The handling of the grape crop, as it has been done in the past, was a
premium upon the using of small sizes of basket—there was no question
as to whether it held nine or eight or ten pounds. The basket was cut
down so that the last size would hardly hold six pounds of grapes. While
I haven’t talked with all the buyers, I have with some, and I don’t know
of a buyer but was dissatisfied. I think there is no question but St.
Joseph and Benton Harbor grow as good grapes as anywhere, and can
command as good prices, when we are in position to guarantee commis-
sion men good packing. For a number of years the New York people have
used a basket commonly known as the eight-pound basket. Here in St.
Joseph we have been foolish enough to cut our own throats by using
smaller sizes, guided principally by the manufacturers, who are willing
to make as many packages as possible; and I wish to urge the fact that
there is an immense crop before us, and already a strong combination has
been made by the manufacturers on the price of baskets. There is neces-
sity for putting our product into larger instead of smaller packages, and
let buyers know they can come and buy in car lots, and that there will be
uniform packages and packing—packed in the best manner possible.

Mr. Sherwood: One of the advantages of organization, it seems to me,
would be that the product of all the members of the association would
be guaranteed to be in a certain size of package and packed in a certain
way.

TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSITION OF FRUIT.

BY PRESIDENT MORRILL.

I believe we are approaching the time now, very rapidly, when the
state of Michigan will need much better facilities for distributing fruit
than at present, and a considerable improvement in transportation, in
certain directions, especially rail transportation. Our Grand Rapids
friends have done a good deal and we have done little here, owing to our
good boat service and the convenience of our market, Chicago. Alto-
gether, I am impressed with the idea that that very convenience, the easy
way we have of getting rid of our fruit by boat service and commission
consignment, has led us into a rut which, I fear, will swamp us. There
are men in this room who have sold their fruit to much better advantage
by reason of their having gotten out of this very rut of which we are
talking. This year the ordinary market will be running over, within
thirty days, and from then until snow ilies, if no accident befalls the
crops. Many places and many means of distributing the fruit will be
neglected, because we will wait until the last day. The strawberry crop
is but a foretaste of what there is in store, and I think the situation is
about the same all over the state. Now, it does seem, if we can not organ-
ize, we must begin to do a little thinking for ourselves. There is no use
saying that the proper way is to have a good, safe organization in which
each man can do his part honestly and fairly and trust each of his neigh-
bors with at least half as much confidence as the commission man he
never saw. That seems to have been the difficulty in this and nearly

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 145

every locality in the state of Michigan. .A few men see the necessity of
organization. They attempt it and a few more join them, and really
think, under the inspiration of the moment, they ought to be real honest
and trust one another. They look into one another’s faces and say,
“Here, we have lived together a good many years, and this man has
always been all right and the other man is all right,” but the day it comes
to putting the fruit together, and trusting one man, who is equal to the
task, and paying him what he is worth, it seems like too much money to
give him. But the commission solicitor who has never seen our faces,
nor we his, nor have we heard of his firm—he may come to us and take
a bundred dollars’ worth of fruit and we do not even take the pains to
go to Bradstreet and see what the man is worth or whether he is in
existence; and this and every other consigning vicinity is full of men
who have lost consignment after consignment by that very lack of
ordinary business prudence.

Now, this can all be avoided. I have talked it so much that it seems
very stale, though I have not tried to say much about it the last few years;
but I do hope something may be done. There is a nucleus of organ-
izations in various parts of the state. By means of these organizations,
if they are a success, the grower could demand facilities for transporta-
tion, and secure means of distribution which you have not now, and one
of the simplest ways is to take up this idea of uniformity of packages.
_ Make “ snide ” packages so obnoxious that no man can stay with you and
use them, and then you can bring the buyers to you. There is no simpler
nor better way than that.

Grand Rapids people have done this, until their commission men are
largely on the street they sell on. They return a new package to you
for the one in which you have your fruit, and you go back home with as
many empty boxes as you brought full of fruit, and a check in your
pocket. I will guarantee that in Grand Rapids, where the transportation
would naturally be higher than with us, their average profits were larger
than ours. Not only larger, but considerably larger, on the same pro-
duct, the last two years, simply because there was an organization there,
built out of the wrecks of three or four others. The growers are working
together and have secured some transportation facilities that we have not
yet thought of, by rail. Of course, they have no water.

A state organization, such as Mr. Graham has suggested, would cer-
tainly be a useful thing, but I have an idea that it would take pretty
rapid work to get one into operation now, in time for this year’s work.
It is not necessary to go into that in detail, but I wish to make that
suggestion. This uniformity of packages is a necessity. We have a
law, and two firms have been mentioned as signifying their intention not
to comply. If you hada strong organization and you would say, “ We
buy of so and so, because they comply with the law, and Wells-Higman
have refused to do so,” you would not have to go through the supreme
court. There is an easier way than that. They would mark their pack-
ages. My idea would be, if these two men have declared themselves
in that manner, that every fruitgrower who means to do right should
say to these people, ‘“ We won’t touch your packages, because we have
other ideas.”

19

146 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Organization, too, will help us on the transportation question. If you
have stuff enough to do business with the railway people you can go to
any company and get fair rates. On some lines they have a minimum
rate, now, of 200 bushels of peaches. An organization has secured that,
no individual could, and it gives them a chance to make smaller shipments
to these points than they could do by schedule. Much has been accom-
plished in that way, and can be here, and the markets will come to you,
to a great deal larger extenf® if you get this idea of uniform package and
uniform packing thoroughly instilled into the minds of enough people
so they can come here and do business.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Rood: Mr. Morrill’s ideas, as usual, are quite to the point. We
have altogether too easy ways of selling our fruit. I pack my fruit and
put the cover on, and put it on the dock, and it is done. The result is,
that our selling ability withers, as a man’s arm would if he put it into a
sling. Weare not sellers. I am in favor of the idea of organization, but
there are difficulties in the way I can not see through. Some time ago, I
was talking to my brother in Chicago, and explaining some matters in
our business. We talked in a vague way of co-operation, but the difficulty
is to find the man to head it. We have had organizations, and there is
usually some one out of a job who is willing to head the organization,
but some man who is not qualified to doit. If we could get some man who
could and would take care of our crop, we could combine, but that
difficulty has always been too great for us to overcome. I feel the force
of what has been said. It won’t do to dump the entire fruit crop into
Chicago this year, but I don’t know what else to do, even though I know
that means suicide. Now, if there is any way out, we want it. I am
ready to do anything in reason to form an organization which will help
to better this matter. I am heartily in favor of seeing the package-
marking law enforced, and we can enforce it by refusing to buy of firms
which do not comply with the law.

Mr. Stevens: Why wouldn’t the plan adopted in Grand Rapids be
beneficial to the people in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor? Why can not
you encourage the buyers to come here? We believe that through the
organization in Grand Rapids we increased the number of buyers at our
markets last year to quite a large extent. I know of several instances of
buyers who stayed right there and bought fruit, who never appeared on
the market before. I sold peaches all one week to a man who had never
appeared on the market before. He bought my peaches in the morning
and another load for the afternoon. JI got my check for the two loads
every day. That was done, I think, through the organization of the
fruitgrowers’ association, by encouraging the buyers to go there and look
at the fruit before it was packed. I don’t know why that system could
not be adopted here. We have these buyers come to us, and if we don’t
wish to sell to one we sell to the other. I know, in my own ease, I had a
load and I was offered a certain price; and I said, “ No, I want more
money.” ‘“ Well, we can’t give it.” I hung on to my load awhile. The

PROCEEDINGS ‘OF THE SUMMER: MEETING. 147

same house was represented by another man. This man came along
and offered me ten cents per bushel more. “ No, I want such a price.”
By and by a third man came from the same house, or rather this time it
was the proprietor, and he offered me five cents per bushel more than
his house had offered the first time. Finally I got within five cents of
what I wanted, and fifteen cents more than I was first offered. We
encourage the buyers to come to us.

Q. If they don’t come, what do you do? A. Well, we did it, and did it
through the organization. The commission men in Grand Rapids went
so far as to buy up some of the outsiders, so that they should stay out
of the market. They said to these outside men, ‘ We will buy for you;
we can buy cheaper than you can,” and in one or two instances these
outside buyers paid them five or ten cents per bushel to buy for them.
It is a very rare thing for a Grand Rapids grower to consign his goods.
We wouldn’t want to send them away. Weare more afraid to ship than
you are to trust the Michigan man to buy direct. You could hardly get
any of our people to ship last year. One Detroit firm stayed there and
bought during the entire season. The commission men tried to buy him
off, but he said no. One of the firms said to him, ‘‘ You stay away and I
will buy your fruit as cheap as you can.”’ He said he would give them a
trial. He stayed off the market, and this commission house bought the
fruit. He went to the commission house and asked what they proposed
to charge him. Ninety cents, they replied. He said, “ But I could buy
them for seventy cents.” The next morning he came himself and bought.

Mr. Morrill: The Grand Rapids growers adopted a form which they
use as a letterhead. It is an advertising scheme in which they, in their
business, call attention to what they do. Mr. Munson has one of these
with him. It is a cheap and easy way of letting people know what you
have. Of course we have buyers. You can find fifteen or twenty and
up to a hundred, almost any time, but we want more.

Mr. Munson: Four years ago we formed our society, and I was elected
secretary, to serve two years. Of course a great deal of the work falls
upon the secretary, so I worked out this plan: I wrote to commission
men in the large cities all over the country where we are likely to ship;
I sent one of these return postal cards, asking them to give me a list of
all their reliable commission men or merchants, in their place, and this
return card was directed to myself. Almost invariably we received a
reply. To these men was sent a circular something like this (exhibiting a
large letter sheet). Upon one side we give our connections from Grand
Rapids, the time for leaving of the trains, freight rates from Grand
Rapids to their place, for car and less than car, and by express. Each
state is arranged alphabetically. On the other side is a letterhead. we
use in our correspondence. Our commission men are not commission
- men, they are brokers; and nine tenths of the fruit in our section is sold
on our markets. Last fall we had from five to twelve, and one morning
fifteen, thousand bushels of peaches on our market. One reason why
men from other places say they like to go to Grand Rapids is, several
concerns will send a man there and keep him the whole season, and he can
buy a mixed assortment of fruit and vegetables of all kinds, and they
claim that they can buy such a load in Grand Rapids better than in any
place they have ever been in.

148 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Smith: Do you have any local inspection of your fruit before it is
shown? A. The association does not in any way take charge of selling
the fruit. Every man is for himself. They are not responsible for it in
any way. Every grower makes his own bargain and sells his own fruit.
For years we have provided a room down town, where outside buyers
can go and repack their fruit, if they wish, repack for shipping. We keep
a stock of baskets on hand to sell at reasonable cost to those who wish to
buy covers, etc., and fix up the purchases. The fruit, when it comes on
the Grand Rapids market, is not covered, and a great deal of it is shipped
in that way.

Mr. Morrill: The expense is very small, in this matter, to each indivi-
dual, and the results probably are beyond computation. If they had made
no effort to call attention to their fruit they would not have been nearly
so well situated financially as they are today.

Mr. Munson: Our expenses are generally less than $200 per season. I
think last year we had about $150. Our rules are that it costs $1 to bea
member and $1 extra for every thousand bushels of peaches, or the
equivalent in any other fruit.

Q. The membership runs a little over 400? A. No, not that is paid in.

Q. About what proportion of your fruitgrowers are members of the
association? A. I presume not over one third. Most of the larger
growers are. There is always that tendency to shirk even one dollar of
expense. The others reap the benefits as much as those who pay the
dollars, but we do not pretend to furnish them circulars or give them
references; and yet, in an incidental way, they reap the benefits.

Mr. Smith: This transportation question is properly a local one, and
inasmuch as we have no local organization it is utterly useless for us
to expect great benefits from any system of this kind. For twenty years
we have tried and tried to move in this very direction, and we have so
entirely lost control of anything like organization, that we are simply at
the mercy of every one who wants our fruit, whether in Chicago, Mil-
waukee, or anywhere else. Our friends in Grand Rapids have their organ-
ization, they worked the thing up and they will stick to it, but we can not
do anything until we have more confidence in each other than we have
shown heretofore. We will trust any one rather than ourselves. We will
trust commission men in Chicago or Milwaukee, whom we have never
seen and never expect to see, but we won’t trust one another.

Mr. Munson: We find in Grand Rapids that it makes a great differ-
ence where we are backed up by the association. Instead of being short
and crusty, these people would invite us into the office or to make
some appointment, and then they would talk it over and help us
in every way possible, give us every privilege they could. Sometimes it
would be only a better privilege in regard to loading, or a more con-
venient time of leaving, and sometimes it was more, as in the case of the
peach rates. The cut from a rate and a half to one rate originated in our
society, and it was two or three years before we got that; but we kept
hammering at them all the while until we finally got it, and now it is only
one first-class rate. Tliat has helped our town thousands of dollars every.
year.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 149

Mr. Morrill: It has been intimated that this is a State Horticultural
society and not a local affair. I would like every one to understand what
we conceive to be the duty of the State Horticultural society. It is an
organization which is supposed to be advancing the interests of the
locality where it meets, and to do its best to.assist the growers there, and
to provide the best information we can secure, by inviting people fitted
for this purpose, from all over the state. We are just as heartily in
sympathy with your interests here as we would be with those of Grand
Rapids or Oceana county if we were there. That is the mission of the
state society. Of course, I am a resident here, but many of these other
gentlemen who are giving suggestions may be doing it to the detriment
of their particular society. Mr. Reid has a letter here from Mr. Barnett,
a pretty level-headed fellow generally, and he may have something to
suggest.

Mr. Reid: It seems very strange, when they can maintain organi-
zations in California and New York successfully, that such ventures in
Michigan seem to be largely failures; and while they have a measure of
success at Grand Rapids they are yet in the infancy of what they will
probably be able to do. This matter has been discussed here, ever since
I first heard Mr. Smith talk, and that is ten or twelve years ago, and
very little has been done. I don’t expect much to be done until men are
compelled to resort to this means. So long as peaches sold at $2 or $3 per

~ bushel, men were willing to pay fifty cents express charges, but the

time is coming when a gradual reduction of margins will compel people
to resort to sales through organization. I sent Mr. Barnett a copy of the
programme of this meeting. He sent his excuse for his inability to attend,
and then wrote as follows:

Commerce may be defined as “the exchange of merchandise on a large scale
between different places or communities; extended trade or traffic.” Without
merchandise there can be no exchange; without the means of transportation of
that merchandise from one place to another, there can be no exchange. The two
elements are indispensible, and the relations they bear each other are so close
that the success of the producer of merchandise often depends on the quality and
cost of transportation of his products to the point of consumption.

Manufactured articles, when the cost of the manufacture or labor has been a
large factor in the production, as a rule can bear a heavier rate of carriage
than raw material, so that the matter of transportation is not so important in
many lines as it is in the branch of commerce the National League of Commission
Merchants represent.

Dealing largely in the products of the soil, that are practically “raw mate-
rial,’ the cost of transportation often determines whether it is profitable to
produce an article.

No matter how prolific the soil, nor with what ease a given product can be
grown, if the cost of placing it on the market exceeds largely a fair proportion
of the price realized, the venture will surely be unprofitable. And that this is
a reasonable and common-sense view of the subject, an illustration will show.

Suppose we take the item of apples, and the city of St. Louis as a market.
Let us assume that $2.25 is the market value of a barrel of apples weighing one
hundred and fifty pounds net. From a point 200 miles in any direction, on a
trunk line of railway, it is fair to assume that a freight rate of 1624 cents per
hundred pounds is the ruling rate, or 25 cents per barrel, or $40 per carload
for a minimum weight of 24,000 pounds.

It will be admitted by most producers that a price equaling 88 cents per
hundred pounds for the fruit at home will be profitable.

150 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY:

Another grower 2,500 miles away, on the Pacific slope, can produce apples in
unlimited quantities, but a freight rate of $1 per 100 pounds leaves him no margin
on which to operate. But no one pretends that a transportation company can
haul a car load of apples 2,500 miles as cheaply as it can 200 miles. The com-
pensation must in reason be in proportion to the service rendered, and not always
in proportion to the needs of the shipper. A grower in southern Florida can
not expect the transportation charges on a bushel of beans from his section of
the country to New York to be the same as from Charleston, 8. C. The needs
of the owners of the railways are entitled to some consideration.

I would not lose sight of the element of justice in the matter of transportation.
In fact, I strongly insist on it, and believe a spirit of fairness should obtain all
through. What I strongly contend for is justice to the shipper, which he often
does not get. Time is an important factor to us in our line of business, and
the classification sheet is arranged with this fact ever in mind, by the authors
of that compilation, and they are always railway men.

Speaking of the classification committee reminds me that the continual change
in value of products makes a revision of the tariff sheet and changes in the
rating of commodities a necessity if justice is done to the shipper. The intent
of the men who fix the rating is no doubt good, yet a revision is necessary,
as an illustration will show: ‘Twenty years ago, pears were worth in the markets
from $4 to $7 per barrel, as against $2 to $2.50, the selling price of apples. “This
year, the average price of pears has been scarcely $3, while apples have sold
at about $2. In case of the hardy LeConte and Kieffer varieties, the price has
been even less, scarcely ranging above the selling price of choice apples. Yet
our western classification committee have a rating that makes the cost of trans-
portation nearly double on pears that it is on apples.

The improvements in transportation in time, and the use of refrigerator cars,
have reduced the risk to a minimum, and the roads are further protected by
a release and guarantee of freight charges, so that there is now absolutely no
reason for the great discrimination against pears as compared with apples. The
same remark will apply to sweet potatoes and quinces, although the difference is
not so great on these items, but vigorous protest should be made and concerted
efforts put forth to secure a revision of the classification, and put these things
on an equitable, basis.

It is well to remember that for the transportation of all perishable products
a much higher rate is always demanded, because of the “time” factor that is
supposed to enter into the question. This higher rate is cheerfully paid on that
basis, but railroad companies expressly exempt themselves from any claim for
damages for failure from any cause to fulfil their part of the contract, although
exacting the higher rate for their supposed liability on the contract. This is not
just; it is exacting pay for a contract unfulfilled.

Grant that in the majority (the great majority) of cases they do meet the
time—understand they are paid extra for it; and the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chi-
cago and St. Louis railway (which is a part of the Pennsylvania system) frankly
says: “It has two different rates of charges for tolls and transportation charges
upon certain articles, viz., one higher rate, upon payment of which it assumes
the ordinary liability of a common carrier upon its line of railway, for property
transported by it; and another lower rate, at which it transports for all those
who release it from all liability, so far as it may be lawfully done, for any
loss or damage to property entrusted to it for transportation.” This release is
“From all claims, demands or liabilities for any loss thereof or damage thereto
howsoever occurring, by fire or otherwise, or whether by negligence of the said
railroad or transportation companies, or of their or either of their officers, agents,
or employes, or otherwise, while the same is in their care, custody or possession.”

This surely is comprehensive enough, and in case of damage fully protects the
company, notwithstanding that the lowest rate is based on a supposition that
green fruits are extra perishable, and a high rate is always placed upon them.

The time has fully come for a demand for a shipping contract that will insure
delivery on time, or promptly compel payment of damages. This will be a simple
measure of justice between both parties.

I fully recognize the fact that the League is comparatively small in numbers,
that our organization is yet in its infancy; but conceding these points, still we

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 151

are looked on as the only body that speaks for the producer—the widely scattered
growers—and we are asked to point out the way for changes and reforms in prac-
tices that oppress the poor and weak.

Monopolies are cruel, and would crush the life out of opponents, and it is left
for us to initiate the measure that will bring relief. When a measure is planned,
carefully considered, and advocated, the agitation that can be carried on by our
local organizations, the influence that can be brought to bear on freight solicitors,
on local agents, will after a while be felt by the general agents of the roads,
and the persistent work will be effectual.

The boycott is an ugly, un-American word, and I will not use it, but content
myself by saying, ‘‘Commerce will follow the lines of the least resistance.”

If a puffed-up, self-important man be in charge of a transportation line, he is
offering “resistance” to traffic, that will in the end be felt. I know of one trunk
line between the east and west, magnificently equipped for business, that can
not get a pound of freight from some heavy shippers, simply because of the pig-
headed policy of those in charge of its interests. It is scarcely felt now, but
will be in time to come.

Where a road has a positive monopoly, it may for a while pursue the “public
be d——d” policy, but it will not win.

One trunk line leading into the City of Chicago, possessing all the material
advantages that it is possible to imagine, for twenty years acted on that line,
but every advantage was taken of competition, and every pound of freight that
could go to competitive points went by other lines, till the management saw their
folly and quietly changed their methods, until now no road will do more to
accommodate its patrons than that line.

It is not the matter of transporting the goods alone that enters into the
problem—terminal facilities are requisite, and decent treatment at the terminals.
Every reasonable facility to promptly handle the goods should be afforded as a
matter of right, not courtesy, and we should demand, and are entitled to, recogni-
tion as honest men.

We do not object to reasonable safeguards against imposition, on the part of
the companies, but do object against unnecessary delays and vexatious regulations
that are unnecessary. They are “obstructions to commerce” that should be
removed.

Briefly, then, let us demand just service for compensation paid, the quickest
time for the transportation of perishable products, the prompt removal of all
obstructions to commerce, or go around them and pledge ourselves to persistent
agitation, and work for the accomplishment of these objects.

I can not go into details or illustrations in a brief paper, as you all have daily
illustrations of the points indicated. The report of the transportation committee
will have additional matter on this subject, that will develop the ideas above
set. forth. Better to confine ourselyes to something specific, and work steadily
for its accomplishment, than to scatter our efforts until they are of no avail.
Discussion will bring out points and illustrations to emphasize the above, for
from practical experience we must draw our arguments to convince our railway
friends of the justice of our claim, and I believe what I have said will indicate
the course we should pursue.

152 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

FUTURE OF COMMERCIAL FRUITGROWING.

BY PROF. H. E. VANDEMAN.

I had no thought of having the great pleasure of meeting this society,
when I left home a few days ago. I went over to Chicago to the nursery-
men’s convention, and, having found an opportunity to slip over here,
have done so. I had no thought of saying anything on the topic which
had been assigned to Mr. J. H. Hale, and which he, before all men in the
country, is able to handle. But the future of commercial fruitgrowing
is a topic which comes home, not only to the commercial fruitgrower him-
self, but to all the people in the country. The merchant and the con-
sumer are both intensely interested in this subject, though you, of course,
as commercial fruitgrowers, before all others. Now, we know that com-
mercial fruitgrowing has been carried to such an extent already that
some people seriously doubt the advisability of developing it further.
A great many say, “ Why plant more, there is too much now; the markets
are loaded down,” and such talk as that. We hear it very frequently. I
have heard it from every section, from California to Maine and from
Florida to Minnesota, and there is no doubt that in many cases commer-
cial fruitgrowing has not been profitable, and we might say there is a
dark future for it; but if we will only take the matter into more serious
consideration, I think we can see that there is a bright prospect for the
commercial fruitgrower. But it is in following just one line that it may be
said that there is this bright future, and that is in doing it most
thoroughly and in raising a high grade of fruit. The market will, in a
hundred years from now, I suppose, be loaded down with trash. It is
very rarely that we can find a market burdened with really good fruit;
and that brings us to the question, How are we going to be able to grow
good fruit? I think it is a question easily answered. If we will do as
some are doing, after having made a good selection of locality and of
soil and all that sort of thing, and then do as Mr. Hale and Mr. Morrill
are doing, for instance, cultivate thoroughly and thin severely and fer-
tilize abundantly, there is no doubt that we will come out in the right
place.

A great many, when they have planted their orchards, have given them
common cultivation and think they have done their duty. They think
any one who would take pains to go twice each week over his orchard
with a cultivator of any kind was expending an undue amount of labor.
That is not true; itisa great mistake. I venture the assertion that if there
were not a bit of rain from now to the time peaches ripen in August, Mr.
Morrill would have a good crop of peaches in his orchard. If there
were not a single drop of rain from now till then, I will venture that
under the cultivation he is carrying on neither the trees nor the peaches
would stop growing, and they would mature in fine condition. I don’t
know how many of you have seen that orchard, but I am certainly very
much pleased to have seen it myself, and this is only a sample of what

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 153

might be done by others. I hope there are others who are cultivating as
thoroughly as he does. And then, he is not afraid to fertilize. I believe
he says he puts on 100 bushels of unleached wood ashes to the acre. How
many fertilize like that?

I was in one of Mr. Hale’s orchards, some years ago, and he told me
that in one orchard he had put $2,000 worth of muriate of potash. It
might seem that it would take a good deal of “nerve” to do that, but
he got it all back again. He was not in it for fun. He was in it ina
business way, and it is the way to do. If you don’t feed your orchard
it won’t yield you an income; it can not, any more than a horse can do
his day’s work without being fed. Another thing, if you are going to
work a horse next week, you don’t wait until next week to feed him. You
feed him this week and the week before and the week after, and then
the horse will be in good condition. Get your orchards into good con-
dition, beginning with the time you plant them, and keep them so as long
as you have them in your care. Then your trees are getting ready to
sustain the crop, if there is one.

Another point is this: there are a great many people, judging by the
crops they grow, who grow more peach pits than anything else. There
will often be a twig supporting five or six peaches, that should have but
one; and that one peach, if the other five are taken off, will grow to weigh
and measure nearly as much as the whole six would have done, and you
- get rid of the expense of making those five other peach pits; and they
take away the manurial value of the land more than any other part of
the fruit. So why grow peach pits? You know what they bring when
they go on the market. Those six little peaches won’t bring half as
much as the one big peach would have brought.

Some one may say, ‘“‘ Well, I can not afford to thin; think how much
trouble it will take!” Now, just think of it. You are going to pick them
anyway, and isn’t it easier to do it as Mr. Morrill is doing, to have some
one jerk them off and drop them on the ground, than to make six different
motions for those six peaches, to say nothing of the packing and market-
ing? Isn’t it cheaper to thin than to leave them on? I don’t think we
consider that subject enough. Mr. Hale of Connecticut has thinned 600
acres of peaches this year. Mr. A. T. Hatch of California, who was the
pioneer of this peach-thinning business, says that he began his experi-
ments by taking certain rows. He would take off a quarter of the fruit
from one row, and then he would leave a row without thinning at all,
and then he would thin a larger proportion of the fruit on the next row,
and then leave another row untouched; and he kept on that way until he
took oif nearly all the peaches from some of the trees. Then he weighed
the product of these different trees and sold them on the market, separ-
ately, and he found that about a fair rule to follow was to thin the
peaches so that the Chinamen (they use them there) could spread a hand
right between two peaches, leaving a space of five or six inches between
the fruits. We might think that was very severe thinning, but I think
you will find by observation and experiment what the result of this thing
is.

. This is the sort of commercial fruitgrowing that will pay, not only with
the peach but with the pear and apple and anything else. This same
20

154 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

objection in regard to thinning might be brought up with apples. “ Do
you think we could go over our apple trees and take off the apples?” But
it is practicable.

It does not cost so much as to take them off after they are ripe. I
dowt say this from theory alone, because I have tried it myself in a
small way. I have not had the opportunity to carry it out extensively
at all, but I have talked with these gentlemen I have mentioned, and
others. Mr. Powell of New York, for instance, thins everything on his
place. Mr. S. D. Willard does the same, and-all these successful men
are in the thinning business, and they say it has paid them abundantly.
if it will pay others, it will pay you. We have biennial bearers—we call
them alternate bearers. Why? Because, as is their nature, they put on
too big a crop, and you allow it to stay on, and it so devitalizes the tree
that it can not do anything next year. The tree must rest. That is what
makes a biennial bearer.

I suppose you have had spraying talked to you here. You have eminent
men here, who have made careful experiments, and I have no doubt you
have had it well talked up. You can no more afford to do without spray-
ing than without the cultivator. It is just as much a part of the farm
appliances as the plow or harrow, in this day and age of the world. You ©
must keep up with the procession, or you will be left behind.

If I had but one piece of advice to give to any one in the commercial
fruitgrowing business, I would say, do it thoroughly, and aim to raise
only the highest grade of fruit, and you will be abundantly paid for it.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Berckmans of Georgia: As we have not had any practical expe-
rience in fruit in some years, I do not think our opinion would be of any
weight at all. I will say, however, that when we were in that business
we found thinning fruit very successful, especially with the Japanese
plums and the different varieties of peach.

Mr. Dunlap of Illinois: I have been waiting to hear from the Michigan
men on this subject. I think they are much better posted than any one
from Illinois. I will only say that the past season has certainly empha-
sized the fact that there is a financially successful future, for the com-
mercial fruitgrower, even among the men of Illinois, who are engaged
largely in apple-growing. We find that those men who went into the
orchards of central and southern Illinois last year, and bought apples for
sixty cents per barrel, have been selling them this spring as high as $6
per barrel. The way to make the thing thoroughly successful, is not only
to grow the fruit successfully but to market it successfully. It is fully
as important to market it properly as to grow it properly. I think this ©
point can not be emphasized too emphatically. We find, too, in Illinois,
that the cold storage facilities have in the last few years been of great
advantage to us. We can place our apples in cold storage after harvest,
right from the orchards, and sell them in the spring without having them
repacked at all. No expense except that of storing. I have found that
some of the most important things we have learned in fruitgrowing have
been emphasized in what we have seen this morning—thorough cultiva-

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEBRTING. 155

tion, careful pruning, and fertilization. With us we do not adopt the
same systems that you do, but the methods are essentially similar. We
do not find it necessary to use wood ashes in fertilizing, as much as you
do. Our great fertilizer is clover and barnyard manure.

Mr. Henry Augustine of Illinois: I feel since taking that ride this
morning, and observing how the people of Michigan treat their orchards,
and the work they are doing, as if I didn’t know anything; and I am
glad a hundred fold that I came here, for I learned some things which
will probably do me good when I need them. I have heard great stories
of your orchards, and the work here, but the half was never told. In
reference to the subject of discussion, I wish to say that I have, in the
last two years, been more fully convinced than ever of the advantage of
thinning fruits of different kinds, not only the peach and apple and plum, -
but many other varieties of fruit; and not only for the sake of maturing
the present crop, but, as has been intimated, it prepares the trees better
for future usefulness, and I am satisfied that we have never appreciated
the value of that part of the work. I don’t know that we do yet. I am
sure I was in deep ignorance until a year or so ago, when my attention
was called to the matter of thinning; and further, I am satisfied the great
majority of us have not even yet a full appreciation of the work of culti-
vating, the necessity for thorough cultivation of our orchards. We
observed that this morning. I noticed some orchards which did not
promise so well, and they were seeded down in timothy. I don’t think
we saw a tree anywhere, under cultivation, but it was in a flourishing,
healthy condition. I doubt if we appreciate the value of thorough culti-
vation as a fertilizer and as a mulch and everything else. People say,
“Shall we mulch our trees?” Mulch them by thorough cultivation.
President Morrill referred to what I thought of the prospects of this
business in the future. I don’t believe we are planting trees half fast
enough to keep pace with the increased population of our country. Not
only that, but, with the increased demand for fruit, I believe, as someone
said before, the more fruit is eaten the more it is in demand, and I am
eonvineed of that fact myself, that we are just beginning to appreciate
the value of fruit. I would call your attention to the fact that, in a
niajority of years, not one person in ten, nor one in twenty, uses fruit
asa daily diet; and when we get enough fruit so we can supply the whole
country, even if we have to grow it a little cheaper (we can afford to
grow it cheaper), I think when we do that we will begin to realize the real
value of fruit.

Prof. VanDeman: There is one other thouglit I would like to mention,
and that is in regard to one of the effects of spraying, which I think we
often overlook. The spraying of trees or plants affected with fungous
diseases makes the fruit larger and thicker and of better quality. I
don’t care if the spraying don’t touch the fruit, it makes the fruit better
because it gives the leaves an opportunity to develop the tree to an
extent not attainable with diseased leaves. It makes the fruit larger and
better in quality. We do not apprehend that at first, until we come to
think about it. In a new country they can grow beautiful fruit, because
they are not troubled with a myriad of diseases and pests which affect
orchards in the older country. But they say now, in New York state, that
with the recent information in regard to spraying they can grow just

/

156 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

as good fruit as they did fifty or one hundred years ago. It is so today in
Michigan and everywhere else. You should not overlook the importance
of spraying in order to keep the foliage in such condition that it may not
only develop itself, but develop the entire organism of the tree, fruit and
all.

Mr. J. J. Harrison of Ohio: My epinion is that there is no section of
the United States so favorably located, particularly for the production of
peaches, as this lake shore region. In my travels in California, two years
ago, I tried to investigate the question whether they could compete with
the east in peach-growing, and I fully satisfied myself that they could
not do so, even if they could get them on the market in good condition.
They are so far from the market that they are in the grip of the railways,
the freights are extortionate, and they do not stand any chance with
the eastern peach-growers, if they handle their peach orchards as your
worthy president does his. I don’t know of a single orchard I visited in
California which was in every respect in as good shape as Mr. Morrill’s
orchard today. The trees are all pruned with a certain idea—to get them
low-headed, broad, and open, and his cultivation is perfection. I really
think you have the best show for making money, considering your great
markets, of any section of the United States. .

Mr. VanDeman: I hope you will pardon me, but there is one thought
more in connection with the matter of marketing, which is well worthy
of our attention. When you go into commercial fruitgrowing, it is money
you are after, and the biggest money is in the fancy market. You know
that California sends peaches and plums and cherries and other fruits
clear across the continent, and they beat you here, right on your own
ground, in Chicago, Milwaukee, etc. How do they do it? There is
nothing very mysterious about it. In the first place, they take pains to
produce the high-grade fruit we have been talking about, and then they
fix it up in the nicest packages they can devise, and they wrap every
pear and every peach, every fruit except cherries, in tissue paper, and
some even have their brand printed on the tissue paper; and this
fruit they send here and with it capture the fancy market. The way to
beat California is to beat her at her own game. If it pays them to buy
tissue paper and wrap their fruits, it will pay you. I would like to know
if there is anyone here who ever tried wrapping fruit in paper and send-
ing it to the market in fancy style?

Mr. Morrill: I don’t believe any have tried in it Michigan.

Mr. VanDeman: I wish you would try it. It won’t cost very much to
send a box or two to market and see the difference in price. I don’t care
if you charge double price for the tissue paper and wrapping, and so on.
Charge everything to the expense of the venture that you like, that your
conscience will permit, and then make an estimate, after you are all
through. I tell you solemnly, gentlemen, it will pay. Mr. George Powell
of New York has been doing that, and he is going to do a great deal more
of it. A number of growers about Newark, N. J., have tried it, and they
say it is an idea which has been very valuable to them. If Mr. Morrill
will wrap some of his nice peaches and send them to market in fancy
packages, he will get the biggest kind of pay for them. One man said he
cleared a dollar per barrel above all expenses on every barrel of pears
that he wrapped, without difference in quality. Fruit which is wrapped

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 157

is of better quality than that not wrapped. It not only protects it from
injury, but it will make it better quality. The wrapping retains the
flavor. Why do the Florida people wrap their oranges? They wrap
oranges with skins as thick as sole leather because it retains the aroma.
With a pear, the longer that fragrance escapes the poorer it is. The
peach, pear, or plum which is wrapped is better than if not wrapped.

Mr. Morrill: I was just wondering what the California pear would
taste like if it were left unwrapped and shipped here.

Mr. Dunlap: Wrapping is a good thing for good fruits, but I was on
South Water-st., Chicago, last year, and I noticed some handsome peaches
in baskets; and I asked my commission man where those peaches came
from. He replied, California, and they were being sold as Michigan
peaches. The wrappers had been taken off, and they were selling them
for Michigan fruit. So, though we might imitate California in some
respects, don’t let us imitate them in the quality of the fruit. In regard
to commercial fruitgrowing, there will be failures in it in the future as
in the past, by a great majority you might say, of the growers, and it
will be because they have not attended to the essential matter of mar-
keting their fruit in proper shape, and marketing it where it is the most
profitable. That was illustrated last year, by the market in Illinois.
Apples were sold so cheap in the orchards that the growers were almost
completely discouraged. Handsome fruit was sold for fifty and sixty
cents per barrel. The great bulk of it was sold for less than seventy-five
cents per barrel. The buyers placed the fruit in cold storage and sold
it later on, and doubled and trebled their money. That could have been
done by the grower himself, if he had been posted as to the proper place
to market that fruit and how to care for it. We should consider these
questions if we are going to make the future a success.

Mr. Morrill: I would like to correct one impression that Prof. Van-
Deman has, and that is that California does get our market away from
us. I can find shippers here who, with peaches no larger, have received
$2 for California’s $1. Double the price, pound for pound, for two or
three years, Michigan fruit and California fruit lying side by side on
South Water-st., and we know nothing about the quantity that could be
sold that way. There have never been enough first-class peaches to
supply the demand, at prices far above the California fruit, and their
transportation charges would be a good revenue for us. So, speaking
for Michigan alone, I think the prospect for first-class fruit is as bright
as it ever was, but the lower grades may not be so successful.

Mr. Graham: I don’t know that I can add anything to what has been
said here. I quite agree with Mr. Morrill and the others. There is now
and there will be plenty of room and a good market for good fruit. I
don’t think, however, that the great majority of the people of Michigan
are capable, with their present methods, of growing that variety of fruit.
The location and the methods employed make them unable to grow that
quality of fruit. We have heard a great deal for a long time about grow-
ing the best quality of fruit. At the same time we know that the great
majority of the fruit grown today is only of very medium grade, and it is
a question whether it is getting any better. The bulk of the fruit that
goes into market is very common, ordinary fruit, and I am always sorry
to see men planting large tracts to fruit where the location is not first-

158 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

class. We know that they have not the facilities nor the ability to pro-
duce the first grade of fruit. There can be nothing but failure awaiting
them; the men themselves are not adapted to it.

Mr. Van Lindley of North Carolina: I think there has been enough
said by Mr. VanDeman, how to make a market for fruit. If his instruc-
tions are followed I have no doubt you will have success. The plan he
suggests is what I have been trying to follow, and I will say something
of the manner of packing fruit adopted in North Carolina. We use what
is known as the six-pound-basket crate; when full it weighs forty pounds.
There are six baskets to fill, and they each hold about two rows of good-
size peaches, and the bottom row is just as large as the top one, if you
expect to have a reputation. In addition to that, we usually take two
pieces of paper for each basket, just large enough to go down the side
of the basket. The paper is slipped down on the side of the
peaches, on each side, and when the basket is filled we put a few
little twigs of the peach tree in with the leaves on. It is very quickly
done, and we turn the paper over and pack them. Our peaches, pre-
pared in that way, brought from fifty to seventy-five cents extra per
crate, all season, and the market was practically glutted with good fruit
from other sections. I suppose it didn’t cost us ten cents more per crate,
and it paid us fifty to seventy-five cents extra. We have a big reputa-
tion on our package and the manner in which we put it up, and I don’t
believe in the future we will have any trouble in finding a market for
our fruit. Of course, the object is to have only fine peaches, and we
expect to continue receiving fancy prices. The market never has been
glutted with really fine fruit.

Mr. Brooke of Kansas: In Denver a man went into a packing-house
and asked for Wild Goose plums. The packer didn’t have any, but had
some Oregon and Sand Hill plums. He asked the price. The Sand Hill
plums were priced twenty cents per basket more than the Oregon plums.
He took the Sand Hill plums. They were what he wanted, and though
the Oregon plums were fine they were not worth anything except to look
at. Another illustration of the same thing is this: There was a carload
of apples shipped into Topeka, Kansas, one year when Kansas was out
of apples. These came in boxes similar to those used for oranges. When
they were opened they looked very much like oranges; they were beauti-
ful apples. I obtained a few to take to a horticultural meeting, to show
them. They were so fine that I didn’t know what they were. I examined
the box, and “Newtown pippins” was printed on it. The man from whom
I obtained these showed me some other Newtown pippins. They were
green, half the size of the others, and the only difference in the produc-
tion of the fruit was this: One orchard was in northern California and
the other in southern Oregon. The orchards were only two or three
miles apart, but one orchard was allowed to take care of itself; the sun-
light never got to the apples, and they came to the market inferior fruit.
No one would take them to be the same variety. The other man kept
his trees trimmed so that the sun colored the fruit. It was simply the
difference in care, and I warrant you that one man received more than
a hundred per cent. more than the other for the trouble he took. As to
commercial orcharding, that is going to be a success, and Kansas is
going to lead, at least in apples.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 159

CAN THE APPLE BE MADE AS PROFITABLE AS OTHER FRUITS?
BY MR. R. H. SHERWOOD OF WATERVLIET.

Since the earliest history of man the apple has been a tempting fruit;
consequently, the first tree was about the first creation, evidently being
in the mind of the Creator among the highest and most useful to men.
It has continued to be the symbol of prosperity and best guarantee of
fertile soil, salubrious climate, and prosperous community. We admire
and delight in the taste of the orange, fig, peach, pear, ete., but no other
fruit is so universally liked and generally used as the apple. Why is it?
we ask. Because we can obtain any flavor, nearly, that our fickle tastes
may desire. We have the sweet, sour, and in fact any degree of flavor
desired by obtaining the variety. We read that apples are our most
healthful fruit. Doctors prescribe them, and we learn that chronic cases
of kidney and stomach troubles have been entirely cured by using only
apples. Those articles should be published for public benefit in every
paper and on every bill-board and rock from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
and from Hudson’s bay to the gulf. Instead of reading numerous and

~~ effusive medical advertisements, when viewing the landscape o’er, either

from train or wagon, ride or mountain view, we should read, “Apples—
apples for complexion of ladies—red cheeks for the pale, yellow for the
florid, russets for those desiring tan or freckles ”; and “ All ills that man
is heir to can be agreeably and speedily cured by buying your winter
apples of Tom Jones ”’—town of Michigan, New York, or Missouri.

Turning our attention to the mode and care given the raising of this
profitable product, we know by observation that the apple orchard, gen-
erally speaking, is used as the hog lot and calf pasture, and all care given
it is bestowed by one or the other of these kinds of farm animals; and
upon questioning the owner as to why he did not trim up and spray his
orchard to help the quality of fruit, his usual reply is that “ it never bore
any amount; ’bout enough for his own use and a barrel of cider; didn’t
have time to fuss with it, had to plow for oats” and “this spraying is all
nonsense, just encouraged by book farmers and such ”; he’d like to see the
commissioners compel him to spray or cut any of his trees down for yel-
lows; he would take a shotgun to them. So he pats himself on the back
as being a man of wonderful judgment and business ability. In reality,
however, he shows less sense than the Arkansan who never shingled his
house, for one gave an excuse and the other has none.

There is no part of the farm that is usually so neglected as the apple
orchard, even by our best farmers; and sometimes the most successful
farmer in other branches loses, by his orchard being neglected, what it
takes many times the same acreage to return to him. I have observed
during the past few years, however, that, owing to the general depression
of farm products, thinking men are becoming convinced that no labor on
the farm is so well repaid as good care of our orchards. Trimming, spray-
ing, cultivating, and proper care in packing fruit has resulted well to

160 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

those whose orchards have good and profitable varieties. I emphasize,
profitable varieties.

We read in the “ answer” column of our paper that some one is intend-
ing to plant an apple orchard and wants information as to the best
varieties. He may live in Iowa, and is answered by a New England man
who is well posted on the fruit that is best adapted to his particular local-
ity. His answer comes in the next issue, to set Baldwins with a few
other varieties for home use. Baldwins are set, and perhaps, when seven
or eight years old, a hard winter leaves him the bodies of the trees for his
firewood. Consequently he is heartily discouraged. Right here I would
like to suggest to all prospective fruitgrowers that the best advice and
direction can be obtained as to variety, etc., from a successful fruit-raiser
in your own neighborhood, or rather, fruitgrowers. Talk to all who are
raising fruit, and then you obtain information that relates directly to
your own case and particular conditions. Then, we don’t have to “ cut
and try ” many times to our sorrow.

Can apples be made as profitable as other fruits? I answer,
yes. My own personal experience will have to be submitted, so
pardon the personality. I have forty acres of apple orchard; have
cultivated from two hundred to two hundred and fifty acres in
farm products, besides my orchards, rotating my crops and, com-
paratively speaking, successfully. By that I mean average acreage
of all crops. I have made more money from my forty acres of
orchard than all the rest of my farm. Last year it netted me close to $55
per acre, and has run from $40 to $60 the past seven years, with one
exception when I had only 300 barrels, owing to the continued rains dur-
ing the blossoming season. Apples bear with quite a degree of uniformity
for about twenty years, being among the longest to bear of all fruit
trees. The average age of the peach is about twelve years, while here,
where we have yellows to contend with, it is not more than nine or ten
years; and the pear, we know, as compared with the apple, is shorter
lived; consequently we understand the apple has more time to bear, and
evidently results in being more a money-maker: Hardly any two men
agree exactly in the care of an apple orchard, but in the main there are
certain things that are required to accomplish results that are profitable.

Trimming and cultivating apple orchards I believe to be essential,
although I do not advocate so severe pruning as some. I cultivate my
orchards, plowing early in the spring, and then sow two bushels of field
peas to the acre, for hogs, which are turned into the orchard about the
first of August. It is my idea that hogs in an orchard during early fall
or late summer are the means of destroying innumerable insects and
worms that prey on the apples. The peas are useful in giving the hogs
flesh preparatory to corn-feeding later, and the ground has received a
fine mulching and fertilizing. The peas take very little nutriment from
the soil, as they are air-feeding plants. This year I find that I will have to
either prop my trees or cut my peas and haul them out of the orchard,
as the trees are very low-headed, and limbs are on the ground now by the
weight of the fruit. If not, the hogs will feast on too many No. 1 apples.
In all truth, we should not cast pearls before swine; but when apples
are considered, hogs are very particular to discriminate in favor of the
best fruit, both in variety and quality.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 161

Spraying I believe in, and have seen the benefits and realized that my
apples last year were benefited, at a conservative estimate, $500, by my
spraying, using Bordeaux mixture. I have sprayed twice this year, and
have been very thorough and particular that each entire tree was wet,
putting from two to three gallons per tree. I iutend spraying again
later. In picking fruit I have always believed that it is poor policy to pile
apples on the ground, even if on straw, and let them be exposed to the
sun and rain. Last year I picked my apples and hauled them imme-
diately to my barn, putting them in bins, each variety separate, with
plenty of straw under them. They are then protected from the weather
and from dampness of the ground. We picked 1,000 bushels in one day
—sixteen pickers, two men with team hauling. I have a Farmers’
Handy wagon with platform 64x16 feet, which holds forty bushel-baskets
of apples. We christened it the “ flat car.” We hauled to the station,
24 miles, forty-five barrels of apples on it, and hauled them easily. At
the same time of hauling our picked fruit, before the men commenced
upon a tree, we picked up all windfalls and hauled them to barn, where
they were packed and shipped immediately. I advocate the two bushel
and three peck barrels and have never found any difficulty in selling them,
provided the apples were of good quality. I sold my apples immediately
after picking, so we packed them as fast as we could, shipping the last
about December 1, and they were in fine condition. I have practiced all .
kinds of methods of handling apples, but think this manner of storing
them the cheapest and gives the best results. -

The marketing of our fruit is going to be more of a study than it has
been, and [ am confident that the entire profits of a crop may be wasted
by not watching crop reports and markets. There is hardly any fruit you
can handle the same as apples; for, their keeping qualities being supe-
rior to all (I refer to winter apples), we can hold them as desired. I except,
however, the cider and windfall apples, as the quicker they are realized
on the larger the profits. It has always been a wonder to me why Cali-
fornia fruits sold for so much better prices than our own fruits, knowing
that we had everything in our favor, viz.: a superior article, and quick
access to market. They take pains in packing and making their fruit
attractive, and I believe we should learn that lesson thoroughly ourselves
before we ship any more fruit of any kind. We are the most favored, I
believe, everything considered, of all our fruitgrowing states. Not only
our climate and soil, but Michigan fruit has a reputation for flavor that
is acknowledged to be superior to other states. ‘ Beauty is only skin
deep,” admitting that Missouri has the preference for Ben Davis. Michi-
gan Baldwins and Greenings are usually quoted among the first on the
price list, and it is conceded that the flavor of our fruit has no equal.

We are shipping larger quantities of apples every year to England, and
the demand for them is growing in other countries. If they can become
accustomed to apples instead of the tropical fruits, they will give them
the preference, as apples are more desirable and satisfactory. Our exports
of apples last year were 849,804 barrels, valued at over two million dol-
lars. The varieties most desired for exporting, according to our best
reports on the subject, are Baldwins, Kings, Spys, Ribston pippins, and
Russets. I am of the opinion that this part of our apple market should
receive much of our attention and encouragement. I would suggest that

21

162 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

our State Horticultural society examine into the merits of this market
thoroughly, and have references of responsible parties who do that
business, both in this country and England. This would be a convenient
and reliable source of information among our apple-growers, to obtain
knowledge of the export trade. The foreign demand for certain of our
products has raised the market value here quite materially, and would
affect the apple market similarly.

As this paper’s subject is of a comparative nature, I will have to form
my opinion of its merits by giving a very cursory view of the subject. It
is my opinion that an apple orchard well situated, and of best market
varieties, will pay as much to the owner as any other fruit on the same
land, if adapted to apples. Many of our smaller fruits are so susceptible
to frosts that they are not very reliable, or rather not as reliable as the
apple. It is very hard to give ideas on a subject of this character, that
each individual hearer may justly qualify to suit his particular conditions
of soil, altitude, market, and tastes. It is absolutely essential to success
in any business, either rural or mercantile, that our best efforts and
thoughts be actuated by a love for our occupation. It is a pleasant
reflection, when we view the results of our efforts in planting and caring
for an orchard, that we shall realize in fruits and profits. We often
hear the appropriate quotation in connection with rural life, “ He who
makes two blades of grass to grow where only one grew before is a
benefactor to mankind.” How much more satisfactory, and justly so, is
the view of a beautiful orchard laden with fruit. But there is an incen-
tive gained and cultivated among those who follow the different branches
of horticulture, which tends to elevate our standard of living by giving
us higher thoughts and motives.

“To him who, in the love of nature,
Holds communion with her visible forms,
She speaks a various language.”

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Judson: Does Mr. Sherwood practice thinning his apples?

Mr. Sherwood: I never have, and this is the first year I have felt they
should be thinned. I have been thinking of it quite seriously, and I
believe it should be done. There are some trees that look as though the
apples had been thrown upon them with scoop-shovels and every apple
had stuck. The foliage is not so rank as it should be. I think thinning
practicable, though I have never done it.

Mr. Augustine: It seems to me that the question asked on the pro-
gramme, depends on circumstances, whether apple-growing can be made
as profitable as other fruits. When I was at the World’s Fair, a French-
man told me that in their country they did not know that apples could
be grown anywhere else in the United States except Michigan and New
York. So you may imagine I was surprised when I came here and learned
that you were digging up your apple orchards and throwing the trees
away and planting peaches. I have been puzzled since about it. When
we started out and saw the beautiful trees, loaded, as my friend says,

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 163

as if the fruit had been thrown on with a scoop-shovel, I was puzzled to
know why you dug up apple trees; but when I saw your four-year and
three-year-old trees loaded with peaches, I could find the explanation. I
was up in northwestern Iowa, and asked a man there about the different
kinds of fruit, and he said, “ We can grow blackberries here very success-
fully in northern Iowa.” I went over his farm, and there were two men,
one at each end of a long rail, pressing down the blackberry bushes and
cutting away the soil, and two men on either side the row layering the .
blackberries. When I rode over your peach orchards this morning, I
thought if I lived in Michigan I would put every foot of ground I had in
peach-growing, and I looked at it in this way: You people can grow
peaches here as they can not be grown anywhere else in the world, at
least any part of the world I ever saw; and if you can grow apples as
successfully and as easily as you can peaches, it seems to me the rest of us
would better not attempt to grow any apples. I just want to leave this
thought with you. You have something which I do not believe you
really appreciate. Of course, the apple belt is larger than the peach belt;
apples can be grown over a larger area; at the same time, it is only a
small portion of this great country that can grow apples. South of
Cairo, Ill., you can not grow apples, and up in the northern part of our
state, we can not grow apples for commercial purposes. In fact, far north
of central Illinois you can not, and peaches can only be grown in a very
few places in this country. You have here something which is wonder-
fully valuable, and I am afraid you do not appreciate it.

Mr. Morrill: The most successful apple localities here are not quite so
well adapted to peaches. As a rule, our most successful apple orchards
are on land rather richer than that required for peaches, and it does not
require the same rolling land, and we have room for all of them. The
question is, which can be made the most profitable. We can grow them
all successfully, where proper care is given. Mr. Sherwood has demon-
strated that. The question of thinning fruit was spoken of. I hope next
winter some member or members of the State society will be able to
report fully and accurately on the value of thinning apples. We have an
opportunity now; there is time enough yet, but it should be done before
the seed formation takes place to any extent. There are one or two
men who have agreed, having uniform rows of trees, to take at least a
few checked trees and thin them down to what they think would be
proper, and then to save them separate and measure them carefully and
report on the value of the different grades that they obtain. I have two
men who have agreed to do that, and I believe that Mr. Sherwood would
be willing to do it. I mean to try it myself.

Mr. Sherwood: That is one thing that I have bad on my mind for some
weeks. Oftentimes our apples, though setting very full, will during the
hot weather of July or August drop, and in this the apple is different
from the peach, for it stays on until the first of October, and there are
too many things that may come in that time, such as hot winds, blights,
ete., in which the apples drop; and as a usual thing, where we have so
large a crop, something of that kind does occur, but I think it is practica-
ble. However, that is one of the reasons I have never followed the
practice of thinning.

164 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. VanDeman: If they are thinned they will not drop so much. They
drop because there are too many on.

Mr. Morrill: We will carry that a little further. Is not that the effect,
oftentimes, of exhaustion, which would not take place if the fruit was
thinned?

Mr. Wilde: The red apple is always popular in market, but the man
who neither trims or thins raises evergreen apples—evergreen Baldwins,
evergreen Ben Davis. Who wants them?

Mr. Killen: I must say, in regard to the quality of the fruit of Michi-
gan, that in New York city your fruit of all kinds brings a higher price
and is in greater demand than the fruit of any other place in the Union.
I was in Liverpool market some time ago, and in the London market, and
your apples there were in great demand. I have some friends over there,
and they consider your apples and peaches something remarkable. Refer-
ring to your packing, I notice that you take more care in packing your
fruit than they do in Europe. The best quality of your fruit, for the
foreign market, is well packed, or they are repacked by the shipper in
New York or Philadelphia. I was down south some time ago, in Missis-
sippi, and a box of your fruit came in. It was sold in five minutes and
there was no more to be had. I notice that the demand for Miehigan
fruit is great. You have not grown half enough, and they need more.
As a nurseryman I notice these things, so I take the liberty of mentioning
them. I hope you will continue to imprdéve in your fruit, and send more
of it to the places where the demand is great.

Mr. Sherwood: Why is it we are losing so many of our Kings in this
county? In a few years we won’t have any.

Mr. VanDeman: The King is a tree of weak constitution, and take this
whole country over it may be said to be a failure as a tree, with the excep-
tion of the place of its origin, northern New York. I have seen it in
_almost every section, all over the apple country. It generally is weak or
diseased, and I am not at all surprised to learn that the old trees are
dying off. Young ones will do as well as the old ones, and no better.
You need not be surprised to see them die.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 165

THE FUTURE OF PEACH-GROWING IN MICHIGAN.
BY HON. F. J. RUSSELL OF HART.

My subject is one that calls for a stereoscopic view of the future of
peach-growing in this state, as we shall see it and as it will be viewed by
those that shall come after us.

As I understand the history of peach-growing, it has been the rule in
nearly all sections of which we have information that peaches are more
easily and surely grown in a newer country than in the same country as
it becomes older and more widely developed and improved. The reason
for that change may not be positively known, although two have been
often pointed to as those most likely to be the controlling elements—one
‘the fact that new and virgin soil may be more evenly balanced and a
more perfect home for the peach tree, than the same apparent soil would
be after its long cultivation and cropping, when the elements constituting
a perfect soil may have been thrown out of balance by having been drawn
upon with too frequent potatoes, corn, or other crops, without a replacing
of the elements most extracted; or it may be from the fact that the would-
be careful farmer or fruitgrower has used fertilizing elements which were
out of place and were actually a damage to the producing of these particu-
lar fruit and tree elements. The second is the removal of the timber and
the elements of protection incident to a wooded country. There may be
many elements from this cause that would have an influence, some of
which may be referred to, as in a new, wooded country the snows are
deeper and more regular in winter, remain later in spring, the cold is
not so severe in the winter months, the heat is not so intense in summer,
a larger amount of moisture abounds and is likely to be more evenly
divided during the year and in series of years. The winds are less severe
and constant. We might refer to a third as one having more and more
influence as a country recedes from its virgin state, that of diseases and
the insect pests. These increase as certainly and regularly as cities grow
and the lines of railways extend.

These are all elements that must be taken into consideration in making
a forecast of the future of peach-growing in Michigan, and there are many
other and important elements that will enter into the combination of
circumstances which shall determine the question here to be considered,
and one of those which may be considered as most prominent and far-
reaching is the one of transportation. It need not be expected that the
future of peach-growing in Michigan will be very much extended with
the present facilities and cost of transportation. Those must be improved
and the burden lightened to the grower, either by extending the territory
to be covered, improving the facilities at a more moderate expense, or
in some other manner. This is a matter that seems to be one of the
elements in the future of the peach interests of Michigan.

It may not be out of place to consider this question from a sensible
and reasonable standpoint, as it may refer to this interest, and see if we
are able to determine what the probable result will be.

166 STATE. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Michigan as a state has a world-wide reputation as a lumber state. It
has justly that reputation. Many of the railways, harbors, and piers
were built because of that interest, and all of the transportation com-
panies in this state, on the great lakes, in Ohio, Indiana, Ilinois, Wiscon-
sin, and the other western states, have been affected, and have drawn a
part of their life blood from the lumber interests in this great state.
That interest is on the decline, and very soon it will be an industry of
the past.

As a necessity, the railways and boats and transportation companies,
not only in this state but in those I have named, will seek to retrieve the
loss of the lumber-carrying interest by fostering and encouraging some
interest that may seem to be able in part to take its place and be more
permanent. It seems to me that they must naturally turn to the products
of the soil. If that be done, the fruit interests of Michigan will play a
very important part, and the future of peach-growing in Michigan is by
far the greater part of that interest.

If I am correct, as I shall assume that I am, in the very near future
more refrigerator cars will be used. They will be prepared specially for
the Michigan peach trade, and the roads that will be soliciting for busi-
ness will run these cars to the markets where the peaches are wanted,
and at a cost that will be fair to the grower and the transporter. It need
not be expected that this result will be fully accomplished at once. As
the demand comes, the facilities will be provided. It is a matter of
policy and compulsion with the carriers. The trade they must have. The
quantity of business and competition will regulate the facilities and cost.

I shall assume that my reasoning is correct, and that transportation,
in the future of peach-growing in Michigan, will be provided. With
that question settled, we will pass to some of the other questions that
may be deemed important. Michigan is a fruit state by nature. When it
was made, the Creator had in mind that the lower peninsula of Michigan,
and the western part of that peninsula, should be the great store-house
from which should be drawn the peaches required to supply a large part
of the people who should occupy this country in future generations.
That territory is centrally located, in close proximity to large, growing
cities, surrounded by a country that can not grow peaches and never
will. The contingent territory is among the best in the world, capable
of supplying a dense population of thrifty Americans.

Ultimately, on lake Michigan, will be located perhaps the center of
the great manufacturing interests of this continent. The lake on the
west will control the future of peach-growing in Michigan, so far as
climatic influences are concerned, as it has in the past. It will spread a
mantle of protection over the future peach-growers of Michigan, such
as can not be vouchsafed to any other element on this continent.

In the future the prevailing winds will be from the west, as they have
been in the past. The extreme cold will bound across the western prairie
country as it has in all ages, carrying death and destruction to the peach
interests in its path. Lake Michigan will rise in her majesty, as she
has always risen before, and say, “Thus far shalt thou come and no
further. Iam the guardian and the savior of my Michigan peach-growing
people.” The lone flower on the yearling tree, as it shall ned to the May
breezes, will continue to say, “To her I owe my existence.” The monarch

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 167

of the peach orchard in the future, on a bright September morning, as
the sun shall kiss the sparkling dew from its golden fruit, will continue
to say, “To her I owe my fruitfuiness and a long and prosperous life.”
This element will continue to exercise the same influence in the future
that it has in the past.

In the early history of the state, either because of some of the reasons
j have referred to, or because of those of which I know not, peaches
could be grown in most sections. Then we find the commercial orchards
about St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Allegan county, Kent, Ottawa, Mus-
kegon, Oceana, and Mason, and other counties, nearly all keeping an eye
single to this great protector on the west; and the peach interest will
continue to extend northerly until it reaches well up to the narrows of
the lake, and until that is reached the interest will be successfully
extended.

There are many other sections of the state where peaches will be profit-
ably grown in the future, but the parties who contemplate the extensive
growing of peaches in the future, outside of the influences of lake Michi-
gan, may as well figure the risk incident to the business in which they
are about to engage, and figure the cost of the uncertainty that will
probably attend their efforts.

Those that seek to grow peaches in Michigan in the future, in undesir-
able locations, will as surely meet with loss and disappointment as the
grower in the past has done, and for the same reasons; and to those local-
ities loss will come because of climatic iniluences.

Misfortune may not come the first winter or the next, but we have a
right to expect that nature will repeat herself. It has been true in all
ages and will continue to be true in the future. The peach-growers of
Michigan will continue to increase the acreage in these undesirable
localities, both in the peachbelt and outside of it. If we have grown a
crop of peaches in such a locality, with success, we are likely to continue
to become more venturesome, until nature suddenly and certainly calls a
halt, and we find years of care and attention swept from us in a day, as
we repent by viewing our loss and misfortune.

It is well known, at this stage of the peach industry, which are the
desirable localities for peach-growing. With a desirable location within
the range of the influence of the lake, we have a right to expect that the
danger of death to our trees in winter will be reduced to the minimum.
Those localities that are unoccupied in Michigan today are legion. North
of Muskegon river there are millions of acres of such waiting occupation.
We have aright to expect that many of these localities will be occupied
in the future and that the occupants will meet with success.

The soil of a large proportion of the peach-growing district is all that
could be desired—dry, rolling, rich. The acreage of peaches in the future
will be very largely extended. With that extension, undoubtedly, yellows
will be extended and work northerly until no great area in the state can
be said to be free from its ravages. Other diseases will undoubtedly
develop and work injury to this interest. Insects will become more
numerous and destructive, if allowed to run their course, but we have
seen in the past, as the peach interest has developed and extended, that
the growers have more and more made fruitgrowing a business, and they
have been seeking information that, coupled with experience, will be

168 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

more largely disseminated in the future than in the past. The orchards
will be better looked after. The fertility of the soil and its needs for
the peach interest will be one of the leading thoughts of the future peach-
grower. Danger from yellows and other diseases will be scented from
afar, and eternal vigilance will be the watchword. Orchards will be
better cared for, diseases more thoroughly looked after and stamped
out, so that their destructive force ten years hence will probably not be
so great as at the present time. A better quality of peach will be grown
because of these facts, and grown along more scientific lines. I must
say that the future of peach-growing in Michigan has a bright prospect.

Within the next twenty years the peaches grown in Michigan will in
amount be four times that grown at the present time, and they will be
much more valuable as a whole, from the fact of better transportation,
and from the further fact that peach-growers are learning that the novice
can grow all the poor peaches the market requires.

I helieve in the near future there will not only be a great stride in the
growing of peaches, but in putting them up and in their sale. I expect
within ten years to see nearly all the peaches grown in Michigan sold by
the grower as other farm products are sold, at his home town. They will
be either turned over to companies for packing, and put up in regular
brands, recognized by the market, or sold by the grower direct to the
dealer, to be packed or graded, so that quality shall be more ert
than at present.

I think I can safely say that the future of peach-growing in Michians
will be that we shall continue to grow peaches; that the quantity will be
very much increased; that the quality will be improved; that transporta-
tion and distribution will be largely extended at a very much less expense,
in proportion, than at present; that peach-growing will be reduced much
nearer to a business basis than at present, and that peach-growing in
Michigan, in the future, to a live business man, who will look closely after
it, will prove to be a pleasant, permanent, and profitable calling.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Sherwood: Which is there the most money in, early or late
peaches?

Mr. Slayton: Neither; half way between.

Mr. Morrill: In my own work, I have found an early freestone the most
profitable; but the early peach, speaking of very early peaches, is not
very profitable in this country. At the same time, how well they pay
depends on the crop south of us.

Mr. Morrill: Are there any new kinds of peach deserving special men-
tion? I would like to hear what Prof. VanDeman knows regarding this
matter of the newer peaches.

Prof. VanDeman: I don’t know of anything that is at present attract-
ing more attention than Triumph. /

Mr. Morrill: A good many people would like to know if you have seen
it, and what vou think of it; what are the qualities of the tree and peach,
size and marketing qualities? .

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 169

a

Prof. VanDeman: It is a yellow peach, of fair size, quite good quality,
and distinctly freestone, and it ripens about with Alexander and Amsden.
Compared with them, it is about the same size. I have not seen it in
quantities, here and there only, a few specimens from different sections
of the country. I have not seen the trees in fruit. I do not know the
orchard behavior of the tree from actual observation. I have only hear-
say information. I have talked with the North ‘Carolina men who are
growing it, and my neighbor, Mr. Charles Wright, in the Chesapeake
peninsula, says that it is a very good orchard tree so far as he tan see.
He has not tested it with a big crop until this year, when it appears as
if there would be a very good crop. I do not know of any peach I
think more of than that, as an early peach. There is another peach |
have found in Kansas. It is a late peach of about the quality and size
and color of Oldmixon, but it ripens about with Heath Cling, and I hardly
know of a peach of better quality. Itis a bright red with a greenish-white
grain, and for late marketing it is certainly a fine thing. It is a peach
very few people know about, and I would not advise planting an orchard
of it—might plant a row, but still it is one of the things you should look
after.

Mr. Morrill: Have you seen the Carman?

A. My only information regarding that is from Texas. I*believe it came
from Texas. I have only hearsay evidence. I want to say further that
this Triumph peach is of the same general character as Elberta. So is
Carman, and the coming peaches, of the south especially, are of that
class.

PEAR CULTURE IN BERRIEN COUNTY.

BY MR. GEO. F. COMINGS.

It is related of Sir Isaac Newton that toward the close of his life he
spoke of himself as being like a little child, picking up pebbles along
the shore of the great ocean. The great unknown which he had failed to
learn lay before him.

I think, after twenty-five years of fruit culture in Berrien county, what
I don’t know about fruitgrowing is more than what I do know. It would
be easier to speak of what I don’t know than of what I do. Many things
which I thought I knew a few years ago, I conclude I do not know, after
all. Perhaps things I think I know now I shall find I was mistaken in
hereafter. In regard to the possibilities of pear-growing in Berrien
county, I would say that though the county is not large, yet I think its
possibilities are great.

The gentlemen who took the drive through the country this morning
saw a great many acres which are still in a poor state of culture. Some
are devoted to farm crops, acres just as good for peach or pear or grape
culture as many which we saw devoted to that purpose. I believe much
of this land will some day be devoted to fruit-raising. When I said the
possibilities were great, I did not mean the possibility of making money
rapidly and easily.

29

—_

£70. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

I think often, at these meetings we feel that great obstacles are com-
ing up before us which require a great ‘deal of investigation, and I
imagine, as the years go by we shall find it all the while a little more
difficult to make a success, if we measure success by dollars and cents.

In regard to the prices of fruits, it has been suggested here that there
is always an opportunity to dispose of fine fruit. Now, the packing of
California fruit is as good today as it was years ago. It is put up the
same all the way through and is as attractive as ever; and yet of late Cali-
fornia fruit has been a drug on the market, notwithstanding its beautiful .
appearance. The fact is that that kind of fruit sometimes becomes a
drug. I don’t believe we need to paint any rosy clouds for fruitgrowers
in Berrien county, and yet I believe the possibilities are unmeasured. Go
into any township you choose, you will find hundreds of acres as well
adapted to pear culture as other hundreds already devoted in that way.
The possibilities are great, and there are great opportunities for the
young people of our county to set out pear orchards; and with diligence,
industry, and application of brain and muscle, I see no reason why pear
culture should not be a success in the future, as successful as any other
line of fruitgrowing.

A word or two, now, in regard to soil and location. I used to think
that the ideal pear soil was a heavy clay. I have changed my opinion
on that point. Perhaps I am wrong now. In my opinion now, the ideal
soil is a sandy loam, a lighter soil. I believe with this soil we get better
pears and better results; and yet there are many good orchards on the
hard soil. I think the mellow soil is particularly desirable for dwarf
trees. The standard pear will do much better than the dwarf on the
hard soil. Sometimes a heavy rain wets the soil and a heavy wind comes.
The trees are not well rooted there, and they are swept back and forth,
and they are not a success on the hard soil.

In regard to preparation of the soil, I would say, if you have a clay
soil, I would plow and subsoil, work up the ground deeply. With the
lighter soil, it will not require so much preparation in that line. In all
cases I would avoid ground which has a good deal of water in the subsoil.
The standard pear roots deeply, and if the soil is inclined to be wet you
should underdrain. A cold, damp subsoil is bad.

The distance for planting, not less than 20 feet—perhaps 22 or 24 feet.

In regard to pruning, I would say that there is a great difference in
the different varieties in regard to that. The Kieffer, Howell, and others
of that kind need exercise of great care and good judgment in pruning, if
you wish the ideally shaped tree. With all varieties the first few years
are the essential ones if you desire to get fine trees. In pruning a pear
tree, the Kieffer tree for instance, be careful not to allow any very long
limbs to form, and after you have once commenced pruning, follow it up
several years by cutting back a third or a half of the preceding year’s
growth, and follow around the tree, leaving one central shoot. The next
year go over your trees some time in March or April, again, with your
jack-knife. Do your pruning with your knife. I have followed that
process of pruning three years now, and I think the Kieffers are very
handsome trees indeed. They have a wider and finer top than you will
have unless you follow some such plan of pruning. I have suggested that

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. el

most of the pruning should be done with the jack-knife, and that I think
is good advice. Follow it up each year, and cut while the limbs are
small. You will cut more than you think you should, perhaps, but the
growth changes the relative distances.

The question of crops between trees has been discussed, and I will
only say I think the question hinges on the fertility of the soil and the
amount of feeding you are willing to give the soil, and the kind of crop
you plant between the rows. I have followed the plan of setting a crop
of corn the first year. Often in July and August we have long, dry times,
and the shade of the corn, when the trees are young, I think is a benefit.
They were grown the year before in nursery rows, where they were
shaded more or less, and I think sometimes the shade of the corn prevents
injury from heat.

In regard to how often we can expect a crop, I used to say that with
these conditions, and proper fertility of the soil and thorough thinning,
we might calculate on a crop of these fruits regularly. We have, how-
ever, had cold storms one or two springs at blossoming time, which pre-
vented the setting of the fruit. I would add, as one of the conditions
to secure a good crop regularly, spraying. I think that with the Bartlett
pear and some other varieties, if you will keep the land fertile, so it
would produce forty or fifty bushels of corn to the acre, you can depend
upon a pretty regular crop of pears. The tendency is to bear full one year
and lightly the next, but if you will take up the matter of thinning and
thin so the pears will not be closer than six to nine inches on the limbs,
you will get about as many bushels or barrels one year as another.

In regard to planting pear trees, I would urge upon you to plant a
number of the different varieties, commencing with the early, then those
a little later, and so on, until you have a long season of this delightful
fruit. I think it adds to the pleasantness of home, and is a source of
enjoyment to all in the family. The pear is a delicious fruit, and by
the judicious planting of different varieties the season can be much pro-
longed. There is no reason why, in this country, every farmer could not
have a little portion of his farm devoted to an orchard of this kind.

I think good culture in pear-growing is as essential as with any other
kind of fruit. The better the culture the better the results obtained,
and I would suggest also that it should be given early in the season.
Late growth I would avoid by all means. Do your cultivating and forc-
ing early in the season, and then, perhaps in the middle of the summer,
give up the culture and let the fall and the rest of the season be taken in
ripening the wood growth, so when cold weather comes the growth will
be well seasoned.

I don’t know that it is necessary for me to emphasize the point of spray-
ing, because it has been brought up by every person who has spoken.
It is one of the necessary conditions to success now, in growing a large
part of our fruits, and will apply equally well to the pear as to the other
varieties spoken of.

I don’t know that I could give any figures as to the profitableness of
pears. I have no desire to, but a good crop of pears will yield a large
return per acre. An average price fer pears is $1 per bushel, after paying
the necessary expense. If you have 110 trees to the acre, 20 feet apart,

172 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

and each produced five bushels, you would have over 500 bushels to the
acre, and these at $1 per bushel, would be #500 per acre, and I think
such crops have been harvested here. As I have before indicated, there
are mishaps and mistakes, so that your ten acres of pear orchard does”
not return $500 nor $200 per acre, every year; but with proper culture,
diligence, and intelligence, I see no reason why the culture of pears
should not be successful in Berrien county, and why our county should
not be noted for its pear as well as its peach orchards and its vineyards.

One or two of the most productive orchards I have known have been
orchards where the varieties were mixed, so providing perfect polleniza-
tion. . I would suggest that persons planting pear trees would do well to
plant a few rows of a kind supposed to be sterile, then some that blos-
som at the same time but of another variety. The principle is, that if you
have at the time of bloom warm weather, so that the bees are at work
industriously, they will carry the pollen from one tree to another, quite
a distance, but sometimes the pear trees blossom when it is quite cold.
In such instances, the bringing nearer together of varieties that will
fertilize one another will be of benefit. In many instances, in a block of
500 trees, the time and circumstances of blooming would be such that they
would be fertilized; but another spring might be unfavorable, and then,
if you have the other kinds in proximity, it might be of great benefit. So
I would suggest mixing varieties.

SOME POINTS IN PLUM CULTURE.

BY MR. J. N. STEARNS OF KALAMAZOO.

I much dislike to attempt to say anything before such a meeting as
this, upon a subject about which there are many who are much more
capable than I to give the desired information.

In the matter of plum-growing, the past ten years, the question has
been, mainly, how can we grow them and what sorts are most sure io.
bear. These tavo questions haye been so often answered by the success
of nearly every one who has plum orchards, that I think at this time the
more pertinent question is, what shall we plant that will pay? Here I
may drop a word of caution to the plum-planter, not to plant too many of
the Japan plums, as all I have seen come too early for profit—that is if
you have many. There has been a large amount of plums planted in the
state in the last two or three years.

It is being more fully demonstated to me, in the last five or six years,
that the later plums pay best. People who put them up for winter use,
are not ready for them, and the demand is light until this class call for
them.

I believe the time has come when it is important, in selecting sorts to.
plant, that quality and appearance should demand more attention than
the selecting of very prolific bearers. I do not mean by this that you
shall select such sorts as Washington has proved to be with me. Planted
some fourteen years, with bodies ten inches through, they have never

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MERTING. 173

borne enough to pay for first cost of trees. But there are other attractive
sorts, coming late, that will produce enough. Among those that I have
tried, are Bavay, Coe’s Golden Drop, Quackenbos, Pond, French Damson,
and many other sorts I have not fruited.

I have now what I may eall the fifth full crop of plums in succession.

The plum is very likely to overbear, and in so doing only produces a
crop in alternate years. I will give my mode of treatment, to which 1
attribute in a large measure my having a good crop every year.

I do considerable pruning and shortening in, sometimes cutting off
ends of branches back to where they are an inch in diameter.

This is partly to avoid thinning, which I do not practice, as it is tco
expensive to pay. I believe it would pay to thin them by hand if one
could do it without having to hire help; but to thin by paid help, it will
not pay, as I have tried it pretty thoroughly.

It is all we can stand to thin the peaches, which we must do, and we
find that quite expensive, as I have had four men at it two weeks and they
can not see through yet.

Then, as the plum is a heavy producer, I feed heavily with manure and
ashes, annually, and give the best of cultivation, as we must keep up the
growth in order to get fruit buds for the next season’s crop; and for the
past four dry seasons have still further helped the trees with their load,
by irrigation, which I do by hoeing the soil back from tree four to five
feet all around. This forms a dam to hold the water. In this I put about
_.a barrel of water, and when the water has soaked in about the roots the
dry soil is pulled back, forming a mulch to hold the moisture from escap-
ing. If it continues as dry as it has been the past two seasons, I repeat
this in about two weeks. I have found this treatment to make a marked
difference between the appearance of the trees so treated and those not
irrigated, both of plum and pear.

I watch closely for black knot, and cut it out in its first stage, when it
looks like a brown wart, and by this means I have never lost a tree nor an
important branch by this disease, and I have found a little of it for twelve
years.

I spray my trees with Bordeaux mixture thoroughly, before blossom-
ing, and endeavor to do this as soon as the buds begin to swell. It is
just as well, I think, to do this spraying still earlier, and I am not sure
that it would not be just as effectual to do it in the fall after the foliage
had fallen. But whenever it is done it should be very thorough, the
solution reaching every branch, and the body as well.

I believe this spraying will have much to do with preventing black
knot, and I know it will prevent leaf blight and rot.

I spray again, just as the swell is coming off the plum, with the same
mixture, to which I add a quarter of a pound of Paris green to fifty gal-
lons of the mixture. This I follow up two or three times, as the plum
grows, aiming to keep the surface of the fruit covered with the solution.
I know many will say this is useless against curculio; but, as the boy told
Prof. Gulley, last winter, I know I get the plums all right, and that is
the essential thing.

174 STATE HORTICULTURAL *SOCIETN.

QUESTIONS.

Do experiment stations earn the money it costs to support them?

Mr. Graham: It occurs to me that we would be very greatly at a ioss
in the state of Michigan, without the experiment stations. I know there
is scarcely a week that goes by, but that there is some question in regard
to horticultural topics, as to which we are at a loss what to do; and the
questions are always sent to the experiment station, or the college, and
usually a satisfactory answer comes back. If we are in difficulty, there is
some way pointed out to us, and I should say that the stations earn their
money many times over.

Mr. Alexander Hamilton: I would say about what Mr. Graham said,
if I undertook to say anything. I have no way of telling, however.
Information has come to us some way, but we never took any particular
pains to learn where it came from; if it came from experiment stations,
we should surely say that they have earned their money, and 1 presume
that is the source of a great deal of it. I have usually asked the first
man I came to, that I thought knew, anything I wanted to find out, and I
never asked him how he came by the knowledge, and I myself have never
taken the trouble to go or write to the experiment station. I have
usually found that Mr. Morrill or Mr. Hawley, or somebody else that I
could apply to, would give me information. Where they obtained their
information, I have never asked.

Mr. Morrill: Possibly from the experiment station.

Mr. A. J. Kinsley: I have been in the habit of receiving bulletins from
ditferent stations. I get the Geneva bulletins regularly, and also those of
Michigan and Washington, and in my little experience on a fruit farm, if
I should obliterate all I have learned from the bulletins, I think I would
be a sorry-looking farmer and my farm would be sorry-looking too. I do
not think any of our practices, such as spraying, budding, and fighting
our insect enemies, are such as we would have had but for the bulletins.
I can hardly think of anything but I have seen in some bulletin or some
horticultural publication. I suppose that one object of the experiment
stations is to be always on the lookout, and to gather in ideas, whereso-
ever they spring from, and test them, and, if found valuable, to put them
into a bulletin, and send them out among the farmers. I certainly think
that the experiment stations are very valuable to the fruitgrowers and
general farmers. Of the Geneva reports which I get, of course many are
of no value to me, those relating to stock matters, etc., but they certainly
are very valuable to the general New York farmer. I should vote that,
whatever they cost, it is money well spent.

Mr. Merry: It looks to me as if we were each a little experiment sta-
tion in himself, and that if the tax is not too high we ought to “chip in”
a little. The theory is all right.

Prof. Taft: Regarding expenses, no one in the state pays a cent of tax
for the station. The college receives for this work, from the national
government, each year, $15,000, which come from the sale of public
lands in this or other states. It comes directly from the sale of
lands, and does not require any tax. The expense of the college is borne

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 175

in practically the same way, except that each year, or for the last two
years, there is an appropriation of varying amount made, to defray the
expenses of repairing and erecting buildings. The original law provides
that the college can not use any of the money, either the principal or
interest, for the erection or repair of buildings, so that this year there
were ten thousand dollars given for this purpose. As I recollect it,
the cost to tax-payers is something like two cents on, I think, every
thousand dollars’ worth of property they pay taxes on.

The President: I am glad that Mr. Merry touched upon this point,
because many people of the state of Michigan supposed that the state
was supporting these things by direct taxation; it is an excellent thing
to be brought out.

Mr. Comings: It is hard to measure in dollars and cents the benefits
from some of these educational agencies which we have. The question
might come up whether the minister earns his salary. He doesn’t earn
it in the same way a man who paints a fence or builds a house; but
if the experiment stations or the ministers or the newspapers are helping
to make better and more intelligent citizens, and better and more success-
ful farmers, then I would say the money is earned. I think we are too
much in the habit of estimating the success or failure of any undertaking
by measuring it by the standard of dollars and cents. There are other
standards that are better and higher. We measure everything—sermons,
newspapers, and the lawyer’s plea, by the almighty dollar; and I believe,
so far as I am able to judge of the work of the experiment stations, they
are doing a good work, and are training the farmers to become interested
in experimenting themselves, and teaching them how to try these experi-
ments carefully and accurately. Farmers are prone to jump at con-
clusions. They fertilize a certain way this year, and next year they do
the same thing, or apply it differently and get different results, and there
may be a dozen different causes producing the different results. I think
we work very carelessly and unintelligently, and the reading of bulletins
and the awakening of interest among farmers and their boys and girls,
in improved methods, is one of the educational agencies fostered by the
college and station, for the betterment of our condition. I do not think
it is possible to answer that question intelligently, because we do not
know the exact cost, nor the proportion of the crops saved or increased;
but, looking at it in a broader and higher sense, I believe they are more
than earning the money spent. I hope the time is coming when we shall
judge all things by a higher standard than one hundred cents to the
dollar.

Prof. Slayton: I think that every farm, and especially every fruit
farm, should be an experiment station. I believe that we do not experi-
ment enough in the line spoken of. We read of what is called a good
thing, and in nine cases out of ten we practice the whole of it. For
instance, we use some super-phosphate. We plant a field of corn, and
we use the phosphate on the whole. If we have a good crop, it was all
the phosphate. We do not take into account at all what the season was,
or anything of that kind. If we have a poor crop, the phosphate was of
no good. In trying any new thing, I think, we should omit certain parts.
For instance, in planting corn, I should plant alternate strips, with and
without the phosphate. I would cultivate differently, different parts of

176 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

the field, and then I would know, at the end of the year, something
about that to which I could attribute the good or poor crop. In spraying
trees, for instance—we read it is a good thing, and the law says we
must spray,.and we spray the whole orchard. Up in the northern
country we haven’t had many apples. Was it the spraying that killed
the apples? Down south they had a pretty good crop, I think. Did the
spraying make the good crop? I think we should experiment some.
Every fruit-man should be an experimenter. A few rows should be left
unsprayed. Then, if. he has just as good crops on the corner that is not
sprayed as on the other, he can not attribute it to the spraying alone. We
do not experiment enough, either on the orchard or farm. We serve the
whole field or orchard alike. We want to know whether the good crop
is to be attributed to the mode of cultivation, or the season, or the
previous treatment of the ground, or heavy manuring. We should look
for more than one cause for every good or poor crop. As to the stations,
they are costing the state not one cent, and I think we are reaping, so
far as I know, a wide benefit. One single bulletin may be worth more to
the state than the whole $15,000 which the general government is good
enough to contribute.

Mr. Edward Hawley: I think we are all agreed on the value of the
experiment stations. So far as I am concerned, I have received consider-
able instruction in reading bulletins issued by the various stations. I
think they are a valuable feature.

Mr. Comings: I think that Prof. Taft rather carried the idea that we
are receiving gratuitously that amount. I think the people somewhere,
sometime, or somehow, pay for this.

Prof. Taft: I said there was no direct tax. It is from the sale of the
lands. I think we should measure the benefits of the station fully 4s
much by the results attained by those who make use of them. To be
useful, the advice and recommendations must be followed, and the
farmers must avail themselves of them. We can issue a bulletin every day
in the year, and can reply te letters, a hundred a day perhaps; but unless
use is made of the advice, in some sense, it will not do any good. We
are doing all we can to encourage this work of experimenting by the
farmers. This year we have formulated various plans for the use of
fertilizers on certain crops, the testing of varieties and the new kinds.
We have furnished seed, sending out something like 500 packages, for
test, seed that was grown by the college at comparatively small cost
(merely that of growing, often, and yet seed which could not be bought
for less than fifty cents or a dollar per pound from the dealers). We sent
out 500 packages this year, besides at least 100 varieties of trees. In
some cases twenty-five or fifty of a variety were placed in the hands of
fruitgrowers, choosing one in each county for trial, and we hope to have
results from these that we can publish; and we hope that the neighbors
of these men can obtain advice, and in some cases we hope to have the
products exhibited at the county institutes. Regarding the station pay-
ing in dollars and cents, of course it is divided up pretty well among the
farmers; but during last winter we received a visit from a gentleman of
the state who said that the knowledge he had gained from the bulletins
was worth to him, last year, $1,000. He said that his orchard was badly
infested by a scale insect a few years ago, and he wrote to the college.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. LTE

His trees were in a fair way to be destroyed (those of his neighbors were
destroyed), but the advice received from the college enabled him to save
his orchard, and last year alone the product of that was $1,000, whereas
his neighbors’ trees had been entirely destroyed, and he was the only one
who sold apples in that section.

Mr. Morrill: It seems to me that it is beyond question, and there
seems to be only one view of it here tonight, that the experiment station
is of much more value than it costs; but, of course, it can not be of any
value to the man who does not avail himself of it. The conditions demand
a higher education among farmers and fruitgrowers, to make them suc-
cessful. I do not mean a literary education, but a technical education,
and the experiment station is a helper. Experiments, as a rule, can
only be made (or, at least, the results be observed) once per year, and one
year does not furnish sufficient evidence upon which to base a con-
clusion, because conditions may alter the results of a year’s work. The
experiment stations take care of all these matters and furnish reports of
the results of their work, gratis, to all who will receive them. Those who
do not need it, who do not care for it, will of course receive no benefit.
Those who do, will get a great deal of help. I was one of the poor
unfortunates who started in the business and did not know anything
about it. Many people know all about it. They do not have to listen to
bulletins. I am sure, however, that there is little doubt about the value
of the experiment stations, though it is only a few years since opinion
was much divided as to whether they were of value at all. At the
same time, when we look back, we see that many of these things which
we call modern practices, as, for instance, the practice of spraying, were
developed in the experiment station of Michigan; and if its advice had
been carefully followed there would have been few mistakes. There have
been some, but they have come through ignorance or carelessness; but
the careful man, who has taken his lessons from the careful experiments
of the station, has usually come out all right.

Mr. Thomas Wilde: I was a little dissatisfied with the progress of our
Michigan experiment station, so I sent to Washington and other places,
for their bulletins. I got them all together and studied them carefully,
and I found that the Michigan station was far ahead. It had made more
progress than any of them. When Prof. Bailey was here he told me that
arsenic would not kill curculio. I suggested that he go home and try it.
He afterward acknowledged that they died. He killed some with arsenic.
Our experiment station told us, I think it was Prof. Beal, that crimson
clover was not a success. I can not see that there is anything the
matter with it, when it is sowed at the right time. I asked Prof. Taft
about it the other day, and he said it died in April, usually. Now, I had
an excellent crop. So, sometimes, the experiment station will make
experiments and not succeed, and yet, in some other part of the state,
the same thing will be a success. They set us to thinking, though, and
i think we farmers all ought to help them.

What fruits, if any, are being planted in excess ?
Mr. Graham: I believe that all fruits are being planted in excess, with-
“out any exception, unless perhaps it is apples. There are thousands of

trees being planted in locations where they will never give satisfactory
23

L178 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

results. They will produce when every grower has a crop, but when there
is a Shortage these locations will have none at all. They are a detriment
to the country at large, and a source of annoyance and a loss to their
owners. There has never been too much said in horticultural meetings
and writings, on the indiscriminate planting of fruits. Some speakers
have discouraged planting in all locations. Perhaps this does not apply
to this part of the state, but in my part of Michigan, and all through the
interior region, there is only an occasional place where fruit will be uni-
formly successful. In that sense, I believe all fruits are being planted
in excess.

Mr. Morrill. I think nine tenths of all well-informed men will agree
that this is a fact.

Mr. Hamilton: People in the nursery business do not think so. I think
it is to their interest, also, to find out what is being grown in excess.
Such things as are grown in excess are not paying the nurserymen to
raise, and there is little use for them to grow them. The gooseberry, at
the present time is being grown to excess, and nurserymen, I fear, are
going to find but slow sale for the plants, and it may be that they are
producing other plants and trees largely, which are grown to excess;
and if so, they would be very glad to be warned in time.

Mr. Morrill: The nurseryman’s work must be laid out two or three
years in advance, and he must know, in order to make a success, what
will be wanted. I think this subject should be considered carefully, for
all are interested in that question.

‘an curculio be controlled by spraying, especially on peaches, and what is the
time to apply ?

Prof. Taft: Replying to that, my own experience is that we can con-
trol curculio by spraying, and we can rely on spraying, provided we can
spare a few of the peaches or plums. I mean that, in order to be effectual,
the tree must be sprayed before the peaches have been injured. The
insect, of course, in order to be affected, must eat some of the poison,
and it will take twenty-four hours or more before the insect is destroyed.
In that time the insect is able to deposit its eggs and, provided the fruits
are not numerous, the injury would be so great that we would be justified
in jarring or using any other method of destroying them. But provided
the fruits ure numerous, I believe we can save in that case three fourths
to perhaps nine tenth of the crop by spraying. If they are very scattered,
the curculio will take most of them before the poison takes effect. . My
practice in this matter is, if the fruits are not numerous, to jar, and save
what Ican. As, this year, the fruit is plentiful it would be a good thing,
perhaps, to have part taken off by the curculio, and by careful spraying
we can save all we want of the crop. I spray with Paris green and lime,
and for the first application I have also used copper sulphate, mixing
Bordeaux mixture and Paris green. I would not think of using Paris
green without the lime or Bordeaux mixture, and, aside from the effect of
Paris green on the curculio, | would consider that I would be well repaid
by the increase of leaf growth, and the check to the fungus in case of the
peach and plum, and the rot; and the use of copper sulphate at this time
will do very much to increase the strength and vigor of the tree and make*
healthier foliage. My impression is that in this alone, the improvement

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 179

of the foliage and the new leaf growth possible, there will be ample gain
to repay the expense of at least one spraying.

Would it do to use arsenic instead of Paris green ?

Prof. Taft: I do not like to recommend arsenic in talking about the
peach, though I have used it myself instead of Paris green. Arsenic is
more likely to injure foliage unless properly used; but, where properly
used, it is more likely to be pure, and the expense is not a quarter, last
year it was less than one sixth, the cost of Paris green. If I used arsenic
I would take, for instance, a pound of arsenic and two pounds lime, and,
after slaking the lime, would boil them together for at least half an hour.
In that way we form an insoluble material that will not burn the foliage,
but I certainly would advise any one to try it on a small branch before
using it. We find, however, that after boiling it for half an hour we
dissolve the arsenic, and it becomes insoluble and does not injure the
foliage.

Mr. Thomas Wilde: Don’t you think you can kill the larve of the
curculio, after deposited, by spraying?

Prof. Taft: I think so, in case the gum has not covered it over and
closed the opening. If the poison gets into that place, as it will, if you
spray properly, you are pretty likely to destroy it. But, in all cases, you
need to apply it very freely, and cover that part of the fruit, so if there
is a small opening the poison will go inside. I have noticed that where
we spray we greatly increase the number of instances where there are
scars on the fruit which do not have worms inside. We have left some
unsprayed, and while in some cases, of course, where the worm does enter
the egg fails to hatch, or something happens; but we find far more cases
where there has been an egg deposited and no worm found, where we
sprayed, than where we did not spray, so I am convinced that, if we spray
and the gum has not covered the egg, it is effectual.

Mr. Wilde: I have used arsenic a long time, perhaps fifteen years, but
it is a long time since I have used Paris green. I have had good success
with arsenic. I first used it dilluted (dissolved it) but after a while I
began to put a pound and a half into a pail and put in some lime, and stir
and boil it, and I have found bad effects but once. I got some very hard
crystals, and it burned the leaves somewhat, but the arsenic I have now
dissolves completely in the heat of the lime; I then measure out what I
want, and pour it into my barrel,or into the Bordeaux mixture, and I have
used that on plums, and killed the curculio to a considerable extent.
One application will do, on Lombard. There is one peculiarity about
it, though—if it washes off or doesn’t stick, the curculio will be present
on the tree afterward. Then you can jar it. The only case I ever knew
of spray burning was where I used corrosive sublimate, and I had some
fine lime that coated the leaves, and I never saw a live curculio on the
tree; and there were no live trees, either. I found it a very powerful
poison. Of course it is more expensive and dangerous. A calf once took
a suck of it, and it was very damaging to the calf. I have used it on
potato bugs, and have applied with lime and arsenic, without anything
else, and it worked all right. My son uses Paris green; he sprayed so
many times that the weight of the fruit broke the trees down. One man
found fault with me because I recommended spraying and didn’t say

180 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

anything about thinning the fruit. He said I spoiled several orchards
by telling them what to spray with, and neglected the caution about
thinning. It certainly does affect them, and you can control curculio
to quite an extent by spraying.

Prof. Taft: I think I can sympathize with Mr. Wilde in that respect.
There was a gentleman in Oakland county who had been looking up the
matter of spraying, and has for several years obtained good prices, from
the fact that his neighbors had not “caught on” and didn’t spray. He
says they have now learned about it from the college bulletins and the
market is flooded, and he can not get anything for his plums. There is
a necessity of using lime with arsenic, for a double reason. In the first
place, arsenic is insoluble in water; water will only dissolve a small
amount of arsenic for an orchard of any size, even using boiling water;
the lime has a peculiar action from the fact that water is able to dissolve
only a small amount of arsenic; the lime unites with this and forms the
arsenite of lime; this drops to the bottom of the kettle and the water is
again clear. A small amount of arsenic is dissolved and again taken up
by the lime, and so it goes on. Without the lime, it would not be possible
to dissolve a one hundredth as much in a given amount of water. If we
should attempt to use arsenic without lime, the chances are we would
burn the foliage, for the arsenic acts as a strong acid, and would do
harm at the ordinary strength; but, being insoluble, it falls on the leaves
and remains there. The insect feeding on this will be poisoned nearly as
soon as in eating clear arsenic. It is perfectly safe to use it in this way
provided we keep it away from stock and human beings, and I would
prefer it, if it is properly used, both on account of its being more likely
to be pure, as well as being cheaper.

Is it possible to thin grapes at this time, early in June ?

Mr. Van Brunt: I never do it, nor trim in the summer time. I gen-
erally do the thinning in the spring when I trim them.

Mr. Morrill: I suppose, Mr. Stevens, you have reference to a crop,
which from lack of being trimmed down is too heavy at this time.

Mr. Stevens: There is one twig with five bunches on.

Mr. Merry: I never had any experience in that direction. I do not do
any thinning at this time of year. I intend to do it in spring, but I
should think thinning would be a very good practice if the vines were
overloaded.

Prof. Wheeler: In growing grapes in the college grapehouse, for profit,
the clusters are cut off but one, and each one of these clusters is thinned
out. There is enough left then.

Ts there any new blackberry which promises better than the old sorts ?

Prof. Slayton: Is there any old sort which promises well?

Mr. Morrill: New sorts, in the catalogues, generally promise every-
thing.

Mr. Stephen Cook: I have tried some of the new varieties, and I threw
them away. I can not find anything better than the old ones, but perhaps
there is. I am trying Eldorado, Minnewaski, and several others, and
whether they will amount to anything is a question. There is one old

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. . 181

variety which, but for one thing, would take the lead—the old Kittatinny,
if it did not rust.

Prof. Taft: The Eldorado is promising. Last year our crop was
destroyed by spring frosts, and this year the crop is not ripe, but the
plants are fully as hardy as Snyder; and with us last winter was quite
severe on all the raspberries and blackberries.

Are ants in a peach and apple orchard, a pest? If so, what is the remedy ?

Mr. Cook: In my observation, they do not have anything to do with
injury.

Mr. Smith: They appear to feed on the foliage, especially the tender
growth; and they appear to burrow near the root, about the collar of the
vee, and run over the whole top. Are they pest or anti-pest?

Prof. Taft: I think there is generally something in the trees for which
they are looking. Whenever you see an ant running up a tree, there is
something wrong with the tree.

Mr. Morrill: Have you ever noticed the leaves curling and dropping?

Mr. Smith: I have noticed that some in the peach.

Q. On the cherry?

A. I haven’t noticed it there. In the apple, the tips and tender growth
of the sprouts are eaten, when there are no canker worms about, but there
are ants, and it seems that they do it.

Mr. Morrill: Look on the under side and see if the ants are not asso-
ciated with little green lice.

What about the new varieties of currant ?

Prof. Taft: I think North Star is a promising variety, and it is far less
injured by borers than Fay and others, and has the same strong growth.
I think North Star is a particularly promising new variety. We have had
it four years. Last year frost caught us again, but this year they are
bearing very full. The plants are strong and seem free from the borer, or
comparatively so.

Q. Do they grow as large as Victoria?

Mr. Morrill: They are rather larger than my Victorias, and even
stronger growers.

Are currants and gooseberries a paying crop ?

Mr. Boynton: Not in 1896. I speak particularly of aye gooseberry,
and I think that in 1896 they will not pay. I do not know the reason,
except that the crop is very prolific, and there seems to be more of an
over-production in that than in wheat and a good many other commod-
ities.

Mr. Reid: Without knowing exactly what may be the trouble, I sur-
mise that the too early picking of the gooseberry has much to do with
it; for, on visiting Chicago recently, I saw thousands of cases of goose-
berries that were withered from too early picking. They were not much
more than half size, or half the size that mine are, either Smiths or
Downings, and I would not think of picking either of these until the first
of next week. Any person purchasimg a crate of this sour and immature
fruit would not want any more, and perhaps that influences the market as
much as anything else, especially as the quotations say that good ones are

182 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

in demand. I believe it is the too early picking, a fault which ruins much
of our marketing of fruits, especially grapes. I believe there is a good
demand for gooseberries in proper condition.

Mr. Smith: Do gooseberries and currants become more tart as they
ripen? They are said to require more sugar.

Mr. Reid: I can’t say as to that. I have eaten green currant pie
which appeared to be mostly sugar. But there is a great loss of flavor
by premature picking of gooseberries. But someone is in a hurry to get
the early market price, and rushes them in, and then everyone follows. I
know one grower in Allegan county who marketed his whole crop of
Early Crawfords one year, before they were ripe; and while he made
money that year, he was unable to sell at all to the same men the next
year. It is a fact that very much of our fruit is sent into market before
it is fit to go.

Mr. Morrill: Taking that one crop, it is a noted fact that for three
years the gooseberry-growers of Michigan have been picking a little
sooner and a little sooner, because they could get a little money out of
them, and because it is a ‘fruit picked in its green state anyway. I am
satisfied that it makes a vast difference.

Mr. Reid: One of the fruit journals, this summer, advised picking them
when they were half grown, saying that the flavor was much better. As
to the currants, the case is a little different. They are not used simply
for dessert, but also for jelly, and for that purpose they are much better
before they are fully matured. Of course, they never market absolutely
green fruit. So premature marketing is not so likely to occur with this as
with the gooseberry. Those who eat the gooseberry after it is fully ripe
find it a wholesome and palatable fruit, and I believe the liking and
fashion for ripe gooseberries will grow in this country, especially for the
larger kinds.

Mr. Morrill: No one has answered the question as to the profitableness
of currants and gooseberries. Do they pay, even under present circum-
stances?

Mr. Smith: One year’s test would hardly be sufficient.

Mr. F. E. Rood: J think, generally speaking, they have done very
well. Still, they have been great bearers.

Mr. Edward Hawley: We have found both gooseberries and currants
profitable heretofore. This year, however, we are afraid prices are going
to go back on us.

Mr. Morrill: What do you think will be the canse—too much fruit, or
premature picking?

A. We don’t know whether currants are going to follow gooseberries
in the drop this year. Certainly gooseberries are selling very low.

Mr. Morrill: Do you think that Downings are ready to pick yet?

A. Yes, just about now. The early market a year ago was the best,
and this year they have gone to the extreme of shipping altogether too
early. When a berry is too young it will wilt very soon. It is my opinion
that the gooseberry limit has been reached. I think the market is quite
limited.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 183

Ts it advisable to grow small fruits at any time between rows of fruit trees ?

Prof. Slayton: If you hadn’t said small fruits, I would state to the
audience that on the 12th of June, 1896, I was in the office of the president
of the Michigan State Pomological society, and was told that he had forty
acres of fruits (that is where the word “small” bothers me)—muskmelons
and canteloupes—growing among fruit trees. If he does it, I suppose it
must be proper.

Mr. Judson: I find that it pays pretty well. It may be that the young
trees will not grow quite so fast; but so far as I am concerned, | don’t
want a young tree to grow very fast. I think if they grow slower they are
longer lived. <A tree that grows too rapidly dies quicker. I think a
medium growth is better, and I find it desirable to have a little profit
off my land the first few years of growth. Then, in case a peach crop 1s
a failure, it is desirable to have a few strawberries or raspberries
between.

Mr. Morrill: Are you not likely to have a failure in your peach orchard
if you follow this plan?

Mr. Judson: I think there are very few who have peaches when i don’t.

Mr. C. E. Hilton: I think it is Downing who recommends such fruits as
raspberries and blackberries to be grown in young orchards, especially in
apple orchards, for the purpose of driving the roots of the larger fruits
deeper into the soil. Where soil is of the proper depth and texture to
take a deep root, we have this authority, and I think it is very good advice.
Mr. Judson is all right; it does retard the early, rapid growth, which
in my estimation is sometimes an advantage.

Mr. Staehlin: I have had a little experience in this matter, and I find
that in the part where I set strawberries the growth was retarded con-
siderably, in some cases so much that the trees are entirely absent at the
present time.

Mr. Morrill: J believe there never was a fruit patch grown in an
orchard but that the orchard suffered. You may grow strawberries
successfully, if you want to sacrifice the orchard, but I think it is better
to grow strawberries in one field and the orchard in another. I am per-
fectly satisfied of that from observation and experience, and the idea
of forcing the roots of a peach, or those of any other tree, to go where
they do not want to, doesn’t seem to me a proper practice. {ft seems to
me that the proper practice is to encourage them to grow and do well
wherever they naturally go. Mr. Judson said something about a slow
growth. That is very good and all right, but I want just as large a growth
as I can get, if I get it at the proper time. In May, June, and July, 1 want
my tree to grow; after that, I want it to ripen, and if I can secure that, I
don’t care how big the growth is.

Mr. VanDeman: I think the argument is good.

Q. Can you force the ripening?

Mr. Morrill: I can, by getting the growth as early as possible, by early
crowding and then ceasing cultivation. But if people, in the cultivation
of their orchards, wait until everything else is done, and then cominence
the growth of the orchard, which you can do by your culture, and then
earry it along a little too late, injury is likely to result.

Q. Aren’t they more easily killed by frosts?

184 STATE HORTICULTURAL, SOCINDY:

A. I don’t care how big they dre, if they will ripen at the right time;
but if they start in June the growth they should have started in
May, and ripen the growth in September that should have been
ripened in August, then the bigger it is the worse you are off. There is
guite a difference in the details in regard to these things. I believe we
should get the benefits of what we do at the earliest possible moment.
We have no assurance of life for any great length of time, and I like to
get results while I am in the business.

Mr. VanDeman: As to the growing of peaches and apples together,
or peaches and pears, or any of the orchard fruits, and not mixing the
different species, I want to know what is the experience. I hope that
those who have experience here will state it plainly, that we may know.
I want to know specially what is the actual state of the case here. I know
something of the experience in other places, but I want to know what
you think.

Mr. Winchester: Most of the men who have gone into the fruit
business here are men with small places. They do not have two or three
hundred acres, and in order to get started they find it necessary to get
an income from the place in a short time. The orchards grow more
slowly, where small fruits are grown, but I have not seen any damage
to the orchards. In all the orchards along the lake shore there are small
fruits grown. Of course, where a man has a great deal of land, like Mr.
Morrill, and is able to do it, I should say, by all means, set only one
kind of fruit.

Q. What about the mixing of orchard trees, peaches and apples?

A. That was done a few years ago, when our people thought the peach
orchards were going to be short-lived and that apples were going to be
the leading crop. It was the custom then to set a quarter to apples and
the balance to peaches. Now we find that where peaches do best apples
will not do as well.

Q. Does the apple hurt the peach or the apple the pear?

A Member: I bought a place here thirty years ago. The peach trees
were twenty-three years old and the apple trees the same. The peach
trees had grown up to top and were just about worthless on that account,
but they grew elegant peaches, only they were too high up to be easily
reached. But if a man handles land as Mr. Morrill does, and has the
means to wait until he can grow the trees, I would say by all means to
grow one kind of fruit at a time.

Mr. Sherwood: My father set an apple orchard in the centennial year
(1876) and he set forty feet apart, with pear trees between, and up to
last year, I didn’t notice any damage. But now I think that within a year
or two I will have to cut out the pear trees or they will die. The trees
are beginning to show the drain on them of the apple trees. I think it
is due to the soil being weakened by the apple trees. I am satisfied
that the apple is stronger and robs the other.

Mr. Smith: It is the universal practice in this country to grow small
fruits among our bearing fruit trees until the trees begin to bear. Of
course, this depends, too, upon the nature of the soil. There are some
light soils which will hardly bear even one variety of fruit successfully,
without fertilization, while other soils will bear almost anything you put

~

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 185

on. We have land on the lake shore here that is somewhat peculiar. The
nearer we get to the lake shore, the more valuable the soil. Now, for the
last fifteen years, I have practiced planting pears and peaches alternately
on certain spots. The soil will be composed in some places of a light
sand, in other places sandy loam, then again there is hard clay, and there
is some low ground where the soil is naturally heavy and strong. When
I come to a spot where the ground is tco heavy for the peach, I set a pear.
I have a pear tree here and a peach tree next, and I find that the pear
trees set among the peach trees have borne better crops for the last ten
years than where they stood by themselves. I hardly ever miss getting a
full crop from these trees, and the peach trees bear all they can, so there
certainly can be no detriment to either. They are sixteen to eighteen
feet apart, between peach and pear.

Mr. Pixley: I have seen it recommended that we set fruit’ trees
indiscriminately, of variety—apples, pears, peaches, cherries, and plums;
let them grow in our orchards as the forest trees grow, where oak, beech,
and basswood are all mixed together. Each one requires a little different
nourishment from the soil, which it selects. My orchard was set alter-
nately with peaches and apples. The peaches are a rod from the apples.
There are pears, mixed in the same way. The pears always seem to do
well. The peaches grow and pass out. The apples and pears stay. I
have no definite experience with this, however,

Mr. Morrill: I think there is just one test you can apply to that, which
will satisfy the most of us. Pick out ten of the best peach orchards you
know, and has there ever been any alternate variety set with them? Pick
out the best ten pear orchards, and see if there has been anything
between rows. The same way with apples. Did you ever see anything
planted alternately in the best orchards? I am not referring to pol-
lenization of different varieties of a kind, but ef alternating two kinds
of fruit on the same ground, and I would like to know if there is any
locality which can show its best ten orchards, of any kind, which have
ever been mixed with fruit of any kind. The question of growing small
fruits admits of a good many variations. My observation is that, with
most of our tree fruits, the strawberry crop is a very severe one and has
ruined a great many orchards. The raspberry crop is not so injurious, and
the blackberry least so of any. In my own practice, I have set currants
with pear trees, because my observation has been that they are the least
injurious to these trees of any crop I can grow, and I can grow them five
or six years, by giving them an abundance of food. You can plant cur-
rants with pear trees, but I always take them out as soon as the pears
begin to have profitable crops. I grant that there is necessity, often, of
reaping something off the ground, and also that all men can not wait, but
some allusion was made to my ability in this direction. When I com-
menced on my ideas, there never was a man in this county poorer than I
was, but I have followed the idea of giving an abundance of feeding room
to anything I set, believing it was the best way, and I have scratched out
a living wherever I could. I think we should look into the detail of these
things a little.

Mr. Matraw: I have had a little experience in raising fruit for the last
thirty-six years, about nine miles away from the lake, “and I have had a

24

186 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

little practice in the mixing of trees. The plan worked well until the
trees got a certain growth, and efter that not so well, so I prefer now,
with the little experience I have had, to divide my orchards of all kinds,
and I would do this certainly if I grew extensively. You can take care of
your orchards cheaper by having them divided. :

Mr. Spink: 1 don’t think I have made a success raising small fruit
with tree fruit, even where I set one row. I set my peach orchard, for
instance, sixteeu feet apart, and put one row of blackberries in on one
half of the orchard. Well, the half which wasn’t set with blackberries
bore enough better to more than offset what I gained from the black-
berries. I have also set apples and peaches together, and on the whole
I don’t think I have made a success of it. Still, strawberries, one or two
years, will do, but most of the other fruits seem to be a detriment by the
time they come into bearing. I think they are more of a detriment to the
tree than a profit.

Mr. Merry: I have made a practice of raising some small fruits among
my trees. I have a pear orchard of between three and four hundred. 1
set pear trees into a blackberry patch. The rows were seven feet apart.
The trees are 21 feet apart—20 x 21. The trees and the blackberries have -
both done well. The past year I have taken some of the blackberry
plants out, those that were nearer the trees, and I shall continue to take
them out as I see they draw on the trees.

Mr. Cunningham: My experience in planting small fruits among the
larger fruits is that it is a failure, if you want the larger fruits. I
noticed last season, in the peach market in Chicago, there were thousands
and tens of thousands of baskets of peaches dumped into the Chicago
market that were worthless. The planting of strawberries among the
fruit trees has been mentioned. Now, by the time a strawberry crop
has been gathered, the ground will be so thoroughly dried and tramped
down, that it will be almost impossible for the trees to get any moisture.
It is just as impossible to get good peaches from such an orchard as from
a stone. Now, there was a cause for the quality of those peaches which
were dumped on the Chicago market, and I think we may look for it in
some such ways as this.

Do you use commercial fertilizers more here, or manures ?

A. Commercial fertilizer, barnyard manure, and ashes, all are good, if
we have moisture; but when we have such a season as we had last year,
no amount of commercial fertilizer will help. The peaches will be small
anyway.

Mr. Rose: I beg to differ with the gentleman, because I think it
depends largely on the nature of the soil, where you feed it in proportion
to the fruit you take off.

A. That would hardly affect the growing of two kinds together. Per-
haps the use of plenty of fertilizer, and spraying and giving them plenty
of room, plenty of feeding ground and culture, might pay. I think it
would.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 187

Do you advocate spring or fall setting of fruit trees, and would it be more
desirable to heel in trees for fall setting ?

Prof. Slayton: Early spring setting is best. Fall purchasing for apple,
pear, and plum, and heeling them in on your own premises.

Let me ask a question. Has anyone here tried irrigation ?

A. I think only in a limited way. There may be some here who have
used water, but I doubt if it has been applied in any quantity. Mr.
Hawley tried it and it was quite satisfactory.

Mr. VanDeman: By what means, gravitation or pumping?

Mr. Morvill: He hadasmall engine, and pumped the water up, and had
mains running through his peach orchards, and furrows to the trees. He
turned on the water and irrigated six or eight rods at once. Then he had
another row of mains, and so on. {[ know he has a very fine peach
orchard.

Mr. VanDeman: I presume you all know that irrigation is one of the
recent industries in the east, one of the big questions. It is coming.
Now, it all goes back to this one point, that plants live on soup, and you
can not make soup without water, and if you can not get water from
the clouds at the right time you would better get it somewhere else.
That is the reason we can not raise more, because we haven’t water at
the right time to furnish the soup I speak of; that is a fact, and the
sooner we realize it and act upon it the better. Thorough cultivation
has a close connection with irrigation, because it furnishes escape for the
water into the ground and prevents its escaping and going off into the
air. We put a dust blanket over the top of the ground, and the moisture
can not escape into the air except, of course, through the leaves of the
trees. We wish to stop this evaporation and keep the moisture in the
ground where the plants can feed upon it. Irrigation is only a help, an
aid to nature, but it is going to be a very important feature of the horti-
culture and agriculture of this country before a great many years. Mr.
Hale of Connecticut has fifty acres under irrigation now. He spent over
$2,000 last fall in putting in an irrigation plant. He tapped a little creek
up in the mountains, nearly a mile from his place, and now he can laugh
at the drouth in New England. Mr. Eddy of Connecticut figured up that
he got $14 per barrel for the water he put on his place, which was
absorbed by the fruit.

Mr. Pixley: One of my neighbors put some pipes into his peach
orchard last year. He had the city water pipe attached, and a motor put
in, and he put in the necessary pipes to distribute it around a few of
the trees; and he tells me he found it very successful indeed; that he
increased the weight of the peaches very much over those peaches which
did not get any water, and at a very small expense. The city furnishes
the water at twenty cents per thousand gallons, about one cent for three
barrels, and by using common iron gas pipes he distributed it with small
expense.

188 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Will spraying with Bordeaux mixture prevent rust of strawberry foliage ?

Mr. Merry: Two years ago this summer I had a strawberry patch that
commenced to rust; and, being told that Bordeaux mixture was a pre-
ventive of rust, I began applying it. My barrel gave out before I got
all over the piece; perhaps I had eighteen rows left, and I promised
myself that in the morning I would go back. I failed to do so. In a few
days I noticed that the portion of the patch which I had sprayed was
rusting badly. The pickers said that on the part which had not been
sprayed the berries were better.

Mr. VanDeman: Was it all the same variety?

A. Yes, the whole patch was alike, and had the same treatment. You
could see the difference as far as you could see the patch.

Mr. Morrill: I never had any experience in that line, though I have
heard many people speak of it and say they couldn’t control it.

Mr. VanDeman: It occurs to me that, as the gentleman has said, it
might be that his spraying injured the foliage, and that the injury to the
foliage would cause a corresponding injury to the fruit. It might be, too,
that the germs of the rust were already working more vigorously on that
part which he happened to spray than the other part. It might be owing
to some other conditions. Perhaps it was just luck. If I had to guess at
it, however, I should attribute it to something in the mixture which
injured the foliage.

Mr. Merry: This was rust. There was no injury to the foliage. The
rust spots appeared. You could see them anywhere, and there was no
difference in the patch. It was rust, no burning about it.

Mr. VanDeman: Had the rust begun before you sprayed? A. Yes, sir.

Mr. VanDeman: Well, then, the mischief was mostly done. That
brings out one idea that everyone would do well to consider; that copper
sulphate used in spraying is not a cure for many of these things, but is a
preventive, and when used after the damage begins to show is almost
absolutely useless. It may prevent spreading, but it will not cure most of
these troubles after they have once gotten a start.

Mr. Morrill: This brings to my mind what Lawrence Farmer said at
Rochester. He has a plan of growing strawberries in a country in
which rust is troublesome. He beds the plants in thin rows, for a month
or two before setting, in the fall, and one of the greatest advantages of
this is the ability to spray them three or four times with Bordeaux
mixture before he sets them in the field. He takes them up and heels
them in, sprays them two or three times, and then sets them out, early
in June. Now, that would be a peculiar statement to our strawberry-
growers, but he is said to be one of the most successful growers there is.
But that is one of the strong points he makes. He does not have to go
over the whole field, but he has the plants right there where he can get
at them with the spray. Like Prof. Wheeler, one must confess to being
unable to tell why certain methods do not always succeed, or why
others do. I can not tell you the reason, I only know the facts. That is
true in many of these instances. No man can tell us why these things
are so, but we know a thing can be done, because we know it has been
done. You may fail doing it, and perhaps we can’t tell you why.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE.ANNUAL MEETING.

HELD IN GRAND RAPIDS, DEC. 1, 2, 3, 1896.

Seldom has there been a more noteworthy convention of horticultur-
ists in Michigan than the twenty-sixth annual meeting of the State
Horticultural society, held in Grand Rapids, December 1, 2, 3, 1896. It
was notable not alone for the very large attendance, representative of
all portions of the state, but as well for excellence of the programme,
the new features which were introduced, and the deep interest that was
taken at every stage of the proceedings. The sessions were held in
one of the circuit court rooms in the Kent county building, which was
bandsomely decorated with ornamental plants and chrysanthemums.
Two adjoining rooms were devoted to the exhibition of fruits and flowers,
which were in abundant supply. Several hundred persons were in
attendance each session, the eyening sessions bringing out numbers of
the city people interested in rural affairs. Each hour of the meeting
was actively occupied with some feature of the programme or the dis-
cussions which it provoked, and there was no lagging of interest from
the very beginning.

Among the gentlemen in attendance from outside the state were Mr.
J. H. Hale of Connecticut, Prof. M. V. Slingerland of Cornell university,
and Prof. John Craig of the central experimental farm of Canada. These
gave valuable contributions to the proceedings, and never has the society
had more efficient aid from horticulturists from other states than its
own than was rendered on this occasion. Besides these were Mr. E. A.
Riehl of Alton, delegate from the Illinois state society; Mr. J. J. Harri-
son of Painesville, Ohio, of the famous nurseries of Storrs, Harrison &
Co.; and Mr. M. A. Thayer of Sparta, Wis., the small-fruit specialist.
Perhaps at no meeting of the society was there ever a larger attendance
of prominent fruitgrowers from outside the vicinity of the meeting. All
of these gentlemen were made honorary members of the society for the
year 1897, and one after another was introduced by President Morrill and
decorated with the handsome badges which had been provided for the
occasion. They in turn made felicitous remarks, showing their apprecia-
tion of the honor conferred.

The annual election occurred Wednesday afternoon, and was com-
pleted with extremely little use of form or time, President Morrill, who
was absent because of temporary illness, was unanimously re-elected,

190 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

the secretary being instructed to cast a ballot for him, though this was
known to be contrary to his wishes. In like manner, Secretary Reid was
elected, the casting of the ballot being done by Vice-President Monroe.
A similar compliment was paid Mr. Asa W. Slayton, treasurer. The
matter of choosing two members of the executive board was referred to
a committee, consisting of Ex-President Lyon and Mr. J. F. Taylor. Upon
receipt of their report, the secretary was instructed to cast the ballot of
the society for the re-election of Messrs. F. J. Russell of Hart and R. D.
Graham of Grand Rapids, as members of the executive board. At a
session of the board the next day, Mr. R. M. Kellogg of Three Rivers was
elected a member in place of Mr. Elmer D. Smith of Adrian.

It was expected that the West Michigan Fruitgrowers’ society would
hold an election of officers at this time, but Secretary Kellogg announced
that the matter had been postponed until some possible future meeting.

The usual committees were appointed Wednesday morning, as follows:

Resolutions—W. W. Tracy of Detroit, J. F. Taylor of Douglas, W. W.
Rork of Agnew.

Exhibits—Prof. L. R. Taft of the Agricultural college, Mr. J. J. Har-
rison of Painesville, Ohio, Prof. John Craig of Ottawa, Canada.

To these were added the committee on legislation, consisting of Messrs.
R. D. Graham of Grand Rapids, C. J. Monroe of South Haven, and Edwy
C. Reid of Allegan. These are to concern themselves with all proposed
legislation relating to horticultural interests, and especially such as will
secure active repression of diseases, predatory insects, and the importa-
tion of unsound nursery stock into the state.

A pleasant feature of the meeting was the presence of a number of
the florists of Grand Rapids, two of whom furnished valuable papers.
These were Mr. N. B. Stover and Mr. Henry Smith. Another innovation
was use of a stereopticon. This was employed at the session Tuesday
evening to show the portraits of Mr. S. L. Fuller, the first president of
the society, and Mr. T. T. Lyon, the honorary president, and who is justly
revered as the society’s patriarch. These had been referred to in Mr.
Garfield’s opening address of welcome, who paid a deserved tribute to
their services in establishing the society. In turn, Vice-Pres’t Monroe,
in reply to Mr. Garfield’s address, told of the valuable work performed ,
by that gentleman during the number of years he was secretary of the
society. Mr. Garfield’s portrait was shown, evoking, as did the others,
very hearty applause. The instrument was also used that evening in
illustrating the brief address of Prof. Craig on the “Fruit resources of
Canada.” Mr. Craig exhibited a number of views of Canadian fruit,
orchards, and portions of the experimental farm at Ottawa. These, with
the papers by the florists, made up an evening of unusual enjoyment.
Wednesday evening the stereopticon was again brought into use to
illustrate Prof. Slingerland’s lecture, “Recent work among our insect
enemies,’ and Mr. Morrill’s “Pruning of peach trees.”

There was a lively episode when Mr. Lyon brought up the matter of the
society’s action with relation to the proper person for appointment as
secretary of agriculture in the cabinet of President-elect McKinley. Mr.
Lyon stated that much anxiety was felt among the horticulturists of
the country because of fear that the person selected might be simply a
specialist of some kind and one not broad enough in his knowledge to

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 191

properly appreciate the needs and importance of other branches of
agriculture than that in which his own liking had schooled him. He
spoke of three principal candidates, Mr. Brigham of Ohio, Mr. DeYoung
of California, and Mr. Hoard of Wisconsin. The appointment of the
former, Mr. Lyon thought improbable because of his residence in the
same state with the president, although selection of Mr. Brigham would
be satisfactory.

Remarks upon the subject were made by Mr. Hale and Mr. Garfield,
the latter recalling the influence Mr. DeYoung exercised against the
interests of all but California horticulturists in connection with the
World’s Fair. The discussion ended in appointment of a committee and
adoption of a resolution. The committee consisted of Messrs. Lyon,
Monroe, and Garfield, who were instructed to confer with horticultural
societies in other states, and act in concert with them in selecting and
recommending an appointee who would have the best conception of the
importance of horticulture, and would see that it had its due share of
attention in the work of the department. Subsequently the following
resolution was introduced and unanimously adopted:

The Michigan Horticultural society, assembled in annual convention, having
appointed a committee consisting of President T. T. Lyon, C. J. Monroe, and Chas.
W. Garfield, charged with the duty of memorializing President-elect McKinley with
reference to the selection of a broad man for secretary of agriculture, who shall
adequately appreciate the large place that horticulture occupies in the agriculture
of the nation, desires to record its loyalty to a man in the middle west whose
utterances, work, and influence have for years been on the side of progressive
agriculture, and who, while especially championing the great dairy interests, has
never neglected to acknowledge that horticulture is a leading factor in the evolution
of American agriculture; therefore,

Resolved, That we heartily endorse the candidacy of Ex-Goyv. Hoard of Wisconsin,
for the position of secretary of agriculture in the cabinet of the incoming adminis-
tration.

A petition of fruitgrowers of St. Clair county was presented, reciting
the unequal conditions sustained by the fruitgrowers of the United
States, along the Canadian border, with relation to the tariff laws of
the two countries. While nursery stock and many kinds of fruit are
admitted to this country entirely free of duty or under a very small tariff,
Canada imposes heavy rates upon all such products. The result is that
American growers are largely excluded from Canadian markets, while
the markets of the United States are free to Canada. The manifest
unfairness of these conditions was discussed, and action taken by adop-
tion of the following resolution, submitted by the committee to whom the
petition had been referred:

Resolved, That the secretary of the society address each of the Michigan repre-
sentatives in the United States senate and house of representatives, as follows:
The Michigan State Horticultural society, in its annual meeting, in Grand Rapids,
Dee. 2, 1896, respectfully calls your attention to the tariff laws regarding summer
fruits, vegetables, and nursery stock, which, as they now exist, allow these pro-
ducts to be shipped into the United States from Canada duty free, while our own
gardeners and farmers are required to pay duty for sending such products into
Canada, amounting, in the case of berries, to two cents per pound, and corres-
pondingly large duties upon all other such fruits and nursery stock. We submit
that this is a hardship and a tax upon our people, from which they should be

192 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

relieved, and we ask that you give the matter immediate attention, with a view
to so amending our laws as to correct the evil.
W. W. TRACY,
JoeB AY nOB:
W. W. RORK,
Committee.

During one of the sessions, a surprising statement was made by Mr.
Garfield, to the effect that Michigan horticulturists are paying from
$25 to $50 per ton for fertilizers imported from Germany, while the
Germans themselves are using a fertilizer made from the refuse of the
“sticky fiy-paper” factory in Grand Rapids. The chemical analysis of
this product, which is ground and pressed castor beans, very nearly cor-
responds to that of the best oil meal. It is shipped to New York and
exported thence to Germany.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON EXHIBITS.

We find in the exhibition hall several fine collections of fruits, flowers, and plants,
and recommend the following award of premiums:

For market fruits, first to E. C. Phillips of Grand Rapids for fourteen plates of
very well grown and carefully selected specimens of valuable market sorts, includ-
ing Hubbardston, Ben Davis, Grimes Golden, King, R. I. Greening, Wagener,
Northern Spy, Red Canada, Baldwin, Johnathan. Second to Robert L. Vahue of
Allegan, for seventeen plates, including Stark, Pewaukee, Northern Spy, Ben Davis,
Black Gilliflower, Lowell, Baldwin, Mother, Red Canada, Ribston, Pound Sweet,
Peck Plesant, Munson Sweet, and Gideon. The latter are large and well-grown,
but the variety is very likely to rot at the core.

In the dessert class we award the first to R. L. Vahue, Allegan, for Canada
Red, Golden Russet, Norton Melon, Shiawassee, Wagener, Fall Pippin, Fameuse,
Green Sweet, Grimes Golden, Rambo, White Pippin, Yellow Bellflower, Hubbard-
ston, Gravenstein, Jefferis, Esopus, Westfield, Sweet Russet, Golden Russet,
Detroit Red, in addition to the Vicar pear. The second premium we award to E.
C. Phillips of Grand Rapids for Hubbardston, Grimes Golden, Wagener, Northern
Spy, Jonathan, Wealthy, King, Canada Red, Shiawassee, Bellflower, R. I. Green-
ing, Talman Sweet, and Fall Pippin, thirteen plates.

Fruit for exhibiton should be of a characteristic form and color, even in size,
and free from spots.

We also find a plate of well-grown Hubbardston shown by L. R. Davis of
Crosby.

Several plates of new or little-known varieties were shown. Among them are:
Sutton Beauty, sent by S. D. Willard of Geneva, N. Y. They are a medium-size,
roundish apple, yellow in color and overspread with red in stripes. The flesh is
firm, yellowish white, very crisp and juicy; quality good but not high. It bids
fair to become a valuable market sort for this state.

Arkansas Black, shown by A. J. Pearce of Grand Rapids. A medium-size, oblate,
handsome variety of the Blue Pearmain type in appearance. The flesh is firm,
even to woodiness; quality poor; evidently a good keeper. Your committee are
doubtful regarding the advisability of introducing varieties of this grade of fruit.

Wismer’s Dessert, exhibited by J. H. Wismer, Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada;
medium size, round, obscurely five-sided; yellow, shaded with red in stripes and
blotches; marked with russet dots; basin deep, corrugated; cavity deep and narrow;
calyx closed; flesh yellow; firm. Remarkable for its melting juciness; mild,
sub-acid. Season, in good condition now. It appears to be a dessert variety
worthy of trial. ;

Your committee, in connection with this, wish to discourage the use of long
descriptive names in the introduction of new fruits.

A. P. Green of Eaton Rapids shows a plate of Oakland County Seeknofurther;
of medium size, round, flattened, dark red with very dark splashes; flesh white,

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 193

texture soft, very mild, sub-acid; season late autumn. An apple of great merit
for home use or fancy markets.

B. E. Rickert, Saranac, Mich., showed a fine basket of Carman No. 1, a large,
oblong, white potato, fairly smooth and with moderately deep eyes.

Mrs. Lee Lewis of Corning, Allegan county, exhibited baskets tastefully filled
with everlasting flowers and ornamental grasses, the whole making an instructive
exhibit of plants that can be used for this purpose with good effect.

Henry Smith of Grand Rapids has decorated the court-room with a fine collec-
tion of palms and other ornamental plants, and we award him the first premium
of $5. The second premium is given to Crabb & Hunter of Grand Rapids.

For the best display of chrysanthemums in pots, the first premium is given to
Crabb-& Hunter, for a fine standard and twelve large exhibition plants, and the
second to Henry Smith for twelve well-grown plants in six-inch pots. In the class
of cut chrysanthemum blooms we give first prize to Henry Smith for several fine
blooms of leading varieties.

The first premium on cut roses is also given to Henry Smith; the second premium
is given to Crabb & Hunter of Grand Rapids.

The first premium on cut carnation blooms is given to Henry Smith and the
second to Geo. Hancock & Son of Grand Haven, for twelve varieties. The latter
exhibits several seedling varieties, some of which seem to have much merit.

The Stover Floral Co. of Grand Rapids show three vases of carnations, and
deserve special mention; also what is known as the Creelman carnation support,
invented by Mr. J. Creelman of Grand Rapids, which consists of a spiral coil of
wire supported by a wooden stake. It is cheap, durable, effective, and does not
hinder in cutting the flowers.

The Murillo carnation, a new seedling, is exhibited by the originators, Hopp &
Lemke of East Grand Rapids. The plants are evidently strong and vigorous.
The foliage is very large, and covered with a thick bloom, apparently little subject
to rust and other fungous diseases. It has long, stout stems, generally with single
flowers, which are very large, full, and of a very rich, deep red. The calyx seems
strong, the petals are well fimbriated, and the oder is a distinct clove. If it is as
fioriferous elsewhere as it appears at its home, it is certainly one of the best
varieties of its color.

Mrs. Peter J. Coppens, 284 Ottawa-st., Grand Rapids, has brought and placed
upon easels in our place of meeting several paintings in oil, the subjects being
fruit of various kinds.

JOHN CRAIG,

J. J. HARRISON,

Te Re AT
Committee.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS.

Resolved, That we, as individuals and as a society, extend our thanks to the offi-
cers and members of the Grand River Valley Horticultural society, Grand Rapids
Fruitgrowers’ association, Grand Rapids Florists’ club, Lowell Horticultural
society, and West Michigan Fruitgrowers’ society, for the well-directed efforts
which have made this meeting such a success.

That we thank Judge Grove and the committee having charge of this building,
for the use of such a pleasant place of meeting; that we thank the custodian and
the janitors of the building for their uniform courtesy.

That we thank the members of the press who have added to the value of the
meeting by such prompt, full and accurate reports of its proceedings.

That we specially thank the gentlemen from other states who have contributed
such enjoyable and useful papers and otherwise added much to the usefulness
and pleasure of the sessions.

W. W. TRACY,

W. W. RORK,

J. Bi TAYDOR;
Committee.

194 STATE HORTICULTURAL SUOCIETY.

PRESIDENT MORRILL’S ANNUAL ADDRESS.

For long shipments of fruit we must have a better package than we
have been using, and it does seem as if by some means we should be able
to break the combination formed against us last spring by which they
elevated the price of packages twenty-five per cent. in the face of one of
the heaviest crops and in the hardest times we have seen for years. I think
by starting in time we can do so. I am not going into details, but you
have various associations over the state which must take care of their
local business, but the State society’s business is to assist in every way
possible in making our conditions better, and that is one of the methods
by which we could assist. The price of packages in which peaches and
grapes are shipped was raised by the combination from 15 to 25 per cent.,
and the sales have been enormous and the profits have gone almost
entirely on the general fruit crop—I would say almost entirely—to the
package and transportation people. There is something there for us to
consider, and we must go at it with a spirit that means something. We
must not meet and discuss these things now and go away from here
declaring that everything is wrong but we are,not prepared to join with
our neighbors to try to right the wrong. We have the power, we can do it
if we see fit.

The question of distribution is another matter of which you have sorely
felt the need this summer. It is only fair to say that our distribution
is very much better than it was two or three years ago. It is being
rapidly improved. You people at Grand Rapids have done more than
those of any other locality in the state. They have a shipping associa-
tion here whose work has accomplished a great deal. I think it has
accomplished wonders, for the poor support it has received from the
fruitgrowers of Kent county. I am oniy talking to the men who do not
support it, and I wish to say to any man present who grows an acre
of fruit and has not taken an active interest, a financial interest, in this
fruitgrowers’ association, I am heartily ashamed of you. I think it is
wrong. J am satisfied, although I can not prove it, that the operation of
that association for two or three months this year put a thousand dollars
into the hands of the fruitgrowers of this locality every day, and possibly
twice that. I presume that is a low estimate. How does it come that
the papers read here today show that that association has such a limited
membership? A few men have to put up whatever money is furnished.
There is some expense; they are not working for salaries, but there is
correspondence, stationery, rent of oflice room, perhaps, and some inci-
dental expense, not much, and that is all that the fruitgrowers are asked
to pay for. But how many doit? They tell me it is but a handful, they
who have developed this market at Grand Rapids, and you know you have
the best market in the state. In my own town, which perhaps ships more
fruit of all kinds than you do here, we have never succeeded in getting
such a market system as you have, and this very market system has
brought the buyers to you, has taken away the dissatisfaction of com-
mission dealers, and has given the money to you fer your fruit the same
day you delivered it; and it goes into circulation the same day and has
been worth thousands and thousands of dollars to you.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 195

The transportation problem is another thing which you people at
Grand Rapids have done more for perhaps than any other part of this
state. It is something which yet must be very much improved. It seems
to be a very difficult thing to fight a transportation company down on
rates, but there are two ways of improving this. If you can not fight
them down on rates, fight them up on service and get your money in
that way. Our friend Hale made a statement just before dinner that fits
that case exactly. He said, “I don’t attempt to fight the companies down
on rates, but I fight them up on service.” I think that covers the ground
so neatly. He says to the companies whom he patronizes, “If you will
give me superior service I can get enough money out of the product to
pay for it.” Now, there is an idea perhaps that has not occurred to a
great many people. I know this, that the man who is constantly looking
for something cheap is very likely to get something so very cheap that
he does not like it, because there is somebody around to accommodate
him; and I don’t know but it holds good in railroad transportation. Con-
sequently, if in fighting these large traffic associations—I won’t say fight-
ing—in attempting to reduce their rates, you find that you have run
against a snag, you have run against agreements that exist which they
find very difficult to break from. If you can not accomplish anything in
that way, work the other—fight for better service, fight for more rapid
service and more prompt delivery. Then you can get out of the increased
prices what you failed to get in rates, and I think it is an excellent idea.
I think it something for your association to work on, I think it is
something for all associations to work on.

We have had a season peculiar in the absence of fungous and insect
troubles. That is generally conceded. There has been a little question
in my mind whether there was any absence of those pests, or whether
there was such an abundance of fruit that the distribution of the germs or
insects affected so much less fruit in proportion to the whole that it was
not noticeable. I know that many people have thought, or did think
early in the season, that even in the case of their apple crop it was not
necessary to spray, as no scab developed. I know that later on scab did
develop, and I know that many of the people who believed that early in
the season have changed their minds radically now, because they found
scab developed on their apples later in the season and their apples are
not keeping; while all the good storage apples in Chicago today are from
orchards thoroughly and persistently sprayed. While there is no topic
on the programme regarding spraying, I wish to say that the best results
J have seen are where spraying was done before there was any sign of
foliage. I presume the subject will be taken up, but I don’t know.
According to my observation, the main trouble with spraying has been
commencing too late. People should get it into their minds as a fixed
fact that where it is any benefit whatever it is as a preventive and not
as a curative. You can not spray for scab and destroy it after it has a
foothold. You can not.

There was considerable evidence last winter that spraying had proven
a remedy—not a remedy, a partial preventive—of peach yellows. Those
gentlemen who have been pressing it for other purposes in the yellows
districts have discovered that yellows was not anywhere nearly so strong

196 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

in the portion sprayed. I presume it is good practice. I don’t know
that it is sure practice, though. I am a little skeptical of that yet, but
there seems to be good evidence of it, and there is something here
worthy of investigation, and it probably will be investigated.

There is another element that is entering into our fruit business just
now that will be semi-political. I do not wish to say to you that I am
going to put anything political into this meeting, but we are getting a
practical illustration today of the benefits of protection, or rather the
lack of benefit Where there is a lack of protection. We have a sample in
this manner: Chicago is our leading market, and the price in Chicago
practically establishes the price on apples in this entire country.
Thousands of barrels of Canadian apples, which I regret to say are
better grown and better packed than ours, and in full-size barrels always,
have gone upon the Chicago market, and the present tariff fixes an ad
valorem duty of twenty per cent., while the McKinley bill fixed a duty
of twenty-five cents per bushel specific; and we know that no barrel of
apples could get across the line without paying a duty of seventy-five
cents. Now, that affects the valuation; that fixed the value of Canadian
apples at forty cents per barrel at the beginning of this season. The big
steamboats, the big grain liners on lake Erie, fixed the rates from Buffalo
and Canadian points at five cents per barrel delivered in Chicago. They
fixed the valuation at forty cents per barrel, which provided a tariff
of eight cents per barrel in lieu of seventy-five cents under the McKinley
bill. The consequence has been that all the market furnished, or the best
of it, has gone to Canadians. Now, while I have all the respect in the
world for Canadians, insofar as my acquaintance goes, as being as fine
people as there are in the world, I do like to see the American market
held for American producers, especially under such a strain as we have
had for a year or two. I do not think it is necessary to say any more
about this, except that recently the authorities have taken the matter in
hand and have raised the valuation of those apples to ninety cents per
barrel, and are collecting about eighteen cents per barrel in duty, which
is a Slight improvement; and I will say further that my opinion is if the
McKinley bill was in existence it would mean from twenty-five to forty
cents per barrel more for every barrel of good marketable apples that
Michigan puts into Chicago or any other town. I think that is what we .
are paying on account of the present tariff bill.

As against that, Canada had an excellent market for peaches this year,
and what did it cost you to get there? Some of you Grand Rapids gentle-
men know. You tried shipping there, and my recollection is their tariff
charge was fifty cents per bushel. Am TI right? Will some Grand Rapids
man tell me? If Mr. Graham was here he could tell me in a minute.

A Member: I think it was sixty cents per bushel.

The President: The Canadians have much more sense than we. If
we ship peaches there they are going to make something out of it. They
raise a few peaches over by the Niagara river and country tributary,
and they take good care of the Canadians who grow them. That is right,
and we are at a disadvantage in the whole deal.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 197

SECRETARY REID’S ANNUAL REPORT.

First, as to the financial condition of the society, there was a balance on
hand at the close of the last fiscal year of $14.86. The treasurer received
from the secretary, Dec. 5, 1895, annual memberships, $27. Later, interest
on the Jacob Snell mortgage, $21.00, on the Newman mortgage $17.50, the
Carlisie mortgage $86. 2, “the Samuel Gear mortgage $21, and latterly,
from the secretary, at the conclusion of the year, annual memberships,
$L9, making a total of $333.57. He has made disbursements amounting
te #26.28. He has received also, by way of interest on the deposits of the
society’s funds, $2.42, (there is some accrued interest there subject to
credit to the society at present), making a balance now on hand of $309.71.
This, you understand, is the fund of the society outside of its annual mem-
bership fund, which is the amount that is invested and from which this
interest is derived. There was during the year one life membership of
$10, which has been passed to that fund, which does not appear in this
balance.

-You all understand, I presume, that the expenses of the society the
-past two years have been paid from the state appropriation, and we have
been able to accumulate this littie sum of money. We hope to receive the
aid from the state which is commonly extended each year in the horti-
cultural states of the Union. That amount is $1,500, the present year and
the one preceding. It will be subject to legislative action at the approach-
ing session, and our chances of renewal of it I should suppose would be
good. We will be able to show a wise expenditure of the portion of the
funds we have used. Under the state law any portion of the annual
appropriation which is not used within the calendar year lapses to the
state. In that way we turned back to the state, the first of last January,
a little over two hundred dollars, and we will return something this year,
we don’t know exactly what. In return to the state for that appropria-
tion we shall be able to show the holding of much more valuable meetings
than the society was able to provide before. We have been able to bring
to our meetings within this time much valuable aid from outside the
state. It is only by means of this appropriation that we can bring to us
such men as Prof. Bailey of Corneil university, Prof. McClure of the
experiment station of Illinois, Prof. Webster of the Ohio experiment
station, who were present with us at our last annual meeting; and Prof.
Slingerland of Cornell university, Mr. Craig of the central experimental
farm of Ontario, and Mr. J. H. Hale of Connecticut, who are or will be
in attendance upon this meeting.

During the past year we have held two meetings aside from this, one at
Hart in February and one at St. Joseph in June. Both of those were very
largely attended and both were very successful in all points in which
horticultural meetings can be successful.

It has been a quiet year among the local societies of the state. There
has been but one such new society formed, so far as I have been aware,
and that at Grand Haven. It started last winter under very favorable
auspices, but like all such societies it has done but very little work during
the summer season. As you are aware, fruitgrowers are very busy during

198 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

the summer, and particularly this summer trying to save a little out of
a great deal, and so there have been but few meetings of the local
societies, and they do not seem as yet to have revived very much. It is
presumed that they will, however, as the season’s work is through, and I
know no reason why they should not be as vigorous and interesting the
coming winter as ever.

There was this season a particularly large fruit crop. There seems
not to have been a fruit tree nor bush nor vine nor plant but did its
utmost to provide a full crop, and as a rule the crop was of good quality.
How it sold we are all too painfully aware. The result of that has been
a check to the selling of nursery stock, as I have been informed by
nurserymen, and I know that the feeling among growers is not as it was
one year ago at this time—a disposition to plant to the uttermost their
entire capacity of land. Whether this is on the whole advisable and
desirable is a question that would awaken discussion in this meet-
ing, and a very distinct variety of views. There are horticulturists
who wouid like to see horticulture restricted, and who think if we pro-
duced one half as much as we do produce in any one line it would be
very much better for the grower. Perhaps that would be true in a narrow
and selfish sense, but it would not be true, as many of you would main-
tain, so far as the general benefit to the public is concerned; and ulti-
mately, whether it would be to the grower is another interesting question.

At any rate, we have produced this year a great deal more than we
could sell to advantage, and there has arisen as never before a demand
for some system of distribution of this product, which is the first question
brought on in this programme. It was brought on first largely because
it seemed to me it was one of prime importance, because there are so
many things that can be done, and because in this vicinity there is the
only successful effort at co-operation with regard to the shipment of fruit
and its distribution, and with better results than can be pointed to in
any other portion of the state. There have been frequent efforts in this
line, notably once at Ann Arbor, and I think at Benton Harbor and St.
Joseph, and in a very limited degree it has been attempted in my own
county of Allegan, but at no place with the success of the Grand Rapids
Fruitgrowers’ association, of which we shall hear more when this topie
comes up.

i chanced to receive yesterday a letter from a friend in Kansas
City, Missouri, throwing some light upon this subject, and you will
pardon me if I read an extract from it. He is a gentleman who formerly
resided in Allegan, and misses very seriously the delightful supply of
fruit in Michigan, and he seems to be longing for “the flesh pots of
Egypt,” if I may so term it. Having noticed in my paper that we were to
hold a mecting here, he said he was minded to write me in this way:
“Allegan has been mentioned more than once by Mrs. Lipper and myself
this summer, when pricing and buying fruit and celery. Only the rich
can afford this luxury here. Reading about your state horticultural
meeting, the idea suggested itself, if the peach-growers could combine,
get low freight rates, have a responsible agent here to handle their fruit,
this ought to be a good market. Fairly good fruit (peaches) sold for $2
per bushel, and in small quantities at the stalls and stands two for five

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 199

‘cents, twenty-five cents per dozen. Celery never sold for less than five
cents per stalk. We did not see one single large, juicy Crawford peach
all summer. As secretary of the society, it would be well for you to look
into this idea and thus give you another outlet. At present the bulk of
your shipments are made to Chicago and Milwaukee. This is a growing
city. Thousands of people find employment in the packing-houses and
factories.” All of which simply goes to show the consuming capacity of
that town.

As an illustration of how this may be done, and is done by private indi-
viduals to a certain extent, I wish to quote from an article in the Ionia
Sentinel of last week, which says that Mr. Luther F. Hall has just
returned from central Illinois. Now, neither of these points is so far
away but we should be able to establish a good shipping line, and the
rates would not be so great as to consunie all the profits. “He has
returned from central Illinois, where he sold out a carload of elegant
Jonia county apples. This is the second car he has disposed of there, and
he is busy getting a third car ready for the holiday trade down in that
country. Luther says apples are a luxury in Illinois. He sold his car in
a college town, and says it all but made him weep to see the way the
people recklessly handled and craved that precious fruit, which up to the
time it ieft the car had received such careful treatment. When Luther
pitifully protested, and vowed the fruit would never keep through the
winter under such a jostling, the people did not even take issue with him,
but eagerly came back for more. Mr. Hall said he opened a car of 750
busheis on Friday morning, and by Saturday afternoon he had sold the
entire shipment except fifty bushels, in lots of from one to twenty bushels,
at from thirty-five to fifty cents per bushel.”

These things simply go to show the possibilities of fruitgrowers of
Michigan, if they can overcome the obstacles which exist in the way of
shipping facilities, and the tendency they have to distrust one another
and to refuse to enter into any association or combination for shipment.
I think it will be said to you here that there are large numbers of men in
this vicinity who selfishly take advantage of the good work that has been
done by this shipping association, to sell their fruit by the means it has
established, and yet not contribute so much as one dollar toward the
expenses of that association. Such things are common among us and
they are exceedingly shameful to us. I know that my friend, Mr. Wylie,
has had very poor success in my own county of Allegan, with the actions
of men who agreed to enter into such an organization and then dropped
cout of it the moment there was some little selfish incentive offered to
them, or they could see a trifling advantage for the time being; and they
threw aside the valuable work he and others did, and because for a
moment they couid make a fraction of a cent on shipments, or something
of that kind, they refused to co-operate any further. Whether this can
be overcome to any great measure without overcoming human nature is
an intéresting question, and whoever undertakes it will doubtless find
himself a martyr to the cause, will find that he has expended money,
Jabor, and time, as Mr. Graham here has, for the benefit of the public.
But they can have the satisfaction that a great many reformers have, that
they may have accomplished something, and if there are rewards for such

200 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

people beyond this earth they can hope for them there; but they may just
as well start in the beginning without any hope of reward here. The
man who looks for it on earth will be disappointed; and I think I heard
my friend Graham lamenting, the other day, upon precisely this score.
Having received within a day or two a line concerning the quality of
the reports of the Michigan State Horticultural society, I wish to speak of
the demand that exists for this literature, not only in this state, where it
is constantly increasing, but the requests come from localities far from
where we suppose there is much horticultural interest; and it comes from
all portions of this country, and indeed from other countries, very fre-
quently. It is our purpose to furnish educational institutions, public
libraries, and such concerns, so far aS we can, with full sets of our
Reports. It is impossible, and has been for two years, to furnish a com-
plete set, for those of some years are exhausted, save one or two volumes
which we keep in our library at Lansing. I recently had an application
from an assistant professor in pomology in Cornell university for a set
of our reports. I furnished one to him (of course we do not undertake to
pay the transportation charges in any such case) and upon his receipt of
it he very politely sent me the following note, under date of November 22:
“My Dear Sir: I do not know what I can say to show appreciation of the
set of Reports of the Michigan State Horticultural society, which you so
very kindly sent me. Everyone who studies from reason scientifically
must have these Reports. They will be of great value tome. I appreciate
them very much and sincerely thank you for them.” I brought this with
me today simply because I happened to lately receive it, and I have
received many such letters, some of them from German universities that,
applying for these Reports, have been furnished them. They have been
sent to Australia and VanDieman’s Land, where the fame of the Michigan
Horticultural society seems to have penetrated. These things certainly
afford encouragement to every person who has to do with the work of this
society. I think you may fairly state that there is not in this country a
horticultural society report that is of more value than our own, unless we
shall except that of the state of Massachusetts, which I think produces
the most valuable report there is issued. Of course, it is restricted some-
what in its nature, because the horticulture of Massachusetts does not
take on a general character, but it is a work as beneficial to the public in
general of this country as that of our own state, its matter is of the
very highest quality, and its style is such that the state of Michigan can
not as vet afford. I secured for the Report for the year 1895, a supply of
which is present, a better quality of paper than has ever before been used
in the Report in this state. I submitted to the state board of auditors
samples of the reports of other states, many of which are very finely
printed, those of California, Wiscensin, and Massachusetts especially,
and I have secured the use of better paper, which permits the use of a
gerade of illustration which was impossible under the old system, except
by the expensive method of printing special sheets and inserting them
in the volume. We hope to secure a Report of larger size next year, but
I was restricted this year to a book the same size as that of 1894, because
there was a little increase in the cost of the paper. I have got the board
of auditors started in the right way, and I hope in the coming year the

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 201

coming secretary may be relieved of cramping his volume as I have had
to do in the present instance. There are many things which it would
have been well to have included in the Report, which, for the reasons I
have stated, had to be excluded.

There has not been, in the past year, within my knowledge, any unusual
development of diseases of fruit trees. There have been all the evils with
us that we have ever had, but there seems to have been less of the insects
and no great revival or increase of yellows or black knot or apple
scab, nor of the new disease, “little peach,” as it is called, which has
appeared in Allegan county. There seems to be a disposition to regard
this new disease as a northern form of rosette. Without having seen
anything of rosette except by illustration, I would be inclined to that
opinion, but it does not seem to result quite so quickly in the death of the

‘tree as rosette does in the south; but it does result in the immediate
uselessness of the fruit. The fruit in the first season of the disease
becomes vaiueless for the market. You can not even ship it, as some dis-
honest fruitgrowers do with yellows fruit, because it is not developed in
size. I regret that I have to believe that it would be treated in the same
way if it were possible. Not all the dishonesty, not all the chicanery and
trickery, is confined to the commission merchants nor to any other par-
ticular class of people who handle fruit.

There seems to be a disposition among all the commission men of
Chicago and Milwaukee, so far as I have talked with them, to decry the
packing of Michigan fruits. They say that it has increased in quality
very little if at all, and they are constantly met with objections to
Michigan fruit as against that of the state of New York, and still
more so as against that of Canada, which has been very freely
imported this year. The Canadian fruit was better than ours in
some respects. That portion which reached the market was better,
probably, because the inferior porticn was kept at home. They were
full-size barrels and were better packed; they were packed for this market
as they would have been and were packed for that of Europe, with the
result that our fruit, aided by some other conditions which Mr. Morrill
will mention, has been at a discount in the Chicago market, and the com-
mission men were praying for the closing of navigation on the lakes that
there might be a better state of the market for the fruit nearer home.
There has been no closing as yet, unless this severe weather shall have
brought it; and if any of you have apples yet to sell, and if you ever pray
and have faith in prayer, it would be well for you to supplicate the
Almighty to close the straits of Mackinac and boom the apple crop of
Michigan, for up to date it has not been a source of profit; and while I
say that, there are instances within my knowledge, within my own
county, whieh indicate that all this matter of profit and loss is dependent
upon individual effort. I know men who let their apples hang on the
trees and drop to the ground and made no effort to dispose of them,
although there was a market at some price in my own town for every
bushel of fruit that could be brought there. That was not the case at
every point in my county by any means; but it was the case in very many
places in this state. I know many men who have orchards which paid
them because, as soon as an apple could be sold, they began picking and

26

202 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

selling if they did not get more than twenty-five cents per hundred
pounds. They marketed their fruit, and the crop was so large that there
was profit in it. It was the same in that case as it is in so many other
instances, that a man who is thorough and eelualol makes money, while
the man who is not, loses.

There is not any thing else, I think, in connection with the immediate
business of the society, of which it becomes necessary to speak.

TWO GOOD ADDRESSES.

WELCOME, BY HON. C. W. GARFIELD.

The committee in charge of the arrangements allotted to me the pleas-
ant duty of welcoming this society back to the home of its birth in some
words that should seem fitting to the occasion. I greet you with a satis-
faction I can but poorly express. A sense of pride in your achievements
swells my heart with joy. We cradled this society with the arms of our
city, and it grew in strength and favor. Before you could walk with any
accuracy or precision, however, yow left the scenes of your birth, and
your home visits have been few and far between. There has always
existed the most cordial feeling between us. We have watched your
development from childhood to youth and from youth to mature man-
hood with love and devotion. We have been proud of your success and
influence. You have been aware of this and have known that whenever
you have chosen to return to your early home, warm hearts would wel-
come you. Today, as we extend to you our heartfelt greeting, we are glad
to express our satisfaction in your devotion to the cause you so early
espoused.

In the quarter of a century since you came into existence our state has
made marvelous strides of improvement, and in no department of energy
has the advancement been more marked and praiseworthy than in hor-
ticulture. You have done your part in this wondrous evolution. In the
annals of your history are to be found the names of the brightest minds
in our state, who have contributed from their stores of knowledge liber-
ally in aid of your efforts. You have called to your assistance the state
university and the agricultural college. You have drawn from all call-
ings and all professions to strengthen your purpose and widen your
influence. You have not been parsimonious in your returns. There is not
an orchard nor a garden in this state that has not felt your beneficent
influence. You have made an impress upon the rural homes of Michigan
that will be more apparent with added years.

Not only have your endeavors re eached the accessories of Iffe that add
beauty and satisfaction to the process of living, but you have not
neglected to lift pomology and horticulture into a sphere that commands
the attention of delvers in science. Men whose lives are devoted to
-working out scientific problems have, through their work, been brought
to see that in the processes which underlie the most interesting and val-
uable results of horticultural art there is opportunity for the deepest
thoughts and most delicate experiments that require the best ability

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 203

and most consummate skill. You have not neglected, in the develop-
ment of scientific pomology and horticulture, to attract the artist, whose
observant eye is ready to catch the delicacy of color and form that
appeals to the finer instincts of the human mind. In the development of
the wonderful diversity of beautiful forms in leaves and flowers and
fruit; in the superlative success along the lines of coloring given to
nature’s products through the study and application of her laws of
combination, the artist has found his sweetest treasures and has been
drawn to your art with a feeling of kinship.

Thus, in carrying on the noble work of your society you have aroused
the sympathies of art, science, and philanthropy.

While acknowledging and complimenting the worthy efforts of your
organization, I can not neglect to utter a warning word concerning the
danger I see menacing your way. The figures which are used to exhibit
the results of your influence in increasing the valuable products from the
soil; the vast quantities of fruit shipped away, the product ‘of your
skill; the floral treasures that loosen the purse strings of the affluent;
the wealth attracted to our state by the commercial success of horticul-
tural operations, are all seductive in their character. The tendency is
strong to draw you from your high vantage ground and subvert’ your
strength and influence to the attainment of mere commercial success.
I would not in the least minimize the importance of this organization as
contributing to the material interests of the people of the commonwealth,
but I would emphasize the larger and more important work of this
society in sweetening and ennobling the influences that are thrown
about childhood’s home; in harnessing art and science as connected with
the growth of the loveliest treasures of earth, to draw men and women
into closer communion with nature’s processes and lift them into a com-
prehension of the most beautiful things of earth; in giving tuition con-
cerning the adaptation of lovely forms and tints of vegetation and lus-
cious fruits to the building up of dwelling places that shall have a per-
manence and restfulness that will be so attractive as to-develop a race
of home-lovers.

The grasping hand which sees first the acquirement of wealth, which
would command all human energies in the scramble for property, is
insidious in its wily methods of securing the influence of the wisest and
best in its behalf. It comes in the guise of benevolence, and with
specious arguments draws men away from the most noble purposes.

There are associations, and proper, useful ones, whose sole object is to
aid men engaged in horticultural pursuits to utilize their energies and
their circumstances in achieving commercial success. This is as it should
be. But this noble organization should never be diverted from the full
recognition of the breadth of its purposes as outlined in the first article
of its constitution.

The influence of your organization that appeals most strongly to our
people is that which fosters local organizations interested in the special
needs of communities. We have three in our.city. The Grand River
Valley horticultural society is a direct offspring of the State Horticul-
tural society, and has for over twenty years exerted a remarkable influ-
ence upon the amateur horticulture of this county. The Grand Rapids

204 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Iruitgrowers’ society is purely a commercial organization and has
devoted its energies to the development of a local fruit market that has
acquired a national reputation. The Grand Rapids Florists’ club is a
thrifty society having a double object of bringing the florists into a har-
monious business relationship and through its influence to develop in
our community a greater love for fioral embellishment about the city
and suburban homes.

In this connection I wish to remind you that two of the ten charter
members of your society were florists, one of whom, Mr. John Suttle,
planted with his own hand, under the direction of Hon. Thos. D. Gilbert,
the trees that now give character and beauty to our central park area
on Fulton street. Perhaps you will bear with me a little longer while I
recall to your memory some of the names which were associated with the
organization and early efforts of your society.

My memory first suggests the name of Samuel L. Fuller. He signed
the first call and was chairman of the first meeting which instituted the
movement that culminated in the state organization. He is still living
in this city, enjoying the tender care of wife and daughter. He has
never lost his interest in our work. Ido not forget that it was through
his persistent efforts, wise counsel, and material assistance that the
breath of life was maintained during the first year of the society’s
existence. Sluman 8. Bailey and L. 8. Scranton were the first vice-presi-
dents. The former is with us today, has never allowed his interest in
horticulture to flag. Other men have had waves of enthusiasm and have
been intermittent in service, but from the inception of the organization
to this day Mr. Bailey has the only record of continuous and persistent
activity. Mr. Seranton maintained his interest until his death in 1882.
Jonathan P. Thompson was the early idol of the society. He was the
first president of the incorporated organization, and was afterward sec-
retary until 1876. Enthusiastic, impulsive, generous, public-spirited, he
moulded the early trend of the society and laid its foundations broad and
deep. Three names of the early days will ever claim the warmest feel-
ings of our hearts: Edward Bradfield, Henry Holt, and George W.
Dickinson. They were not only successful fruitgrowers, but their early
and regular exhibits at the monthly meetings of the society made the
sessions attractive, and their words of counsel were always wise, earnest,
and helpful.

The names of Whitney, Ramsdell, Deitrich, Husted, Hathaway, Peck,
Ganzhorn, Dyckman, Griggs, Slayton and a host of others were con-
nected with the second year of the society’s existence. I would enjoy
recounting to you some of the activities of these men as they appeared
to me, a mere boy among them. Personally I owe them all a debt of
gratitude for shaping and broadening my angle of vision and opening
to my view the potent influence of horticulture upon rural life. Their
unselfish devotion to the interests of the new organization made a perma-
nent impression upon me that time will not obliterate.

But the noblest Roman of them all, the one man who towered above
them all in pomological equipment, in his generous service, and in his
molding influence upon the purposes of the society, is our respected,
honored, and beloved life president, T. T. Lyon. He of all others, because

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 205

of his great ability and continuously active interest in the development
of Michigan horticulture for more than sixty years, and his intimate
relationship with the movements of the State Horticultural society from
the second year of its organization until now, commands our admiring
appreciation. To him more than any other one we owe our national
reputation and standing as an organization among others of its kind.
His name will be perpetuated in the orchards and gardens of the state,
and be handed down to those who carry on the work of the society as a
synonym for devotion to the best in rural life.

We have been looking with the transit turned toward our beginning.
I would for a moment revolve it and let us look into the future of this
society. We. all have our aims in life, and I feel that this society
ought to have a generous and virtuous aim in its future. I feel that we
ought not to belittle ourselves by tying ourselves down to any narrow-
ness. Remember that we are not working for an eternal life that is
beyond us; we are working for the eternal life that is here and now,
and we are a part of it. I have no sympathies whatever with the people
who decry the things in this world and are looking for something that
is good beyond, to the exclusion of the beautiful things that God gives
us here (Applause). It seems to me that it is the mission of this
society to call the attention of the people of this state to the wondrously
beautiful things that God has given us through the development of
our work and the helpfulness of the things that we have about us to
lift our whole population to a higher plane of action with horticulture as
its leading spirit. It seems to me, ladies and gentlemen of the society,
that we have a mission to perform here that no other organization can
perform; and now that you have come back to the scenes of your boy-
hood, come back to the place of your birth, some of you tired and
anxious because you have not accomplished all that you had in your
ideal, I hope that the welcome which we shall give you will be that
which you feel when you get home, after a tired day’s work, to your
family circle. I trust that through the inspiriting things you will get
in this meeting you will go out with a more earnest feeling for the
work you have to do, with a spirit to be helpful all along the line and
to never give up the work you have undertaken.

We who live here, who have faith in you and had the faith to start
you out in your career, will follow you in your work, and we expect to see
a rich fruitage. So I say, for the people of Grand Rapids, and I wish
I could be more eloquent in it, God speed in your work. We shall
follow you and we expect great things of you. In remembrance of the
noble men who have molded the efforts of our society in the past, in
recognition of the spirits who are now carrying on the good work, and
in behalf of the citizens of Grand Rapids, who are proud of the distine-
tion of having given birth to your organization more than a quarter of a
century ago, I bid you welcome to the scenes of your childhood. We
rejoice in your success, we congratulate you upon your growth and
influence, and beg to be counted in every loyal sense as fellows of the
society, while we acknowledge ourselves its beneficiaries. (Applause.)

bo
S
=P)

STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

RESPONSE, BY. HON. C. J. MONROE OF SOUTH HAVEN.

I am reminded by the eloquent words of the gentleman who has just
addressed you, that last Thursday was Thanksgiving, a day leading
all others in reunion of families and friends. It is the special day that
the children return to the home of their birth, recalling the past with
its pleasures and disappointments, its hopes and despondencies, its suc-
cesses and failures. It is specially a day of feasting and of good-will,
of good-fellowship and of good-cheer. While this is not Thanksgiving,
it is a time for thankfulness, for the renewing of old acquaintanceships
and friendships, and for the extending of geod wishes.

The cordial and hearty welcome given the society on its return to
the city of its birth has given us a wondrous home feeling. The retro-
spection of the last twenty-five years has been so vividly pictured that
a flood of recollections has been awakened, and memory brings back the
men and women who have been most active in its upbuilding. We recall
the many places in different parts of the state where its meetings have
been held, with the pleasant greetings, the varied exercises, the music
and song, essays, speeches and discussions, all intended for entertain-
ment and instruction. These gatherings have stimulated thought and a
desire for knowledge, have scattered valuable and helpful information
to those interested in horticultural pursuits; they have increased the
planting of trees and vines and flowers, of small fruits and vegetables.
More thought has been given to the selection of varieties, their quality
and attractiveness; greater care in choice and preparation of the ground,
the after-cultivation, trimming, and thinning, the watchfulness of dis-
cases and insect enemies of tree and fruit, the picking and packing ‘and
marketing—all more intelligently and thoroughly performed.

Grand Rapids’ representative host, in his address of welcome and
retrospection, has given us such a large photograph, crowded with so
many persons and events, that I can only respond to a few of them.
At the front, standing out most prominently in age, service, and the iove
we bear him, is Ex-President Lyon, who has received such an eloquent
and just tribute here tonight—the placing of him at the head in the
building up of the horticultural interests of Michigan is suggested and
sustained by his voluminous writings and speeches, his services in local,
state, and national societies and expositions, his work at the sub-
experiment station, his painstaking labor in the revision of the nomen-
clature of American fruits, his persistent efforts for correct and simple
names, and for a high standard of equality. The esteem and confidence
with which he is frequently mentioned by eminent pomologists in the
United States and Canada, give him more than a national standing and
reputation. It is generally recognized that honesty is the best policy in
any business or profession. If there are any degrees, we should have
the highest type in the propagation of fruits, especially trees, which
require years before coming into bearing, and so needing a long time to
demonstrate the correctness of their names or quality. Those who know
Ex-President Lyon appreciate that there is not money enough in Michi-
gan to obtain his signature to the recommendation of a tree, fruit, or

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 207

plant that he does not know to be true to the best of his knowledge and
belief, and that, too, of a knowledge and belief founded upon careful
personal observation "and painstaking investigation and experiment. His

name and fame will ever be held in high esteem by this society, and his
work and writing better appreciated as better known and understood.
It is a great pleasure to have him with us here on this twenty-fifth anni-
versary of our society which he has honored by giving it some of the best
years of his life.

Although left out of the pictures tonight, by the natural modesty of
our photographer, the consensus of opinion of the members of this
society will place beside Ex-President Lyon the gentleman who for years
was so intimately connected with him by official relations. It is seldom
that two strong men are joined in work whose thoughts, views, and
ways run so nearly parallel, whose tastes and habits are so congenial
that a comradship grows up between them as tender and as loving as
that between a father and son. I am sure I echo the sentiments of this
society when I remind you that what was said of Mr. Lyon applies in
the main equally well to our host. A rehearsing of the good words and
works of this society necessarily includes him as one of its chief actors.
His services in this society, coupled with those of the local society, have
had much to do with the marvelous development of the horticultural
interests of the state and of Grand Rapids and vicinity. Recalling the
pioneer work, the establishing of local societies widely scattered over
the state; the obtaining of reports from them which had to be carefully
revised, the correcting of essays, often so deftly done that the writer
was encouraged to further effort after seeing how well his production
read in print; the extensive correspondence required to encourage and
build up these branch societies, urging the sending in of reports on the
discussion of the practical work of the orchard, vineyard, or garden;
his frequent talks on fruits, flowers, forestry, and kindred topics—and
here I wish to digress a moment and specially emphasize the fact that
he has ever been ready with voice and pen to protest against the whole-

sale devastation of Michigan’ s grandest inheritance, its forests, which
have been so wantonly and wickedly destroyed by culling out the most

valuable, and leaving the rest in condition to invite wind and fire for its
utter annihilation, stripping the country of that which was best calcu-
lated to assist in clearing the Jand, erecting buildings, and making sub-
stantial improvements in the locality (how little is left to the state for the
ruin of its forests!); in his lectures in other states; his work in farmers’
institutes; his writings for newspapers, agricultural and horticultural
journals and magazines, with many other duties, taking his time, you
have a glimpse of a wonderfully busy life, all of this demonstrating his
command over himself and his ability to make the most of his time in
turning off a marvelous amount of work. Read his writings and
speeches, and the central thought running through it all is an earnest
plea for a higher plane of living and a loftier elevation of thinking. I
deem it extremely fortunate, on this twenty-fifth anniversary, that we
have with us the gentleman who for years occupied the position of
secretary of this society and who in such eloquent terms has welcomed us
to this city. It is hardly necessary to name him. (Applause.)

‘

208 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

There are many others worthy of special mention, who have been
liberal contributors of valuable experiences and observations to the
society; also, a still larger number not so ready of tongue or pen, whose
work and example have been helpful object lessons to the practical hor-
ticultural interests of the state.

In conclusion, and on behalf of the many visitors from different parts
of this and other states and Canada, and especially of the old members
of this society, I most sincerely thank the people of Grand Rapids for the
cordial welcome which has been conveyed to us in such appropriate
language by our former secretary, Mr. Garfield.

DISTRIBUTION—WHAT BECOMES OF THE FRUIT?

BY MR. E. A. MOSELEY OF GRAND RAPIDS.

Michigan has gained for herself a national reputation through her
enormous production of fruit, consisting of peaches, pears, plums, grapes,
and apples.

Western Michigan is known as the great peach belt. This section
produced more peaches of choice varieties during the past year than
any other state in the Union. Having such a large crop to dispose of
brings up the question as to how the fruit can be distributed to the
best advantage throughout the country and reach the best markets in
good condition.

Transportation companies during the past few years have been to
great expense, and given much study, experimenting how to carry fruit
to destination in best condition. Along this line great advancements
and wonderful improvements have been made.

A large proportion of the fruit shipped this season has been in regula-
tion cars. The bushel. basket is fast taking preference with shippers
and receivers as the most profitable fruit package, especially in the
eastern markets, through the middle states, and other markets where
thoroughly introduced. Many of the western markets do not take favor-
ably to the bushel basket, especially where they are not familiar with it,
often requiring one or more seasons before the trade take kindly to this
package. The bushel basket is more profitable for the grower than the
small fifth, as it saves a large expense in packing and cost of packages.
Another advantage in favor of the bushel basket is its being open for
inspection, lessening the opportunity for deceit by putting in poor fruit.
The small basket is generally packed in such a manner as to make the
fruit appear much better than it really is, and thereby often causing a
great deal of dissatisfaction with the purchaser. In fact, the deceit in
small packages has become so universal that the trade in many markets
are losing confidence in the fruit shipped in this manner and will only
buy at greatly reduced prices.

When shipping peaches in bushel baskets in refrigerator cars the
fruit will carry in much better condition by shelving the cars, so that
each basket will stand level and firm, and one tier deep.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 209

In order to secure the lowest rate of freight to eastern markets and
comply with the classification, open, square crates were introduced last
season, made especially to fit the bushel basket. In this way peaches
were carried without being jammed or pressed.

Until within the past few years peaches were shipped in bushel baskets
with slat covers pressed solid over the top, thereby bruising more or
less of the fruit in every basket, and in warm weather causing it to
rot very quickly. :

The very important question arises every year where to find the best
markets. The markets of one season can not be depended upon for
the following year, as the products of the local fruit-producing sec-
tions in different states vary from year to year so that every year mar-
kets must be thoroughly investigated in advance of shipping season
to ascertain the most valuable outlets.

Right here lies a very vital point with reference to getting fruit to
market in proper condition so that it may command the highest prices.
Fruit should hang on the trees until it has good color and is properly
matured, but not until it begins to soften. Fruit of all kinds, to stand
shipment, must be picked when firm and solid. This does not mean
that it must be green, but must be matured sufficiently so that it will
be ripe, firm, and ready for use on arrival at destination.

In order to place fruit, and especially peaches, before the public in
the most attractive condition, shippers should notify receivers in
advance, as fully as possible, of the varieties, quality, and condition of
the fruit in transit. The receiver can then notify his customers and
have his orders ready for the fruit as soon as it arrives. There will
then be no delay in reaching the consumer.

When receivers do not know the kind of fruit they have in transit
and are obliged to wait for arrival and inspection, it often causes much
loss, especially if the fruit should be delayed in getting to open markets.

In order to secure satisfactory returns, fruitgrowers should take more
care in getting fruit ready for market. The time is not far distant
when poor, inferior fruit of all kinds will not pay freight charges, say
nothing about packages and other expenses. With the large acreage at
present time planted to all kinds of fruit, it stands every grower in hand
to cultivate his fruit, whatever it may be, so as to raise nothing but the
best. :

When peaches are selected and picked at right maturity, loaded into
baskets, crated, and shelved, and under proper refrigeration, they will
carry long distances in good order, and should reach destination in
nearly as fine condition as when loaded. There is no farming industry
that will afford more profit and quicker returns than all kinds of fruit,
especially peaches, when selected and delivered at shipping stations in
proper condition for distribution.

The geographical location of Michigan gives her access to more states
and better markets than any other state in the Union. It is perfectly
safe to say that Michigan peaches were sold this year in at least twenty-
two states, and in some states having general preference on the markets.

Pears, plums, grapes, and other fruits are sold in adjoining states
and near-by markets.

27

4

210 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Michigan apples are shipped to markets in thirty or more states and
territories, principally throughout the great northwest, western, middle,
and southern states. There is always a demand for Michigan apples
on account of the numerous varieties, which gives her a great advantage
over competing states.

Michigan apple-growers should give more attention to spraying, culti-
vating, and pruning their trees. Neglect in this respect is seriously
hurting the national reputation of the fruit, as Michigan apples for the
past two years have not been up to the former standard. On account
of neglect in taking proper care of the trees, many apples are under-
size, wormy, and do not have the keeping qualities that they otherwise
would. Unless special attention is given immediately to better care
of apple orchards, serious results will be the outcome. Unt recently
Michigan apples have been first in rank and in good demand.

While traveling through different states I have often noticed in front
of retail stores, where several different varieties were on sale, the sign
“Michigan apples” on the barrels or baskets, thus calling special atten-
tion to the Michigan fruit. I speak of this to call your attention to the
high standing our fruit has in other states and the great importance
to all fruitgrowers of raising only the very best. This applies to other
fruits as well as apples.

The revenues derived from fruit amount to millions of dollars yearly,
and is received mostly from markets outside of Michigan, thus offering
a net gain to the state which is of great value.

The fruit industry should not be neglected in any way.

BY MR. C. N. RAPP OF GRAND RAPIDS.

The subject of fruit distribution deserves careful attention. I doubt
if there is any subject more important to successful growing and ship-
ping of fruit. Equal distribution is as yet a theory in the handling of
fruits, and I doubt if it can ever be obtained. The interests involved are
many and conflicting, and it would take time to organize them into good
working order, but I think it is possible, and the methods employed are
not only increasing in interest, but will be of practical help for fruit-
growers to understand and value.

In this discussion I shall treat two phases of the subject. First the
distribution of crops, and here the question of overproduction arises.
Have we had overproduction for the past two years, or is it undercon-
sumption? On this question there is quite a diversity of opinion, and
taking this into consideration, the condition of our country for the
past four years (which has had its effect), I believe there has been an
overproduction of some kinds of fruit, and that the supply has been
in excess of the demand. If this be true, the distribution of crops
becomes a very important question, and one that should receive care-
ful attention, and, if possible, be remedied.

The solution of this question seems far distant, for we will have to
contend with an element in human nature that is very hard to over-
come, and that is selfishness. The central idea of the American people

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 211

seems to be every man for himself, in the accumulation of the almighty
dollar; and the question of crop distribution, unless it can be made
co-operative, would not be a success. The second part of this question
that I wish to call your attention to is the ma®kets, how and when to
ship. Post yourself on the different markets, their requirements and
advantages, select the markets you wish to ship to, and appoint a good
representative in each of these markets to represent you. This can be
done by correspondence, but a much better way, and the one I would
recommend, is to visit each and become personally acquainted with
your representatives. Great care should be exercised in the selection of
your representatives, and because Mr. A has a high commercial rating
and is responsible and reliable, will not justify you in selecting him
without first inquiring into his ability and facilities for handling your
class of goods. A good commercial rating is commendable, but not
necessary. What you want is a firm that is reliable and responsible,
and at the same time knows how, where, and when to sell your goods
so that they will realize the most money. Most of the dissatisfaction
and unjust criticism of commission men arises from this source, and
can only be overcome by careful selection and personal acquaintance
with your representatives. Too many shippers are guided in their selec-
tion by high quotations, flattering letters, and high commercial rating,
and so long as shippers continue to use such loose measures they can
not expect good results, for it is impossible unless it be by mere accident.

If you have made a wise selection in your representative, he will keep
you correctly and thoroughly advised, and I wish to impress upon you
right here the importance of having implicit confidence in his advice,
and accepting it at all times, and if you do this you will have solved one
of the most important points in fruit distribution. Of course, he may err
in his judgment occasionally, which is human, but on the whole his
advice will be correct.

The importance of the distribution of this luscious fruit, and the
methods employed, are not only increasing in interest, but will be of
practical help for peachgrowers to understand and value.

It is not more than two years since Michigan peaches were compara-
tively unknown east of Buffalo, yet during the past season there was
hardly a market in any city in the state of New York, in which our
peaches were not a part of the fruit handled by the wholesale and retail
trade. This superior fruit was also sold quite abundantly in Pennsyl-
vania, and on through the southeast and southwest, all of which proves:
that Michigan peaches are taking a foremost place among kindred fruits
offered in various markets. At first the method of shipping in the bushel
basket excited some wonder, but as it was found that these same bushel
baskets were “handy to have in the house” (as the proverb of “Mrs.
Toodles” says in regard to everything from a piece of string to a coffin),
many people bought our fruit to obtain so useful and substantial a
receptacle as compared with the frail Jersey and Delaware half-bushel
baskets, which can hardly be called baskets at all. Again, there were
customers who feared that there was some lack about the fruit put up
in such odd receptacles, and when basketmakers gave us bottoms of
baskets which were the shape of large inverted funnels, though, in

212 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

truth, the baskets might be of the full capacity, there was a lingering
doubt of the honesty of the measurement and consequent fears of being
cheated. But in the end, many peach dealers have declared in favor
of this method of packing.

Beginning after our fruit has been picked from the trees, first sorting,
I would advise that there be three grades of the fruit. The first grade
alone (which includes fancy and choice fruit) should be sent to far-away
markets. There are two reasons for this. First, because it is the only
fruit that will maintain the standard of the peach-growing section, and
secondly, because it does not pay to ship inferior fruit where the expense
of carriage is so great. This grade, if proper care is exercised in hand-
ling, avoiding also hot sun and all rough treatment in transit, can safely
be shipped to markets which can be reached in four to five days. But
in order to do this, the fruit must have proper care, both before and
during transit. In the past season we have set our baskets in a crate,
thereby obtaining a lower transportation rate, and saving the expense
of racking up. Some of our crates were too light and would not stand.
This should be looked after, for the loss is not inconsiderable where the
crate is not sufficient to hold the fruit securely.

For long-distance shipments obtain a refrigerator car with large ice-
box. Ice your car at least six hours before loading, and it will be better
to have the car cooled down even longer than that, as the results for the
fruit would be enough more satisfactory to pay for the extra trouble
and expense. Cars should be re-iced in transit at such points as will
keep the ice boxes at least half full. Rock or coarse salt thrown upon the
ice seems to improve the condition in extremely hot weather. For long
shipments the car should not be filled too full; three hundred bushels
should be the outside limit to ship in one car, as the hot sun on the
roof of the car is a damage to the fruit. The science of refrigeration
has been developed in the past few years so that now fruit can be carried
from California to New York in good order. If you are not a carload
shipper, it would be necessary for you to join some of your neighbors or
else organize an association in order to get the best rates and service.

Promptly on the shipment of fruit to any point, railway companies and
all parties interested should be wired the number of the car, so that
there need be no unnecessary delay. When the fruit has arrived at
its destination, only the door opposite the sun should be opened. If
there is plenty of ice used, the fruit will keep in the car at least four
or five days, or until sold, but I need scarcely say that the less peaches
are handled the better they will maintain their solid and perfect con-
dition.

Second-grade or medium fruit should be shipped to markets near by,
where disposition can be made of it. This will be a matter of economy,
and can be made profitable if handled rapidly and judiciously. Cullings,
or third-class peaches, should not be sent away nor mixed with either
of the above grades, for the reason, as I have before stated, that it is
important to maintain the standard and reputation of our superior
fruit, controlling good markets and commanding the best prices. The
style of package to be used depends largely on the market which is to
be supplied, as different localities fancy different sizes and kinds.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 213

Some of the large eastern cities prefer the half-bushel packages, such
as Jersey peaches are shipped in. To such localities it would be better
to ship in half-bushel packages, for it is not the receptacle of the fruit,
but the peaches themselves, that we desire to market and prove supe-
rior. In small cities the half-bushel basket is not objected to and
can, therefore, be used for such points.

And I will here state (though it is outside of our present subject) that
another of our fruits, the plum, is better shipped in half-bushel baskets,
no matter to what locality shipped. The past two years have absolutely
demonstrated the superiority of Michigan peaches, and I firmly believe
that the coming year will give us an enlarged market, with demands that
will be most flattering and satisfactory.

BY MR. GEORGE W. BARNETT OF CHICAGO.

The title of the subject assigned me presupposes that the fruit has
been perfected and is ready for the market. As two other gentlemen
have papers under the same heading, and as they are in the fruitgrowing
district, I shall assume that the earlier phases of the question will be
discussed by them and confine myself to tracing the course of the
supplies after reaching this city, which may be considered typical of any
large market.

The distribution of the supplies furnished by the fruitgrower, whether
direct or through the agency of others, has gradually become a complex
and complete system. Perhaps I ought not to use the term “complex”,
as each step is well defined and, after all, simple, but I think but few
fruitgrowers have any idea of how complete it is, and to what distances
fruit is exported—the only limit being the cost and ability of the con-
sumer to pay prices commensurate with the necessary expenses and
risks.

There are two routes by which consignments of fruits reach this city—
rail and lake.

Practically all receipts are taken from the depots or docks to the
various places of business as early as practicable after the arrival of
the train or steamer. To make the matter clearer, let us illustrate by
using letters in place of names.

A, a shipper, consigns to Bb, his correspondent, a shipment of fruit.
On arrival, B has his spring wagons in waiting, and takes it to his place
of business on South Water street. There, with other lots of fruit of
different grades, qualities, and conditions, it is examined and offered for
sale. The largest, finest, and every-way-select lots are taken by the -
retail grocers whose patronage is among the “upper ten”, to whom money
is no object, apparently. The grade must be of the very best, quality
superior, and condition perfect. Less than five per cent. of the total
receipts meet the conditions exacted, so that the amount that can be
disposed of to this class of buyers is limited, and their requirements are
also about in the same proportion, so it can be readily seen that but
little can be expected in the way of fancy prices from that source.

The next grade is of really good quality and good condition, so that
it can be handled with a reasonable degree of safety, and good for,

214 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

say, twenty-four hours’ transit to other points, or to be handled safely
by the average retail grocer who supplies the well-to-do classes.

The competition for this class of fruit is the greatest, and often a .
sale turns on the condition only, the shipper often turning from a good
line of fruit and accepting something not so desirable in quality, to
secure that which will reach his customers in good condition. It is
very much better to have a medium grade of quality in good condition
than a fancy line of fruit as to flavor, size, etc., worthless on account of
decay. ;

That fruit which lacks the carrying qualities desired by the shipper
is just right for the retail dealer, and as a rule will class good to choice,
and is readily taken.

There is then left the inferior, both as to quality and condition. For
these, buyers are found among the grocery keepers in the poorer sec-
tions of the city—among the foreign populations. They are good judges
of fruit, and buy to meet the wants of their customers. With them, also,
there are the peddlers, a numerous class and an influential one, whose
trade is necessary in handling large receipts. These latter also use the
refuse, the “off condition” of all grades, and the poorest qualities that
arrive, or that become in poor condition after arrival, as well as a
respectable portion of the better grades, for they sometimes carry a very
good quality of fruit.

Let us trace these different classes a little further, bearing in mind
carefully that there is no arbitrary grading, the perishable qualities of
fruit at times making the “fancy” of 5 a.m. ‘peddlers’ stock” at 5 p. m.
Let us suppose C is a retail dealer having the best patronage. He
selects what he needs (carefully paying no more than he can help—
which remark also applies to all) and no more, has it set aside, and sends
his wagon for it as soon as he has completed his purchases. Arriving
at his store, it is temptingly displayed to catch the eye, and from his
stock he fills his orders, taken often without the price being named in
advance, quality being the chief requirement, sends to his customer,
and charges it up to his account. The transaction is completed—all
but collecting the bill. Many pay; many do not, and during the last
thirty years, of all I have known in the strictly fancy trade, less than
a dozen have earned a competence. But little net profit remains with
them.

The retail dealer, D, who supplied the middle classes, with a fair pro-
portion of the well to do, loads his purchase into his wagon, and at once
goes home to be ready for dinner (noon), placing a moderate advance on
his purchase price as his selling figure. He sells for cash if he «an,
or to his “book” customers at practically the same figure.

He delivers to his customer’s home, if desired, but the bulk of it is
taken at the time of purchase, and he clears out his stock as closely as
possible. The advance charged by the retailer for his labor of selecting,
selling, delivering, and collecting his accounts may be roughly estimated
at 2 cents per box on small fruits, and 2 cents per basket on peaches and
5 cents per peck on apples. This must cover the loss by decay, sampling,
etc., inevitable to the retail trade.

At times, when fruit is scarce, the profit charged will be larger, and
when abundant, less. Sometimes a run is made, and a single dealer will

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 215

buy 100 to 300 baskets and sell at cost, but I consider this as advertis-
ing, not as regular business.

E, the peddler or huckster, buys everything left. It may be “fancy”
or “good” out of condition, “scrubs,” “trash’”—anything is grist for his
mill. With equipments worth ten dollars for horse, wagon, and har-
ness of the Greek beginner, up through the various grades to the
splendid two-horse team and $200 wagon (carrying supplies of all kinds
and manned by three active, enterprising men) of the successful huckster,
the 2.500 members of that great division of distributors are powerful
factors.

Taking their purchases into their wagons they at once start for their
routes and cry their wares. There can be no fixed margin. They get
what they can, take a margin or sell at cost; live on the refuse, and
probably they have only a:dollar- per day on which to support a family.
While their transactions on the whole are enormous, their profits are
very small, and with long hours, penetrating every street and lane
of the city, they earn what they can get. There is not a lane, street,
nor avenue of the city where their voice is not heard, not a block but
is visited by their ram-shackle old wagon, and their apology for a horse
with his harness of straps and strings. Not a house is passed unnoticed,
they are everywhere, and sell the fruit at a margin so close that, as I
have said, their profits are exceedingly small. I honor them, for they
are engaged in an honest calling; I respect them, for they bring to the
very poor, in the poorest sections of the city, a taste, at least, of the
richest and best offering of the country to the city, and we use them
freely in our business and treat them, rough, uncouth, ragged, and
ignorant though they may be, as men, and avail ourselves of their
assistance.

There remains F, the shipper, whose aid is valuable in the disposition
of the receipts from day to day. His selections have been made on
the basis of his orders in hand or prospective. He has carefully studied
the country that can be reached from this city, and by a course of cor-
respondence or personal interview has built up a clientage that orders
from him in such quantities as may be sold profitably. ;

The entire northwest has been carefully studied, and from central
Illinois to middle Missouri, western Iowa, central Minnesota, and all
of Wisconsin, orders have been solicited and some have been received.
Weekly quotations are sent, some houses sending 2,000 to 3,000 at a
single issue. These reach every city, town, village, or hamlet within
reasonable rail communication, and everything else is out of the ques-
tion. He studies the needs of each customer, and having secured the
amount needed to fill his orders, at once commences to send by express
(and there are no less than 185 of these express. trains daily), and to
many points where through freights run the fruit goes largely in that
manner. It is safe to say that there is no spot within 200 miles of
Chicago, with fair means of connection with this market, that can not
have a full supply of fruit.

Now, as to the expense or cost of these shipments. The broker, dealer,
or shipper, is well satisfied if he can realize ten per cent. on his pur-
chases. Let the shipper of fruit to this market consider what it means.
There is the careful selection of fruit, the marking, billing, practi-

216 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

cally guaranteeing of safe delivery, chances of failure of his far-off
customer—and collecting his bill at the end of two weeks to three
months. Applying the test to the fruit broker or shipper, but few
get much more than a living out of the business. The express
and freight companies charge only a fair compensation for the service
performed. Although fruit may come high in central Minnesota or
northern Wisconsin, the dwellers in those far-away regions can not rea-
sonably expect to have fruit brought to them without labor and expense,
although, judging from some correspondence published at times, one
would think so. \

From the above, in which I have touched but briefly the course of
distribution, I give the agencies used in placing the fruit in position,
so that I can easily answer the question, “What becomes of the fruit?” .
It is eaten.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. M. A. Thayer of Sparta, Wis.: I am interested in the distribution.
of fruit. I thought when I saw the subject, “What becomes of it,” I
could tell you something about it; and had I undertaken to have told
you I would have taken only one particular kind of fruit, and that is.‘
your second and third grades. Now, we in Wisconsin think we know
what becomes of your third-grade fruit, because most of the apples that
we get are nice on the top, they are nice on the bottom but they are
very “un-nice” in the center. We find, when we buy a barrel of apples,
we have those nice little barrels, so handy to ship up into Wisconsin; we
find when we buy grapes and peaches we get those little baskets for
a quarter of a bushel, we get five or six ina bushel. It is very generous
in any community to give us so many baskets in a bushel. I am not
speaking for the interests of the Michigan fruitgrowers. I am here in
the interests of Wisconsin consumers. We want good fruit. We would
rather pay you a dollar, we would rather pay you three dollars, for one
bushel of good peaches than to get three bushels of poor peaches for
one dollar. I speak of this because I wish to emphasize the necessity
of fruitgrowers, not only in Michigan but in every state in the Union,
giving us a uniform package, giving us a uniform quality throughout
the package. I wish there could be a law passed by which every package
of fruit that is offered on the market should have placed on that package
the name of the grower (applause). Fruitgrowers must learn that the
time for putting poor fruit into packages without the name stenciled
thereon has gone by. There are some things you must do: you must
give better cultivation, you must give better packing, you must give
better distribution, or go out of the business. It is out of place to speak
of it now, perhaps, but in the growing of fruit you are practically solving
the question of distribution. Good fruit will sell itself. Well-grown
fruit is half sold before you put it on the market, and I wish we could
arrive at some method by which we could grow better fruit and dis-
tribute it better. We of Sparta, where we grow small fruit exclusively,
have been deeply interested in the question of distribution. We have
formed an association and it has worked very nicely. I think there is
no other way for a community to manage to their own best interests

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 217.

except by thorough organization. It is difficult for you perhaps, to
organize so thoroughly, because the smaller growers are suspicious of
the larger, but it must be done, in my own judgment, through an asso-
ciation. (Applause.)

Mr. J. N. Stearns of Kalamazoo: I would like to hear just such
talk as that from every state outside of Michigan. I think if there is
anything we need to learn in this state it is to put our fruit upon
the market in just the way of which this gentleman speaks. -Now, I
‘will give you just a little bit of my experience. I have had men tell me,
who had 20,000 baskets of peaches this year at South Haven, that when
they had paid for their help and packages they hadn’t a dollar left.
Such growers ought not to have a dollar left. (Applause.) Now, I have
had experience in shipping to the state of Wisconsin, to several dealers,
also to several dealers of Iowa and northern Illinois, this year, and
the point of which I wish to speak particularly is that one of those
dealers would write me: ‘Your fruit is nice, but we can’t compete with
our neighbors who are getting their fruit from South Water-st., so
you will have to discontinue.” Now, we had three or four such letters
as that this season, and I want to say to you that invariably those men
came back inside of three days and said, ‘continue our shipments.” °
Why? They got their supply from South Water-st., where we sold our
culls—I will not say culls, but our seconds. We have not sent a bushel
of first-class peaches to Chicago this year. Our refuse goes to South
Water-st.; all our first-class fruit goes to these dealers. Now, their
customers undoubtedly went to them, after discontinuance of our ship-
ments, and having bought this South Water-st. stuff, and they said to
them: “I can not furnish you such fruit as I have been furnishing you,
without a higher price; that fruit costs me a little more in South Haven
than this other does in Chicago, without the transportation across the
lake.” The answer probably was, “Well, we are ready to pay it, only
give us that kind of fruit.’

Mr. J. H. Hale of Connecticut: This subject of fruit markets, which
has been spoken of by these gentlemen at that end of the line, has
always seemed to.me an important matter. We have been talking in our
horticultural societies, and in the agricultural and horticultural press for
years, about the production of fine fruit, and there are a good many men
in America today who are experts in the production of fine fruit; but they
fall far short of getting the full measure of profit out of their labor be-
cause they have not studied the market end of the situation. Now, Mr.
Barnett’s paper went into the details of fruit handling in Chicago. He
‘tells us that but five per cent. of the total consumers there would take fine,
fancy fruit. There is something wrong in Chicago. The fruitgrowers
who distribute the fruit in Chicago have not been educating the people
in Chicago along the right line, if there are but five per cent. of the
people in Chicago who are toned up to buying thoroughly fine fruit.
There is something wrong somewhere, and the grower is to blame. You
ought to go to Chicago, you who are farmers, and hunt it up, and find
why only five per cent. of the people of Chicago buy first-class fruit.
Another thing, we complain of the commission man taking too much
in commission charges. All right—if they do the work; but when Friend

28

218 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Barnett tells us that a second middle-man steps in and does all the out-
side distribution, there is something wrong with the commission man.
His business is not so systematized that he can handle your fruit or
mine and do some business outside of Chicago. There ought to be some
one in his own office who could work up this outside trade. I am sur-
prised that Mr. Barnett frankly confesses to this, that he turns this bust-
ness over to another man and takes fifty per cent. out of you. There is
something wrong in this line, but I am glad he is frank enough to con-
fess it. He is an honest man, but he is not up to the measure of your
business or his business. There is another line of thought which came
to me, and I like it. Your Michigan friends, in touching upon the dis-
tribution of Michigan fruit outside the line of distribution heretofore,
spoke so lustily for the Michigan fruit as being better than anything that
was grown anywhere else, and one of them got it into twenty-one states;
they were proud of it. I was brought up on the Connecticut river and
was led to believe that the Connecticut shad was the best thing of the
kind that ever grew. I heard it from people who lived along the river,
and I believed it until I got out into the world a little and got down
to the Potomac and heard those old people in Maryland and Virginia
’ brag about the Potomac river shad—nothing like it in the world!—and
the same with the Savannah, and you go up to Maine and it is the
same thing with the Penobscot—and they believe it, too—that it was
all the very best shad that swam anywhere. I like that thing—loyalty
to your own fish which swims in your own river; loyalty to fruit, loyalty
to your own; that is right, I believe in that; I like the idea, even if it is
a little mistaken, and we are all mistaken a little. It is just that belief
—belief in Michigan soil, belief in Michigan men and women, belief in
Michigan fruit, all the way through. But put that belief into words,
and put it into packages, and put it into the middle of the packages as
well as on the top. Now, these men are dealers, and they are talking
because there is commission in it, and I want to talk to the growers.
Let them simply believe in the fruit and then get it into the package,
right plumb through from top to bottom, and then do as our friend
Thayer says—get a label on it, stencil it that it is there all right from
top to bottom, and then make the Wisconsin fellow pay for it—make him
pay like thunder for it, too! And the only way that the fruitgrower
can be successful is just by such cheeky chaps as this one coming over
here from Wisconsin and telling you how poorly you do business. The
man who says he handles 20,000 baskets and does not make a dollar does
not deserve to. Learn from these object lessons, and then follow the
man that is making some money and find why he is making it. He
is making it because he is going into the market either personally or
by proxy or both, and studying that line of it, and finding out what
people are doing. Now, the first thing to do in order to make any
money out of the fruit business is to find where the market is, find what
the consumers want, and adopt a scheme that will open their pocket-
books and keep them open, but with honesty and good quality. That is
what you want. You once get them open and you will keep them open.
They like good fruit, they like it well packed, they like it nicely packed,
and there is a great deal to tell about marketing fruit. Let us not blame
the commission men; let us not blame the railroad man, nor blame the re-

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 219

tailer for not getting more for our fruit. Let us come right home. Nearly
all the trouble that lies in fruitgrowing and the lack of profitableness can
be traced right home to the grower. There is where the trouble lies. Nine
times out of ten the man who is unsuccessful is unsuccessful because he
works too hard and he thinks too little. You should sometime take up the
subject of judicious laziness among fruitgrowers. Work less with your
muscles and more with your brains. Plan more and study more from
the market end of it. Mortgage your farm and go to Chicago where
they handle your fruit, and get your eyes opened. Open your eyes to the
market end of the business, and then join hands with the commission
man, men like these here and Mr. Barnett, and others, and get them
interested in your fruit and how well you are growing it; show them how
well you expect to pack it; impress upon their minds that there is real
goodness there, and then they will go back and work for you. They will
have some spirit for work, but not always, because there is always some
uncertainty about what is in the bottom and middle of the package.

Mr. W. W. Rork of Agnew: The fruit business differs very materially
from every other business. So far as we have discovered, no man who is
in it merely for the money ever succeeds. There is something behind
that— love of the business, a love of nature’s life and nature’s needs, as.
well as for the money that may be in it. Too many men are in it for the
money, and that is the reason for these failures. Sometimes induce-
ments are held out to honest men in honest farming business to shove
off into the fruit business for the money that is in it, and they fail every
time. Now, as to these packages. It is good to be at both ends of any
string. Let the buyers be the packers for a while, if you please, and
use the sixth and fifth baskets. If they can put up some kinds of peach
alike from top to bottom, they can do what no honest man can do. They
are of that size that will not fit those little, insignificant baskets. Fruit
was never made to fit them; they are not at all the thing to have, in
my judgment, and especially the sixth. It is a “snide”, it is a curse any-
where; and you can not put, of peaches of a certain size, more than
two or three layers in the fifth, and then it is not more than three
quarters full. Buyers do not want the basket in that condition, and you
can not put in the next grade. If you fill the basket as full as they
demand it over in Wisconsin you must put a smaller layer between or
on top or in the bottom. If you put it on top they will not buy it, and if
you put it in the bottom they will curse it, and the middle is a very
good place for it (laughter).

Mr. L. B. Rice of Port Huron: In regard to Canadian fruit, I wish
to present some facts to show you there is something wrong with our
fruit, and I want you to understand it, that it is wrong. Our president
has alluded to the customs laws between the United States and Canada.
I live on the border, I know something about those laws, and I came
here to tell you something about them. They are shipping apples from
200 miles within their own territory, and 200 miles into our territory, to
Chicago, and they are getting more for their apples at home, and paying
twenty per cent. duty on those they send here, according to the invoices,
than you are getting here. Our president said these apples were
invoiced at forty cents per barrel.

The President: Not today, but they were for a long time.

220 STATE “HORTICULTURAL +SOCLVEY:

Mr. Rice: They may have been at this port of entry here, but at our
port of entry they never have been, and I have heard that in the whole
shipment at our port of entry this year the lowest price per barrel at
which they have entered was sixty cents—the invoice price. We find
that apples have been shipped from Montreal, and the invoice price
of those apples was a dollar per barrel, and those from Brighton $1.50
per barrel. How are they going to pay thirty cents per barrel for duty
and then come into Chicago and compete with you? What is the matter
with their apples? (A voice: “Small in the middle”.) All the apples
that come from Canada, according to our laws, must have the country
from which they came stamped on the head of the barrel, so that every
barrel of apples that comes from Canada is marked “Canadian-grown
apples”, by so-and-so, of such a place. So, when Canadian fruit comes.
into our market it must be tolerably straight or else the buyers go back
on theman. I think if we had some such law in regard to our own apples
it might help us a little. There is one thing in regard to duties that
our people want, and we must have. Canada charges us two cents per
quart on every quart of berries we send over there. The United States
charges them nothing on what they send here. Our small-fruit growers
are completely ruined by the competition, and any man who wishes to
start in the fruitgrowing business would better go over to Canada,
because thereby he will get more markets.

t)

EDUCATION OF HORTICULTURISTS.
BY PROF. L. R. TAFT OF MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

Many of you have undoubtedly heard of the reply of the celebrated
painter, who, when asked with what he mixed his colors, replied,
“Brains”. There is certainly no calling in which a liberal supply of
brains can be used to better advantage than that of horticulture, and
if they are as well cultivated as our fields should be, it will greatly
increase the chances of success.

Education is generally considered from two standpoints, one being its
value as mental discipline and the other as knowledge. During our earlier
school-days the former may well have consideration; but, later on, the
two can wisely be combined. :

In making a selection of the studies that will aid the horticulturist
in his chosen calling, we should not forget that he is also a man and a
citizen; and that, in addition to his purely technical studies, we should
provide others that will aid him in his social and political relations and
in those activities that make up the leisure part of life.

For the mental equipment of the horticulturist, no better advice can
be given than that we combine practice with science, and if we are
able to thus combine the theoretical instruction with the practical it
will do much to insure future success. The horticulturist, even more
than the farmer, should be equipped with a full stock of knowledge, as
he will need it if he is to surround his crops with the conditions that they

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 221

require. This knowledge is particularly desirable for him, as most of
his crops are grown under unnatural and forced conditions, and they
are more likely to be injured by unfavorable climatic and other sur-
- roundings than most of the ordinary farm crops. The higher a plant is
specialized, and the further along certain lines it departs from the
wild type from which it came, the greater will be its value, but the
best results can not be secured unless one is familiar with the require-
ments of the crop in the way of soil, location, food, and care, and has
the practical experience that will enable him to provide these in an
efficient and economical manner.

Herbert Spencer, in his famous essay on education, says: “The great
mass of mankind are employed in the production, preparation, and dis-
tribution of commodities, and their efficiency in their labors depends
upon the use of methods fitted to the respective natures of these com-
modities; it depends upon an accurate knowledge of their physical,
chemical, or vital properties; that is it depends on science. Scientific
culture is necessary that he may understand the why and the how of
these things, and processes with which he is concerned as maker or
distributor.”

By many persons the meaning of the word “science” is not well under-
stood, as it is often used to express contempt or derision. Thus, if a
mian without any knowledge of the calling engages in farming, it will not
be strange if he makes mistakes; but, instead of ascribing his blunders
to his ignorance, his neighbors attribute it to his use of science, and
sneeringly refer to him as an example of a scientific farmer. Others
may have the wildest and most foolish theories, that are contrary to
reason and the experience of the merest tyro, and when they are put
into practice the resulting failures are ascribed to the use of scientific
methods.

The very meaning of the word science, however, shows that this idea
is an erroneous one, as, in its strict derivation, and as properly used, it
means “knowledge”; or in other words, it tells us why and how certain
operations will benefit our crops and certain others will be injurious to
them. In the minds of many persons it is impossible to obtain scientific
information except by taking a college course or by long-continued close
application in the library or laboratory; but, so far as the horticulturist
in concerned, this is far from being true. ;

The work of the horticulturist is to grow plants, and he does this with
the hope that some parts (fruit, flower, stem, leaf, or root) will please
the eye or tempt the palate. If engaged in the business commercially,
the greater will be pecuniary returns, and the higher will be the skill
required, if excellence is attained. It can at once be seen that the
more information he possesses regarding the crops that he grows, the
soil and air by which they are surrounded, and the conditions of moist-
ure and temperature that are most favorable to them, the better will
he be able to handle his crops and provide them with congenial surround-
ings. In order that he may do this, what knowledge must he possess?
As he is to deal with plants, he should know the structure of the differ-
ent parts and the functions that are performed by each. He should
understand the nature of the food required by different plants and the
various parts of the same plants; the temperature at which they will

222 STATE, HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY=.

develop to the best advantage; the character of soil that is suited to
their growth, and the amount of moisture which they need. These and
many other points that relate to the growth of plants are included in
that one of the natural sciences to which the name botany has been
given.

In the early days, botany treated only of the medicinal plants and
their properties, and later on it consisted, as studied in the schools, of
collecting and pressing plants for an herbarium; but the botany of today
is certainly one of the stepping-stones to successful horticulture. It
treats of plants of all kinds, and aids us in understanding the nature of
those that are injurious as well as those that are beneficial. It will
aid us in recognizing the weeds and fungi with which we have to con-
tend, and by informing us regarding their mode of life will enable us
to select remedies for their destruction.

Certain trees (and even orchards of single varieties of apple, pear,
and plum) have often failed to produce a crop of fruit, but the cause was
not ascertained until recently, when it was found that the fruit would
not set unless the flowers were fertilized with pollen from some other
variety. Planters who'are up with the times no longer set large blocks
of one variety. If they know why it is undesirable, they certainly have
some knowledge of botany. We may very properly claim that anything
that relates to the structure or growth of plants is botany, and, although
they might “deny the allegation and disagree with the alligator”, claim-
ing that they knew nothing about botany, the amount of knowledge that
could very well be considered botany, possessed by many of our most
successful horticulturists, would be quite surprising, and we can justly
claim that it has had much to do in securing their success.

The horticulturist must also have a knowledge of the soil in which
his plants are grown, of the character of food that will be furnished by
the different kinds, and the physical conditions that, by varying the
amount of water and air, will render them most favorable to the growth
of the plants. He must also know regarding the various sources of
plant food, the amounts required, and the methods of handling and
applying them. These and hundreds of other points that are of value
to the horticulturist are supplied by chemistry and physics. In these
days, when our soils are becoming exhausted and we need to look about
us for a supply of plant food to keep up their fertility, every one should
be informed of the necessity for and the value of the different kinds of
fertilizer. While most of them have a value that approximates to their
cost, some are occasionally found that, although sold at a high price,
2re not worth the cost of applying them. No one can make a rations
use of fertilizers until he understands both the requirements of his soil
and crops, and the analysis and action of the fertilizer which he uses.

The crops of the horticulturist are attacked at various periods of
their growth by innumerable species of insects, some of which hegin
their attack before the plants are out of the ground, while others keep
up the attack throughout the life of the plant, and in some instances it
is continued even after the crop is harvested. Against nearly all of them
we have remedies that are fairly effective; but, in order that a proper
selection may be made, every horticulturist should be informed regarding
the habits of at least the more common kinds, and their methods of

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING, 223

taking their food, that he may make a proper choice of an insecticide and
apply it profitably. All of this knowledge is offered by the science of
entomology.

Several other natural sciences have more or less bearing upon the
work of the horticulturist, but the above should suffice to show the value
and even the necessity of a knowledge of the sciences, so far at least
as they relate to the growth of plants. The question is often asked,
“How it is that persons without scientific knowledge are often very suc-
cessful?” But is the premise correct? Do not these men possess
scientific knowledge? One does not have to go to college to study
botany, and for my own part I have often been surprised at the array
of facts’ regarding our cultivated plants that have been acquired by
persons who never opened a book on botany, nor attended a botanical
lecture. They are close observers, and, as most of their life has been
spent among plants, they have been able to draw accurate conclusions
regarding many points that relate to the growth of plants, even before
they came to the notice of the so-called scientist; and, as they have
shaped their practices accordingly, it has undoubtedly contributed to
their success.

Many growers rely almost entirely, in growing their crops, upon empiri-
cal data, which they have acquired either by personal observation or
from others, but just as soon as the facts have been established and
the laws upon which they depend are understood, it at once becomes
science.

There are several objections to relying entirely upon this method of
obtaining knowledge, among which the following should be noted: (1)
the length of time required to secure the facts, and, as they might vary
with the different soils, seasons, and varieties, it might take years to
establish them; (2) the chance that all of the conditions were not under-
stood, or the conclusions correctly drawn, and that this might lead to
failure when practically applied; (83) inability to adapt one’s self to
changed or new conditions. On the contrary, it will be possible, in a com-
paratively short time, by studying the laws that control the various
phenomena, and when this knowledge is acquired we shall be prepared
to acquaint ourselves with the facts that have been obtained by others.
With this as a foundation we shall be able to meet emergencies that
may arise, and can surmount them easier than if we grope along blindly
and obtain our facts from the slow, hard school of experience.

After writing the above I accidentally ran upon two quotations, regard-
ing the value of chemistry and botany, by two men than whom few have
been of greater aid to horticulture, namely, Baron Liebig the chemist,
and Prof. Lindley the botanist; and, as showing what they thought of
the value of these sciences, allow me to repeat them: ‘The scientific
basis of agriculture embraces a knowledge of all the conditions of vege-
table life, of the origin of the elements of plants, and the source from
which they derive their nourishment,” is the statement of Liebig; and
“vood agriculture and horticulture are founded upon the laws of vege-
table physiology, and no man deserves the name of gardener who does
not know the way in which plants breathe, feed, grow, digest, and
have their being.”

224 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

For the young man who expects to follow horticulture in any of its
branches, or in fact any other line of agriculture, I would strongly
recommend a course at Michigan Agricultural college. I find that the
work and yalue of agricultural colleges are not understood by a majority
of the people, and least of all by the class who should be the most
deeply interested in them, the farmers themselves. The ideas of their
work vary, some thinking that the only instruction given is in handling
a hoe or a plow, while on the other hand there are some whose concep-
tion of the curriculum is that it consists of a mass of ologies and other
trash that are of no earthly use to the farmer.

In the better class of these colleges the instruction covers four years
and is intensely practical. While considerable attention is given to the
sciences, they are taught in their relation to the growth of the plants
and animals with which the farmer is concerned, botany, chemistry, and
entomology® receiving particular attention. In both horticulture and
agriculture, the details of the care required by the different crops are
considered at length. In fruit culture each of the fruits is discussed
in turn, the instruction covering such topics as the original type, methods
by which they have been improved, their propagation and care in the
nursery, the soil and location for a permanent plantation, the distance
and methods of planting, their cultivation and care, pruning, spraying,
gathering, packing, and marketing. In vegetable gardening a similar
outline is followed. More-or less attention is also given to floriculture,
both for the home and for conservatories. The building and care of
greenhouses and hotbeds and the growing of the more important crops,
including both flowers and vegetables, has attention. The decoration of
the grounds about one’s home, including grading, laying out walks and
drives, locating and arranging groups of trees and shrubs, and the con-
sideration of the characteristics of the different species of plants used
for landscape decoration, also receive some time.

Aside from the above, which may be considered technical instruction,
every agricultural college gives some time to what may be considered
general culture studies. In fact, the curriculum is not unlike the scien-
tific course in other colleges. Mathematics, including algebra, geometry,
trigonometry, with practice in field work; a thorough training in the
English language, with some acquaintance with its best literature; while
physics, anatomy, and physiology, meteorology, veterinary science, his-
tory, psychology, political economy, drawing, and other studies all have
a place.

It will thus be seen that a graduate from an agricultural college will,
in addition to a good general education, possess a technical training that
will fit him for any calling along agricultural lines. In many of the
colleges considerable attention is paid to practical work in both agri-
culture and horticulture, that the students may be familiar with the
use of the various implements and understand the methods of caring
for the different crops.

Many young men do not possess the time and money required for the
four-years course, and the colleges in a dozen or more states have
arranged to give six-weeks courses during the winter in such special
lines as fruit culture, floriculture, dairying, and stock husbandry. In

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 225,

these courses the instruction will be strictly along practical lines, and
will include the sciences that have a bearing upon the general subject.
The expenses will be very small, and many young men who expect to
follow agriculture or horticulture have arranged to take them. No
entrance examination will be required, and the instruction will be such
as will require no previous preparation.

Some five years ago the Michigan Agricultural college established for
the benefit of the farmers of the state a course of home reading along
various lines, such as field crops, livestock husbandry, orchard and gar-
den, domestic economy, and civil government. Any one can read in any
or all of the lines, and the only expense will be for the books. The college
has mapped out the course of reading, arranged for the purchase of
the books at reduced rates, and when the reading of the books of a certain
course has been completed, and satisfactory examination papers have
been submitted, gives a certificate to that effect. Unless one desires the
certificate no examination is required. :

The Michigan state experiment station from time to time issues bulle-
tins of interest to horticulturists, which are mailed to anyone desiring
them. Not only do they give the results obtained at the Agricultural
college and at the sub-station at South Haven, but they are based upon
the reports received from nearly one hundred persons who are aiding in
the work. The station receives annually hundreds of letters of inquiry
upon various topics, and in arranging the work an endeavor is made
to carry out experiments in these lines, if necessary, and to include in the
bulletins such information as is most generally called for.

The Michigan State Horticultural society holds three or four meetings
each year in different parts of the state, and by attending its sessions
one can obtain many practical points from our leading gardeners and
fruitgrowers that can not fail to be of value. In many counties there are
flourishing auxiliary societies that hold frequent meetings, and much
good can be obtained by attending them.

The state board of agriculture each year holds a farmers’ institute in
each county, at which, in addition to topics of general interest, one or
more papers are presented that relate to horticulture. Last year a fruit
institute, conducted much the same as a college class, and lasting four
days, was held at South Haven, and this year there will be a similar one
at Shelby. The reports of this society and many of the papers read at
farmers’ institutes are printed and distributed, thus forming a perma-
nent record for reference.

Among other sources of information that should not be overlooked
are various horticultural books and periodicals. Many of the former
are somewhat out of date, but each year several are published that have
been brought well up to the time of publication. As a rule the writers
are well-known specialists, and they have combined in their books their
own experience and the facts that they have been able to draw from the
experience of others.

In the way of weekly and monthly periodicals, every branch of horti-
culture has several that are worthy of support. The ideas obtained from
them, as compared with those from books, have the advantage of being
fresh, and as they keep us informed regarding the methods used by the

29

226 STATE’ HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
leading men in the calling, no one who expects to keep up with the times:
will be without them.

I have endeavored to point out some of the methods by which the
horticulturist can better fit himself for his life work, but while I believe
that we should get all the good possible from them, the advantages that
we can obtain will be in proportion to our own capacity. No training
that can be given will make up for a lack of common-sense, as this is
something that can not be acquired. If one has a supply of sound,
horse-sense, with which to apply the principles upon which horticulture
is based, a sound technical education can not fail to be valuable; but,
with rooms to rent in the upper story, a man, even though “college bred,”
is like a ship without a rudder, and is likely to run upon the rocks.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. J. G. Hancock of Grand Haven: I would like to ask Prof. Taft a
question. He spoke of the special course, the six-weeks course. He said
the cost was not much. I would like you to give something of an idea
of the cost of that special six-weeks course, and when it commences for
the present winter; or if there if more than one course.

Prof. Taft: I would say to Mr. Hancock and the others that the col-
lege has four courses. They all commence at the same time, on the 4th
day of January, and the only expense, aside from board, will be $2.50,.
so far as the college is concerned. That is what we call the incidental
fee. There is an arrangement under way by which you can obtain board,
either near the college or in Lansing, at $3 per week (board and room,
light and fire), and for six weeks it would be $18. If you board in Lan-
sing, unless you wish to walk back and forth, about three miles each
way, it will cost you ten cents per day for street-car fare, but after you
reach Lansing this will be the entire cost, except perhaps a small expense
for note paper and things of that kind; but no books nor anything of that
kind.

Mr. Hale: JI certainly am in great sympathy with the work of the
agricultural colleges, in their effort to advance the interests of agricul-
ture. I always regretted that in my boyhood days I did not have the
opportunities of education, or of a scientific agricultural education. I
know that the scientists themselves have been a very great help to me,
with what little ability I had to grasp the knowledge they offered.
Every line of our scientific work is of aid to the farmer and the fruit-
erower, and the man that calls to his aid the opportunities that are
given by our experiment stations and by our colleges, and utilizes their
work, I am sure, is the one who gets the most enjoyment out of his labor
and the most final returns. But there is a thing that has puzzled me,
and it is puzzling me now and has for some time. I thought perhaps
Prof. Taft let the whole thing out in his most admirable paper, when
he said, after telling what they were doing with the boys and the oppor-
tunities that the boys had, that they could not help them if there were
“rooms to rent in the upper story’; and I have wondered, as a working
erower and one obliged to employ a good many men, if it was a fact that
all the boys who went to the agricultural colleges were the ones that

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING, 227

had surplus rooms in the upper story, because I have employed quite a
number of college graduates and they are not “up to snuff” in fruitgrow-
ing with the average farm boy or with some of the sons of toil. I have
within a year or two got some of these short-course students, and I am
blest if you don’t seem to hammer more into them in the six weeks than
you do in four years. I want to get out of Prof. Taft and a lot of other
college men, what there is in a college education that helps a man so far
along that he ceases to be most useful; and yet I believe thoroughly in
it. Do not understand that I am going back on your work; but at the
present time I want a superintendent for my Georgia farm, I want a
superintendent to take hold of that great peach orchard down there, and
I will pay him a good liberal salary, give him a new house to live in,
a good horse and carriage, and all free plunder of the farm; but I will
finally engage a man that has not graduated from an agricultural college,
because I can find one with more horse-sense and more practical, scien-
tific knowledge and capabilities in managing that peach orchard, than I
ean find anywhere else. The colleges are not to blame for it, but who in
the name of the board of trustees is to blame? I do not belittle the agri-
cultural colleges. I do not know how I could run my business without
the knowledge they have given me; but what do you do with the boys,
that you so thoroughly deinoralize them?

Mr..W. W. Rork of Agnew: We are heartily in sympathy with this
paper, and we believe that the lack of knowledge is the worm at the
root of our whole plan; and it has been grown and ingrown into us that,
if you have a bright-eyed, smart boy or girl, lead him somewhere else
thai to the soil. If he is smart, do not make a farmer of him; and as
soon as a boy begins to twist his mustache he thinks he is‘smart, and he
is aiming at something else. Then another idea prevails, that if you
are aiming the boy for the farm he does not need to know much—any
ignoramus will do for a farmer. People think that any one who can
grow rye can run a peach orchard, and run it tip-top; but they know
nothing about life. They do not known that vegetation has life, and they
do not know that it has conditions. There is no upper room, sir; they
live in the basement, and they have no upper rooms.

Mr. R. M. Kellogg of Three Rivers: I can understand pretty well how
Mr. Hale’s remarks should apply to every other college but an agricul-
tural college. I believe in education, I believe in college education, I
believe a man never gets to know too much; but, unfortunately, in most
of our literary colleges they do get to know so much that they do not
know quite enough to get a living. We are bringing out of our colleges
a race of dudes. They are good for nothing on earth. They are a little
too proud to work, and they do not know enough to get a living without
work. I can understand how Mr. Hale should hunt the country over to
find a college man and not get a superintendent for his farm. But if
I had a boy and he was here, I would have him éducated on the Agri-
cultural college ground. I am not a college-educated man; I am sorry
for it, but it was not my fault. It was because I did not get there,
and I am suffering in consequence. I have been at our Agricultural
college a good deal, and I have studied their workings; and if I had a
boy I would send him down there and have him taught to do things
and to know how to get a living. Now, I know that a man can not go to

ca

228 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

that Agricultural college and spend six weeks without coming home and
knowing how to raise better fruit than he is raising now. I know their
methods and I know that the institution ought to receive better support
in Michigan than we are giving it now, and it ought to enjoy the patron-
age of every young man in this state.

Prof. Taft: I am sure Mr. Hale’s experience is not with the Michigan
college boys, but possibly I can account for his own experience in the
Nutmeg state by telling a story about a farmer who had two sons.
One was a very bright young man and the farmer thought he knew
enough to run a farm; at least, he was kept at home to work on the
farm. The other one was a half-way fool, and was sent to college—to
even things up. While he was away, the farmer had a calf that he was
raising, and he was trying to teach him to drink milk. He tried and
tried, but it was no success, and finally he wanted to know what in
thunder to do with the calf. The boy who was at home quickly
remarked, ‘Father, send him to college along with Bill.”

The President: I am one of the poor unfortunates who had to go to
growing fruit without an education, and I tell you today that, with my
experience, I would give a boy just as good an education, if I expected
him to grow fruit in the future, as I would if I expected him to be a
lawyer or a doctor. I would make a man of him first, I would broaden
him, I would make him believe there was something in him, I would
give him confidence in himself and in the world, and that is only gained
by the respect for himself which is gained by a good education. I
do not care whether you put him in the Agricultural college or
any of the technical schools; but broaden him, let him _ under-
stand that he is a man and a good one; but if he has not good
material in him it does not make any difference where you put him—he
will not amount to anything. I think a great deal of this criticism
that comes on young men is noticed because they are college students;
but we have a great many more young men who are practical failures
that are not college students than we have among the college students,
but we do not notice them. An effort has been made to make something
of the young man that goes to college; and if he fails the whole neigh-
borhood notices it, and he is a marked man; but the boy who fails to
get that education and goes to the dogs is not noticed, because he has
never been noticed and never comes to your notice; and I think this is
responsible for the ideas of this character. Mr. Hale has had some
experience. He tells us that he would like a capable, clean, bright, col-
lege-bred man, who is capable of taking charge of his farm.

Mr. Hale: I want a man that is capable of taking care of it, I do
not care where he comes from. If from the college, so much the better.

The President: I will engage to introduce Mr. Hale to a young man,
college-bred and a gentleman, before he leaves this hall, whom I believe
perfectly competent to do that. If they can get together, I have found
his man, and he is.a college-bred man, too. I think that this is a matter
that is very serious, and I think many of us believe, who have not
the opportunity now and did not get it in our youth, that the rising
generation needs the benefit of the best that we have in sight in the
way of education.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 229

Mr. M. A. Thayer: I have had some experience in the employment of
short-course men, and it is my experience that every farm-boy in the
country should take a short course. It is a grand thing. But the
greatest trouble is, it seems to me slow, so few get the benefit of it.
In Wisconsin it is limited to 100 per year, and still that is a fair
attendance. I have no doubt it is the same in Michigan and other
states. It seems to me it is too slow to reach the masses of people.
The education of our farmer boys, in my opinion, must come largely
from the newspapers «f the country. We need more of them. The
fact is, the subscrip:::1 to our newspapers ought to be increased a
hundred per cent. We have agricultural and horticultural papers in
this country that should count their subscribers by the million. We
have in our farmers’ homes too great a scarcity of the newspaper.
Now, we all know what the relation of cultivation is to products, in
a practical way. I believe that the same relation exists between the
newspapers and the home, and there ought to be some way devised
by which those papers can be put into the homes of all our farmers.

Mr. J. G. Ramsdell of Traverse City: I will say a word as a friend
of the college. I have been intimately acquainted with it and its work
since its very foundation. It has not been all that it might have been.
It has been singularly blest with the best faculty, or as good a faculty,
as a college ever lad, from its very foundation to the present time.
The board “ot agriculture, up to recent times, have been extremely con-
servative, but that was not the worst. The worst was the lament-
able ignorance and unreasoning prejudice of such farmers as chanced
to be elected to our legislature. Now, there may be some difficulty
with the boys, but the great difficulty is in the wide space between
the way practical agriculture is carried on and the idea they get at
the college. Their ideas are beyond their means when they get home.
They have a sort of mania for experimenting, and they are very likely
to fail for want of the means; and I fear that if Mr. Hale should
take a person because he was well educated at a college, and gradu-
ated from the Agricultural college, and place him upon his fruit farm,
he would be experimenting on Mr. Hale’s money. I think that is one
of the difficulties of our college.

Prof. John Craig of Ottawa, Canada: It is sometimes interesting
to see ourselves as dthers see us, and across the border I have an
epportunity (as your experiment stations on this side are kind enough
to send us copies of all the bulletins issued, and the annual reports)
of comparing the work of each, as it appears on paper, at least, and
occasionally I have an opportunity of comparing the actual work of
the stations, as I have this morning, comparing it with the work of
our stations in Canada. There are in my mind four or five stations
(I am not in college work, but purely experimental work) in the United
States that stand out in bold relief in comparison with all others for
doing work which seems to me eminently practical, and work which
comes near to and touches the farmer, and which, as one gentleman
who spoke said, is the kind that would incite in a student a love for
the work; and that, it seems to me, is at the root of the whole matter
that Mr. ’ Hale brought up. Now, he may have had experience with

230 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

a lot of those boys who were thrust into the college because their par-
ents saw no other place in life for them to go. Perhaps their fathers
saw they had not brains enough to make lawyers or, doctors, and they
were too wild to be put into the city colleges, and so were sent to
pasture in the agricultural colleges and turned loose on the world
later on. I know something of them. We Have in Ontario a sort of
pasture ground for a great many English youths who are sent over
from London, whose fathers are wealthy and do not know what to
do with them; they send them over to our agricultural college in Ontario,
and there the authorities try to fill them with learning, and the boys
try to fill the place with mischief.

Mr. Hale: Which succeeds best?

Prof. Craig: Well, it is even up; sometimes the boys get ahead.
But to return to what I intended to say at the first. It was that
there are four or five stations that stand out prominently ahead of
all others in the good work, today; and, I may mention without any
invidious comparison, Michigan stands not far from the head, if not
at the head of this small list which I have made of the whole lot.
The work done by the experiment station of Michigan Agricultural col-
lege, and particularly that department in which I am interested, the
horticultural department, stands well up in the list of all the col-
leges in the United States. In some cases the character of the work
is such that it touches our conditions, and therefore comes nearer to
us, and is of a kind which is not only scientific but unites science
with practice; and I just wish to say, as an entire outsider and one
entirely unbiased, that it seems to me that any farmer who is able
and does not give his son an opportunity of a full course, and if not
a full course such a short course as Professor Taft has outlined this
afternoon, is doing his son an injustice which his son will be inclined
to remember in his later days, and for which he himself will probably
be sorry sometime during his life.

The President: There is a common practice among politicians of
saying, “We point with pride,” in their platforms—of opening a plat-
form with that expression, and the Michigan Agricultural college, if
they would say anything to you, might say, “We point with pride to
the young men we have turned out, who are now occupying promi-
nent positions.” They could give you a long list of men who are known
the length and breadth of this nation, who a few years ago were mere
Michigan farm boys, who are now making their mark in the world,
and from whose heads has come information that has yielded mil-
lions of dollars to us other fellows who are plodding along. The
Michigan Agricultural college has that record, and if you will take
pains to investigate it you will find it so.

¢

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING, 231

OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIENCE IN THE ORCHARDS THE PAST
SUMMER.

BY MR. J. J. GEE OF WHITEHALL

When asked if I would prepare a paper for this meeting, I replied
that I would if I survived the fruit harvest in which I was then
engaged; and, while perhaps it has not been a “survival of the fittest,”
it certainly has been the survival of one who has had to hustle early
and late, with “green” help and ripe fruit, and sometimes over-ripe
at that.

You remember Dr. Franklin makes Poor Richard say: “He that by
the plow would thrive, himself must either hold or drive.” But I am
inclined to think, if Peor Richard had been in the fruit business last
summer, he would have found it quite necessary to both hold and
drive, at least part of the time.

In this paper I desire to give the observations and experiences of
a beginner. During the last six years the writer has been buying
and planting such varieties of peach, plum, pear, cherry, and apple
~as seemed most desirable for this climate, having at this time about
7,500 trees, largely of bearing age. As nearly half are peach, I will
refer to these first. ;

The orchard was plowed very early, before blossoming, and, to the
writer’s surprise, not a tree of any sort, except Elberta, showed any
curl-leaf, while other orchards near by, under similar conditions in
every way, except later cultivation, were quite badly affected. Part
of the orchard was sprayed, both before and after the leaves came
out, including the Elbertas, leaving some of this sort unsprayed; but
no effect was noticed. The Elbertas’ curled quite badly, and during
a time when the weather was not disturbed by sudden change of tem-
perature, it being warm, growing weather with considerable rain. Some
trees of this sort were curled much more than others, and yet condi-
tions were all the same. It came on very suddenly, then gradually
disappeared. In an orchard just east of the village of Shelby, of about
ten acres, the writer noticed twelve rows across the west side that
were badly curled; and, as he had observed before that the varieties
in this orchard run the other way. inquiry was made as to the cause.
The answer was that the curled trees had received late culture, the
others early, and none had been sprayed.

In regard to trimming my trees, I cut back heavily, but made the
mistake of not cutting out the center enough. The new growth came
out so thick and heavy that the fruit, when shaded too thickly, lacked
color; and T am certain that all the fruit would have been larger if
more large as well as small branches had heen removed.

In regard to thinning, I noticed some sorts required more than others,
especially Snow’s Orange, Chili, and Barnard; also that one boy with
a man will thin more fruit in a given time than three boys with the

232 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

same man, especially if they are interested in base ball talk, and that
all boys would rather thin peaches in August or September than in
June; that they will do better work if paid twice per day than once
per month. The heavier and harder the soil, the smaller were the
peaches; and the more moisture the soil contained, even where it had
been very difficult to make the trees live on account of the damp
nature of the soil, the larger the fruit. The peach wants plenty of
moisture, at the ripening stage, and this damp soil had it when most
needed, in hot August and September weather. I noticed that the
peaches hanging near the ground and those on the tips of the long-
est limbs ripened first; that Jaques Rareripe drops badly if not picked
at just the right time; that some pickers can never learn when a
peach is fit to pick; that Wager, when well grown, is a beauty under
tarletan, and an excellent shipper. That all peaches sold better in
the Chicago market in fifth-bushel baskets than in bushel baskets, by
twenty-five to fifty per cent.; that a tree that was blown down in early
spring and when straightened up had most of the roots broken off,
bore the largest fruit of its sort in the orchard and made a fair growth.
Query: Why not root-prune by “plowing deep while sluggards sleep”
and have large peaches to sell and keep?—which is not exactly accord-
ing to Poor Richard.

The writer sowed five acres of oats, in August, as advised by Mr.
Morrill, and they were a foot high and very thick when the leaves
fell, thus holding a fine leaf-mulch all around the tree where needed.
We can not afford to lose the cheapest and best of all tree fertilizers,
the foliage from the tree, as this contains the very elements neces-
sary to tree growth; and the oat crop, if thick, will hold it.

As to plums, Lombard, as usual, came to the front with a fine crop,
but showed up much better on the tree and in the basket than in
the pocket-book. Shipper’s Pride has proved a delusion to the writer,
thus far, the only attractive thing about it being its name. In grow-
ing prunes, the writer must have the wrong strain, as the trees hold
neither foliage nor fruit, although by spraying I hope to correct this
fault. Many of the Prince Engleberts cracked on one side, letting
the gum ooze out; this was caused by a heavy, cold wind and storm
when fruit was about the size of small peas. All the plums turned
black where the wind struck them, and I thought the crop almost
ruined. Later, most of them regained their normal color, but Engle-
bert suffered most. Abundance dropped badly as soon as ripe. This
sort, like Clapp’s Favorite pear, has to be watched closely and picked
at just the right time. Burbank is much the better shipper, but both
sorts are rather early for the canning trade, for people do not like to
put up fruit when the weather is too hot.

In regard to growing the cherry, a mistake was made in not pick-
ing off the fruit before grown, from the English Morello, the first three
years after planting. This neglect resulted in a very small growth of
iree.

In starting a pear orchard, about. 500 dwarf Angouleme were set
to supply fruit while the standard trees were coming into bearing;
but though they are six years old they have never borne five bushels,

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL -.MEETING. 233

while the standards (Bartlett and Clapp Favorite) have had a fine crop.
The soil and cultivation are same for each. Who will give an explana-
tion? The Angoulemes blossomed each year, except one, and have
other sorts mixed with them that do bear.

The quince orchard failed to blossom, owing, I think, to the slug
destroying the foliage the year previous, but by spraying the past sum-
mer the trees have held their foliage and I shall expect better results
next season.

As to apples, I do not know as they are worth mentioning. After
planting and waiting twelve years, I got the first crop, and now do
not know what to do with it. For my first shipment, ten crates of
fall apples, I received a draft for thirty-one cents. The second ship-
ment, five barrels of choice fruit, gave me just thirty-one cents less
than the first. Shall we lay it to “free silver” or to the “gold stan-
dard”? We will let the politician decide. However, to a “man up
a tree,” especially an apple tree, it looks like a case of over-production
and under-distribution.

In planting a couple of thousand gooseberries, I made the mistake
of setting them in the plum orchard; for I believe that, when plums
are set rather closely, they need all the ground, and the berry plants
prevent the use of the wheelbarrow bug-catcher.

Since the experience of 1896, the writer is confident that, to make
a success of fruitgrowing on a large scale, requires as much tact, energy,
and perseverance as do commercial or manufacturing enterprises; for
if not well conducted, the orchardist may find himself in the condi-
tion of a groceryman in our town who formerly sailed a lumber craft
on lake Michigan. I asked him one day which paid the better, sailing
or selling groceries. “Well,” he said, “when .sailing I made a living
and a little more; now I make a living and a little less.”

BY MR. BENTON GEBHART OF HART.

As I will not be able to meet with you at this time, perhaps you
will excuse me and accept my good-will with a few words on new
and most profitable varieties of fruits as tested by me the past season.

As regards peaches, a great many were not satisfactory this season.
Both new and old varieties were not up to size nor quality. Elberta
and Lemon Free stand at the head among new varieties.

In plums, only the large blue and late-ripening varieties were of any
value for profit. Burbank, Gueii, Hudson Egg, German Prune, Quack-
enbos, Black Diamond, and Stanton were all good and gave fair returns.

In apples there were fine specimens of every old standard variety,
with many new ones also. Hulbert is one of the best and finest eat-
ing apples at this season of year. Its fruit is of size of Wagener, red
in color, very crisp and tender. Of several new varieties fruited, Sutton
Beauty is a very large and fine red apple, a fine grower, but not so very
productive on seven-year trees. McIntosh is the finest in appearance
and quality of all fall apples, with me; beautiful dark red and very
productive. Wealthy is productive, but ripens and drops its fruit too

30

234 STAFE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

early in ihe season; not wanted for market. Pewaukee is a large, fine
apple, and productive, not highly colored. Shackleford bears young but
is of poor color and quality. do not like its style, so far, but Salome and
Pyle’s Red surpass all others, this season, on young trees, considering
productiveness, fine, large, sid showy fruit, good keeping; and they hang
well on the trees a long time, even in high winds, a most remarkable fea-
ture. Pyle is the larger of the two, and most beautiful, of good size,
and high color.

Now, a little as to small fruits. In currants, Wilder, Fay, Prince
Albert, and Victoria, in the order named, have been most profitable
for market, thus far. As to raspberries, very few varieties have again
proved to be of any value or a success for market purposes. I per-
mitted my newer varieties to produce too many young plants, which
prevented them from bearing much fruit.’ Loudon Red proves very
promising in growth and size and fine color of berry. Marion’s Choice
aud Kenyon are poor growers, and yield small, poor berries so far.
I can not recommend them. Miller Red also is very promising, both
as to growth of the plant and as a fine market berry. Royal Church
crumbles too much, and is a failure for market. Marlboro as yet stands
No. 1 for profit with early fruit for market. Among black-caps, Kan-
sas as yet leads all others by far in all points, as a first-class market
berry. It is very hardy in cane, fruit extra-large, immensely productive,
and fruit handles well on the market. Conrath, growing beside Kan-
sas, blighted somewhat, on both the canes and foliage, is not so fine
a grower in cane; and, while less productive, fruit is large and of fine
quality. Lotta, I fear, is a failure, and has disappointed me, so far,
as a late variety. In blackberries, Western Triumph, Erie, Early ling,
and Minnewaski have proved good.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Hale: I noticed what Mr. Gebhart said in relation to Sutton
Beauty apple. I am not largely interested in apple-growing; but, inter-
ested in fruitgrowing, I have been studying the market apples of America
quite closely for a good many years, and it is my deliberate judgment,
after considerable study and thought on it, that Sutton Beauty is the
best apple that is known in America today. I do not know in how
wide a range of territory it will grow successfully. It originated in
(he town of Sutton, Massachusetts, a good many years ago, and has
been grown and marketed in the vicinity of Worcester a good many
years. I think it has not been distributed over the country, only within
the past ten years, to any extent. The tree is a fine grower, far more
hardy than Baldwin, fully as productive; it has a yellow skin cov-
ered with red, a clearer and brighter red under the same conditions
than Baldwin; much the better keeper, and of incomparably better
quality. It is a very fine commercial apple indeed, or family apple.
It is an apple well worth considering. JI am well pleased with it.

Professor Craig: Will it ship weil?

Mr. Hale: Yes, sir; it is a good shipper, a good handler.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING 235

A. Member: I would like to hear the opinion of the president on
Elberta, Kalamazoo, and Chair peaches.

The President: My opinion of Elberta is that we are not quite pre-
pared to judge fully of it, but at present I am impressed with the idea
that it is one of the very best things in sight. The past season it has
shown up better than anything else through the whole lake shore
region, I think. It has fruited with me three years, and I am very
favorably impressed with it. I have only one thousand trees of Elberta,
but wish I had ten thousand; I would take my chances on them. The
buds are peculiar in one respect, in their hardiness; but there is a
difference in buds, in hardiness, under different conditions, I have dis-
covered. In a normal condition we can depend upon certain varie-
ties to be hardier than under certain other conditicns. In the spring,
conditions change entirely, and Elberta appears to be, as a partially
developed bud, much hardier than anything else of which I know,
and that is a point worth considering in any location where we are
likely to have them started by warm weather in the winter. As to
its hardiness otherwise, as compared with our Michigan varieties, it
is not up with Lewis, Gold Drop, nor Kalamazoo, but it is pretty
close to it, and it is much better than Crawford or anything of that
class. Ikalamazoo is said to be identical with Brunson. If this is
true, you may discuss them both together, but I do not know that it
is. I know that those who have both say it is.

Mr. Lyon: It can not be, as I have it. :

The President: It can not be, as a matter of fact, I think, except
that it might be practically identical, because Brunson originated in
Genton Harbor, while Kalamazoo originated with Mr. Stearns, in Kala-
mazoo; consequently they are not identical (there is no question about
the origin of the two trees). Kalamazoo is a handsome, medium-size
yellow peach with a slight red cheek, a little oblong, of clearest skin,
free from blemishes, apparently very hardy, and commences to bear
right away; my trees bear right away and show. fruit buds in the
nursery; my trees that are eight years old have always borne and
had to be thinned.

Mr. Hale: What is its season of ripening?

The President: Its season is about ten days after Early Crawford.

Q. How about Chair? The President: I do not know the peach at
all, though I have seen it. It is a remarkably fine peach, but as to
its qualities I do not know.

Q. How about Fitzgerald? The President: Fitzgerald is a new thing
and aman ought not to say too much about it now, but I am prolubly
more favorably impressed with that than anything in sight. It is of
Canadian origin. It should be a good thing, as the report on it is that
it has proved hardy there. I hope Professor Craig can tell us some-
thing of that before we get done with it. With me it has been fruiting
two years, commencing on one-year-old trees. They showed up finely
Jasi year. At two years old they bore from a few samples to half a
bushel to the tree. I have a hundred of those out, I think. They are
of size equal to Crawford and they are much more brilliant in color
than Crawford. I was talking with Mr. Hale about it today. He seems

236 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

to have seen those that were not so brilliant, but in my case they were,
aiid I can not really account for that. I sent some down to the New
York state fair and they received very favorable comment there, but
I do not think that I have had a chance to see the peach at its best,
because my trees are only two years old, and we all know that no
peach tree shuws what it will do entil later than that. As a com-
parative test uf hardiness, last winter we had weather eighteen degrees
below zero for a short time, and on one side of my Fitzgeralds stand
Lewis trees, which most of you know; on the other side stand Crosby.
This spring, before the buds started I counted two hundred buds on
each of several varieties. I found o: ]ewis 15 dead buds, on Crosby
27, on Fitzgerald 2, and I think that was a pretty good showing for
a great, big, fine peach, as they appeared 1» be; and they have a remark-
able feature, the smallest pit I ever saw in a first-class peach. Now,
if they go on, and do not develop any faults, I think they are a good
thing.

Mr. Riehl: I want to say to those gentlemen who were asking about
Chair, that we have it in several stations of southern Illinois, and
invariably it has done well. It is a fine grower and a good-looking
fruit, sends its fruit all over the tree, and all of it in good shape. It
has much of the character of Elberta in that respect, and the quality
is A No.1. It is tip-top in quality.

The President: Professor Craig, what do you know of the Fitzgerald
peach?

Professor Craig: I think, Mr. President, you have said just about
ali that I know, actually and personally, of the Fitzgerald peach, and
I can go just about as far as you have gone, from personal knowledge.
I know that a few growers think very highly of it and are prepared
to touch it very strongly, and are planting it very heavily; but it is
a new thing, and it has been planted on this side almost as long
as it has on the other, with the exception of one or two points where
it is doing very well. I think it is one of the most promising of the
early peaches, but still I think that it is in the experimental stage.
That is just the sum and substance of it.

The President: That is my opinion of it.

Q. What isits time of ripening? The President: It is between Early
Crawford and Elberta.

Professor Craig: That is, it comes in when the Early Crawford sea-
son is about half over.

The President: I was at a little disadvantage in naming the sea-
son, because my trees are only two years old, while my Early Craw-
fords are seven or eight years old, and, you understand, fully ripen
a week: or so earlier; my Fitzgerald trees will ripen earlier two years
from now than they do now.

Mr. Hale: I think your statement entirely agrees with my experi-
ence in my orchard. You said it came between Early Crawford and
Elberta, and Mr. Craig said when the Crawford season was about
half over. In our orchard, Elberta begins to ripen just about the end
of the Crawford season, and Fitzgerald will fit in just about between
them. JI am growing Fitzgerald, but they are not fruiting; the sam-
ples of it which I have had from Canada were very large, of rather

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 237

a dull yellow color, inclined to a little bit of woolliness (it did not
need shearing, it probably had been clipped on the other side, to save
the duty on the wool, but there was a hint of woolliness there which
might have been caused by the conditions of the tree from which it
eame). But the flavor was good, the size was large, the pit was small,
but it was lacking in color and style. I think it is a very good peach
indeed.

The President: I consider it one of the finest.

Professor Craig: I think, with Mr. Hale, it undoubtedly belongs to
the Barnard family.

Mr. Hale: Something of that kind.

Professor Craig: But it has not so much wool as possibly Mr. Hale
intimates.

Mr. Hale: It gave me an idea that it was perhaps a first cousin to
Hill’s Chili, or was of that type of peach which grows well and bears
well. We like good-lookers and good-sellers in the market. °

The President: I have picked nine or ten varieties, among them Fitz-
gerald, and it was certainly the most brilliant and cleanest thing I
had, unless, so far as the skin was concerned, Elberta might have been
the cleanest. What I mean is clean and handsome; there was none
of the woolliness. Now, it is possible a change in location might have
had that effect. It was new to me, but there was no trace of that ’
woolliness. To me it had one of the finest blooms and was one of
the prettiest I ever saw. So far as I was concerned, it was the best
thing I ever had.

A Member: J would like to inquire about Triumph and New Prolific.

Mr. Hale: Speaking of New Prolific, I-do not know, but it comes
from Michigan; but why did you send it out with such an abominable
name? That is about enough to kill it on the start.

Mr. Hale: I do not know who is responsible for it, but those things
are abomirations and might as well be stopped in Michigan as any-
where else.” Triumph is a peach which I have seen in Georgia for
three or four years past, and in Connecticut for only one year. It is
a moderate-growing peach, not the most thrifty, exceedingly hardy in
bud; the fruit is of medium and large size, yellow flesh and skin, ripens
clear to the pit, and is a clingstone. It has been advertised as a free-
stone peach; it is not so by any means, but it does ripen clear to the
pit, not like the Alexander or that type of peach which ripen on the
outside and are green at the pit. Triumph ripens thoroughly all the
way through, and can be eaten clear to the pit, and under certain con-
ditions separates fairly well; but it is a cling. It is of a deep reddish
yellow all over; that is, it is a deep yellow, and then splashed with red
which goes pretty well over it, somewhat of the Barnard style, if not
firmer, but without the woolliness. It is a good keeper and, best of
all, it is early; it is an early yellow peach. I am speaking now from
a commercial standpoint. It ripens with Alexander or a very few days
later, and has size, fairly good appearance, and excellent keeping quali-
tics to commend it. I have faith in it myself and have planted it liber-
ally in Georgia and shall plant it much more this winter, and am plant-
ing it in a new orchard in Connecticut. I have not planted any of
the early peaches in days gone by. I have not liked anything of the

238 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Alexander or Hale’s Early type (and let me say right here, in the pres-
ence of this community, so help me Bob, I am not responsible for that
Hale’s Early peach!), but with the advent of Triumph I am ready to
plant early peaches.

A Member: How about Greensboro?

Mr. Hale: Greensboro is another early peach, originating in North
Carolina. It is an early one, a little later than Triumph, between Tri-
umph and Early Rivers. It is of medium and large size, a white-flesh
peach with red cheek, semi-cling, with a little bit of green at the pit.
It is one of the most showy of the early peaches. It is poor; I would
not give it to my mother-in-law, as much as I think of her, and still
it is a very good-looker.

The President: Is that one of the Chinese type, has it the Chinese
mixture in it?

Mr. Hale: I hardly think it has.

A Member: I would like to hear about Foster and Wager.

Mr. Stearns: I know nothing of Wager, and I described Foster some
years ago as not being profitable with us on the lake shore. While
I am on my feet I will just drop a word of caution in regard to Elberta.
It was the finest I grew this year, in appearance, but I have gone
-arefully on it, as I was disappointed very much in Wheatland and
some others of that class, and shall only plant lightly of it until it
is fruited more in this state; and this word of caution was in regard
to an orchard about a mile from my own. Two years ago this sea-
son it bore an immense crop of very fine peaches, so much so that
one or two nurserymen went there and budded very heavily from that
orchard. A year ago this summer there was not a peach on it, while
it was a good peach season. This year, I understand, it had a fair
crop. That is the fear I have had in regard to Elberta, that it might
not be a reliable bearer, but be something like Wheatland and Foster,
on the lake shore. Foster is not reliable with us on the lake shore.

Mr. Hale: I do not wish to intrude nor take time, bit I wish to
say, with Mr. Stearns, do not attempt to grow Foster in localities
where you can not grow the Crawford class. That is right. But do
not confuse Elberta with any of that type. It belongs to an entirely
different family, a different race of peach. Crawford and Foster, and
all those, are of a Persian strain of peach, while Elberta. comes from
the northern China family, which is entirely different in its habits
of growth and habits of bearing. I do not think you need have any
general fear of Elberta not bearing enough. It will fill your market
so full you will wish there was not so many of them, perhaps. The
only doubt I have in my mind about its growing through the north-
ern sections of the country is its lack of color in many places. It
becomes a lemon yellow, and the rosy cheek does not come upon it
in many sections of our northern tier of states. That is particularly
noticeable in Delaware, has been so in some portions of New Jersey,
through New York state, Ontario, and with us in Connecticut and
Massachusetts. I do not know about it here in Michigan, but that is
the one weak point I have seen in Elberta through the northern part
of the country; but it will grow enough, it will bear enough, and it
will carry well.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 239

Mr. Stearns: So far as that matter is concerned, if plenty of ashes
is used, that will be all right. I can add color to nearly any peach
by use of plenty of ashes.

The President: I can color a peach by opening out the tree so that
it gets sufficient sunlight and then giving it potash. Have you noticed
a tendency in Elberta, in the south, to drop very quickly after ripening?

Mr. Hale:¥I1 have noticed it with my neighbors; I have never had
any trouble with it myself. It is a peach that comes to maturity very
quickly, and it must be picked sharply on time; but that is our duty;
that is no objection; I think it is a good thing, it spurs a man on to
attend to his business right on time; that is no objection, it is one
of the advantages.

Mr. Rork: Is not its season of ripening a little against us here?
It ripens when there are so many good kinds going to market. Now,
so far as we have observed, the good later classes of peach are bring-
ing us better prices than the early ones, and especially those peaches
that come right in when there are a good many good varieties in
market. I have Elberta, and, so far as I have seen, it ripens when
there are plenty of other good peaches in the market. There is a
peach that I have not heard mentioned at all, the Garfield. It ripens
almost with Early Crawford, but perhaps we will say just after; it
is as large, it has better color, it has better quality, and my trees
are nine years old; and since they have been able to bear have never
ailed to bear a good crop, and generally have to be thinned. Elberta
comes soon after it, very soon, and I am a little doubtful about its
desirability in my case. Then you speak of Chair. With us it is about
the best peach of the season. The only thing we are not settled about
is whether it is hardy enough, but it is hardier than Crawford. It
is a good bearer, bears heavily, is a good tree, and ripens at just
about the right time.

The President: Answering Mr. Rork, I should say that the time of
ripening of Elberta is against the other kind, because when Elberta
comes it takes the market here.

Mr. Richardson: I would like to enquire if Wheatland is consid-
ered a strictly freestone peach?

The President: Not in 1896. It was before that.

Mr. Richardson: Well, it is generally admitted to be, is it not, in
a general way?

The President: I presume that nearly every peach-grower here under-
stands that we had peculiar conditions in 1896. Many of our free-
stone varieties, known freestones, or former freestones, that you could
throw a pit right out of, were everywhere clings. Wheatland clung
very badly, and many other kinds were semi-cling that I had never
seen cling before. They were fully developed, yet very many of our
'genuine freestones were semi-clings.

Mr. Richardson: I noticed on our market Wheatlands looked very
beautiful, were of fine.color; and I spoke to one of our buyers, say-
ing, “There are some very fine peaches for you this morning.” He
said, “I don’t want them—they are clingstones.” I said, “I was not
aware that Wheatland was considered a clingstone,” but he was preju-

240 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY;

diced against it. I have it in my orchard, and not bearing yet, and
that is why I wished to enquire.

The President: I would tear it out before it got to bearing, and get
something good in there.

Professor Craig: A man asked about Wager. I would say that
Wager is gaining favor in Ontario, where it is well cultivated. It last
year was one of the most profitable of the best peaches; it was ranked
among the medium hardy kinds. Elberta colors up well in Ontario
where it has been fruited. It has been fruited just in the best of
the fruitgrowing sections, and it is thought of highly. Now, to go
back to apples. Somebody mentioned McIntosh, and I just want to
bring this apple to your attention, for this reason: I think, if you
wish to cultivate a high-class, handsome apple of good quality, for your
No. 1 Chicago trade, and care to take the trouble to spray as you
Should, that McIntosh is an apple that would capture the market at
the season it was put on. It is most beautiful, covered with purplish
blue bloom, is of the Fameuse type, and of good quality. It originated
on the banks of the St. Lawrence. The tree is perfectly hardy and
it would work well up in your northern apple-growing sections here,
and I would mention it with the‘caution that you need not expect to
grow it in good quality without spraying.

Q. What is its time of ripening? A. The Fameuse season.

Mr. Ramsdell: Have you had any experience with Crosby?

The President: I have had some of the same age as my Fitzgerald.
They grew very nicely this year, a fair-size peach, and growth of trees
the same as Barnard, and the leaf looks like it. I think that is as
close a description as I can give—that Crosby is of the Barnard type,
similar to Barnard in color, growth of tree, and form of leaf. That
is right, is it not, Mr. Hale?

Mr. Hale: The flesh is not so red as that of Barnard.

The President: Mine were colored nearly as much as Barnard.

Mr. Hale: In the east it is yellow all over, with a stripe of red
on the sunny side. As it is ordinarily grown it is inclined to be medium
to small.

Prof. Taft: I would say that on trees that came from Mr. Hale
it was of the highest color of any peach that I saw. One entire side
of the peach was blood-red, with just a nice bloom; a good-size peach,
a good, fair-size peach, as large as what we call, perhaps, a small Craw-
ford.

The President: That would answer the description of mine. One
side would be a solid blush and the other side would have mottlings
of red, very beautiful, and they were grown on young trees—they were
genuine trees, some that came from Mr. Hale.

Q. How is it as to hardiness?

The President: Those who have had more experience should speak
as to that. I made a comprehensive statement, a moment ago, in
regard to its hardiness, the only thing with which I have had a chance
to test it. Professor Taft can tell us of its hardiness. He has known
it before it was named Crosby.

Prof. Taft: I think it about as hardy as Lewis, not quite, perhaps;
still, it should be counted in the same class.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 241

Mr. Braman: I would like to ask the color of Chair.

Mr. Riehl: It is a fine yellow peach with a good bloom upon it.

The President: Has it any characteristics that correspond to other
known varieties?

Mr. Riehl: It does not belong to the Crawford type at all.

The President: Does it belong to the Smock type? Mr. Riehl: It
is a much better peach than Smock.

The President: Is it of that kind of growth—oblong? Mr. Riehl:
Yes, it is rather an oblong, large peach, and the fruit is spread all
over the tree. In this respect, as I said before, it is much like Elberta.
It is of uniform, nice color, a large peach.

The President: A reliable bearer? Mr. Riehl: Yes, sir.

The President: When does it ripen? Mr. Riehl: It ripens, with
us, in September.

The President: Comparatively, please? Mr. Riehl: It will ripen
about two weeks ahead of Smock.

The President: How long behind Elberta? Mr. Riehl: Well, I should
say about a couple of weeks after.

Mr. Rork: With us, on the shore, there is not a handsomer peach
in form or color, nor one of better size. It ripens just out of reach
of Smock.

The President: With Gold Drop, then? Mr. Rork: Yes, sir.

Mr. Braman: Chair, with me, is about the time of Chili, and it is
a bright-red peach, nearly as handsome in color. ;

The President: We all understand that, in Michigan, and I pre-
sume in other states, there is great difficulty in knowing just exactly
what you have. Now, I never saw that better illustrated than at the
Michigan state fair two years ago. Four distinct types of Elberta
were on the table, and no two of them were ever propagated from the
same stock, but had been sold for Elberta. Each man, when he came
there, supposed he had the genuine; and one man was wondering what
all those Elbertas were doing there when his were ripe and gone a
month ago, and he had the finest crop he ever saw. That illustrates
that it is very difficult for a man who is not well informed to know
whether he has pure stock. Substitution is very common, and often
our ideas are at fault owing to that, and sometimes that accounis |
for quite a difference of opinion.

Mr. Braman: Those trees were from N. G. Hilton. He has been
raising trees a number of years. They began bearing when they were
three years old. He has been cultivating them and selling them through
the state; and whether they are of the same variety as the gentlemen,
have been describing, I could not say, but he has been selling them
as Chair the last few years.

Mr. Hamilton: It would appear to me that Mr. Braman’s trees are
not Chair. Wherever I. have seen it, this peach has ripened some time
after Chili, right with Smock, later than Gold Drop. I would eall
it a later peach than Gold Drop. If persons who speak of peaches
would tell of the glands it would help much. I would like to ask
Mr. Braman if he noticed the glands on those trees?

31

242 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Braman: They are a good deal like those of Early Crawford.

The President: Are they globose, or reniform? Mr. Braman: Glo-
bose.

Mr. Hamilton: Then that would settle the question. Chair has
reniform glands. Mr. Rork thinks they have the reniform, and I am
quite sure they have.

Mr. Hale: It is a peach much of the form of Smock, with a very
rosy cheek, and rather an acid fruit—rather a sharp, high-flavored
peach. Perhaps that will help you out a little.

A Member: I would like to ask about Captain Ede, because it has
been recommended as a substitute for Elberta on account of its free-
dom from leaf-curl?

Mr. Hamilton: With regard to Captain Ede, I grew a few trees a
number of years ago and sold them. I got my buds from George
Endicott of Illinois, who thought they were very fine, and sent’ me
the buds because I happened to be a friend of his. I had full faith
in the peach, and set it out; but it curled so badly that the great
proportion of all the trees that I grew in western Allegan county
are now dead from curl. It is a very fine peach, I think equal to
Elberta, and resembles it very closely; but any one who would dis-
card Elberta for Captain Ede, because of curl, would be thoroughly
mistaken; they are both bad curlers, but Captain Ede is very much
the worse. It curls so badly that I think it would be scarcely worth
While to try to grow it close to the shore. Back from the lake so
far as this, where they have warmer summers, they might succeed
with it, but wherever they can succeed with Captain Ede I am sure
they can succeed with Elberta, and I prefer Elberta.

Professor Craig: I would like to ask what the concensus of opin-
ion is about Reeves, at the present time, in Michigan?

Mr. Stearns: They are growing it about South Haven andare highly
pleased with it, and there is quite a good deal of call for the trees
this season.

Q. Does it bear well? A. It has the last two or three years. I
think that is one reason why it has not been more plentiful before,
that we have had exceptionally good seasons the last three years for
tender varieties. ‘

Q. Tender in bud, is it not? A. Yes, sir, I am inclined to think so.

Q. Does it ship well? A. It is said to; I have never shipped it
myself, but I have had several calls for the trees because they have
thought so much of it around South Haven.

The President: It is a large, heavy peach, delicate in texture, very
tender in the bud.

Mr. Stevens: It is very tender after ripening.

Mr. Richardson: I would say that it comes right between Early and
Late Crawford, with me, if I have Reeves. Now, I set trees that I
call Reeves, and they resemble Late Crawford but are a larger peach.
They color up a little differently, are not quite so oblong, are more
rounding, and are larger. They did not bear very early with me. I
supposed they were Late Crawfords because they hung off so about

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 243

commencing to fruit; but after beginning they fruited right along
heavily.

Mr. Hale: Reeves is too shy a bearer to be profitable the country
over. It is a very large, round peach, of high color, very delicate as
a shipper, only suitable for near-by local markets, and too uncertain
a bearer for anybody to dare to plant when there are so many other
profitable varieties. I should never plant it anywhere, nor advise any-
one to plant it; but if you want a few baskets of very showy peaches,
to brag over, why, perhaps you will find them suitable, if you have
an orchard large enough, for it is shy.

The President: That is my observation.

Mr. Stevens: If I have Reeves I can not agree entirely with Mr.
Hale. Those I had were grown on three-year-old trees; that is, three
years old last spring. They bore quite heavily for their age, this year,
but they were very delicate and did not color very well; but the foliage
was very heavy, and they were so exceedingly delicate that I had to
pick them very green in order to get them into the market at all.

Mr. Rork: How about Reed’s Early Golden?

Mr. Braman: I would like to say a word in regard to Reeves. I
set the trees nine years ago last spring; they began bearing at five.
The first year they were not very highly colored, but have borne every
year since and given a very high color. They are yellow, with a bright
red, ripen just past Early Crawford, and are a very good peach. I
have examined them nearly every year, and it seemed as though the
buds were killed, and still there would be enough for a good heavy
crop each year, and there were no culls; they did not require thin-
ning, and were equal in color to Crawford, but in shape a trifle longer.

The President: I have a call for Reed’s Early Golden. Mr. Rork,.
what do you know about it, what starts you to asking questions about
that?

Mr. Rork: Because I have some trees. They ripen just after Early
Crawford, and I was in a little doubt as to their productiveness and
their hardiness.

The President: Where do they come from and where are they grown?
Mr. Rork: They came from New Jersey.

Mr. Lyon: It has only been tried about a couple of years, on the
station ground, and my recollection about it, as compared with others,
is not quite distinct enough. But my impressions are favorable for
it as a medium variety. It will range, perhaps, with Barnard in quality,.
but not at all like it in productiveness; but as to that I would aot
feel at liberty to speak confidently at all.

Mr. Whitmeyer: Is there any difference between New Prolific and
Kalamazoo? The reason I ask is that it was stated several times
recently that they are identical. Mr. Stearns perhaps can answer that.

Mr. Stearns: I have never seen what is called New Prolific, but was
told by a gentleman, I think Mr. Graham, that New Prolific, Brunson,
and Kalamazoo were all on exhibition here at Grand Rapids, a year
ago this fall, and but very little nee nee could be discerned in the
three sorts.

244 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,

The President: That was true, at the state fair.

Mr. Stearns: But I know nothing of New Prolific. I would say
that I had a thousand bushels of Kalamazoo this year and a thou-
sand bushels last year.

Prof. Taft: I think we have had no fruit yet from New Prolific,
but we have had the trees and they greatly resemble Kalamazoo and
Brunson, and I saw the peaches last year, here at the fair, and I
think two or three times have received samples of them from fruit-
growers. They seem to be a very promising peach and look exactly
like Kalamazoo.

Mr. Gee: I have heard the statement that Brunson and Kalamazoo
were identical. Brunson curls quite badly.

Mr. Stearns: Kalamazoo is very subject to curl, but not any more
so than Crawford and Foster, not so much as the Crawfords.

Mr. Lyon: Ireceived samples of New Prolific from Greening Brothers,
which were very much more highly colored than I have ever seen. I
can hardly think they would range alike in that respect, under any
ordinary circumstances. I would not be inclined to suppose they could
be identical.

Mr. Graham: In relation to New Prolific, a year ago this fall Green-
ing Brothers exhibited them in quite large quantities at the state
fair, had several bushels there, and they were placed side by side
with Brunson and Kalamazoo, and I declare I could not tell them
apart, and I called the attention of a great many growers to the three
varieties. I do not believe any one could tell the fruit apart. I never
compared the trees one with the other.

The President: I will say if it is as good as Kalamazoo it is an
excellent peach.

Mr. Pearce: There is one thing of which you should not lose sight
in this discussion of the different varieties of peach. There are climate,
situation, and soil, perhaps, to consider. Now to illustrate: Late Craw-
ford, with a few winters a little bit too cold, would not be worth any-
thing, while with the right kind of winters it is one of our best, most
valuable, and profitable peaches. It also has to have a very good loca-
tion. Wager, in a very dry time, is not worth anything at all; it
does not stand drouth, while it is a tolerably fair peach for the right
kind of season. It is the same with Barnard and others. For cer-
tain years and a certain kind of season they are all right, but with
different conditions they are not worth anything. For a number of
years, Barnard was one of the very best, but of late Reeves is a very
great favorite here in Grand Rapids, coming between Early and Late
Crawford. It is a very fine peach, thought a great deal of. Peaches
require certain qualities and conditions. If you strike the right sea-
son and the right location, they are all right, but under some condi-
tions nearly every sort is almost worthless.

Mr. Hale: That is a very admirable thought. He says location and
season. Now, I wish he had gone just a little further and said soil.
When we criticise the Crawford type of peach as being untrustworthy,
we speak of them as they behave on a sandy loam soil, where we grow

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 245

most of our peaches the country over. The Crawford types thrive
best on a pretty stiff clay soil, if it is well drained and other condi-
tions are right for peaches. Now, possibly the soil in the vicinity
of this city is different. Perhaps there is a little more clay than
there is in your greater peach region down along the lake, and cer-
tain it is that while climatic conditions and certain seasons may affect
one type of peach and not another, it is also true with different soils,
and that the Crawford peaches, or peaches of that class, will fail on
sandy soils and sandy loams when they will thrive on quite heavy
sub-clay. All these things must be taken into account when we are
giving our testimony as to how they behave with us.

Prof. Craig: I had in mind Reeves on sub-clay, just such as Mr,
Hale mentioned, when I asked that question, and it was the mag-
nificent showing that this orchard made last season that particularly
impressed me with the value of that variety, when traveling through
the peach districts of Ontario. I was in a number of places, and
perhaps the fruitfulness was produced by the trees being on clay.

The President: Was it on land that had had hardwood timber?

Prof. Craig: Yes, sir. The trees were all over ten years old and
were all well laden with peaches, considering this as a peach year
in Ontario when such varieties as Crawfords did not produce more than
a fifth of a crop. But Reeves, I learn, does not come into bearing
early, but after five or six, or seven, years at the outside, it is a pretty
regular annual bearer; and when people get to know the quality of
the fruit, and where growers take the trouble to get the fruit into
the market in good condition, they have in every case found it a very
profitable variety.

The President: That is an excellent thought to bring out, and some-
thing about which the prospective fruitgrower should know something.
It is noticeable in the southern part of the state, and I presume here,
that lands that are of clay and gravel, that formerly grew white oak tim-
ber, seem to grow the Crawford variety of peach better than any other
soil we have, while many of our white varieties do well in drifting sand
where the Crawfords are an absolute failure. Those are things which
it is best for you, if you are contemplating setting, to look up. You
have your soil, you know what it is, and you would better get a little
experience from other people, if you haven’t it yourself, as to the varie-
ties that will succeed on that particular soil. There is quite a range of
difference.

Mr. Whitmeyer: I find our Crawford peaches on clay soil, and some
other peaches of that type, have so much foliage that they cannot receive
the light; the foliage is so large that the fruit does not get the light and
color up.

The President: Is it hardwood timber or oak?

Mr. Whitmeyer: Oak timber, and they do not color, and I set that
orchard of fifteen acres thirty feet apart. In the center of the square I
have a pear, so the distance does not hurt them. Right on the other
side I have another orchard, some Crawfords that are only fifteen feet

246 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

apart, and they color apparently just as well as those on these other trees,
but the foliage on the other was eight to ten inches long.

The President: That is a good place to get some peaches by and by;
that orchard is all right if it will do that.

SOME FLORISTS’ PROBLEMS.

BY THOMAS GUNSON, MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

The business of growing flowers in glass houses, for commercial pur-
poses, as at present understood, is purely an American invention. There
is scarcely a single idea in all the annals of horticulture that bear directly
on the work of today. Everything is new. We may imitate each other,
but all the recent ideas belong to this generation.

A business so young, so advanced, and so largely dependent on the
esthetic taste of the people has reached its present conditions in a very
peculiar way. Its development belongs to no particular class, but men
and women of all nationalities have vied with each other in giving their
best thought and care in bringing it up to what are known as ordinary
methods.

The problems of the florist are many and varied, and though he may
try to avoid the snares and pitfalls of experience, new difficulties beset
him almost every day. It may be what seems now a universal problem
with every product of the soil, overproduction at one time and scarcity at
another; it may be that some one has found a better way to produce or
preserve; or that some one may have studied fickle fashion more closely,
and got hold of some color better suiting her unstable taste; or it may be
that the girl in the store is not up to date; lack of attention in the green-
houses, any one of which is enough to turn the business one way or
the other. The florist has, like all others, suffered from the long and
severe depression, and yet he has suffered less, perhaps, than those
engaged in more necessary labor. The product of his labor is a luxury,
and people have been struggling to get the necessities.

That our friends the fruitgrowers may better understand the diffi-
culties that beset the commercial florist, it may be necessary for me to
enumerate the principal crops that constitute what are known as florists’
flowers. These consist principally of roses, carnations, chrysanthemums,
and others of more or less importance. So different are they in tempera-
ment that when grown together for any length of time they gradually
dwindle and die. Each requires a specialist ready to cater to its whims,
and if their wants are not granted there are from one to half a dozen
diseases ready to carry them off at any time.

With the fruitgrower it is different. Nearly all the principal fruits
belong to the same order, and though they may belong to different genera
there is a distinct relationship between them. All are natives of the same
temperate zone, and have by long cultivation became so thoroughly

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 247

acclimated to conditions that they can, in many cases, be all grown in
the same field without one being detrimental to the other.

The florist has to imitate a climate that varies with its vegetations,
extending from the tops of the Himalavas and the Andes to the surface
of the sea; and with a flora whose home varies from the cold, rugged
coasts of Labrador to the reeking swamps of the dark continent; and
when all care and attention has been given them, a few days of adverse
weather at a critical time may render his roses deficient in color, lacking
in length of stem; may cause his carnations to burst their calyxes; his
chrysanthemums to lose their symmetry or lessen their vitality; it may
even rob the violet of its fragrance, or the lily of its purity, and all this
beyond human control.

I can not believe there have been more flowers grown than are needed,
but that there have been enough and to spare can not be denied. How
best to control the possibilities of occasional gluts without injury to the
growing plants; how to get the quality and the quantity on the least
possible space and in the shortest time, with the smallest amount of
labor, is what every grower is asking himself.

In order to meet the gradual decline in prices it is plain that the florist
must seek to reduce the probability of a glut, either by growing a better
article or lessening the cost of production.

The rose is by all odds the most expensive flower to grow, and the
season at which it can be grown the cheapest is just the one wherein the
chrysanthemum reigns supreme. The season for this is likely to be
extended, and as soon as it is over the public seek a cheaper flower with
better keeping qualities than the rose. The price, however, of all other
flowers is graded upon that of roses, and the price at which the variety
known as American Beauty can be had regulates that of all the rest. The
Size of its flower, its enormous length of stem, draw so severely on the
plants that few are produced for the space it requires. The average
florist has made less money trying to grow it for his limited demand,
even at fabulous prices, than that of any other variety. Every effort is
being constantly made to find some variety that will satisfy the taste
that American Beauty has created; something that will produce more
flowers, and yet possess some qualities that this queen has so far been
able to call her own. It is no small item of the florist’s expense, this
seeking for something new, as the many varieties that have been tried
and found wanting abundantly prove. The varieties Mrs. Pierpont Mor-
gan, Meteor, Kaiserin, Bridesmaid, Testout, and Belle Siebrecht are
promising kinds in that they possess a wider range of color and have a
tendency to,produce more flowers. Belle Siebrecht, however, has not been
in cultivation long enough to tell whether it has come to stay or not; and
while Meteor has established a reputation for its color and constitution,
it is still a very expensive variety to grow. It requires a higher temper-
ature than any other, and this of itself is a serious objection.

Now, whether it is beiter to grow roses in solid beds for one, two, three,
or even four years, than to grow them on benches for one year, is still a
question. While the latter method is the one generally adopted, good
growers have long felt that, owing to their being propagated by cuttings

248 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

year after year, and kept growing all the time, the plants were gradually
becoming weaker; that in order to maintain their vitality they need a
distinct period of rest. ‘This is a natural inference, especially with plants
like the rose, that are natives of temperate climates. Now that quality
rather than quantity is preferred, and flowers of a different type, this
question of solid beds or benches becomes one of more than ordinary
importance.

I know that good rose-growers have time and again tried this process
of resting, when they had extra strong plants of some standard kinds, -
that they felt like trying another year, rather than replanting with young
plants, perhaps late in the summer, but it has seldom if ever paid. The
object, however, has been one of experiment rather than any well-
defined attempt at restoring vitality.

A trial for a single year on a raised bench can not be so efficient as one
for a series of years on solid beds. There is a great deal more to the
resting of plants than simply withholding water. Drying out can
scarcely be called resting. It is highly probable that in most cases, if
not in all, much of this kind of resting is more apparent than real, and
that a good deal of secret and subtile work, of which we know little or
nothing, needs be done before the plants can regain their energy. Plants
show this when their resting period is curtailed or unduly interfered with.

We have no facilities at the college for making any extensive observa-
tions along this line, but I may say that our experience with violets every
year leads me to think there is something in it. No treatment we can
give them in the greenhouse will give the returns they will make in a
cold-frame in the spring, if kept from severe frosts in the winter. It is
true. their period of flowering is greatly shortened, but I don’t believe
it is any more natural for the violet to flower six months in the year than
it is for the apple or the cherry. I have thought that if violet-growers
who have only a limited demand would build their houses in sections, or
partitioned so that rest could be given the plants at different periods,
natural conditions could be more closely imitated, disease better held in
check, the flowers would be larger, better in fragrance and color, and
more numerous. It might give the grower better control of the market
by his having the largest crop of flowers when prices were highest. It
would lessen the cost of production by giving as many flowers, though in
a much less time, so that the houses could be used for some other purpose
if needs be. When grown in large quantities the houses could be con-
structed entirely independent of each other, so that the same contro]
could be had over the plants as in case of the one built in sections. I
speak of the violet simply because it is the only flower I have had the
opportunity to observe in this respect.

There are two or three things that suggest themselves to me in con-
nection with this subject of growing and resting plants that may bear
indirectly on this subject. Iam not aware that botanists or pomologists
have ever given any satisfactory reason why certain varieties of peach or
pear, for instance, come into bearing condition sooner than others. What
physiological changes take place within the plant itself in order to bring

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 249

about an early fruiting condition; and, as the flower precedes the fruit,
is there not something further here that we should learn?

The order to which the rose, apple, pear, plum. and cherry belong is
one of the highest in the order of development among plants. Does not
this development mean the changing of an annual to biennial, and from
a biennial to a perennial? An annual produces a great many more flow-
ers and seeds than either a biennial or perennial, and as the rose strictly
belongs to the latter class, it can’t be expected that it will do so well
under the ordinary methods of treatment. It is scarcely enough to say
that some are early and some are late, some more tender than others—
properties they may have inherited, or that may have been brought about
by selection, cultivation, and in various other ways.

This variability and lack of productiveness must be due to some
physical condition within the plants themselves. Some plants must have
the power of producing certain elements necessary to reproduction sooner
than others. One thing may be said to be true, that nature hastens repro-
duction in proportion as life is endangered. If this is as true of plants
as it is of animals, it is to our interest to know at what period of their
existence the plants grown for flowers have the greatest tendency to
reproduce, and what elements can be supplied, if any, to bring it about,
for this is simply what flowering means.

The business of a large flower-growing establishment has become so
complicated in detail that it is almost impossible for one man to give
each part its proper degree of attention. What is considered the minor
duties, though in many cases really the most important, ere too often left
to the care of those who have no other qualifications than of being cheap
and handy. Growers can no longer afford to take chances, and men are
in demand that have demonstrated their ability along one particular
line. It demands a very high degree of intelligence to grow flowers so as
to have them to sell every day in the year, besides an extra supply when
necessity demands.

It has become more than ever essential that site, soil, and structure be
taken into consideration when building commercial greenhouses. It
requires just as much care in this as in the selection of a suitable place
for a peach orchard—nay, more, for the orchard may not have cost so
much to begin with, and if land and location are not suitable for the pur-
pose it will secon give way for something else: but with an ill-selected site
for a greenhouse a man may be handicapped all his life.

More growers are suffering from lack of forethought in this, as their
land is far too valuable for greenhouse purposes, and their ill-arranged
and badly constructed houses take all they can grow to heat them, than
from either dull times or low prices.

I do not wish to criticise or belittle the men who through hard work
and determination have done the best they could, but just how they
are going to adjust themselves to meet the reduced value of their pro-
ducts is a problem that each man must solve for himself.

The specialist who starts out with a knowledge of what he wishes to
grow, and the ability to provide suitable conditions for his crops, has

32

250 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

many advantages over those who are compelled to make the best of what
they have. He will be able to see where others make mistakes; it is for
him to do better. He can study out for himself the many economic and
scientific principles involved in selecting site, soil, and structure that a
man with less experience would never think of, and yet absolutely neces-
sary to know if he intends to keep up with the procession.

I fancy I hear some one ridicule the idea of putting up expensive
houses and paying high-priced specialists in times like these. I may
be visionary, but unless I greatiy mistake the signs of the times every-
thing points in this direction.

It is with flowers as with wheat or peaches—some men are more.
adapted to growing them than to selling them. The qualifications
necessary to success in either are so different that they have no particular
relation to each other. It is seldom that we find the two qualities com-
bined in one person.

Just whether it pays growers of flowers to carry the stock of decorative
and bedding plants is another question for them to decide. It is of itself
a Gistinct feature of the business that the wholesale flower-grower of the
future may well shrink from entering—especially if he is situated any
distance from a city. It requires an equipment in the shape of show
houses, with expensive decorative plants, and a supply of labor that a man
of limited means can not afford to have. It is for each one of us to find
for himself what he is adapted to, what his sympathies and possibilities
are, and when once decided let him do that one thing well. Each man
has a place in the world, and he usually finds his level, as do the waters
of the sea. The florists of the future should take fresh hope. The dark
cloud has commenced to show a silver lining, and I fear not that they
will adjust themselves to circumstances, and will continue to extend their
work and influence among an appreciative public.

r

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 251

THE CARNATION.
BY MR. N. B. STOVER OF GRAND RAPIDS.

The great improvement in this grand race of flowers, in the past few
years, has directed popular attention to them. Until now they are per-
haps exceeded by the rose alone, in the number annually grown for cut
flowers. In looking over the list we can not find those we thought at that
time the finest that could ever be produced. Those noble varieties that
we prized so highly and watched with so much care, have all been num-
bered with the past, and we think still, as each new variety makes its
bow for public favor, the height of perfection has been reached. I truly
believe they will still improve in the future as they have in the past,
until the rose must step to the second place. The popularity of the
carnation is on the increase, and it is now grown in almost every city in
the United States and Europe. Grand Rapids florists alone grow
annually nearly one hundred thousand plants to supply the steadily
increasing demand. In discussing the carnation it will not do to forget
that it is a biennial, half hardy, requiring a period of rest, and makes its
largest and best development in a comparatively low temperature. And
yet it must have an abundarice of air and sunlight to make it a success,
and it is absolutely necessary to have every plant well tied up so that
air can easily get all around it. Each florist uses for that purpose
stakes or wire coils, or some form of support. We use a stake one half
inch square and eighteen inches long, with a spiral coil tacked to it, and
place the plant inside of this, which we find is the most economical
carnation support we have yet seen or heard of; and the cost is so small
compared with other supports that I can recommend it to any one. The
stake will last about three years, and the coil can then be taken off anda
new stake easily jfut on. The cost of this support is, as close as I can get
at it, one fourth of a cent each, and one man can make from five
hundred to six hundred per day. This support was invented by J. A.
‘Creelman of this city.

It is a very difficult matter to say which are the most profitable varie-
ties to grow. I will only name a few of the very best commercial varie-
ties, and I can safely recommend that the following have been, so far
as heard of, profitable to those who grow them. We will place Daybreak
at the head of the list. Too much can not be said of this grand
carnation; the color is a charming shade of flesh pink, a delicate shade
which suggested its name, “Daybreak,” because of similarity to the first
faint tinge of pink scen in the eastern sky at sunrise. This variety
‘became so popular with flower lovers that the blooms readily sold for
‘more than any other variety in the Chicago market the past two seasons.
It is not my intention to linger with long descriptions of each variety, but
will mention a few of the very best. Wm. Scott, rose pink, is a new
‘variety, and is becoming very popular. Silver Spray is white as its name

252 : STATE HORTICULTURAL’ SOCIETY.

signifies, and is the most profitable white up to the present time. Ivory
is another new variety which is a very fine white. This being its first
winter away from its birthplace, it is very difficult to say what its future
will be. In red we have the old standard varieties, Portia, President
Garfield, and Emily Pierson,—President Garfield being a late-blooming
variety while the other two varieties are early bloomers. But all the
red varieties of carnation must bow their heads and step aside to allow
Murillo to enter the competition world. It is by far the finest and
erandest red carnation that has ever been grown. We have taken a
creat interest in this variety, as it was originated by a Grand Rapids
firm. It has all the yood qualities required—a good grower, good
bloomer, and is sure to be a profitable variety. It will I believe be dis-
seminated the spring of 1897. In yellow we have Goldfinch as the best,
with Mayor Pingree as a close second. I might go over the list and name
fifty varieties which have been tried, but I have named the very best.

The disease to which the carnation is most subject is what is called
carnation rust. Now, we have all lived in dread of rust. I know I have,
and. kept it from my houses for three years after all my brother florists
had it, but at last it crept in; and I do not think there is a carnation-
erower in the country but has had more or less fear of its ultimate results
in the cultivation of the crop in his greenhouses. Present experience
goes to show that an arsenical preparation will absolutely annihilate
rust. Fowler’s solution is dissolved arsenic. Use at the rate of one
ounce to eight gallons of water. This solution can be obtained at my
drug store, the prescription being as follows: Arsenious acid, 616 grains;
bicarbonate of potash, 1,236 grains; water, four ounces.

Cuttings can be taken any time from October to April, but I would
advise early propagation, say December 1 to 15. Use four inches of
clean, white, and tolerably coarse sand, then place your cuttings in; after
they have been in about four weeks they will be well rooted, and can then
be put into boxes about three inches deep. The cuttings should be
planted out in the garden about the first of May, in rows about twenty
inches apart and one foot in, the rows. ‘They will now need constant
attention, keeping the weeds down and cultivating them about every
two weeks. Disbudding should be done at intervals during the summer,
whenever the buds appear, until the 10th of August, at which time the
plants should be stocky, well set with blooming shoots. It will now be
time to begin to prepare the greenhouses for them, your soil having been
previously prepared of three parts dark, sandy loam end one part well-
rotted inanure. Now comes the particular part of carnation-growing,
that of lifting; it can not be expected that we should all think alike, or
that the same way of lifting carnations would give the same results with
the grower. The soil, variety, manner of lifting, and transplanting, are
all important factors in determining the success of the operation. Most
of the varieties can be taken in with but very little soil on their roots. If
the soil is sandy, it is much better to have it off, but care should be taken
not to let the roots become dry. If the soil is heavy it will naturally
cling to the roots, and it would be injurious to the plant to try to take
it off. I most assuredly recommend that, when it is possible, all the soil

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. . 253

be shaken off; by this operation they have a short period of rest, and
you will find that they start much more readily. After planting give a
good watering. They should then be shaded a few days, and syringed
about four times per day until the fibres begin to work. Along about the
first of December is the time to commence liquid manure, very weak at
tirst and increasing a little stronger every month. This should be done
about every two weeks, care being taken to not overfeed nor use more
than one kind of manure at a time. I have tried to make everything
plain as possible, and sincerely hope that some one may be benefited by
what I have said.

ROSE CULTURE OUTSIDE AND UNDER GLASS.

BY MR. HENRY SMITH OF GRAND RAPIDS.

We find mention of the rose in the earliest writings, both sacred and
profane; and probably no flower at the present time is so highly prized
or will be found growing in such a variety of soils and climates. The
species, numbering upward of a hundred, are found disseminated
throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. China, Persia, and India
have furnished some of the finest species. Cabbage or Provence rose is
one of the best known and oldest of the family. Hybrid Perpetual roses
are probably the most useful in this section for outside planting, as they
will stand our severe winters with little or no protection, have all the
qualities—as size, fragrance, profusion of bloom, etc.—requisite to a first-
class rose. Of this class I would mention Coquette des Alps, Annie de
Diesbach, Captain Christy, General Jacqueminot, Paul Neyron, Magna
Charta, Mrs. J. H. Laing, Prince Camille de Rohan, Ulrich Brunner, etc.,
as among the best. Many of the teas or ever-blooming roses are planted
out with good results, also several of the hybrid teas. When well pro-
tected they may be carried through the winter in good shape. Of the
first class I would mention Pearle des Jardins, Madame Hoste, Papa
Gontier, Sunset, Queen, Malmaison, and Souvenir d’ un Ami as among
the well-known varieties.

In hybrid teas, such varieties as LaFrance, Meteor, Duchess of Albany,
Kaiserin Victoria, etc., always give good satisfaction. In hardy climb-
ers, such varieties as Prairie Queen, Baltimore Belle, Seven Sisters, and
Crimson Rambler are true and tried. We might add to this list one or
more other moss roses, but no list is complete that does not contain the
names of Clothilde Soupert and Hermosa, both old varieties but among
the best, either for bedding out or for pot culture. With the above
varieties to select from, and a little care to keep down the rose slug,
either by spraying with Paris green or dusting with white hellebore when
needed, success in rose culture is assured. Strong young plants of any of
these varieties can be had for not to exceed a dollar and a half per dozen,
and a few dollars invested in them will give a succession of bloom from

254 ' STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

June until snow flies—will adorn the house, delight the heart of the
owner, and be a blessing to the community.

Growing roses under glass requires much more labor, attention, and
care than the production of any other family of flowering plants used by
the commercial florist. Some of the requisites to successful rose-growing
are even temperature, plenty of water under strong pressure, well pre-
pared soil, which should contain a large percentage of clay; this should
be renewed each year and planted with strong, thrifty young plants early
in June and July. These plants should be in four- or five-inch pots, grown
from cuttings taken in January, February, and March from bearing
wood. Each year there are a great many new varieties of rose sent out,
but my experience has been that it is best to stick to the old and tried
varieties, as a large percentage of the new sorts are worthless, although
there have been some grand additions to the list of forcing roses the last
few years. Among them I might mention American Beauty, Meteor,
Testout, Kaiserin Victoria, Bridesmaid, etc.

The varieties that give the best results to the commercial florist are
Pearle des Jardins, Bride, Mermet, Bridesmaid, American Beauty,
Meteor, Kaiserin Victoria, Testout, LaFrance, Queen, Wooten, ete.
These are all standard varieties. A few of these require more heat than
others, but most of them can be grown in a temperature of from 58 to 60
degrees night heat.

There never has been too many first-class roses, or other standard
flowers, to supply the holiday trade, but to care for this increased demand
there are so many greenhouses planted with roses, carnations, and
violets, that there is sure to be an over-production of these flowers each
spring and fall.

Roses and other cut flowers are shipped to any part of the country that
can be reached in 48 hours or less, in perfect condition.

Like every other business, strict attention to little things goes far
toward making a success of rose-growing, and no florist should under-
take to grow roses unless he is prepared to give them untiring attention.

OL

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 25

FRUIT RESOURCES OF CANADA.

BY PROF, JOHN CRAIG OF CANADA.

IT regret very much that I have to start what I am ashamed to term a
lecture by an apology. I had arranged a series of slides illustrating some
of our Canadian fruit resources. Unfortunately, just before I had the
pleasure of receiving an invitation from your secretary, I loaned the
Slides for another purpose, but learning that I was placed on the pro-
gramme for this subject, and thinking you might possibly be interested
~ to some extent in knowing what we in the cold north are doing in grow-
ing fruits of the various classes, I brought along all the slides I had,
and trusting that you will bear with me, and that your imagination will
supply any deficiencies there may be in the slides or in my discussions, I
wish briefly to take you for a trip across the continent, beginning at the
eastern boundary.

We have quite a little strip of country to the north of you. I know
that the people of the United States have a very fair idea and a very fair
impression of the importance and the size of their own country, and I
think it is a splendid thing for every individual, no matter what flag
he lives under, to think that there is no country under the sun like his
own country. Iam only sorry to find that since I got here I am greeted by
so many friends. Now, that may seem rather peculiar, to say that I am
sorry to be greeted by friends, and I know at least a half dozen persons
who have come up and shaken me by the hand, saying they were brother
Canadians. However, just to give you a rapid idea and a comprehensive
one of the extent of our domain—I know you usually imagine that
Toronto or Montreal, which is the metropolis of our country, is about the
geographical center east and west, and if you have that impression you
are considerably mistaken, because you have to go nearly two thousand
niles west of that before you strike our geographical center east and
west, so that Winnipeg is near our center.

We have in Canada, as you in the United States have, an experiment
station system which has for its object, as I say, the horticultural as
well as the agricultural interests of the Dominion. We manage our sta-
tion work somewhat differently, and I will just give you a brief outline
now of our system, and later I will give you some views of our farm to
bring you nearer to our work. The institution which I speak about is
under the management and control of the federal government, corre-
sponding to your federal government at Washington. We have a central
farm, a central station at Ottawa, the seat of government, and we have
in each of the other provinces branch stations to do the work for the
provinces, and the work is taken as a whole from our central station at
Ottawa and results are collected, collated, and published from that cen-
tral station. We have not been in existence as long as some of your
stations have, and we have not done a great deal, yet we have done some-

256 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

thing. However, I am not going to blow our own trumpet in that way,
aud will suffice with a brief resumé of our experience in experimental
work.

Fruitgrowing in Canada, as I have no doubt is the case in the United
States, has come to be something like this: In each of the centers of
early settlement or early civilization the settlers brought in their fruit
trees and brought in such as did best in their old homes. They planted
them here, and if they did well they gradually spread from those centers
along the lines of least resistence—-that is, along those lines where trees
grew best, and so spread out and worked over the whole country, grad-
ually finding here and there a spot best suited to the cultivation of some
particular class of fruit, so that in Nova Scotia we find our whole area
very well suited for cultivation of some particular kind of fruit. In Que-
bec, and in Ontario again, we find that a particular area is best suited for
bringing some particular fruit to the highest state of development; and
that is a part of our work in the experiment farm, just as it is in the
experiment stations here. I was pleased this afternoon to find (and I
may tell you that it was very gratifying information to me) that our
fruits are creating such a stir in the Chicago markets, and to find that we
were of sufficient importance to have the fruitgrowers of this state
become somewhat exercised in their minds lest we should capture those
markets. I did not know it before, and the thought is very inspiring to
me, and is one which I can take back to our fruitgrowers and give to
them as an incentive to go on and do better things. Speaking seriously,
this brings me now to the reason why I think apples, for instance, in
certain localities in Ontario are better than the same varieties grown in
Michigan, and it is this: That, so far as I have been able to observe, the
further north you go with a certain variety of apple, until the furthest
point north where that variety can be successfully grown is reached,
there you will produce fruit of the best quality. Just so long as the
scason is favorable to the growth of the tree and the ripening of the fruit
in that place, you will have fruit of the finest quality. That has been my
observation in Canada, and for that reason at those points Mr. Rice men-
tioned this afternoon, such as Prince Edward county, we find the North-
ern Spy growing, and to an excellence in point of quality and appearance
that I do not think is equalled, certainly not exceeded, in any other por-
tion of North America.

In speaking of our first province, I will go down to our eastern bounda-
ries. We have a little island there of which the residents think a great
deal. It is called Prince Edward Island. It is a beautiful little island,
about 120 miles long by about three to five miles wide, and the peculiarity
of this island is what was called the English cherries in the early days.
The cherries which were introduced from England, brought over by the
settlers, of the Kentish varieties, grow there remarkably and produce
themselves from buds; they have been growing for generations, over a
century, anyway, from sprouts and buds, and we find the English cherry
growing all over that island, in great profusion, and the climate is such
that the growers are enabled to send the cherries to the Boston market
at least three weeks after the cherry season, and being somewhat of a
novelty, and the growth being comparatively limited, they are enabled

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 257

to dispose of them to great advantage. We are instituting experiments
in fruitgrowing there which I have no doubt will be very successful.

You have known Nova Scotia by reputation, probably, on account of
production of Gravenstein apples. Nearly everyone has. As I said
before, there are certain localities in the province of Nova Scotia where
that variety seems to have come to the highest state of perfection. Nova
Scotia was one of the earliest provinces to begin exporting apples. In
1878 there were 30,000 barrels of apples exported to the British market.
The industry has grown rapidly, and owing to their favorabie location,
being right on the seaboard and having good communication with Lon-
don, it has grown, until last year Nova Scotia exported over a half million
barrels; and this year, 1 am credibly informed, the export will approach
one million barrels to the London and Liverpool markets, and those are
nearly all Gravensteins, Northern Spy, King, Nonpariel, and varieties of
that class. If Professor Taft were in Nova Scotia he would find apples
around there that he hadn’t heard of:or known in the northwest at all.
There we find dozens of kinds that have not succeeded in our western cli-
mates, principally on account of the fact that the foliage does not seem to
stand our dry seasons. Yet in the provinces where the salt breezes come
up the bay of Fundy, and where there are many small rivulets, and the
tides rush up and modify the atmosphere, and the air is more or less im-
pregnated with the moisture of the salt sea, we have these old English
varieties which succeed very well; so that we find Grass Pippin and all
the pippin class growing there very widely.

(Professor Craig here illustrated his lecture with stereopticon views.)

New Brunswick is not a fruit-producing country. Cranberries and
raspberries grow wild in great profusion, and they ship large quantities
of raspberries to the market at Boston, three or four weeks after the
ordinary raspberry season is over, and secure very remunerative prices.

You will be surprised to know, perhaps, that in the different portions
of the province of Quebec we are able to grow grapes to some extent and
with considerable success—surprised, because we have a temperature
considerably colder than yours, and we count on sleighing from the mid-
dle of December until the middle of March; but our extremes in the mat-
ter of cold are not so much more than yours, and by giving the grapes
some protection by laying them down in the autumn, and pinning them
to the earth, and giving them a small amount of protection in the way
of soil, they come through without any injury. They are pruned, of
course, before this is done, and the work of laying them down really is
not so heavy as you might suppose.

I have not anything more to say, except to emphasize just a word that
Mr. Gartield brought out, bearing upon the influence of horticulture upon
our homes, and I can only close by quoting the words which I heard fall
from the lips of that venerable pomologist, Marshall P. Wilder, some years
ago, who said, I thought in very beautiful language, that fruits were the
overflow of God’s bounty, that they were gems from the sky dropped
down to beautify the earth, gratify our tastes, and minister to our wants.
The more we realize this the more we shall appreciate divine goodness
to us and the duty of providing fruits for others.

33

258 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

PRESENT AND FUTURE OF APPLE CULTURE IN MICHIGAN.

BY MR. R. H. SHERWOOD OF WATERVLIET.

This eventful year of 1896 is drawing to a close, and as it slips into *
the past let us give it a fair retrospect as regards the culture of apples,
basing our opinions and views upon the experiences of the year.

Business, generally speaking, has been done only at small margins of
profit, no one buying except when necessity demanded the purchase.
Strictest economy in all lines has restricted our consumption in all the
products of the farm, the result being that farmers as well as all pro-
ducers have been living on small margins of profit.

Ordinarily the farmer believes his lot the hardest, and, when he reviews
the year with its low prices, believes nothing is quite so unprofitable as
his business. It is a fact that, when general business is prospering and
consequently prices are good, the products of the farm are in increased
demand; and we hope farming as an occupation may be added to the
industrial wealth of this country more in the future than in the past.

The fruit interests of this year have had, probably, what. will not occur
again, in regard to excessively abundant crops, but I believe the real and
true cause of the low prices to be under-consumption rather than over-
production. This applies more particularly to other fruits than to the
apple, for we know the average crop for the country of that fruit, as
coinpared to last year, is practically the same. The government report
for November gives it as 65.5 of a full crop, and it corresponds to my
most reliable source of information, outside the government report, the
estimate of the Orange Judd Farmer giving the figure for the year at
fifty million barrels as compared with fifty-five million barrels last year.

Early in the season I received a report from an apple-man to the effect
that this year’s crop was 216 million barrels, but in conversation with a
buyer who was in a position to know, he said to cut the above estimate
in two and then cut again, which brings it down to fifty-four million
barrels, which I believe will be much reduced from that figure. I am no
“prophet nor son of a prophet”; but, taking the situation as we find it,
viz.: great waste in orchards, poor keeping quality of the apples, and
increased prospect for consumption, and a greatly increased foreign
demand, it appears te me that the prospect is good for higher prices in
the future. <A five-cents-per-barrel rate from Buffalo to Chicago by boat
has given Michigan severe competition in marketing her crop, which will
result in much of it being wasted. In driving through the country and
seeing the ground covered with handsome fruit, the old adage comes to
mind, “wilful waste makes woeful want”; and right here I will give it as
my opinion that those orchards where the apples. are left to decay on the
ercund will be infested with moths and millers to an unusual degree
another year.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 259

My windfalls netted me about $300, and I did not touch the larger
share of them, for over one hundred head of hogs picked them all up for
me, so there is not an apple to be found on the ground in any of my
orchards, and the hogs improved all the time on the feed. I adopted my
usual method of sowing my orchard to peas. The hogs have eaten the
peas, pods, vines, all the apples, and have plowed the orchard besides,
which more than repays my outlay of $75 for peas. We turned the hogs
into the orchards about July 20, and never fed a bit of grain until Novem-
ber 10: and when comparing condition of orchards and hogs, the result
certainly was satisfactory.

In comparing orchards on sod to my cultivated orchard, it was very
apparent even to a casual observer that the fruit was better on the culti-
vated trees, and I believe we find a better growth of the next year’s fruit
buds. A great many predict a short crop for another year. I believe my
thees will bear a fair crop, judging from the present prospect of fruit
buds

The importance of fertilizing an apple orchard can not be overesti-
mitted, and I believe horticulturists generally are becoming more in favor
of cultivating and fertilizing any bearing orchard. It has been my
experience with apple orchards that, in the past eight years, they have
not failed to bear a good crop except one year, while many adjoining
orchards have not had so regular bearing.

Allowing an orchard to grow a thick sod of either June grass or
timothy is exhaustive to the soil. If carefully observed, it will be found
they absorb all the moisture of the summer, it requiring an unusually
hard rain to wet through this blanket of roots and fibers. This season of
hicavy bearing it was particularly noticeable that apple trees, notably
Baldwins, that bore so heavily, bore smaller fruit in grass orchards than
in those cultivated.

Al acre of wheat at twenty bushels per acre gives twelve hundred
pounds of grain. An acre of apple orchard at two barrels per tree,
seventy-five trees, gives us 22,500 pounds of fruit; and the tree should be
fed with expectation of better foliage, to produce better fruit, as land
should be replenished after frequent crops. The apparent neglect of the
apple orchards is possibly the reason for feeling that they are not profit-
able, and many have been cut down within the last five years, the ground
either set to peaches or used for farm crops.

My idea of fruit-farming, as an exclusive occupation, is to have the
whole variety of standard fruits—apple, pear, peach, and plum, so we
can reasonably expect a crop from some of them. I make this application
to Michigan particularly. In this year of excessive bearing it became
apparent at an early date that the apple trees were going to break down
with their enormous weight of fruit, if some means were not used to
relieve them. It did not seem practicable to thin them, when I found
that cur honored president had tried it, and a good man had thinned a
tree and a half in a day, so I relied upon nature’s thinning and stayed my
trees by wiring—not, as was recently advised by a prominent farm paper,
by putting the wire around the limb and twisting tight, but by putting
large screw-hooks on the inside of the limbs and wiring around the entire

260 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY:

center of tree by using the most prominent limbs and then twisting
the wire tight. I know of several large Baldwin trees I saved in this ¢
manner. We used, also, 30-penny wire spikes and drove them into the
body two thirds of their length, and then bent them with large pinchers
into a hook. This isa quick and safe way. I put the hooks into the limbs
about as high above the crotch of the tree as a man can reach, giving the
tree a strong support. I used No. 9 galvanized wire.

Several articles have been written in our papers about this year’s
quality of apples, and it was questionable whether spraying reaily paid
or not. It has been my actual experience this year, in comparing sprayed
with unsprayed orchards, that the apples were more wormy, and espe-
cially were the fungus spots more noticeable, on apples without spray.
The favorable conditions of the past season have seldom been experienced
in one year, and we believe the orchards that were thoroughly sprayed
this year will not have so much scab and fungus spots on their fruit next
year, as the effect of extreme moisture the last part of the season was
conducive to all fungous growth, which is likely to appear on the fruit
next season.

Much has been wasted this year and allowed to decay under the trees,
a poor fertilizer and an excellent breeding-place for worms. It seems
reasonable to believe that time is well spent if used in picking all fallen
fruit from under the trees.

The advisability of setting more apple orchards in Michigan I believe
is apparent, in place of very old orchards, as they are certainly past
their prime and usefulness when not bearing even a reasonable crop, and
many of the orchards have varieties which very poorly recommend them-
selves to the buyer, and we must raise what the market demands. Apple-
crowing in Michigan can be made as profitable as in the southwest, where
the largest orchards have been set, and it remains a fact that the most
desirable market apples grow to their best development in this latitude;
and, most of all, the market is within reach.

My own crop of winter apples ipicked) was over 10,000 bushels, and
I put them in my barns and cellars, as usual, in large bins, and began
packing as soon as we had finished picking. During the summer there
was criticism upon my method of piling apples in bins, given by one of
our horticultural papers. This year was a good one to judge the scheme,
whether the apples were injured, but we found them in good condition.
There was a bin of 3,500 bushels of Greenings that were piled over seven
feet thick, and remained over four weeks before packing, with no appar-
ent injury. It is my opinion that apples are cold on the trees when
picked, and if hauled immediately into the shade they keep their tempera-
ture more evenly than when exposed in the field. My ideal method, if it
can be done to advantage, would be to barrel immediately from the tree
and head-up in tight barrels, as the temperature would certainly remain
more even for a longer time under those conditions.

My actual experience this year with the present apple crop remains to
be proven as to profit or loss. I have about 2,000 barrels in Chicago, in
common storage, consigned to one commission house. I have also about
600 barrels of choice Red Canada, Ben Davis, and Baldwin in my fruit cel-
Jars and am waiting for the advance. I believe it certainly will come, but

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 261

its movements are slow. Nearly every space of cold storage is occupied,
the property of men who believe in an advance of prices. Most of the
apples in storage are there at a cost of about $1 per barrel, and some over
that price, and most of these apples are owned by men who make it their
business, and certainly almost know the future of the trade. Apples do
not appear scarce, from a trip through South Water-st., but my conelu-
sions as to the future have been based upon estimated reports and as
many apple-men look at it.

Pardon this digression. I am not a reformer nor an advocate of new
and untried economic schemes. However, it does seem apparent to me
that the producer should have something to do with making a price on
his product. All other lines of business are-so arranged, or they “shut
up shop”. As it is now, the middle-man, or rather, the speculative inter-
est, governs that important part, and when they continue to “bear” the
market, down it goes, and these periods of “over-supplv” and “large-sup-
plies” occur at exactly the time when the average producer figures to pay
for the cost of his crop, and seldom does he figure on any profit, for his
experience teaches him to “clear himself” after the year’s hard work, and
pay his taxes and store bills, to commence again another year. Don't
infer that | am one of these ‘calamity howlers”, but this view of affairs
of this kind seems apparent and it admits of solution.

After viewing tae apple crop of this season,-and understanding the
difficulties encountered, it certainly will result beneficially to any inter-
ested observer, as an experience that should result as a practical object
lesson. “Experience is our best teacher”, but, as my father often said,
“don’t pay too high for it”.

I have faith in apple culture as a source of profit, and when we compare
this year’s fruit prices (all included) it certainly has much to commend
it even at these extremely low prices.

“Work without hope draws nectar in a sieve, and hope without an
object can not live.”

BY MR. S. B. SMITH OF GRAND RAPIDS.

The apple has been styled “The king of fruits’, evidently becanse of
its pre-eminent excellence. It has an extended history, origimating in
the temperate portions of Europe and Asia, cultivated by the Romans,
passing thence into this country, and has become a staple product among
fruits in all temperate climates. It has had its past, it has its present,
and will have its future. As the present exceeds the past so the fuiure
will exceed the present. It has so many adaptations to the wants of men,
it can not be dispensed with. Because of this, it has a prominent place
in our inarkets, and is reckoned as one of the many crops of the country.
Its history has been varied, and likely will be in the future. All earthly
things fluctuate. It has had its periods of brilliant sunshine and gloomy
shadow. For several years the apple crop has been a partial or total
failure.

The peach has seemed to dispute its right to the crown and would take
from it the sceptre of fruit sovereignty. Some fruitgrowers have dug up

]
262 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

maniy of their apple trees and planted the peach instead. Few apple trees
have been planted, but train-loads of other kinds have been set. I would
not under-estimate other fruits, nor would I forsake the apple.

This year, bright sunshine has returned to the apple with unexampled
brilliancy, the largest crop in quantity, and the best in quality, in its
history in this country. The present of apple culture is full of experience,
observation, instruction, and admonition which are calculated to produce
its future. We may judge of the future not so much by the past as by
the present. Apple culture is destined to have a prosperous future. I
note some present indications of it, and will suggest some things neces-
sary to it.

I lay no claims to special originality, and promise no new and startling
discoveries on this subject. The topic has been considered and discussed
again and again by our brightest minds and most experienced fruit-
growers. If I can but emphasize what has been better said or written
before, it may be of some use to some persons. On this as on other sub-
jects, we need line upon line and precept upon precept.

The people are becoming better informed with reference to the causes
of failure in the past and the conditions of greater success in the future.
Discussions in horticultural meetings, state and local bulletins from our
agricultural colleges and experiment stations; our horticultural journals
and kindred literature, experience, and practical and scientific investiga-
tions, are all important educators. These instructions are not in vain;
they are being applied in practice. I greatly acknowledge my indebted-
ness to all of these agencies. Appreciating these advantages, I am here
as a learner today, and also a constant reader of several journals on this
subject. Whoever improves such opportunities is a gainer, whoever
neglects them does so to his great loss.

The planting of an orchard lies at the foundation of success in each
individual case. <A suitable location and proper selection of varieties
first claim attention. Whether for the family or for commercial pur-
poses, the location as to the soil, altitude, and air drainage are the same.
The selection of varieties is quite different. In the first a succession of
fruit ripening through the season; in the second, few varieties and these
mostly of winter sorts. In the first, quality should be specially consid-
ered; in the second, adaptation to the purpose should determine. In the
latter case, an orchard of large size has advantages. More system and
better equipments are likely to exist. Attention is more likely to be
engaged from abroad, and dealers can better afford to come, examine the
stock, and purchase. The qualities most desirable are color, hardiness,
good bearing, good shipping, and long keeping. Where possible, quality
should be added. One having most or all of these points, and lacking
somewhat in quality, would be more profitable for market orchards.
Such an one is Ben Davis. If one wishes to criticise it, he should judge
of it before it is ripe, which is at or near spring. I do not claim for it
first quality even when ripened, but it has many excellencies, it stands
high for commercial purposes.

This fall, a firm of wholesale fruit dealers desired all my Ben Davis
stock and wished no other, but would take the entire crop, as so large a
part of it was of this variety, should prices be satisfactory.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 263

Baldwin, Red Canada, Northern Spy, Jonathan, Willow Twig, Green-
ing, American Beauty, and Golden and Roxbury Russet are among the
excellent varieties for this purpose. King, Westfield, and Hubbardston
are more desirable for early winter than the Russets, because of their
color. Ben Davis and Russets are best for late keeping.

Planting too close is a common error. I made that mistake in planting
a portion of my orchard. The branches interlace and the ground is too
inuch taxed and shaded. Two rods apart is near enough; further, rather
than nearer. Especially is this the case with trees of a spreading habit.
Some have advocated close planting, and when the trees become large
enough to interfere, cutting out each alternate tree. When they come
into bearing they need the whole ground. Furthermore, but few would
have courage enough to cut away one half of an orchard. We are learn-
ing that one crop for the ground is encugh at a time.

For four or five years after an orchard is set, some hoed crop may be
no special disadvantage, since it secures cultivation that might otherwise
be neglected; but, after it comes into bearing, the trees and fruit should
have all the ground. We are learning to cultivate our apple orchards
as a crop. Give them the same degree of cultivation experienced grow-
ers give their peach orchards, and we would hear less of “Apple culture
don’t pay”. Crops, or grass and weeds, take moisture and nourishment
ihe trees and fruit need.

The apple is more patient under neglect and abuse than most other
fruits. There is a time, however, when “Forbearance ceases to be a
virtue”. Emphatic protest is made; the ordinary annual growth is mostly
withheld; the limbs and body are moss-covered, and the tree easily
becomes a victim of disease and insect enemies. Many of us do not apply
the knowledge we possess on ‘the subject. Sometimes we seem not to
have the time, and sometimes we lack present financial ability to hire
the work done. Shall I say that in some cases it is lack of energy or
knowledge, and perhaps both?

Weare learning to fertilize more. The soil, however good, can not bear
continual cropping without exhaustion. It must be fed. Horace Greeley
illustrated this sort of starvation by a homely but forcible figure: ‘Tie
a cow to a stake. She will live as long as the grass within the limits of
the rope holds out. She will starve afterward.” One reason why
orchards were formerly more fruitful than many now are, is, the virgin
soil had not been exhausted. What nature did then, art must do now. It
is vital to the future of successful culture.

Judicious pruning is also a factor in future success. This should begin
with a tree as training does with a child—in early life. Twenty acres
of my apple orchard were planted with trees of but one year’s growth
from the graft. Pruning began early, a little ata time. At first the top
is kept balanced; then by degrees cut off the side branches till they are
made to head about three feet from the ground. After the head is formed,
thinning is about all the pruning needed.

Some of the advantages of planting trees so young are: the first cost
is much less, freight is less, more of the root in proportion will be taken
up with the tree, the planting is almost as easily and quickly done as the

264 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

setting of cabbage plants, and the trees are made to head more uniformly.
The thinning of fruit is accomplished in a good degree by pruning.

Fungous and insect enemies have made spraying a necessity. Doubters
are few. Experience confirms believers. Crops of canker-worms and
codlin moths are common, and various forms of disease prevail where
spraying is neglected or but partially done. As a condition of future suc-
cess, those who do not spray, must; and many who do, must spray more.

The best time and manner of gathering the crop is important. Many of
us delay beginning too long. So soon as the seeds turn black and the
fruit cleaves easily from the stem, it is time to begin. This, with winter
varieties, will be about the last week in September. Those ripening first,
and most likely to drop, should be gathered first. Ladders pointed at
the top, half-bushel baskets with books on the handles, bushel baskets
to handle the fruit in taking to the place of storage, and trucks with
bolster springs with which to convey them, are useful adjuncts to the
apple harvest. Some improved step Jadders have recently been manu-
factured, and these are useful for the purpose. The platform truck in use
with us carries thirty bushel baskets at a time. As a rule, the fruit can
be taken directly to the cellar or fruit house. Varieties having dark
spots, as some Greenings and a few, other varieties have this year, would
better be stored in a manner to secure the best ventilation. I noticed
that such fruit developed these spots most that was in the center of the
bin. These bins were in the barn, above the cellar. I think the method
in use by Mr. Sebastian Smith of Watervliet, in cribbing the fruit in the
orchard, would be good in such a case.

Where the crop is to be held for sale in the winter or spring, the method
of storage should receive special attention. I refer now to methods that
are practicable for ordinary fruitgrowers. Cold-storage by the use of ice
or chemicals, in large and expensive buildings, as in the large cities,
we know to be effective; but such method is too expensive for individual
fruitgrowers. What seems to be necessary is a plan of cold-air storage
without the use of ice or chemicals, where large quantities can be kept
with a good degree of perfection.

For the storage of a large quantity in a given space, I have followed
the practice of Mr. Welch of Plymouth, Wayne county, and with good
results. He stored in the cellar of his residence, one bin the length of his
cellar, about three and a half feet wide, piled as high as he could turn
a basket; and then another next to that, until his cellar was filled. He
did not handle them until shipment in the spring. I have added some-
what to his practice. I store in a cellar under a bank-barn. A house
cellar is too warm. It is not good for the health of the family or for the
fruit to be so stored. Besides, I have covered the floor and sides with
narrow boards an inch apart, and have an air space of two inches between
the board and cement floors and between the sheathing and walls. It
will be a still further improvement to add a feature of the grape-house
of Mr. Munson of Grand Rapids—the laying of tile four or five feet under
ground, to conduct cold air from outside into the cellar, with a ventilating
pipe through the roof to carry warm air off; these so arranged so as to
open or close as desired, the diameter of the tile and ventilator to be
according to the size of the storage room.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. - 265

My cellar is 32x44 feet, and is divided into three sections. The sections
are filled with bins three and one half feet wide and fourteen feet long,
and as high as a basket can be turned, say seven and one half feet high.
When one bin is full, another is made next to it and filled, and another,
until the section is full; then the section at the other end is filled in a like
manner, and finally the center is filled in the same way. Windows are on
hinges.. From the beginning of storing till very freezing weather, the
doors and windows and ventilators are opened nights and closed when-
ever the temperature is higher outside than inside. This method has
worked well so far. A few years ago, when the cellar was full in the
manner described, the fruit was shipped in the spring. Mr. Pleune, who
had charge, reported that the apples kept equally well at the top, middle,
and bottom; except that at the top, where changes of temperature were
more operative, the fruit specked a little, and at the bottom, where apples
touched the board floor, they were somewhat withered. I had feared
that those at the bottom might be injured by the pressure of such a
large body of fruit, seven or eight feet deep. Waste by decay was about
one barrel to a car-load. The cellar is now full, and they are keeping
well.

Successful marketing is as important as successful growing for com-
mercial purposes.

Shall we sell in autumn or later? That depends on the price in autumn,
on how many are selling then, and whether the grower has facilities for
storage for the winter months. If all sell in autumn, prices will be as low
as a glutted market will make them. Distribution in times of sale is kin-
dred to distribution in places of market. Growers should study the mar-
ket reports from various places; should consult the reports from the de-
partment at Washington, to ascertain where the apple crop is small; and
last but not least, associate in organized form for market purposes. As
one doing business on a large scale can purchase, sell, and obtain better
freight terms than others, so can many combined and acting as one get
the same advantages, and these in proportion to the volume of business
done.

Why not employ associations on a smaller scale to utilize the lower
grades of our apples? Does it not seem practicable for several fruitgrow-
ers to join in building a factory for evaporating, for jelly, and for
vinegar? While it might not be urged as a profitable investment for
revenue, yet it would save that which otherwise would be lost or dis-
posed of to less advantage. Growers in western New York are wise, or
very unwise, for they have a large number of evaporators in some form.

Apple culture has many conditions of success; it may have many
causes of failure. Success or failure depends largely on the men who
are engaged in it. It is to be made a success in the future as the con-
ditions of success are observed; a failure, in the measure in which they
are neglected. The present has been the most fruitful year in the history
of the apple crop in the northern portion of the United States. It serves
to stimulate faith. It indicates the possibilities of the future. Such a
series of years of failure in this crop we may never have again. Our
orchards may have been storing, in these years of small fruitage, for

34

266 - STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

this year of great abundance. This vigor seems not to be exhausted, for
fruit buds are appearing for next year.

This conclusion seems legitimate: With more faithful use of what we
already know, and with such scientific and practical investigation as
may be put forth in the future, we may realize greater perfection and
profit in apple culture than ever before. Then the apple will yet be styled
the “Ixing of fruits”.

There is no fruit grown that is so staple as the apple; no fruit that can
so nearly be distributed to the four quarters of the world, in its natural
state, with so little expense of packing or in so economical a package,
and there is no fruit that will receive the uninterrupted demand for so
long a season. Therefore, the prices ruling this season should not con-
demn to oblivion the growing of the king of fruits, the apple, but should
cause the thoughtful grower to pause, to inquire into and determine the
reason, the cause, why the apple crop of 1896 could not have found a
market fairly remunerative. While it is not easy to show the primary
cause for the existing condition, to the satisfaction of all, it is fair to say
the cause that has placed the products of the farm, of the orchard, or
vineyard, the field or forest, of the mill and factory, the product of all
industry, on the market at the cost of, or at less than the cost of, produc-
tion, is the cause of the congested condition of the apple market, and
whoever has faith in better times to come, and believes that better values
will obtain, as has been the case following former periods of depression,
may reasonably expect the apple-grower to profit by the improved condi-
tions, in common with all other lines of industry. While the late apple
crop has been a source of discouragement, if we note the lessons brought
to our attention it may be a blessing—like some other blessings, at pres-
ent somewhat obscure, but apparent later to those who profit by the
lessons taught, of which there are not a few.

The lesson most apparent to the apple-grower, as given by the condi-
tions attending the development of the apple crop of 1896, is that a crop
so early matured must find a market at once. Every day’s delay produces
a shrinkage which emphasizes the lesson in so practical a manner that it
should not soon be forgotton. If the crop had been of less magnitude
in the apple-growing area, a good reason for probable higher prices later,
it has been demonstrated in a way not to be misunderstood, that so early-
matured a crop can not be held profitably for a possible higher market;
the loss by decay and frequent handling will more than balance the gain
in price.

The fact has again been emphasized, that a mongrel orchard, like mon-
erel stock, is not good property. Any orchard ‘larger than is needed for
family use is necessarily a commercial orchard. To be a success as such,
it can not be an’ experiment station, containing all the varieties cata-
logued. The grower who offers a large number of varieties with a small
amount of fruit in each variety, receives the minimum market price, as
compared with the price obtained by the zrower able to offer a crop of a
few desirable varieties. Hence it is necessary, in order to get the best re-
sults, to grow the varieties wanted and the varieties demanded by the con-
sumer. In fruitful seasons, the discrimination in favor of those varieties
is most in evidence, and should indicate what to plant and suggest the

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 267

eradication of the indifferent or worthless varieties occupying space the
lesson teaches us should be filled with something better. The growers
who marketed the crop with the least expense of handing were the only
ones able to show a profit. If one is claimed for a crop of 1896, the eco-
nomical method is the practical method, as well employed in seasons of
better prices.

The demand for the wormy apple and the apple marked by fungi has
been conspicuous by its absence, suggesting the desirability of including
the spraying for codlin moth and fungi in the enactment against the
canker worm, which should be as diligently applied as the yellows law;
for, while the life of the tree is not threatened, the business of apple-grow-
ing is. Every over-loaded tree appeals to the reason of the grower, di-
rectly through the channel that moves the quickest—the pocket. It takes
time, labor, and money to grow a tree, which means that the tree is an
investment and should be as carefully guarded, for what it is worth, as
any other investment. It should not be over-worked. If a portion of the
fruit is removed, either by pruning or thinning, the vitality of the tree is
retained, the quality of the matured fruit improved, and the chances less
of the tree asking for a “lay-off” four years out of five. The successful
apple-grower of the future will be the specialist, the man with the
hobby, who believes in the future of apple-growing; he will have the
courage of his convictions. The lesson of the late apple crop teaches us
that he will have faith in the use of fertilizers, in spray for the fungi and
the worm; that he will relieve the tree of unnecessary burden by thinning
or proper pruning; he will have the necessary intelligence to apply the
fertilizer judiciously, to be timely in spraying, and to thin thoroughly.
The fruit will then speak for and sell itself.

The apple is mostly grown in this latitude of the temperate zone, and
here attains the best quality, by reason of the different seasons of ripen-
_ing of the different varieties. It is in use in its natural state a longer
season than any other fruit grown in this climate, and if denied us would
be missed the most. We will assume the apple to be the oldest known of
all the fruits, for no doubt if the variety of the fruit offered by the first
man to the first woman had been chronicled, we would find the apple to
have had precedence over the vine and fig. Being of such ancient origin,
it may be properly recognized as an institution antedating all others de-
signed for the use of mankind—a blessing in the past, a present necessity ;
and, as the wish is father to the thought, may it always be with us. The
veteran samples the first green apple of the season with caution and sat-
isfaction; the small boy in quantities, without caution, but with results.
Maiden’s Blush is an inspiration; Snow, Red Canada, and Northern Spy,
in their season, are beyond description, and the last bitter Ben Davis and
corky Russet like wine of old vintage—the best of all.

268 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Rice: Mr. President, 1 am going to say, in regard to the paper read
by Mr. Smith, that to me he has presented ‘a new method of storing and
keeping apples. I was brought up among the apple orchards of western
New York, and we never thought of any such thing as that. He advised
with me early in the fall, and I told him I thought is was a very dangerous
thing to pile apples so deep, that a great many apples would be bruised
and they would come out in very bad condition. Now, if his methods are
successful, it opens a new field for keeping apples, and it seems to me
that it is a matter really worth while for us to investigate. I hope that
we may hear some reports on the subject hereafter. I did not suppose
it possible to have piles laid more than two or three feet deep in a bin
without their bruising, and if they can be kept seven or eight or nine
feet deep in a bin, or in a large cellar like that, with the divisions that he
gives to the bins, it is a matter of a great deal of importance, because,
in a time like this, men in our part of the country have allowed their
apples to go to waste simply because it is too expensive to buy barrels in
which to store them, and they know of no other way of taking care of
them.

Mr. Sherwood: Mr. Smith refers to Mr. Sebastian Smith’s method of
cribbing apples. I will say I know of his experience, and he advises it,
particularly with the black spots we have found within the last two or
three years on some varieties, such as Baldwin and Greening; but Mr.
Smith’s experience in that line has not been very favorable. Last year,
out of a crop of about a hundred barrels of Baldwins, if my memory
serves me right, he only got about fifteen or twenty barrels of No. 1
apples, and he concluded that change of temperature, or being exposed
in that way in the orchard, increased the spots on the apples, or brought
them out more, as he thought they were not on the apples when he put
them in the bin, and this year he has put some in bins and a good many
in his barn. -That was his experience last year.

Mr. Morrill: I would like to ask what is meant by this spot? It is
not a scab, it is a cloudiness in the skin—is that what you have reference
to?

Mr. Sherwood: It is seen on the Baldwin, and it is a fungus, as I take
it, and if I am not mistaken it is called “bitter rot.” The flavor is bitter.
It is particularly noticeable in Baldwin. It is a perfectly black spot,
about as large as a pea. It is found on the surface of the apple, it
changes the flavor of the apple, particularly the Baldwin.

Mr. Morrill: It is on the surface only?

Mr Sherwood: It penetrates under the skin a little way. It is a little
fungus growth, a little woody growth under the skin.

Mr. Rice: Has not ventilating his bins helped that?

Mr. Sherwood: No, sir; I do not think it has.

Prof. Slingerland: I do not know what is meant by this black spot.
I have seen it very frequently, on Baldwins, and our attention has been
called to it this season, a spot which does not show so much on the skin

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEET TING. 269

as it does below the skin. You cut the skin off, and there you find brown
spots, you might call them.

Mr. Reid: That is what he refers to.

Professor Slingerland: JI do not know what has caused that or what
can be done for it. I submitted some specimens to Professor Bailey, a
short time ago, similar to that, and he said he did not know what was the
cause or what could be done for it. I think it is peculiar to Northern
Spy and Baldwin and also Greening, but I do not know of any remedy
except cultivation.

Mr. Smith: With me the Greening was affected more than any other
variety, and it seems to develop like a canker, and around it is a bitter
taste, about as Mr. Sherwood has described—more this year than any
year before, and more in Greenings than any other variety.

Mr. Wilde: I have grown Greenings a great many years, and never
saw this occur before, and it occurred worse on trees that were over-
loaded. It is a black spot, as though the rain had left dirty, soot spots
on the fruit, and they wilted the apples. It is a new thing to me. I
neyer had it before, and it has injured a great many apples. Some of my
Greenings were not worth taking in on account of that black scab. The
other apples were free from it, Baldwins and Spies were entirely free.

Mr. Rice: I think it is produced a great deal by the apples heating.
I think that is the great difficulty in shipping apples across the ocean,
their heating in the holds of the ships. Our Canadian friends find a great
deal of tr ouble from that. When they get to the European market “they
are almost worthless from that bitter taste. In the case that I noticed
it seemed to be decidedly from being heated, I thought, in the barrels.

Mr. Wilde: I would like to state that under my circumstances it could
not possibly have been from heating, because it made its first appear-
ance on the first day of September, on the trees; I first noticed it among
the apples on the trees. When they were piled up on the ground I consid-
ered the fruit from one tree worthless. They all wilted so that they were
like sponges, from that particular tree. Those that were thin or scat-
tered were better.

Mr. Sherwood: There is a difference in the spots. I thought I was
right. It has occurred this year on Jonathan. I know I had seen it here,
and there it is [showing a specimen] the same thing on that Jonathan.
It is different from the spots that occur on the Greenings, that this gentle-
man referred to. Where it is very pronounced it has left the skin in a
withered condition, and this seems to look like a little dent on the apple.
It is on this Jonathan that I have in my hand, you can see the spots, and
on some Baldwins it will nearly cover the apple. It is something I have
noticed within two years.

Mr. Reid: There is something that has been observable on the Bald-
win for some time, and more frequently, I think, as a pit in the skin than
as a black spot. Underneath the skin there is a brown, withered appear-
ance, a corky substance; thé flavor of the apple becomes bitter, and it
very often is noticeable on the apples at the time of picking. I have this
fall had samples of very large Baldwins brought to my office that would
be utterly worthless for any purpose, and it is commonly known among
growers as bitter rot. I never saw it among any other apples, and it is

270 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

not anything that is attributable to binning or lack of ventilation or any-
thing of that kind.

Mr. Chas. Wilde: I believe that what effects the Greenings this year
is simply scab, only it came on later in the season and did not crack the
apple, and I think it is the same disease that is known generally as the
scab, and that bitter rot seldom appears in the Greening; and if you will
get that spot off from the Greening this year you will not see that corky,
bruised appearance; but in the Baldwin that often happens, and it is
known as bitter rot, as the secretary says. With us it is more prevalent
in the Baldwins that are overgrown, and less noticeable on those smaller
in size. .

Prof. Slingerland: I think Mr. Wilde is right about that. We have
three different things, there are two on this apple and neither appears to
be like what you are talking of on the Baldwin.

Mr. Reid: Sometimes these spots will occur within the texture of the
apple, and not grow on the skin at all, go clear through to the core; but
as the apples ripen through the winter they become entirely worthless.
because of the prevalence of these spots.

Prof. Slingerland: This Jonathan has distinct black spots on the skin
and very little below the skin. It is quite different from that on the Bald-
win. On the Baldwin you have scarcely anything on the outside, but a
deep, bitter brown on the inside. Here is something like Spy, which Ifas.
these black spots which the gentleman found on Greenings. I never
found this brown spot on Greenings, such as you have on Baldwins. I
think these spots on Greenings are the genuine apple scabs coming on
later in the season. The spots on Jonathan I never saw before. I think
the spots on Baldwin are bitter rot. I think we are talking of three dis-
tinct things.

A member: What is your remedy for bitter rot?

Prof. Slingerland: I do not know of any remedy for bitter rot. Apple
scab, of course, you can prevent.

Mr. Harrison: I think there are two distinct diseases that we are
getting mixed up here. One is what we used to call dry or bitter rot,
which prevailed in southern Ohio twenty-five or thirty years ago, so that
it almost ruined the Baldwin orchards in southern parts of the state,
and affected orchards up in the lake region badly. It did not confine
itself to that variety, but that was the worst affected of any. Then there
is another that is confined more to the surface; that I think is caused by
piling the fruit in too large masses when first gathered, before it passes
through a heating process. Forty years ago I was engaged quite heavily
in shipping apples from New York to Ohio and to Milwaukee, and oc-
casionally we got apples that were somewhat heated in the hold of the
vessel, and that spot which resulted was a bitter, disagreeable spot, but
it was entirely different from the old disease that we knew in Ohio or have
since known in Ohio as dry rot. This hardly ever appears first, I think, on
the outside, but commences in the apples, and sometimes, as the secretary
says, it does not appear on the outside at all. In paring the apple one
gets the first indication that it is there.

Prof. Taft: I would say regarding this disease of which Mr. Harrison
has spoken, that it has been very troublesome this year with Fameuse and

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MERTING. 271

several other kinds, and we have been trying to learn under a microscope
what it is. We can find no trace of any fungous difficulty, and we are
working now on the line of bacteria, thinking possibly something of that
kind has worked inside and caused these discolorations, these brown
blotches all through the flesh of the apple, but we are yet at sea as to what
it is and the cause; but my impression is that its presence there is due
to the fact of heating, or something of that kind, that heating is the
prime cause. Our bacteriologist has not been able to recognize any
specific microbe yet, and he has found something there that he can not
account for, and when I left him he was still working upon it.

Mr. Harrison: You find that on the fruit still on the trees, do you
not?

Prof. Taft: Yes, sir. Mr. Harrison: How could it be heated, then?

Prof, Taft: Well, it might be. For instance, we had warm, moist
weather along through August, on several occasions, long continued, and
it might be that, of course, on the tree the same as in the barrel.

Mr. Sherwood: I have noticed particularly that we found it on the
fruit on the trees, before it was put into the bins. In reference to Mr.
Smith’s method, it was found more noticeable on the top of his bins than
it was on the bottom last year. I drove nearly a mile to see the effect of
it, and nearly every apple we found in the Baldwin bin was affected, but
there was more trouble on the top of the bin than there was on the bot-
tom; so that this is not what Mr. Harrison refers to, because it has been
noticeable on the trees before the fruit was put into the bins; and so far
as I could see it did not increase any after putting into the bin.

Prof Taft: Were those spots on the outside of the fruit?

Mr. Sherwood: Yes, sir. It is the same as we find on Jonathan.

Prof. Taft: What I have in mine were in the inside. I never saw any
on the outside at all.

Mr. Morrill: There is an idea which develops in this discussion that I
would like to bring out here. Now, I saw Mr. Sherwood’s apples when he
was packing them, and remember that they were diligently sprayed
previous to the opening of the leaf and on to the close of the spraying
season; they were thoroughly taken care of; they were clean apples when
put in, and they were put in areas as large as this room, in two and three
(and I don’t know but four) large piles, and I saw in there a great number
of men packing those apples, and they were coming out of the bottoms
of those deep piles in perfect condition. Now, I ask Prof. Slingerland
if that crop of apples had been affected with scab of these various sorts,
knowing it to be a contagious disease and casting off spores, if under
the heating process that takes place there, if it would not be possible for
the apples already contaminated to give the disease to the others and for
it to grow. It occurred to me it is possible for something of that kind to
take place, and it might make a great difference whether you put clean
apples in contaminated with these contagious troubles.

Prof. Slingerland: I think the heating and moistening conditions
would tend to make a fungus grow more readily, and whether that
fungus would send off spores or not, I would leave that to Prof. Taft. I
think he knows more about that than I do.

272 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Prof. Taft: I really could not say, definitely, as to that point. I am
very sure the scab will grow in the apples if it is hot and moist—the
spots will enlarge in the apples.

Mr. Cook: For a number of years, commencing, perhaps, after the
cold winter of 1873-4, when so many of our apple trees were injured by
cold, I have been in the habit of collecting fruit for exhibition, about
our county, for the fair, in connection with some other gentlemen. We
began to discover in those years this bitter rot in Baldwin, more par-
ticularly, and I recollect one orchard which was seriously injured. It
was almost impossible to secure specimens of the Baldwin that were
not troubled with bitter rot, on the trees, and we found it more preva-
lent all through the country after that weakening of the trees by the
cold winter. How that affected it specially I do not know, but that is
what we found.

Mr. VanAuken: I would like to ask the gentleman a question. What
is the width of the boards he uses in making the cribs, so that the apples
may get full circulation? Mr. Smith: Eight inches.

Mr. Sherwood: There is a question that has been discussed a great
deal in our papers, and it is a matter of observation with us all, and
Mr. Harrison, a practical man here, says that apples sweat. Is that a
faet ? Mir Smith=sN o;2 sir

Mix. Sherwood: It brings out a question in my mind which is a very
important thing. I think apples, when they do “sweat”, lose much of
their flavor, and we run the chances of their decaying more than when
they do not sweat. It is my belief (I may be mistaken in it) that if the
temperature is held evenly there is no necessity of their sweating. If
you take an apple from the tree and keep it as near that temperature as
you can, it will not sweat. The old idea of apples sweating I do not
agree with myself.

Mr. Morrill: Would you call it condensation?’ Mr. Sherwood: Yes,

sir.
Mr. Harrison: I suppose it will be admitted that apples in barrels,
too closely confined in the hold of a vessel, will heat, if they will not
sweat, and I do not think you can get that heat without there being an
emanation from the fruit; and I think, if you pile apples high in a bin,
you will find much the worse fruit is on the top where the emanations
ascend from below.

Mr. Stevens: I would ask Mr. Smith at what temperature apples
should be kept to keep them from sweating?

Mr. Smith: This fall the cellar was closed entirely while I was pack-
ing the apples upstairs, and when we had finished barreling we opened
the cellar in order to begin to pack down cellar. When the doors were
opened the apples were all dry. Admitting the warm air from outside,
the cold apples inside condensed the moisture, and so far as the air had
access, and no further, it moistened the apples.

Mr. Taylor: Covered with dew?

Mr. Smith: Yes, sir. A pitcher full of cold water, in the summer,
when the pitcher is colder than the atmosphere about it, “sweats”, and
that is the way apples sweat. There is no sweating if temperature of
apples and air be equal.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MERTING. 273

Mr. Morrill: I do not know as this discussion will be very profitable,
because the facts exist, and we all know they exist, though we do not
know, perhaps, what there is of it. In my opinion both are right and
both are wrong. Under certain conditions the moisture in the atmos-
phere will condense upon an apple, and we know that under certain con-
ditions of ventilation the apple shrinks; it shrinks by evaporation,
because none of the drier solid matter leaves the apple, it is all there.
You may call it evaporation, or sweat, or perspiration, you may call it
whatever you please, but they do sweat and they do condense moisture
under certain atmospheric conditions. I do not know that the topic is
profitable at all, but these are the facts and we should understand them.

The Secretary: Yes, but when the apple is withered you do not find
this accumulation of moisture; it remains dry. Now, the sweating
process, as commonly understood, occurs through the practice of a great
many farmers who pile their apples under the trees and leave them
exposed to all kinds of weather, under the impression they will
keep better if allowed to “sweat” there. Somebody asked the question
at what temperature they should be kept to avoid that. There would
be no particular temperature. Any time when the atmosphere warmed
up by a sudden change, and it was humid, and the apples were of lower
temperature, this sweating would occur, but the precise degree would
not be fixed. There would be no sweating through the evaporation of
the apple, no perceptible moisture on its surface. It is a popular error,
no doubt, that apples are benefited by this sweating process out under
the trees, exposed to the rain and frost and the other conditions of the
atmosphere. When this sweating has occurred, these apples are very
uppleasant things to handle, and certainly will not keep better than
if they had been put away dry.

Mr. Rork: We have noticed in roots—turnips, carrots, and potatoes
(and the keeping of them seems quite similar in conditions to keeping of
apples)—that if put deep into a hole and covered tight at once, they
will gather moisture and rot; and if you put them into a hole and put
a heavy blanket over them, and let them lie there awhile, the blanket
will be wet through, a blanket as heavy as a carpet. After that vou
can take off the blanket and cover them, with a degree of safety. Now,
the temperature, after you have covered them with a blanket and put
them into the hole, is certainly as warm in the hole as it is outside, :ind
yet they will continue wet. I have put apples away the same way, put
them into a hole and covered a blanket over them and the blanket was
wet. If you put earth over them they will rot soon. If you let them
stay there and remove your blanket, you can leave them with a good
deal of safety.

Mr. Morrill: Those of us who have paid any attention to cold storage
know this, that the least possible change or variation in temperature is
the best condition in which to keep apples, and with perfectly uniform
temperature this sweating or condensation is scarcely noticeable; and
that the best temperature in which apples can be kept is from thirty-
four to thirty-six degrees. These are things which we should under-
stand, and the nearest approach to that is the nearest to perfection, and
the temperature should be held absolutely uniform. This might bring

274 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

-_us to the question of cold-storage houses. You can not find an ice-house
in Chicago that can get eggs or apples or butter, on account of the fact
that they are not perfectly reliable in their temperature, while the
chemical houses as they are called, are the successful ones. A variation
of a degree to a degree and a half will affect the apparatus, and such
change will close or open the flow for that particular room, regulated
by the thermostat, and these houses are keeping apples successfully.
They go in and come out sound after a long period. There is no method
that is equal to this, because the apples are placed in a room that is set
at thirty-five degrees regulated by the thermostat. You know it will
never be below thirty-four degrees nor above thirty-six, and it will stand
there the year around. Something was said about the expense of cold
storage. Some of the best houses in Chicago are stowing at ten cents per
barrel the first month and five cents for each additional month. The
trouble has been, this year, to get room—it was all contracted for early.

Mr. Willard: I would like to ask Mr. Sherwood if he attributes his
success in having continuous apple crops to his culture or to his spray-
ing?
Mr. Sherwood: I attribute it to both. I think that it is impossible to
have successful apple culture in western Michigan without spraying and
without thorough culture, and clean culture, and fertilizing. I have
done that in my orchards, and have given a thorough fertilizing with
barnyard manure and mulching and turning under and pasturing
with sheep, and am now pasturing with hogs, which I think is the best
method we have; it is the most satisfactory. I attribute my success to
it. I am young in the business, comparatively, and my experience has
been based on observation and comparison. There is an orchard right
next tomy orchard. Mine has borne four crops and that has borne one—
the same soil, practically the same, the same trees, and set the same dis-
tance apart, trimmed alike; but that orchard was in sod and hadn’t had
the cultivation and the spraying that mine had. I think that we can not
emphasize spraying too much.

Mr. Bos: Then I understand you prune just as much? Mr. Sherwood:
Yes, sir, thoroughly.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 275.

EXPERIMENTS WITH ORCHARD COVER CROPS.

BY PROF. JOHN CRAIG OF OTTAWA, ONTARIO.

Suitable cover-crops to protect orchards are of great importance in all
fruitgrowing sections. In northern regions, the practice of sowing a
crop after cultivation ceases, that will at once enrich the soil and pro-
tect the feeding roots of the trees, is one of the essentials to success,
and an item in the annual programme of orchard management that
should never be omitted. The late P. C. Dempsey of Trenton, Ont.,
one of Canada’s most successful fruitgrowers, recognized the truth of
‘these statements years ago, and frequently expressed himself to the
effect that a cover-crop of weeds in the autumn was far better, consid-
ered in the light of what was best for the trees, than no cover-crop at
all. The healthy and profitable orchard of apples and pears which he
left to his worthy son, W. H. Dempsey of Trenton, furnishes ample proof
of the benefits of the system.

In brief, this means sowing a crop in the orchard after cultivation
ceases in summer, that will protect the roots of the trees by preventing
at once alternate freezing and thawing and deep freezing; that will add
something (the more the better) to the fertility of the soil when turned
under; that will improve its tilth or mechanical condition, and, lastly,
that will occupy the ground to the exclusion of such plauts as may
wander out of place—weeds.. .

When soils, especially those of a clayey nature, are constantly culti-
vated without being subjected to the ameliorating influences induced by-
producing some kind of vegetation, not only do they become mechani-
cally unfitted for the production of healthy and vigorous plant growth,
but the plant food may take on forms not readily assimilable. In north-
ern sections, perhaps one of the strongest reasons that can be urged in
favor of the practice is the protective influence cover-crops exert against
the often severe root injury wrought by sharp frosts to trees growing
upon bare soil. Speaking of injury of this kind, Prof. Hartig of Ger-
many says:

“Roots of all young trees, even forest trees, may be killed if severe
and long-continued frost finds the lighter classes of soil unprotected by
snow or any other covering. The periderm of the root is thinner than
that of the stem, and consequently the former is less protected; and,
moreover, growth is active for a longer period in roots than in the twigs.
When, in mild climates, growth continues till the middle of winter,
when frost occurs the tissues are not in the inert condition which assist
them to resist cold, and death to the affected tissues follows. Such
plants burst their buds in spring but wither whenever transpiration from.
the delicate young shoots has exhausted the stock of water.”

An occurrence of this kind may wipe out in a single winter what was a:
promising young orchard. As the trees grow older and become deeper
rooted, the danger naturally lessens. Portions of the central experi-

276 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

mental farm cherry and apple orchard, at Ottawa, upon light soils,
under clean cultivation, were almost totally destroyed in this way last
winter. The temperature fell, and remained more or less stationary at
twenty degrees below zero, for some days toward the end of December,
when the ground was entirely unprotected by snow. +The cherries were
mainly root-grafted or budded on Mahaleb stocks; the apples were
budded and grafted on French crab stocks. The character or variety of
stock seemed to have less to do with the extent of the injury than the
nature of the soil. In those portions of the orchard where a hard and
impervious subsoil approaches the surface the injury was greatest. The
twigs and branches retained their plumpness till the commencement of
the vegetative process; the flower buds, with which the trees were thickly
covered, opened or partly opened, as the case may be, and in some
instances fruit set; the leaf buds usually made an attempt to do their
duty, but failed to more than half develop leaves. By this time the
twigs were much shrivelled, and, the store of food having become
exhausted, the trees gave up the struggle and died. On digging them up
it was found that in nearly every instance the upper system of roots was
entirely killed, and while the lower or tap roots were alive toward their
lower extremities, the superior portions were entirely killed. A lesson
of this kind need only be learned once, and strongly emphasizes the
desirability, if not necessity, of protection, from that standpoint.

In 1895 a number of plants were tried with view to ascertaining some
facts regarding the advantages of each in this climate. Half an acre each
of the following fodder plants was sown, Aug. 15, with a light seeding of
rye at the rate of one and a quarter bushels per acre:

INOW ee ce OramSon ClOVER cite recto eee choco ts Merete eet ascetnten cnet: eaten 20 lbs. per acre
INOS 2p ianmm oth Glovers cere. een cite eco eter tier a= 12 lbs. per acre
IN@).8) EM KEK alOGideer aboubumcds doaoo obo gengle oboudouonanodinodsc 12 Ibs. per acre
Inyo hy UL A pesos ae a Mesa Cio alc oid. brow o ato nta of oD diobid bios = 15 lbs. per acre
No: tov Commonren Clover’. ack s.r la aetaeleata ha eee ctial sek ete 12 lbs. per acre
No. 6. White clover and orchard grass.

No. 7. Common clover and orchard grass.

SN OY 5 tok He OH S|3, 0d 5 ater Oe HAC IONS cncinitantda coca ro diol cin cic/d atc 2 bushels per acre

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL

MEETING.

277

The following notes show the condition of these late in the autumn :nd
early in the spring:

Plants.

Condition.

Fall, 1895.

Spring, 1896.

Remarks.

1. Crimson clover:___-

2-4 inches high, smothered
by rye; light covering
by first frost.

Entirely killed out; no
plants to be seen May
12.

Smothered by the rye.

2 Mammoth Red
clover.

2-3 inches high; weak;
ground fairly covered
by rye.

Light cover; best where
unprotected by rye.

Fairly good.

orehard grass.

S™Mield peas... 2-_=

chard grass makes good
showing.

makes some show.

3. Alsike clover _-_---- 2 inches; very light coyv- | Wintered well; fair cover | Fairly good.
ering; poor catch. where alone.
Se Aut abiaee. 2252 ease 6-8 inches; good catch, | Wintered well on low | Good.
showing well through ground; killed out on
rye; tops killed by first knolls.
black frost.
5. Common Red | Very weak; nearly crowd-| Badly killed; very light | Too weak.
clover. ed out by rye. cover; patchy.
6. White clover and | No improvement over the | Killed out. Too weak.
orchard grass. last.
7. Alsike clover and | Better than last: cover | Light crop on low ground.| Too weak.
orchard grass. light, but fairly even.
_ 8. Crimson clover and | Crimson clover weak; or- | No clover; orchard grass | Too weak.

Nearly crowded out by
rye.

Only rye left.

Smothered by the rye-

Summing up the conclusions, I would say: (1) Rye sown at the rate
of one and a quarter bushels per acre proved too thick for most of the
clovers, and prevented their full development; at the same time it should
be remembered that it furnished a certain amount of protection and gave
a certain amount of plant food when turned under. (2) The seeding
down took place about one month too late to secure the best results in
this locality. (8) The best cover obtained was given by (a) Alfalfa, (b)
Mammoth Red clover, (c) Alsike clover and orchard grass.

Upon the same piece of orchard soil as that used in 1895, one acre each
of the following cover-crops was sown July 13, 1896. These were seeded
alone, lightly harrowed, and rolled:

Crimson Clovier ts jis Ses a ee ee eecdee
Mammoth clover
Alfalfa clover
Common red
Sp] athe ses. SOM. ese) Ie Ts tot SER ae ere ae Ab. | OP aes
COW PERS Daten. tits ee choca x herrea aes Me ae iS deme a. he wee

20 pounds per acre
15 pounds per acre
15 pounds per acre
12 pounds per acre
60 pounds per acre

2 bushels per acre

278 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Crimson clover appeared in five days, even, fairly strong; Aug. 12,
three inches high, covering ground fairly well; strongest in partial shade;
Oct. 14, strongest plants 15 to 18 inches; on lighter and poorer parts,
plants were rather weak.

Mammoth clover appeared rather sparsely in six days; Aug. 12, growth
moderate, weeds, principally purslane, taking possession at first Oct. 14;
strong, even growth throughout; average twelve inches high, giving a
close, heavy covering.

Alfalfa came up in five days, a remarkably even and strong catch;
Aug. 12, eight to ten inches high, completely covering the ground; Oct.
14, knee-high, very uniform; growth strong, even on light sand.

Common red appeared unevenly in six or seven days; Aug. 12, two to
three inches high; ground partially covered; Oct. 14, 6 to 10 inches high;
rather thin here and there; not heavy enough.

Soja beans appeared promptly and evenly in five days; Aug. 12, plants
8 to 12 inches high, vigorous; Oct. 14, quite black and leafless; killed by
first frost; ground practically unprotected.

Cow peas germinated evenly in five or six days; about right as to quan-
tity, making strong growth; Aug. 12, plants 10 to 12 inches high, nearly
shading ground; Oct. 14, exactly the same condition as soja beans.

Information to be gained by the condition in which the different crops
come through the winter is necessary in order to arrive at satisfactory
conclusions. From present appearances, Mammoth clover seems to
furnish a cover which, if not ideal, yet appears to be such as to place it
among the most useful of the available plants for this purpose in this
locality. Alfalfa has certainly done well, and I believe could be used
with advantage on sandy or gravelly soils. Crimson clover grows rapid-
ly and forms an excellent cover, but our experience shows that it is
unreliable, and this experience is corroborated by that of the best fruit-
growers in the oldest portions of Ontario. As for cow peas and soja
beans, they are not equal in the colder sections for cover-crop purposes to
common field peas.

A deep-rooting plant with a leafy habit of growth, owing to the neces-
sities of the case, is desirable; also a plant that will add to the fertility
of the soil when turned under. The beneficial effects of green manuring
is clearly explained by the chemist of the experiment farm in the follow-
ing language (Report 1895, page 210):

“By the acid exuded from the rootlets, by the carbonic acid of the
atmosphere, and by other means, plants are enabled to make use of much
of the mineral matter of the soil. This is stored within their tissues,
together with water and organic matter, the latter being derived in the
gaseous form from the atmosphere, and elaborated by the leaves. The
turning under of a green crop, therefore, supplies for succeeding crops
a store of readily digested plant food—of potash, phosphoric acid, and
nitrogen. In addition to these essential elements of fertility, the decay-
ing organic matter from the turned-under crops acts beneficially in con-
serving the soil’s moisture, a most important matter for light and grav-
elly soils. Further, the presence of this organic matter serves to regu-
Jate the soil’s temperature, and its decay brings about the solution cf
inert forms of plant food already present.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 279

“Buckwheat, rye, and clover are the principal crops used for green
manuring. Buckwheat has been found very useful, as a growth may be
obtained on comparatively poor soils, soils that in the first instance
would not support a growth of clover, and undoubtedly both it and
winter rye, when turned while green, vastly improve many soils. The
legumes (clover, peas, beans, etc.), however, are still more valuable,
inasmuch as they not only furnish a supply of readily digestible food
obtained from the soil, but add a store of nitrogen derived from the
atmosphere. It is owing to this power of atmospheric nitrogen-assimila-
tion (which takes place by the agency of certain micro-organisms in the
tubercles on the rootlets) that the legumes have been termed ‘nitrogen col-
lectors’ in contradistinction to all other plants, which are classed as
‘nitrogen consumers.’ The legumes appear to be richest in this element
at the period of flowering, a fact which suggests this time as the best
time for plowing under the crop.”

The following table shows the calculated amount of Crimson, Mam.
moth, Common Red, and Alfalfa clovers per acre, upon the surface of the
ground just before the period of killing frosts in the autumn. [The
calculations are based upon chemical analyses, a square yard of each
crop being used as a basis. ]:

Benicent Total pounds
Weight green} Weight of TaaMieT Per cent dry (nitrogen per acre
Plant material in roots in aa Sean matter in tops estimated on_
. pounds per | pounds per sya including stems|per cent found in
acre. acre. leaves and leaves. green material
; and roots.
Grimson iclover:-----5------ 22.234 6.201 83 i, 104
Alltaltar clover: sous sce. 28 11.492 10.587 72 28 136
MammothyRedmaa---22-2-25- 13.310 7.260 79 21 130
COMTEIONINE Osa eos eee = 9.528 5.445 76 24 117

It will be seen that Crimson clover gave the remarkably heavy yield
of ten tons of green material per acre. It will, however, also be noticed
that the percentage of water is considerably higher in the green material
of this variety than in that of any other; also that the weight of roots
is comparatively low. Among other striking points which may be
noticed, is the large weight of root material furnished by the Alfalfa,
owing to which this plant ranks first in total yield of nitrogen per acre.

There is little to be said in favor of soja beans or cow peas as cover-
crops for northern localities. They grow rapidly, produce a considerable
amount of foliage and vine, but are cut down by the first light frosts,
in autumn. Apart from their office as collectors of nitrogen, they do
not seem to furnish as much surface protection as buckwheat or rye,
and certainly not so much as field peas.

Examining the values of the four clovers from the standpoint of the
approximate amount of nitrogen returned to the soil, per acre, we find,
by assuming that 70 pounds or two thirds of the nitrogen in the tops and
roots of the Crimson clover came from the air, at fifteen cents per pound
it would have a fertilizing yalue from this source alone of $10.50. The
tops, leaves, and roots of Alfalfa would give about 124 pounds, which,

280 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

multiplied by 15 for the value of each pound, gives the large sum of
$13.50 as representing its value as a nitrogen collector.

Common Red clover would yield $11.70 worth, being slightly ahead of
Crimson clover. It has a larger percentage of root material and more
dry matter in the stems and leaves than Crimson. Mammoth clover
would stand next to Alfalfa in value of nitrogen from the leaves, stems,
and roots, with $13.00 approximately to its credit.

Alfalfa or Lucerne is a plant of slender, upright growth, and does not
branch much if uncut. It does not, therefore, furnish as much leafy
covering to the surface of the soil as-is afforded by the same number
of plants of Mammoth clover, which stool out better and are naturally
more branching in habit of growth than the straight-stemmed Alfalfa
clover. This plant does very well on sandy soils. It seems able to pene-
trate the hardest subsoils and maintain itself where Crimson clover
would make a very weak growth.

Crimson clover will, I fear, in this locality, serve only one of the ends
for which it is sown, viz.: that of keeping down weeds and adding to the
fertility of the soil without protecting it very much during the winter.
It is possible that selected strains of Northern-bred-seed may be produced
that will give plants capable of withstanding the severity of our northern ,
winters. <A desirable field for patient and painstaking work presents
itself in connection with this. On light and poor sandy soil this variety
makes a very weak growth.

Common Red clover possesses no advantage over the Mammoth Red,
and is a weaker grower.

Mammoth Red clover, I am of opinion, will prove the most satisfactory
cover-crop for all the apple- and pear-growing sections. Good seed ger-
minates promptly; the plant soon takes and holds possession of the
ground to the exclusion of weeds; it is fairly deep rooted; covers the
ground with a good mat in the autumn, and begins to grow at a moder-
ately low temperature in spring. A block of six acres of this clover,
sown July 10, in one of the apple orchards, had produced an ideal pro-
tective covering when covered by snow this autumn. The best kind of
cover-crop for one section may prove quite unsuited to another section
differing from the first in soil and climatic conditions. Not only is this
true, but it should be remembered further that the peculiarities of each
class of fruit should be carefully studied before the orchardist decides
upon his method of procedure.

DISCUSSION.

Prof. Craig: Now, I have put a chart up here to which I would like
to draw your attention. It is just to emphasize the fact that while the
tree is growing the amount of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash
which it draws from the soil are more or less equal, but as soon as that
tree comes into bearing the amounts of these fertilizing materials drawn
from the soil vary a great deal. You will see on the chart at the top,
under references “nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash”, at the end of
each, small dots. Now, those dots are comparative. They show the
amount of nitrogen which the leaves take from the soil, as compared with

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 281

phosphoric acid and potash. This is all, we may say, before fruiting
time. When that tree comes into bearing, the lines below indicate the
relative amount of these materials used in producing fruit. You will
see there a line about a foot long, of green, representing the amount
of nitrogen, about eight inches of phosphoric acid, and some three or four
feet of potash. This brings us back to the old question of the necessity
of applying potash to the soil when the tree is bearing fruit. This chart
is based on actual chemical analysis made by our chemist at the station.
Therefore it appears to me we can give to the fruiting tree, or the grow-
ing tree, all the nitrogen it may need by growing such leguminous crops
as I have mentioned in this paper. Iam now inclined to favor Mammoth
clover. We can balance the ration by adding, in the form of commercial
fertilizers, phosphoric acid and potash, and by following this practice
there should be no difficulty in protecting our trees from root-killing,
at the same time giving them the necessary amount of food rations in a
well-balanced form.

The President: This particularly applies to apple orchards, does it
not?

Prof. Craig: Yes, sir.

The President: The people of our state are a little more exercised
to find a good soil-covering, for peach orchards, and we believe it is not
necessary to hunt for nitrogen, as a rule, in our peach orchards; that is,
to put nitrogen catch-crops on, as a rule.

Mr. Lyon: I would like to ask Mr. Morrill, because I understand he
uses potash extensively, and wood ashes, where he gets them; and if not,
when he uses a substitute, what it is?

The President: I hope that President Lyon will not insist upon my
telling him just exactly where I get them, because there is a whole lot
of places around tere that want wood ashes. I get them from
Indiana, in carload lots. I have never tried any substitute yet, for ashes,
because I like that form of potash best.

Mr. Ramsdell: How much do you put on to the acre?

The President: About a hundred bushels every other year. If I nap-
pen to get a surplus, I go over the orchard twice per year, and I have
an idea that the potash does not get away from me; that I will find it
there in the course of time.

Professor Craig: What was your question, Mr. Morrill?

The President: Whether we should pay so much attention to hunting
for a nitrogen crop in our peach orchards as you lay stress upon here
in apple orchards? Nitrogen is conducive to late growth, and we area
little afraid of it.

Prof. Craig: I do not think, in growing a clover crop and securing
from it the amount of nitrogen which Mammoth clover might give you,
that you would run any danger of getting too late a growth. I do not
think we should lose sight of the fact that we are always using up nitro-
gen in the production of all fruits, as in the case of apples. You will see
it comes next to potash in importance, upon the chart, and I do not
think, myself, that you would run any risk at all. Of course, in using
wood ashes you get two per cent. of phosphoric acid, or one and one

36

282 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

half per cent., according to our analyses. I should think it quite a safe
practice to use clovers.

The President: Have you tried oats?

Professor Craig: No, we have not tried oats.

The President: The Professor failed to tell us when he plows his
clover.

Professor Craig: Plow it under in the spring. Our plowing usually
takes place before the 15th of May; we are somewhat later than you are
here.

Mr. Weed: Will any of these clovers grow in ground that is shaded
by the foliage of the tree?

Professor Craig: This ground is not shaded. The trees are ten years
old and thirty feet apart, so that you can get an idea of the amount of
shade we had.

Mr. Post: In our section of the country we find it necessary to con-
tinue cultivating, especially if the season is dry, and in an orchard of
late varieties of peach we consider it necessary to cultivate later than the
middle of July. How are you going to overcome this? If you seed
down you will have to discontinue cultivation. I am talking about peach
orchards.

Mr. Sherwood: I would like to ask if this question would apply to
seeding of peas sown in the spring; if you would get the same results,
that is, as much of the chemicals, in the soil? Of course, it would not act
as a cover crop.

Professor Craig: Quite as much, probably more, because the season
would be longer, and these organisms work just as long as the season
allows them. At the same time, a crop sown in the spring would take
more moisture from the soil than you would want, and in sowing late I
would sow the variety that would make as rapid a growth as possible,
and in that way I would favor sowing peas. I have had no experience
with oats at all, but field peas, or perhaps soja beans, something that
would grow rapidly, would serve the same purpose, and have the same
function. I can see the force of Mr. Post’s remarks, in localities that are
likely to suffer from lack of moisture.

Professor Taft: I would say that we have been trying a combination
that so far pleases me very well. We have for several years been grow-
ing Crimson clover, and I think it will, in ordinary years, stand very
well. Still, we have in some years lost the entire growth during the
winter, or perhaps I might say a great harm is done in March or April,
as a rule; and particularly where there is a slight ridge or knoll, any
inequality, we generally lose from the rounded surface of the land at
that point; and in a measure to do away with this trouble I have several
areas sown this way, with Crimson clover and oats, as well as the clover
alone, and from present appearances I look for good results, from the fact
that where we have a slight snow fall, as we have had an inch or two
once or twice this fall, at Lansing, I find that in the oats the snow is held
evenly over the surface and the little ridges are well covered, whereas
on the bare ground, or where there is only the Crimson clover, it has
blown off a good deal more; and more than that, leaves fallen from the
trees are held upon the surface. The oats were sown at different

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 283

times. We commenced with the clover first on a small area, about the
15th of July, and seeded at intervals, sowing the first of August another
tract of about two acres with Crimson clover and oats, and still another
about the middle of August; and the oats made a growth of nearly two
feet, averaging perhaps very close to two feet, and of course are now
somewhat killed back, the tops have dropped down, and I think they will
now stand a foot high over the ground, probably more than that, and
they will certainly hold the snow evenly and protect the Crimson clover.
Of course, there would have been danger in sowing a larger amount of
seed of the oats, hence we cut it down to a little less than a bushel, and
we found that occasional broadcasting of the seed left it a little
uneven, and it might be too thick in certain spots, although it was really
very cyen, and there we had a thick growth of the clover; and over
nine tenths of the area, where we used more than three pecks of oats, we
had a very good stand of clover, and I think it will remain.

The President: How much clover did you use?

Professor Taft: We used eight pounds to the acre. I cut it down,
also, and I have a tract of three acres sown with seed of the fourth gen-
eration grown on our own ground, the fourth crop that we have saved
ourselves continuously, from the original purchase, and from the past
years I think I can see a gain in its hardiness. This year we have been
cleaning it up and I just took the chaff with the seed in it, after we had
cleaned out what we could, and got a very thick stand from that.

Mr. Hamilton: The professors do not appear to help us out a great
deal. With us we can not sow as early as July and August. We have
to be in our orchards and do our picking after that time. We want some-
thing that we can sow the last days of October or some time in October.

Prof. Craig: You will have to get an extension of the season then,
won't you?

Mr. Hamilton: That is what we find in actual experience. We have
to be in our orchards from the 1st of August until the last days of
October, and in a way that I think we could get very little growth of
anything, especially on our heavier soils. It would be tramped out.
1 think it would be impracticable for us to sow early and get a growth.
We must have something that we can sow in October, to help us, and on
our younger orchards we can sow Mammoth clover, and I think to good
advantage. I seeded, last fall, after the first rain, Mammoth clover in
my corn in a young orchard, and I have a covering now thick and nearly
a foot high, and that I calculate to turn over next year. We can not do
that with our bearing orchards. We have to cultivate early, and up to
the time the professors talk about sowing, and then we have to pick.

Mr. Stearns: I seeded the greater part of my orchard this year, about
the middle of September, with Crimson clever and oats, using about a
half bushel of oats to the acre, and I have a good stand of Crimson clover
and oats all over the orchard, and it is an orchard where I have been har-
vesting pears and peaches right along since the clover and oats were
sown, and with no great detriment to either.

Mr. Hale: Right along this particular line it has been my custom, in
my orchards and in fruiting orchards, to seed with Crimson clover
the middle of July, or at the last cultivation of the orchard. It is ina

284 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

_ high state of fertility for the peaches, and if the weather is favorable as
to moisture, it comes up readily and makes a very good mat before we
are ready to pick peaches, and makes a cleaner and better orchard to
work in. We tramp it down, of course, a great deal, in gathering the
crop, and prevent its making much headway or growth. As soon as the
crop is off in the latter part of September, the ground is harrowed over
lightly, with a smooth harrow, and oats or rye put in, and then we geta
good growth that starts up the clover, and we get a good growth of one or
the other, and there is no trouble about that. Our friend who objected
to Prof. Craig making his seeding so early, because it prevented cultiva-
tion, can readily get around that by sowing such crops as can be put in
with drills. You cultivate and stimulate a more rapid growth of the
catch-crop, whatever it may be, at the same time give the cultivation to
your orchard as late in the season as you care to do. I do that with
cow peas and soja beans particularly.

Mr. Post: Mr. Stearns rather got the start of me there. I have been
experimenting the last two years with Crimson clover and oats, and
I get the best results from sowing even a small quantity of oats. I sow
about the middle of September for the best results, and this year my
plum orchard was very heavily loaded. They were tramped until I
thought the crop was ruined, but now you see very little difference
between where it was tramped and where it was not. It came on very
nicely and the crop was not killed. The Crimson clover and oats were
sown about the middle of September, with about a half bushel of oats,
and the clover and oats are both looking very nicely now, but I think
the prospect is better where the oats are, and.better yet where they were
sown very thinly.

The President: We have some neighbors down our way who of recent
years have commenced using oats alone, and they report excellent success
with them in peach orchards. Now, my own opinion is that the less green
stuff there is in an orchard in the spring, when I commence working it,
the better it suits me. Most of us find, if there is anything green draw-
ing upon the moisture of the soil, that the last plowing may find it pretty
well drained out; that is, the tree may be needing the moisture that we
have already taken out; while the oat crop is dead, it has served its pur-
pose of holding leaves, and leaves the soil in better mechanical condition;
then it is easily turned under, there is no evaporation of moisture ta
amount to anything, and the soil is in prime condition. Rye has been
tried quite generally, and almost invariably before we get the last of the
rye plowed under the tree is injured and shows it through the season,
by the drawing out of moisture at a time the tree is calling for lots of it.

A Member: How much oats do they sow, and when do they sow
them?

The President: I think the neighbors that I have in mind are sowing
a bushel or a bushel and a half of oats, sowing them in August or Sep-
tember, and doing whatever work is necessary on top of that crop, and it
scems to succeed very well.

Mr. Shriver: I have been sowing oats now about three years and I
like it. Wesow them in August and we do not find any bad results from
tramping over them and picking the fruit. I think we sowed about 300:

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 285

acres of oats and they stand up from six inches to a foot high now. They
hold the snow and leaves, and especially on clay ground it loosens it
up. You do not have any baked ground the next year when you cul-
tivate it.

The President: Does it prevent the ground from washing any?

Mr. Shriver: It keeps the ground from washing and the snow from
going away. It holds the leaves, and in picking the fruit in the fall it
does not seem to hurt oats to tramp over them. This fall we sowed all
our ground with oats; it costs about seventy-five cents per acre. We
have a thick growth. This year it has been a much larger growth than
we had other years, on account of so much rain this summer; they got a
better start. We like it.

Mr. Hale: There is just one point I wish these gentlemen would tell
us, and that is, what advantage crops of this kind have over the crops
that do gather nitrogen? What advantage do oats or rye have over the
clovers?

Mr. Shriver: I would say for the oats, they hold the snow, keep the
ground from washing, keep the soil moist, and then in the spring the
ground is mellow and nice for working; while, if you take clover, you
can not get any such size in that time, and have to take a year or more.
Rye you can not get large enough in the fall, and then, as Mr. Morrill
Says, we can not get rid of it in the spring in time to give the most good.
Oats die down in the winter, and in the spring you can even take a disc
harrow and go over them, and you have the ground in good condition,
or you may use a shovel-plow. I have tried it three years in my pear
orchard, on a piece of clay which used to be one of the hardest pieces of
ground in the neighborhood, and now it is one of the mellowest pieces
of ground, as nice as any sandy soil we have.

Professor Craig: It seems to me that the Michigan fruitgrowers are
in very happy condition; they are going to apply Canada wood ashes
and grow oats on peach ground, and their trees do not need any nitro-
gen. I have no experience that extends over more than three or four
years. Now, I would not have you forget that a day of retribution may
come, and that if you are constantly taking nitrogen out of your soil
and not growing anything to put it back into it, there may be a day of
reckoning. You may find that oats is a good cover-crop, but I would
strongly advise you not to tie yourself down to oats, and possibly not to
clover, entirely; but if you find it desirable, then alternate the two—put
oats in one year and clover another year, or mix them, as Professor Taft
has suggested; but you certainly can not get along without having a
certain amount of nitrogen in your soil. I do not think there is any
soil, even Manitoba soil, which we boast about a good deal, that is rich
enough in that constituent to stand continuous cropping without return-
ing nitrogen in some way. I may say that our Ontario growers find it
necessary to sow clover about the first of August. Their season is two
or three weeks later than ours at Ottawa, and they find it desirable to sow
clover the first of August, or some other crop at that time, in order to take
up the extra moisture in the soil, so that the tree may ripen its wood
perfectly. I refer particularly to the peach. Your conditions may be
so different here as not to call for that kind of treatment.

286 : STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The President: We take the moisture out with peaches.

Professor Craig: As Mr. Morrill suggests, your peaches take all the
moisture out that the soil can stand. Well and good, but still I think
you should not forget that nitrogen is necessary to the well-being of the
peach tree and of the soil.

Mr. Rork: I do not see why some of the gentlemen prefer Crimson
‘clover to the large Mammoth clover. They speak of sowing Crimson
clover in with their oats. In sowing, as we have seen already here, it
does not make any more rapid growth than the other, and why do they
prefer Crimson clover?

Mr. Post: The reason is, it starts very much earlier in the spring.
We sow oats for the sake of protection.

Mr. Rork: If it starts at all.

Mr. Post: It starts, if you have that protection, the oats; that is why
we sow the oats.

Mr. Rork: Most of the gentlemen speaking are on clay <ailb A good
many of us are on a light, sandy shore soil, and there is a wide difference.
Mr. Post: I think ‘that theory would apply to sandy soil. We use it
on sandy soil.

Mr. Rork: We must have something that enriches, and I think I am
not so afraid of the barnyard as some of you are, not by any means, on
sandy soil, and the oats, it seems to me, do not enrich us much; and then
we find the trouble is, if we wait until along in midsummer, the hot, burn-
ing summer, we can hardly get anything to catch. When it gets along
toward fall, your warranty deed does not hold it all still, and your stuff
whips right out. As soon as the latter summer and fall winds begin to
blow, you are on the hoist, and must be held down; and there are some
of us who commenced empty-handed who find that something is better
than bare ground. While oats grow quickly and hold the soil down,
when we wish to get them up again, they do not get up, when the spring
comes, and the clover does not get rooted enough, and we turn it under
in the spring and it does not benefit us much. So there we are. We
find it pretty hard to get a cover-crop to grow on our sand, and stand
the winter and be ready for something in the spring. We simply have to
have something that makes us richer.

Mr. Post: One of the most successful growers in our section of
country does not use cover-crops at all; he uses barnyard manure instead,
applying that around the trees; he covers the entire surface, and in the
spring he works it in with a cultivator or a cut-away harrow, but he
covers the ground with coarse material.

Q. Are you talking about a peach orchard?

Mr. Post: Yes, sir, a peach orchard, and he is very successful and has
been for years.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 287

FUTURE OF PEACH-GROWING IN THE UNITED STATES.

BY MR. J. H. HALE OF CONNECTICUT,

I was not sure whether the topic for discussion this afternoon was the
future of peach-growing in the United States, or Michigan, or what, and
the first thought that came uppermost in my mind, when thinking about
talking to you and with you on this subject, was whether it really
referred to your future or mine, or the general future of the business in
this country. I have made a few notes of some points that I wanted to
talk upon, and, while I have those notes with me, I don’t suppose I shall
use half of them and shall use a good many others that come along,
because you and I have found in peach-growing that we learn and
unlearn things almost every day; and while I am here to talk to you
today about what I believe and know and understand of fruitgrowing at
the present time, and believe of it in the future, Iam frank to say to you
that there is not a thing that I believe today that I will promise to believe
tomorrow or next year, and it seems to me that you must reach this basis
in order to keep up with the procession.

It is hardly well to talk of the peach-growing of the future without con-
sidering something of the past and of the present. Peach-growing
twenty-five years ago was confined to a few states and a few particular
localities, and the men who were so fortunate or so unfortunate, as the
case may have been, as to live in those regions, planted peach trees and
took whatever results came therefrom; but within the last ten or fifteen
years the work of horticultural societies and experiment stations and
progressive fruitgrowers has gone on at such a rapid rate, the building
of railways into new sections of country and the consolidation of lines
whereby through trains run over two or three different roads to make
quick time from far distant points to your markets or mine, have revo-
lutionized the business entirely, and now there are peach-growing regions
and there are peach orchards by the hundreds and by the thousands and
tens of thousands of acres in many states and sections where peaches
were not known before, when twenty years ago it was your few counties
here in Michigan, Maryland, and Delaware, and a few sections of New
Jersey that produced the peaches of the United States.

You must wake up, my brothers of Michigan, to the fact that there
are many other sections that can grow as good peaches, that there are
men there trying to grow better peaches than you can grow. Beginning
in our Atlantic coast states, Georgia has developed within the last eight
or ten years a planting of many millions of trees; sections of South Caro-
lina are up in the hundreds of ‘thousands; sections of North Carolina are
fast being developed; Virginia, some portions of Tennessee, Kentucky,
sections of Missouri, vast ‘sections of western Colorado and Texas are
planting fruit heavily to compete with you and with me. The fact that
they are a thousand or fifteen hundred miles away does not cut much
figure in business; it has not in the past few. years, and it is going to

288 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

cut less in the future, and we must be prepared to meet them. You will
find men in some of these sections who are planting large orchards,
investing large capital, either individually or in corporations, and having
sharp, shrewd horticulturists to manage them, and they are studying
business methods all the way through, and it is to meet such com-
petition as that that the peach-grower of the future or the peach-
grower of the present day, who proposes to carry on his work in
the future, must contend. But there is one thing certain—we must
wake up. The old-time methods (or lack of methods) in- peach-grow-
ing must be done away with; there is no question about that. The
peach is one of the most beautiful and delicious of fruits, and it is known
by the company it keeps, pretty thoroughly; and the peach-grower, too,
and he shows it in his peaches as quickly as he will show it anywhere
else. We must wake up to the way we are heading, to what the possi-
bilities are. But how to wake up I can not tell you in every way, but
there are a great many ways.

The first thing, it seems to me, is to take an interest in our business
from a business standpoint, study it in every detail as business men.
Now, you have successful manufacturers here in this place, and you have
successful manufacturers all over the state, and they are meeting sharp
competition everywhere, and the men who are standing up to the front
are the ones that are doing their business thoroughly and well in every
detail and are on the alert to reduce cost and increase the quality of their
product, and in every way to hold to the front. We as fruitgrowers, as
a majority, have lacked that. I saw a good many Michigan peaches in
the markets last year, in all of our eastern markets, and I was astonished
that you dared to pay freight on such trash, that you dared to—a shrewd
business man would never have dared put it in a car and ship it a thou-
sand miles unless he had good backing somewhere.

The first thing in my mind necessary to the development of fine, per-
fect fruit (and that of course is the first thing toward successful manage-
ment of the business) is to love the fruits and soil for their own sakes.
Life is pretty short, and it is pretty precious, and it seems to me
that every man and woman’s time should be devoted to something that
is pleasurable; that we ought to enjoy something in our labor. If a
man, it seems to me, is on a farm and does not love the farm, he does
not love the ground, the soil, or some of the animals that may be fed
thereon, or the trees and plants that grow out of it—if he does not get a
real love in close, daily contact with those things, he is out of place on
a farm and he would better sell if for what he can get, and start in
somewhere else and make room for a better man, partly for the sake of
the other man and partly for the sake of the soil, but more particularly
for his own sake. I believe every man and woman in good health (and
you must have good health if you are in the fruitgrowing business because
you love it) should arise to his or her daily avocation as going to some
pleasurable work, something that is enjoyable—not grudgingly. In pro-
ducing peaches you are making a business of it, and in making a busi-
ness of it you first need to have a love of the tree itself and a love of the
fruit itself if you are ever going to bring either to its highest perfec-
tion, and the perfection that it must have in the future to bring us the

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 289

greatest reward in the market. This, it seems to me, is the first con-
dition to be considered in relation to successful ECAC SrOwing a and pearh-
marketing in the future.

Another thing is to consider what the people of the consuming world
want and what they appreciate. There is a growing appreciation. among
the public for finer products of the soil, all the time, and for more
beautiful and esthetic things. It happened to be my good fortune, in
1890, to have some connection with the horticultural census, which cov-
ered several phases of horticultural production, and some _ special
inquiries were made. One was in relation to floriculture. Now, flori-
culture has not anything directly to do with peach-growiny, but beauti-
ful peaches and beautiful flowers go hand in hand, into the same families
and into the same hearts and homes of the same class of people. There
never had been a floricultural census in the United States, and so I was
allowed by the chief of census to begin where I liked and leave off where
I could. As Uncle Sam “paid the freight’, and I wanted to get all the
information I could for our horticultural friends I went deeply into it.
I want to just briefly state that in 1800, so far as we vould trace, there
was but one commercial florist’s establishment in the United States. In
the next ten years there were less than fifty establishments, and in the
next ten years not much more than a hundred more, and so on away.
down until 1860, when he had less than six hundred commercial florists’
establishments. Between 1860 and 1870 they increased somewhat more
rapidly, and more so between 1870 and 1880; but between 1880 and 1890
nearly 3,000 commercial florists’ establishments were started, so that in
1890 there were about 5,000 of them, turning out and selling to the
people more than $12,000,000. worth of cut flowers and about $15,000,000
worth of plants and shrubbery of various kinds, and something over
$25,000,000 was the price paid by the people of the United States, in 1890,
to the florists of this country. In getting at that information, we wanted
a great deal of other information, and we asked those people a great
many impertinent questions, just as your local census-takers did. We
asked them a great many questions about their business which it is not
pertinent to bring up here at this time. The point I want to get at is
that we found this tremendous increase in the demand for flowers
among the people of the country, to be far in excess of the increased
population and increased wealth. There were investigations in relation
to educational matters and in relation to church matters, lines which
show the cultivation and the refinement and the better side of the
people, and we found that the consumption of beautiful flowers and
plants went along with the culture and refinement of the people. Now,
it would not be proper for me here at this time to state in what sections
of the country, per capita, we found people using the most flowers, but
it is sufficient to say that as the culture and refinement of the people
had developed, so the greater increase of demand for fruits and flowers
had increased. Some towns of 5,000 inhabitants, in one section of the
United States, often with the same relative capital and extent as others,
were buying two or three or four or five times as much of beautiful
flowers. Now, what has that to do with the future of peach-growing?
Tt has a great deal to do with it, because peaches and flowers and other

37

290 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

beautiful things of that kind go hand in hand, and the people who
appreciate beautiful flowers also appreciate beautiful fruits. They buy
them and eat them, and they must be of fine appearance and the perfec-
tion of their kind, and those people are increasing rapidly in nearly every
section of our country, and their buying power is increasing, and it is to
cater to the taste of those people that we peach-growers of the future
must come, and the sooner we come to a realizing sense that there is a
great body of people in this country, that is rapidly growing in numbers
and in purchasing power, who are ready to buy only the finest produc-
tions of the orchard and vineyard, and demand that it reach them in a
fresh, thoroughly ripened condition, in the neatest and most attractive
manner possible, the sooner we will get our reward, and of course it is
the reward we are after, in the end, although too many of us go into the
business for the mere hurried-dollar or nimble-sixpence idea of getting
the dollar just as easily and as quickly as we can, regardless of methods3.
and it usually results in getting less money than we anticipated. We
need a love for the business and an appreciation of what the public
wants, and then an ability to develop the fruit up somewhere near to that
demand. We should not rush into simply the planting of acres, or of
getting the bushels into the market, regardless of other things which are
going to give us the great reward; and we have in the past slipped up on
that dreadfully.

Some one was telling me, within your own state, within a month, that he
thought (and he was a well-informed gentleman) that the average peach
crop of the state of Michigan, this year, bad not paid a great deal more
than other common farm crops, have paid. It surely is a better business
than that if rightly handled.

Now, I hardly think that I can ramble around on this general subject
without, perhaps, being a little too personal, which I would rather not be.
The first thing, it seems to me, to be considered by a successful fruitgrow-
er of the present or the future, is the man or woman, because it is a busi-
ness in which a woman can well engage if she has the capacity and the
love of it; the first thing to be considered is not soil nor climate nor mar-
kets, nor anything but men—men who have this love of choice fruits in
their hearts, and an appreciation of what the public wants, the nerve and
the courage to stay by the trees and the markets year in and year out, re-
gardless of results, simply keeping everlastingly at it, according to the
best lines—bright and thorough as they may be, and ever ready to learn
from another, whether he be bright or stupid, because (remember this) we
are always learning, and there is just as much opportunity to learn from
our neighbor who makes a failure as there is from the other fellow who
makes a success. It pays to keep our eyes open, to observe all we can,
and at the same time be willing to give information to others. He must
not be a selfish man, he must not be a narrow man, he must be a
man who is perfectly willing to give out all he has. There
are no good secrets in good, honest, lovable horticulture. Be free!
If you have any good ideas in production, in marketing, give them
out. The old saying was, which I didn’t quite believe, that it
was better to give than to receive, but as I grow older I find that it means
a great deal, and the more we can give out, of good thoughts and good
work and good ideas, in this horticultural line, the more will come unto-

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 291

us. A man will grow rich in giving. So, I say, the first essential thing is
the man. The man must be right first, before he can make a success, or
a very great success, of fruit-growing in the future.

Then, of course, the next thing is the location. There are a great many
more acres of suitable peach land in America than you and I ever
dreamed of. Do not get the idea that the area that is susceptible to
proper peach development is rare. There are thousands and thousands
of acres that a few years ago we never thought of being suitable for peach
growing. Ordinarily there is no necessity of going into this question of
the soil and location for peaches; but for the best development of a great
variety, a good, sandy, loamy soil is best. As I said yesterday, there
are a few varieties of the Crawford type that a dry loam or a stiff clay
suit better. Elevated lands, lands where there is good drainage, are
essential, but it is not necessary to have a very great elevation; but if
there is an abrupt elevation, where the frost may run off, as well as water,
it is desirable. When you are looking for a good peach orchard, look for
a place where the water and frost can run off—open drainage for the
frost, if possible, but it is not absolutely essential, because frost is freaky.

As Brother Craig has gone, perhaps I can criticise the figures he gave
us as to the hardiness of the fruit buds. There is no reliability to be
placed upon a single year’s test of that.

As to varieties of land, I remember a little case in one of my own or-
chards a few years ago. Our Connecticut farms are rolling lands, and
we have to pick out five, ten, or twenty acres where we can get them,
and put them into peach trees. Now, before this time I believed that
elevated lands and northern slopes were best, but there came howling
northwest weather, twenty degrees below zero, for two days, the wind
hlowing strong; and at that time, blowing as it did from the northwest
so strongly, it seemed to me that the live buds would not be found there,
that the north side would be the one to suffer. That was the proper
condition, according to theory. As a matter of fact, one orchard on a
level plain that had the sweep of that northwest wind, had a good crop:
of fruit on the outside rows on the north side, and it kept growing less.
until we got to the south end of the rows, where there was not any fruit
at all. Now, that proved one thing. If I had had only that orchard, I
would have believed it; but I came back up home, three miles distant,
but with the same open sweep and the same valley, and the north side
did not bear, and away down under the hill, where it was protected from:
the wind, we had a full crop. If I had had but one orchard I would have
known a heap about how the frost treated that; but as I had two of them
working in a directly opposite way, I did not know anything more about
it than you do now. So there are local conditions that will creep in all
the time, and we can not lay down any rule as to the absolute hardiness of
varieties, one compared with the other.

Professor Craig had in his list that he gave you today, the last I think
it was, Alexander, Hale’s Early, and one or two of those peaches that
are in most sections of the country among our most hardy kinds; but in:
his first list he had Oldmixon and some others which are somewhat more
tender the country over. So we can not lay down any rule as to just the
soil in which to plant and just what the location shall be; but, generally

292 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

speaking, good loamy soil and an elevated one, with good water and frost
drainage, is best.

As to preparation of the soil, the peach wants just as good soil prepara-
tion as any other crop. The success of any business in soil culture
depends largely upon the thoroughness of the preparation of the soil.
Too many of us, in the hurry to get in our trees or plants, think that
shallow or careless plowing, or even the planting of some grain crop,
will answer. It will answer, but it is not best. If the ground is ever to
be thoroughly plowed and thoroughly prepared, that time is just before
the tree goesin. If there is the least bit of shade of hardness in the sub-
soil, it will pay to subsoil the land, and it pays at least to plow it deeply
and well.

As to how to plant the trees, how far apart, that is a local question
largely. How much land do you own? What is your ambition? Is
your ambition to get the most beautiful fruit, the most perfect specimens
of peaches, regardless of quantity; or is it to get the greatest quantity you
can from a given area? How are you going to prune, and how are you
going to do a great many other things? And, as I said, what is your
acreage, large or small? As to how you shall plant, some will say 15
feet apart, some will say 18, some 20, some 25, some 30, and I know a
“crank” by the name of Hale who says 13. That depends upon condi-
tions. In my orchard in Georgia, of 100,000 trees and 50,000 more going
in this winter, the trees are all 13 feet apart. My Connecticut orchards,
some of them, are 12, some in the original planting were 16 to 18, but
they vary. It depends upon the man, and it depends upon the acreage
that you have. Just how we get at that will come in the question of
pruning and other questions.

Then the question of marketing, it seems to me, ought to be considered
before you plant; and yet, with the railway lines and the ease of shipment
to distant points, if you are on a line of railway, it does not matter what
your market may be, except if you are going to supply the local market
and nearly all your fruit is going into one near-by market, where you
can stay and make a name and reputation, and get close to the consumer,
then a greater variety, beginning with the early and extending through
to the very latest varieties has to be planted. If, on the other hand, you
are a double-headed monster and trying to do general farming and two
or three other kinds of business as well, you would better concentrate
your fruit on one or two varieties that you can gather all in two or three
weeks and ship it off in carload lots to distant points. AJ] those things
have to be worked out by the man, and the markets must also be worked
up by the man.

You have great fame down here in Kalamazoo—a great celery town,
known the world over. I have traveled through there on the line of the
road, perhaps as often as some of you who live a hundred miles away.
I have tried to hammer into those boys who sell at the trains a great
bunch of celery, 16 or 18 heads in it, for five cents, that it is all nonsense.
If they would put a quarter of a cent’s worth of salt with it they could
get ten cents and make a hundred per cent. profit over what they do now.
They flood the trains every day, all through the fall, with superb celery,
and an abundance of it, at a nickel per bunch, and they could sell more
of it at a time if they put a quarter of a cent’s worth of salt and brains

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 293

with it; and that applies to selling peaches. Production is one thing,
selling what the people want and in the way they want it is another, and
you need to study methods. I have said (I don’t know as I ever have in
the state of Michigan, but I told it in the state of Wisconsin a few years
ago—it is on thé line of marketing and knowing what the people want
and how they want it) that I was in Chicago and in going down to South
Water-st. I saw the boats had come in from Michigan ports with produce.
It was early in the season, and asparagus was on the market at that .
time. It was coming in those shabby boxes which you people use at
South Haven and Benton Harbor, in those old boxes that have been up
and down the line, real “old subscribers,” lain in the gutter until they
were covered over, and had been back here and served as chicken coops,
and been scraped off and new lids put in and then shipped back to the
market. Of course it was not any member of this society, but the other
fellow, your neighbor, that was sending them there. I found the price
was six cents that day. I pulled some out of the box, it was nice, fresh
green asparagus, tied with a piece of bark such as nurserymen use to tie
in their buds. In front of another store was a box, a little smaller, a
neat, new box, fresh as a daisy, three-quarter-inch stuff on the ends and
veneer sides and bottoms, stenciled on the end with the name of the
grower and the name of his farm and a little advertisement of his special-
ties. I pulled out the asparagus. It was just as clean and fresh as the
other, but it was neatly tied with little pink cotton tape that does not
cost five cents per mile. Somebody that appreciated doing good things
was back of it. It was neatly put up. I said, “Let me take a bunch of
that.” The dealer said, “What for?” I said, “ I want to take it up next
to the ‘old subscriber’ brand and see how it looks beside that”; and
I took it up there and laid it on the table and pulled the two bunches
open; and presto! you could not tell the difference. It was grown under
the same sun, in the same soil, and the same rains had fallen on it; but
the package which was tastefully and nicely put up sold at ten cents
and the other sold at six—40 per cent. advance, or more than that. Do .
you suppose that man wants the government to take care of him?

Now, you can say to me, “those Chicago people are not such big fools
as Mr. Hale thinks; they won’t eat pink tape.” But the grocers jumped
at it. They knew that away back somewhere in the city there were
customers who appreciated a nice-looking package, who would stop and
buy at their stores more readily if it was so, if it was tastefully put up,
and therefore they paid forty per cent. more for it; they knew there was
somebody back there who would pay for it. They were studying the
market—cold, hard-hearted grocerymen who were in the business from
the standpoint of making dollars and cents—and they had learned that
the public would pay for something tastefully put up, and they were
paying for it; and many of you have seen that same thing all along. Yet
the trouble is, we think that we have done our duty when we have stuck
the trees in the ground and cultivated a little and got the fruit, whatever
comes, and then say, “We have been unfortunate this year; the crop is
poor, it is a little off-color, and it is not quite what it ought to be, but it
is the best I could do.” We do not exert ourselves enough.

In starting a young orchard, there is a difference of opinion as to large
trees or small trees, as to the condition of the roots, etc. In my opinion

294 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

there is a good deal of humbug about all these fine roots on peach trees.
Some people say, “Give me a nice lot of fine roots; I want trees that have
a great mass of fine roots.” That is all right. Well, now, bless your
heart, it is hardly possible to take a tree from the soil and handle it with
the greatest care on your own grounds, and preserve the vitality of those
fine roots, much less in handling it over any distance, as we ordinarily
do; so that my belief and my experience are that if you get a medium-
size tree with two or three large roots on it, you have all you need; and if
you have a good sharp knife and will cut the most of those off, and also
the top, you are better off still in starting the orchard. My Georgia
orchard was started by taking small trees, fifteen or eighteen inches in
height only, cutting them down to twelve inches, and then cutting the
roots almost entirely off, to less than an inch of root, and cutting in
such a way that what were left were in fan shape. If the roots ran in
three or four directions, the two outside were cut off, and then those roots
were planted by putting a spade down into the ground and pressing it
forward and putting that stub in there. Less than one half of one per
cent. failed to grow.

You want a thoroughly prepared soil in which to plant your peach
trees. My own opinion is that a medium-size tree, neither a very large
nor a very small one, is best; that the roots want pretty close pruning,
and they want good, clean-cut pruning, not such as the nurserymen give
them with their machines, but a careful cutting; and if you cut very
closely you will get far more rapid and sure growth. But some will
differ with me.

Mr. Gurfield: Would you treat trees the same way in Georgia and
Connecticut, in planting out?

Mr. Hale: What I am talking of now is methods of planting for Con-
necticut and not Georgia, although all my trees planted in Connecticut
for the last five years have been closely root-pruned.

Mr. Lyon: Do you think that that process will do as well at the north
. as at the south?

Mr. Hale: I am practicing it in Connecticut, sir, and would in Mich-
igan were I here, and yet I may be mistaken, I say after a few years; but
your climatic conditions in Michigan are more favorable than ours in
Connecticent, by considerable.

As to the cutting back at the top, the general practice and recommen-
dation has been to cut down toa single stub and allow a few to grow near
the top. The objection to that is, we often form crotches in our trees
that split down in later life. Some successful growers have followed
that by another cutting back, leaving six or eight inches on perhaps three
side branches, and then perhaps two or three more at the top, leaving
them four inches in length, and so starting the new growth from side
branches already established, and there is not much question but what
it leaves a more permanent head and less liability to splitting down than
where we whittle down to a single cane and start entirely new side
shoots.

Early spring, of course, is the only time to plant peach orchards for
best success. You may do it in the fall, in certain localities, if you can
get thoroughly ripened trees; but you can not, of course, with northern-
grown trees. I believe, while it is easier in gathering fruit to have

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING; 295

varieties all by themselves in solid blocks, yet by a mixture of varieties,
or a closer intermingling, you can have better results, and yet many of
us dislike to practice that because it is difficult; we would rather have
one clean block of one variety, and gather the fruit, than to have different
kinds all through the orchard, a mixture. I have had the finest fruit and
the best pollenization and the best development of fruit and the surest
crop, where I have had different varieties intermingled.

As to the production of other crops in the orchard, the past policy has
been to grow other crops in the orchard. The peach-grower of the future,
I think, will learn better than that—one thing at a time, and that well
done. In planting your peach orchard, do not get the impression that
you can run two crops on that soil at the same time. The successful
peach-grower of the future will never do it, and very few of the most
successful peach-growers of today are doing it as much as they used to.
It can not be done, year in and year out. Some of you may jump up and
say that in the early days you got all the growth you wanted, and more
too. Perhaps you did. But, one year with another, the man who puts
out his peaches and believes in peaches and works for peaches, and stays
with them, will get peaches that bring him his final reward, and he will
get it on this earth, too—he does not have to wait to go over “the river.”

Peach-growing of the present, peach-growing of the future, soil produc-
tion, production of flowers and plants of any kind, is really a manufactur-
ing process, brothers. Weare manufacturers, and the results of our
product depend very largely upon the improved machinery, the
methods of handling our factory, the labor we put upon it, and the raw
material we furnish. Now, I noticed by the discussion this morning as
to the plowing under of oats, that you have many acres in Michigan that
evidently have an abundance of plant food, at least of certain kinds; but
in the future some of that food is going to be used up, and some of that
raw material will be gone, and we must study the feeding of the trees
for the best results; and, as has been said here by your worthy president,
potash is the main reliance of the peach-grower who is on sandy soil, but
he must have a reasonable amount of “phosphoric acid and a certain
amount of nitrogen. Just at present he will get his phosphoric acid,
probably, by using raw ground bone. Whether he will do so in the
future or not, I do not know. He gets potash in hardwood ashes, those
who can, and those who can not have to take the potash of the German
mines. You must have phosphoric acid, you must have nitrogen to a
certain degree; your nitrogen you can not trap entirely from the atmos-
phere. That matter was pretty thoroughly gone over by Professor Craig,
this morning, and it will pay to crowd the growth of trees thoroughly and
well from the start.

Now, there comes a question of ceasing cultivation in midsummer,
stopping early, that the trees may ripen. I do not know but I am tread-
ing on dangerous ground, now, but observations within the last few years
are convincing me that the hardiest of our plants, our outdoor plants,
are those that can be kept growing longest. I used to think of my peach
trees, that if I ceased cultivation pretty early, and they ripened up and
were thoroughly well matured early in the season, and dropped their
foliage some time in November, that I had the best results. That is one of
the things that I do not believe now. Keep your trees growing pretty

,

296 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

well into the fall. Do not let them ripen so early that the fruit buds
will be thoroughly developed, and thoroughly ripened, well matured,
perfectly so, early in October, for then, perhaps, if we have some warm

weather early i in October or early in November, they swell and think it is

spring. I think the later you can keep your trees growing, within
reason (I don’t mean trees that are kept growing late in the fall because
they have gotten a liberal taste of nitrogen), the better will they carry
not only their wood but their fruit buds, under most conditions; and
that is true of your raspberries and your blackberries. To my mind
that is one of the most important ideas in culture that I have developed
in my business within the last four or five years. Feed for vigor and -
hardiness of tree first, and that comes largely with heavy tastes of
phosphoric acid and potash; and when it comes up to the fruiting time
you can hardly give too much potash, because, as President Morrill says,
what the tree and fruit do not take up is there for future use. In talking
about the color of Elberta, some one said, “Give it potash enough and you
can color it.” You certainly can paint the peach red, with potash, and
the more the merrier, up to the limit of your bank credit.

In the matter of feeding, of course, local conditions must be con-
sidered—soil and everything of that kind; you must judge for yourself.
Our friend Riehl tells us it is not necessary, or does not pay, to supply
potash at all on his soil. I am not talking to him, then, about potash.
Everything that is said in relation to the management of your orchard
or your trees or your business, of course does not have general application
and must be modified to suit each locality.

After the orchard is planted, its early cultivation may be carried on in
any way that suits you best. Anything that will stir the soil deeply the
first two or three years, so as to get the roots down well, and after that
not so deep stirring; and what you can use most economically are gang-
plows, spading harrows, cut-away harrows, smoothing harrows, or disc
harrows—they are all good, each one has its place under your soil or your
particular conditions; but something that will keep the soil stirred, and
from the time it is planted until it is time to sow in the fall or mid-
summer, to sow in the crop which you wish to put in. My practice is to
sow between the rows either cow peas or soja beans, then keep the culti-
vator going between the rows until late in August, when their tremen-
dous growth drives us out of the field and they take possession.

I was sorry that the subject of pruning was taken up this morning
and I was obliged to be absent. I would like to have heard what
President Morrill said on the subject, and what others had to say about
it. Inits early days, after a tree has been planted according to methods
that you or I may adopt, either by the single system or leaving one or two
side branches, of course we get the first year a tremendous growth—two
or three or four or five or six feet, according to the soil we plant on
and the conditions under which we plant. It has been an old recommen-
dation to shorten in one half or two thirds, shorten in down to a foot or
sixteen or eighteen inches on the stem the first growing year. I think
that is a mistake. If we shorten in as closely as that the first year, we
get a solid, compact head. Each shoot we cut off this spring, in the
summer will show two or three heads, and we get a too thick and compact
head near the ground; so that my idea is that the first year’s pruning,

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 297

that is, at the end of the first year’s growth, should be done with great
caution not to shorten in too much. Shorten in well, cut out all the
crowding-in branches, but I would leave two and one half or three feet
of each leading stem that I proposed to have there for the tree, the first
year, so as to get up and out of it without too compact a center. Until
the tree came into bearing I should prune for form closely, cutting in
every year and building the shape of tree which I wanted, which would
be a broad, open one with not too much of a high, central top, but a
flat-topped tree. That is the method to be carried on until you have
built up your tree to the bearing age; and all of that pruning, I may say,
may be done any time in the winter after the hardest frost is over, but
never in the fall. Fall pruning of the peach is a delusion and a snare,
and while you may do it successfully many times, it is dangerous. The
pruning of a tree is a weakening process, and to weaken a tree just going
into winter quarters, or as it has got in there, is a bad process. I am
speaking now of northern climates. We are talking of Michigan and
Connecticut. We will not prune until the cold weather of winter is
over. When you come to the bearing age, you have another condition.
You have been growing this orchard for peaches, not for fun, yet you
have been growing it for fun and peaches—I mean the fun of seeing it
grow. But eventually you want peaches there, and you have the condi-
tions of winter and killing of the buds many times to contend with. If
you go in in February or March, when a suitable time has come for
pruning, if you are pruning for form, possibly 50, 75, 80, 90, or 99 per cent.
of your buds may be dead; and if you go on pruning your tree for form
you may sacrifice fifty per cent. of all the buds there are alive, but it does
not matter if you sacrifice fifty per cent., if you have fifty per cent. alive,
or if you have but twenty-five per cent. alive, you can still afford to
sacrifice half of that and have a full crop. If there is only one or two
per cent. of live buds, and that is a condition you will have to contend
with occasionally, my practice is, and I believe that of the successful men
of the future will be, to prune after the buds have begun to swell in the
spring. My practice is that in years when there is no uncertainty about
the buds being alive, if they are all alive up to the first of March, we
go in and trim the whole orchard and trim according to form; and if
they are largely killed; as they will be many winters, then we go in and
trim for fruit entirely, regardless of form. I have practiced that method
of pruning a number of years, a good many in Connecticut, and it has
resulted more than satisfactorily. Probably it would be boasting, or
secm like it, to say so, but I presume I have had the worst-looking peach
orchard at times of any man in America, but I rather think I have
made more money out of it, and I know I have had more fun. Yellows
and borers are not going to trouble the successful fruitgrower very much,
All these things are blessing, all the troubles we have are blessings to us.
Mr. Morrill: You must be very careful. I was asked one time, up
in Oceana county, what I thought of yellows, and I said I thought it was
a blessing, and it was hard for me to stay there the rest of the evening.
Mr. Hale: Yellows, I presume, like the poor, will always be with us,
and needs be taken care of; but there is such a thing as starting right—
starting with healthy trees. We have not yet found what yellows is,
38

298 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

nov where it comes from, nor where it is going, but there is such a thing
as starting with healthy trees and there is such a thing as starting with
diseased trees; and whether you start with healthy or diseased
ones, yellows is pretty likely to break out sooner or later, only it
will be later when you start right. You must first study yellows to
know what yellows is. Three quarters of the peach-growers in the
country know yellows in its advanced stages, about three years along, or
four years, but not before. We should learn what yellows is, when it
first shows itself, when the first sign of it is on your most thrifty and
nost lusty and green trees in the whole orchard—that some one shoot,
perhaps in the center of the tree, usually the central top, is growing a
little stronger than the rest, setting its leaves a little more thickly than
the rest, and if you get it just in the right light you will see a little
wavy, crinkly leaf and a little shade of yellow running through where
it should be green. Yellows may be in the young tree, and be there
long before it shows anywhere else, and then is the time to take that
tree by the nape of the neck and pull it out of the ground and burn it;
-and no matter if yellows goes right through the best part of your best
orchard—never hesitate, never stop a minute. If you do not discover
it until the trees have been bearing, and they are loaded full of large,
fine peaches, and there is but one peach on the entire tree that shows a
trace of the disease, do not wait to market those peaches and get two or
three dollars, but pull the tree right out before you go to Sunday-school, if
you find it Sunday morning; or if you have to stay home from church to do
it, you are doing God’s good work. Get it out and burn it as soon as it
appears. A man who will not do that will not take front rank in peach-
growing in the future. The man who will, and follows it up and keeps
-everlastingly at it, need not worry very much about yellows. You must
be happy and contented to see trees go, because you know that the
others that are left will be enough better.

Borers must be treated in much the same way; that is, they should have
close attention, and proper washing of the trees each spring must be done
as soon as the mother-moth begins to fly that deposits the egg on the best
of the trees. A. wash of carbolic acid and lime, or any other adhesive
substance that will hold it to the tree, will keep off the moth. I have
used crude carbolic acid and some potash, because potash helps to smooth
it for the next year. If perchance a few borers get in, they should be
dug out once or twice per year, and it is not any great trick to run
over your orchard in the fall of the year, and dig where there is any trace
of a borer. In our Georgia orchards, where they have no seasons and
breed quite freely, we find it to advantage to go over the whole hundred
thousand trees twice each year, and where the trees are thoroughly and
well washed less than five per cent. will ever receive a borer.

Peach rot, which is another one of the blessings that come to us, is
held in check by spraying with Bordeaux mixture, and the best time
to spray is in the spring before the foliage is on, because peach foliage
is pretty tender and it is risky to spray—not, of course, so much with
Bordeaux as it is with arsenical sprays. One spraying in the spring, just
before the buds swell on the tree, of Bordeaux mixture, and then with
a weaker solution two or three times during the growing season, up to
ihe time the peaches are one third grown, will prevent practically all of

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 299

the rot, even in the most unfavorable seasons; but occasionally rot does
spread in the orchards. Keep your men there to look after the orchards,
and at the first sign of a single rotting specimen, start them picking all
over the orchard, dropping the diseased fruits into a bag, not on the
ground, and carrying them off and burning them, bag and all.

Curculio has not troubled us very much here at the north, but it is
going to; it is coming, sure, and we will have to contend with it. That is
another one of the blessings. It is going to thin out the fellow who has
not faith enough in himself and his peach trees to attend to them, and
then you will have a better market and that is what you are after.
While the curculio is not very prevalent in northern peach orchards,
it is in some sections. In our Georgia orchard last year there was a
considerable amount of curculio, considerable stung fruit. We did
nothing to fight it, because we did not discover it until it was well along
in the season and it was practically too late. I resolved this year, and
planned a campaign to fight the curculio. So, early in the season, when
the fruit was as well set and as large as hazelnuts, we made some
experimental jarrings and found the creature was there. We then made
some trays, taking thin lath material about fourteen feet long, bending
it to a half circle and then putting a thin piece of lath across the side
and covering it with heavy cotton sheeting. We had a large tray, a half-
moon tray, fastening a cord at each lower end and up toward the center
and to one central cord, so that you could grasp it in your hand and carry
the tray out and put it under the tree, and all this brought together
under the tree gave us an inverted umbrella-like affair. Then we took
clubs an inch in diameter, of oak, and padded the ends with rubber, and
then got out fifty people and put them on twenty-five rows of trees. Our
orchard is set in blocks a thousand feet long and five hundred wide,
seventeen miles of trees in the orchard; and instead of lengthwise of the
row we went crosswise. We had fifty people with each one of these out-
fits, and they got under twenty-five rows of trees, and at a word of com-
mand from the foreman, bang! (or two bangs) ‘went on each side of the
tree, and quickly to the next tree and under it, and bang! again, and so on
across the field, across the plot of 500 feet; and by keeping constantly
moving the curculio that dropped on the sheet would not stir nor try to
get off, as they would if you gave them a moment’s rest; and when we
got across to the other side there were little darkey boys with kerosene
buckets, and there the curculios were dumped into the kerosene and put
into the barrels that were waiting. The men were given a rest, and then
across the field again, took a little rest, and then hurriedly back and forth;
and we “banged” those trees seven long weeks, fifty people at it every
day. Those southern people said, “Those Yankees are a curious lot;
Hale is knocking off his green peaches”; and we did, because that jar
would take off certain peaches, but we kept at it seven weeks, and the
adjoining orchard, which had a better show of fruit in April than we
had, marketed eighteen carloads of second-class fruit, all more or less
curculio-stung, bringing a net profit of a little less than $300 per car.
We marketed sixty cars of fruit, and over fifty of it were of absolutely
sound fruit, and the net profit on each car was a little over $500, or about
$30,000 for the orchard, net, and I am satisfied that that fight of seven

300 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

weeks paid a net profit of more than $20,000. It cost more than $4,000
to do it. .

Mr. Moseley: How large are those trees?

Mr. Hale: They are four-year-old trees, very well developed. It looks
like a big jar. In talking of a plum tree being jarred for curculio, I said,
“Good gracious, shake that tree a week and it will cost more than the
thing comes to”; and when I talked to my horticultural friends about
jarring for curculio on a hundred thousand trees, they simply said the
thing could not be done; but we went at it, and so thoroughly systema-
tized it that we went over 50,000 trees per day, over the entire orchard
every two days, and kept it up seven weeks, and the result was that we
had a crop of sound fruit and our neighbors did not. Now, that of course
was a good thing for me. It was a good thing for the people in the
markets who want nice fruit, and seeing it was going to be such an
everlastingly good thing for them, they paid for the banging, I didn’t;
and it is the same way with you—they will pay for it, and the time will
come when you will have to do it, and it will probably be a blessing
rather than a curse.

This building up of the orchard, this feeding it, this cultivating it, this
pruning it, this caring for it at all times, is the one thing that is going
to bring success. You know the Good Book tells you that you
know not at what hour the Master cometh. That means not only one
master, but all the others. The master crop may come at any time; you
_ know not when it is coming, you must be ready for it, you must always
be ready, and the only way to be ready is to build right up all the way
through and expect you are going to get a crop; if it fails on account of
adverse conditions, that is not your fault.

When you have a crop of peaches on your trees, then comes the next
thing, the condition of the fruit. You can not grow peaches successfully
if you have not the moral courage to thin the fruit. A peach should
never be within six inches of any other peach on the tree, if you want
good peaches, and thinning may be done in years of great abundance
largely by pruning. I suppose that is the way Brother Morrill does. In
years when the trees set full of fruit you can do much of that thinning by
pruning, and cut off quantities of it; but later it must be done by hand,
and later you must go over those trees and pick off all the inferior-looking
specimens first, and then thin down so that they are not within six inches
of each other, and I think the fellow who talks to you twenty-five years
from now will say they should not be within a foot of each other, if you
want peaches for the market, though I think today six inches will do. I
talked four inches a year ago, and I have got up to eight, so that I
believe in eight really, but I think the time will come when we will say
a foot, and then you will have peaches that you can talk about being,
not so many “inches” around, but so many “feet” around!

There should be in every orchard or every neighborhood a large central
packing-shed. Now, the man with a small acreage can not do all the
things that the man with the great acreage can, but he can get together
with a lot of his neighbors who have small acreages; there should be a
central packing-house to which the fruit should go. In every large
orchard you will have your own sheds—perhaps in every orchard that
exceeds twenty acres in extent, or perhaps over fifteen, but there should

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 301

be a central packing-house somewhere to which all the fruit is collected
for packing. I went down into western Maryland this fall and studied
their fruit methods there. I found them packing peaches right in the
field, down on their hands and knees, packing them in boxes and crates,
packing them wherever it was convenient. The bottoms of the packages
were dusty and dirty when they went into the car, and they were soiled
generally. There should be a central packing-house.

Then comes the question of picking the fruit to get it there. The ques-
tion of how to judge fruit when it is ripe is an important one. No hand
should be laid upon a peach until it is ready to come off the tree. Take
held of the limb and look at the under side of the peaches and learn by
the shade of color on the under side whether they have come to full
maturity If they have, then with a very careful, gentle hand, take them
off, not pressing upon them in any way.

The question of how near maturity you wish your peaches to reach
before you pick them, will depend upon the market. If you are just out-
side of Grand Rapids, and are going to deliver the fruit early in the morn-
ing, you can let it go to full growth and full mellowness on the tree, pick
it in the afternoon and get it into town in the morning, and the people
will have an almost perfect peach. If you are going to ship it turther
away, you will pick it when it is full grown but not so mellow. Ifa peach
is fully grown, thoroughly well grown, the under side, if it is a white
peach, will take on a pink color instead of green, and if it is a yellow
peach there will be pale lemon instead of green. We take a class of men
or pickers and go out with them for two or three hours three or four days
in advance of the picking, and we study the question of ripe peaches.
We keep them observing two or three days until they know what the
color is that means a fully-matured peach, and it is important to know
that.

The peaches, when ready for picking, should be placed in a low, open
basket that is padded in some way. Just how it shall be padded is
another local question, but a padded basket of some kind, that will not
hold too much fruit (twelve quarts is plenty—some say as high as half
a bushel, but there should be a smaller quantity, so that there shall be
nu bruising in picking). There should be careful picking, more careful
than you would be with eggs in putting them into a basket, hauling them
to the packing-shed in some low, easy spring-wagon, so there shall be no
jarring. There you need nicely arranged tables and everything that is
convenient and easy for ladies’ work. I wish ladies could pick peaches,
but it is rather rough work, tramping over the orchard, for girls,
although some of them do it. You should have in your packing-shed
ladies of culture and taste. You do not want any “mutton-heads” there
—of course there are not many mutton-headed women, but there are lots
of such men. But you need women who have education and refinement
and taste to sort and pack good peaches. No one else can do it and do
it well. When I first began trying to pack fancy peaches for a fancy
market, I got young men, well brought up, of Christian parentage, good
Sunday-school boys, good as boys will average in Connecticut, and I
showed them how I wanted them to handle those peaches and how I
wanted them to pack them; and, bless their sneaking hearts! they would
not do it right, and would get big peaches on top. I told them I did not

302 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

want them to, but they would do it. Then I got a lot of girls, and said
to them, “I want to pay you so much per day for your work, and then I
want to pay you just so much for your ‘know-how’ and for your soul and
heart and taste.” JI wanted the best part of her in that packing-shed,
and I wanted her to put it right into those packages, and I would pay her
for it; and so I got girls of that stamp, and the man who is going to grow
fruit and put it on the market must get that class of girls. Women are
conscientious and honest, they will do just what you tell them, if you
treat them right, and that is the only way to handle women—I will tell
you that! Decide upon the grade of fruit you are going to have and
how you are going to have it graded. Then let these ladies carefully, by
hand, take from the picking-basket the extra size, whatever size you
decide shall be extra, but perfect in every way, and put into one package;
let the next lady grade whatever you have decided upon as the next
grade, and put into another package, and a still lower grade into a third
package; anything that is irregular or off color, no matter how large it
may be, put it into a large cull package, and if it is a little irregular and
smalier, put it into a small cull package. Then you will have five grades
of peaches, and if there is anything over-ripe or decayed, it should go into
the refuse crate. Then pack the three grades of perfect fruit, pack them
solidly, full from top to bottom, have them absolutely the same all the
Way up, never any topping-out, just the same in the middle as in the
bottom, just the same on top as in the middle, and the same all the way
through—everything perfect specimens, the basket or box, or whatever
it may be, filled as full as you can crowd it. If it holds sixteen quarts,
get in eighteen if you can; if it holds ten quarts, squeeze in eleven or
twelve if they can be got in there; but get it full and solidly packed all the
way through. Let the package be—but the question of packages would
take up the whole evening.

Study your markets, and what the markets want and for what they
will pay the most. You will find this: That people pay most for the most
tasteful package, the one that is neatest, and the size of the package
should be just as large as you can crowd into the family home. Now, a
family of five or six boys, with good digestion, will consume a half bushel
of peaches, if they are there; but if you only slip into that family a six-
quart package, they will eat but six quarts; if you get into the house with
half a bushel, so much the better. Use just as large a package as you
can. Do not try to see how small a one you can get, so that the people
can pick it up and carry it here and there, but make just as large a
package as will carry the fruit well and get it into the home—then you
have increased consumption. But the question of packages is a local
one. Whatever the size, whatever the shape, whatever it may be, let it
be of the neatest and whitest wood that you can get, regardless of cost.
De not ask your basket-maker how much he is going to charge you for
the packages, but how good he can make them and how attractive, and
then get them.

_ After you have packed those baskets full, and perfectly all the way
through, you certainly can not afford to let the fruit go to market without
“tooting your own horn.” Fruitgrowers do not brag enough about their
business, and I suppose the reason is that they have not anything to brag
about. But if you have something to talk about, advertise it. You find

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 303:

that people advertise from one end to the other of the earth, if they have
a good thing.

Now, I told you perhaps I could not talk without being a little bit per-
sonal. We are American citizens, down east. We believe in the national
colors; I believe in the flag; I believe every home should have a fliag-
staff somewhere, and on every national holiday and every birthday in the
family, and every other family anniversary (every time pa comes home
sober, or anything like that) hang out the American flag. I believe in
America, I believe in every farm having a flag. I go around your great
city here and find your successful manufacturers of furniture—I do not
find them down the side streets, with nothing outside on the buildings.
They have paid money to have great advertisements put on the outside
of the buildings, to tell who they are and what they are doing there.
I believe every farm should have a name, some little, local, poetic affair
that connects the family and the home or the surroundings, whatever it
may be; but have your farm named, have a little sign out in front with
the name of the farm on it. Do not be ashamed to own up who lives
there, and have a little advertisement of the specialties of your farm pro-
duction; and then you should have it tasteful enough in its surroundings
not to be ashamed of it.

Now, believing in the American tlag, I selected for our colors, red,
white and blue. [ Mr. Hale here exhibited to the members some labels. ]
These labels cost us sixty cents per thousand. We sell them for $500 per
thousand, $499.40 profit. That is, of course, a Yankee trick, but we
do it. How do we doit? By following the methods I have been talking
about until we get into the market; and then, when we have the peaches
there and have the labels on them, we get about fifty cents more with
that red label on than the other fellow does who does not believe in this
label and our other methods. AIl the extra-size fruit, if it is perfect in
every way, gets this label, which is a little advertisement of the fruit
and a guarantee of it. The leading thing in it is “ Hale’s Peaches.”
If they are poor, he will bring them back; if they are good he will come
again. JI make him pay for them—it is my business to see that they
are good. We guarantee that that basket is perfect from top to bottom,
that there is not an inferior peach in it.

On the next grade we put the white label, a lower grade but a perfect
peach in every way, but they are graded according to size, and are perfect
specimens, the only difference being in size. By growing the best we
know how, in best seasons, we get more than fifty per cent. of the extras,
and perhaps thirty per cent. of the No. 1’s. Now, those large peaches, if
they are away off color, or are a little out of shape, go in as large culls,
and we sell them without any label at all. We do not care to have
it known whose they were or where they came from. If asked, we would
guarantee there was not a perfect peach in the basket, and yet we get
almost as much for them as though we had mixed the good and bad
together. In our southern orchard we use one label, the red, entirely.
We ship from the south only the very choicest fruit.

Iam making this personal, so that you can see what I am doing myself
and what I believe others will come to. We go to certain markets which
we reach in Connecticut, and instead of shipping to Boston or New York
to some commission man and letting him sell it at the first place he can,

304 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. -

I went to these markets and hunted out retail dealers in fancy fruit
and tried to show them what I was doing in the way of growing fruit, and
how good it was; and in the small towns I said to them, “ I want some
one man to be my agent here; I will advertise the fruit, I will put it up
well, and if you will handle it, why, I can make some money for both of
us.” We got up little circulars which advertised the peaches, and if the
dealer gives us the names of his best customers we mail them direct,
showing that the dealer is going to be headquarters for our fruit. If it is
a larger town, and we put the business in the hands of a jobber, we ask
him to give us the names of the fancy grocers and of the people he deals
with. Now, just before the opening of the peach season last year, we
mailed these circulars to every retail dealer in fancy fruits, etc., in the
city of New York and in the New England states, and in the distributing
territory of Philadelphia and Newark. We mailed them to the stewards
of every hotel and every club house and all those that were likely to
buy good fruit, three or four weeks before the season opened; and just
as the season opened we mailed them again to all those people, with
another announcement that the peaches were now on the way to market
and could be found in the hands of our agents. Then we have one man,
an agent, at each center, and we tell him that he must come to the
orchard and see how the thing is done. You know you can not do business
without understanding one another. This idea that the commission
man or the dealer is, somehow or other, trying to get the best of you, that
there is a separate interest between you and him, is all wrong. You are
all partners and all working together, for you must get right in sympathy
with the dealer, with the jobber, or you would better get out of the
business altogether. I brought them up to the orchard, and I said, “ Gen-
tlemen, come to the orchard and see what we have and see how we do
it.’ I have. taken them around among the trees and explained the
method of culture, the method of handling, and how we judge when they
are ripe; have taken them to the packing-sheds and shown them how the
work is done there, and taken them on the cars, and all the way through,
and when the peaches get into the market, and the dealer comes up to
them to buy, the agents know what they are talking about; they have
faith in the fruit and the buyers must have faith—and then make them
pay for it, and they are willing to do it. We distributed some 200,000 of
these circulars, and here is a fac simile of the label telling them if they
found fruit bearing that label they would know it was all right.

This, in a crude way, is something of the methods of handling. You
can not afford to spend year in and year out in growing fine fruit and
then fail of getting the last ten cents, or twenty-five, or fifty on top,
because your consumers do not know what you are doing. They think
your fruit is like all the other they have been buying—good on top and
inferior on the bottom. You can not afford to have them possessed of
that idea.

After doing all these things, you must reach the people in some way
and Jet them know what you have; and do not forget at any time to make
them pay for it—the more you make them pay, the better they like it,
providing the fruit is good.

The past summer I talked with the railway people, with the presidents
of the roads that lead to the south where I go, and I invited them to the

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 305

orchard, I took them into the orchard. Now, a man, perhaps, with a
sinall orchard, can not get the president of a railway or steamboat line to
go and look over what he is doing, but you can through an association
of men all working in the same line. Tell the railway men you want
the very best service they can give; that their trains must leave at an
hour that will accommodate your business, leave at an hour that will
suit the markets, giving prompt and quick delivery, and that you are
willing to pay for it because you will get enough more out of your fruit;
but do not ask the railways to be everlastingly lowering their rates—
ask them to keep up with their service, and you go on with your quality,
and the money you will receive will be enough to compensate you for your
labors and the railways for theirs. Work in harmony with the railways
and whoever has to handle your fruit; consider him a partner in your
business, and make a friend of him; let him understand what you are
doing and how you are doing it. Do not ask favors, but simply justice,
and you will not have any trouble with the railway men. Railway man-
agers are bright, sharp, shrewd, honest business men, as a whole, and
wish to do business man-to-man fashion. I do not own a dollar of railway
stock, and never did and never shall; but I have found railway men as
good men to do business with as any on earth, if they are met right, but
the trouble has been that we fruitgrowers have handled our business
wrong-end-first, and then cursed the railway man and the commission
man because they did not make it pay. It didn’t deserve to pay.

Then, as to the markets to which you ship. Stick to the markets, stick
to the same markets; decide what markets to use and then follow them
up year after year; make a name and reputation and hold by that market.
You can not afford to ship one time here and one time there and one
time somewhere else, because somebody else says those markets are good.
You will not be known there. Follow up the same markets. I have
retailers to whom I could not sell a peach during my first season, but they
have had the fruit and they know it is good, and they take it and pay for
it day in and day out. We have customers who retail as much as a hun-
dred bushels of fruit per day six days in the week, and in cities not half
the size of Grand Rapids. The trouble has been with too many of us, in
the past, and some in the present, that we were trying to do a $10,000 busi-
ness with a ten-cent head and with a ten-cent management. Now, you
must reverse that thing and get a $10,000 head on the start with a ten-cent
business, and work it along up. We should think more and work less.
I said yesterday something about judicious laziness. We need a little
judicious laziness on the part of the fruitgrower. Not that he must not
be alive and alert at all times, but he does not need to work so hard and
think so little—he should think more and work less.

We have been talking about peach-growing from its commercial stand-
point, but there are thousands and thousands of town and village and
country homes in Michigan that have not full fruit supply, and hundreds
and thousands of farm homes that lack many of the comforts and
luxuries of life that they ought to have, largely because their possessors
do not know how to provide them. While we are commercial horticul-
turists, and are considering our business from its money standpoint, we
should not lose sight of the blessings that horticulture may carry into

39

306 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

every home in this land. Let us help carry it there; let us help by our
knowledge and by judicious suggestions, and help here and everywhere,
deo what we can to make rural life a blessing and better than it is,
because, for all the money we may get out of the business—we do not
wish it to pile it up, we do not wish it that we may say we have grown
rich, but we desire it in order to help beautify the rural homes of this
country. Every farm home in this land can have around it a picture
that money can not buy. Just the doing away with a few old fences,
cleaning up the nasty, abominable back yard of the average farm home,
and the planting of beautiful flowers and shrubbery and trees and vines,
and a little judicious pruning at the right time, and the mowing of the
lawn and the planting of flow ers—something that does not cost much
money and will fill our souls with gladness, something that money can
not buy—that, it seems to me, is one of the peculiar wor ks of the horticul-
tural society. Let us do more to beautify and spread happiness in the
farm homes of our land. (Applause.)

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Ramsdell: Have you ever used a grader for grading peaches?

Mr. Hale: I have seen such machines used, but I love the peach too
well to put it into one of those abominations.

Mr. Cook: In the course of your talk, you spoke of raising one crop at
atime. We have in this country, where we are subject to drouths almost
every season (we rarely escape a dry spell of from four to six weeks in
ordinary seasons), to plant corn or something of that kind for shade in
order to protect from the strong sun the young trees. What would you
say in regard to the utility of that?

Mr. Hale: What should I say to a man who would set up a thousand
pumps in his field and go to pumping water out and running it off some-
where, and thinking he was making money and keeping the ground moist
because he had the shade of those pumps? I would say he was woefully
stupid.

Mr. Wiley: Have you had any experience with what is known as
rosette in the south?

Mr. Hale: Rosette has not been in the section of Georgia where I am;
it has been within seventy miles of us, was quite prevalent there four
or five years ago, and when it attacked the trees it would kill them in one
season. It is a clustering growth on the tips of some of the branches,
something like the cluster growth of yellows, only more compact than
what we call pennyroyal growth in yellows. It will kill a tree in a year,
but they have done little to eradicate the disease, pulling out and burning
the trees, but the disease is rapidly dying out. There was very little
of it in 1895, and scarcely any in 1896, so far as I know. It seems to be a
disease that broke out six or seven years ago and was most prevalent five
years ago, but there is very little of it.

Mr. Sherwood: I would like to ask what size package you adyocate
for your longest shipping?

Mr. Hale: For long shipping the best package that we know of at the
present time is what is known as the Georgia fruit package, the six-
basket carrier.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 307

Mr. Sherwood: Something like a tomato crate?

Mr. Hale: Something like a tomato crate. It should be made of
better material, whiter, but that general package seems to give the best
satisfaction in the trade for long shipping.

A Member: How large are your baskets?

Mr. Hale: The baskets hold four quarts when well filled.

Mr. Morrill: About five pounds’ weight on the average, do they not?

Mr. Hale: The whole package, as it is usually packed in Georgia,
weighs, loaded, thirty-six to thirty-eight pounds. We pack ours so tightly
that they weigh about forty-five pounds.

Mr. Morrill: I used the same package the past season, with great
satisfaction, on fine fruit.

Mr. Hale: The objection is, it is hard work. It is rather difficult to
pack the fruit in, but the girls will learn how to do it all right.

Mr. Lyon: What about mechanical graders?

Mr. Hale: You ought to know better than to ask that question, you
dear old soul! (Laughter.)

Mr. Morrill: Iam glad Judge Ramsdell asked that question, because
so many of our people use graders, and so many of them that I know to
be good fruitgrowers (that is, known to have that reputation) have told
me repeatedly that they could use them satisfactorily, that there was no
injury to the fruit. An agent of the Jones Grader company came along
and I told him I could not use it at all; I didn’t like it. He insisted upon
sending me one on trial. I took it and used it on about five bushels of
peaches that were in good shipping condition as we picked them. We
took the baskets of peaches as they ran through in the different grades,
and examined them, and you could not see that they were injured at all.
I set them away until the next day, the time at which they would ordin-
arily be marketed, and then peeled them, and there were innumerable
dark spots under the skin, just ready for decay. If that fruit had been a
little riper it would have been in the first stage of decay the next day.
Consequently I decided the only way to use a grader was to pick peaches
too green to be eaten. I want to speak of a little object lesson that I
saw in Chicago last summer—it is only one of a hundred object lessons
which may be seen by a man who is watching the other end of the
business, as Mr. Hale urges you to do; but this one was so marked that
I must call your attention to it. A commission man on South Water
street, one morning when I was there, was receiving any quantity and all
kinds of peaches, and when I stepped into the store a young man was
standing by a pile of peaches in the six-basket Georgia crates, as we call
them, the same Mr. Hale uses and the same as have been taken up by
some of our best Michigan growers. In that pile of crates was chiefly
one yariety of peach which was known as Engle, a medium-size, fine
peach, in two grades, the name of the owner marked upon them, and there
were thirty pounds of fruit, probably, in each. The dealer sat there,
simply checking off whatever the buyer wanted of those crates, and
there were buyers every minute taking them until they were gone—
taking one grade or the other, whichever fitted their business. A load
of peaches in baskets of the common fifth size (I do not know that I
should name the town, but I will, it was from Fennville—out of the
regular Fennyille fruit train of mixed lots) was backed up to the curb

308 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

while I was standing there, and an Englewood grocer was just taking
a dozen of those crates. Now, recollect there were thirty pounds of
peaches in each crate. This Englewood grocer took 15 crates, I believe,
at $1.75 for thirty pounds of peaches. He wanted a lot of other stock.
This load had 700 baskets on, which were backed up to the curb, and he
looked it over and bought it for 7? cents per basket. Those peaches out
on the curb had all probably been through the grader. They looked as
though they would stand it. This other lot was picked and handled just
exactly as Mr. Hale says, but there were ten pounds of peaches for 7%
cents, of a grade that a good many men grow. Another man, with a
better head, was getting $1.75 for thirty pounds; and you can find just
such examples on South Water street any morning if you see fit.

Mr. Hale: I might say in connection with this, that fruit came from
Michigan to Hartford, Connecticut, this year in these same abominable
bea baskets, and the dealer could not sell them by the bushel for
$1.25, on account of the four or five grades or sizes that were in the
ae and on account of the basket. Some man here had the “ gall”
to say that it was a nice thing in which to ship, for people bought them
because they wanted the baskets. If people want baskets they will go
to a basket-factory and buy them, and not beat around that way in our
orchard. This fruit would not sell at that, and was turned out and sorted
and the best of it put in half-bushel Jersey baskets, neat new ones, and a
half bushel of the best fruit sold for $1.50 while the whole of it together
would not bring $1.25. Now, then, the man in Michigan who paid the
freight on the bushel—well, he was not a fool, perhaps, because it might
have been the president of this society, for all I know. (Laughter.)

The President: Well, it was not.

Mr. Hale: But he didn’t know his business as well as he should. He
could have saved half on his freight, he could have saved on his baskets,
and what he saved on his freight and what he would have saved on his
baskets would probably have been eight or ten per cent. profit
on the capital he had invested in his peach business. That thing
is going on the world over. It is not Michigan alone, it is Georgia, Con-.
necticut, and everywhere else. But let us get over that and above it.

Mr. Tracy: I live in Detroit and I am not very well impressed with
some of the facts that I see there. I want to ask Mr. Hale what he would
do for that great class of people who live in Detroit and other cities,
whose daily wages does not amount to a dollar per day, who have to
pay half of that for their rent, and then live in the city? What are we to
do with that great mass of clerks who come from the farm, who are work-
ing in our stores at Detroit for five or six or seven dollars per week, who
must board somewhere” Are we going to shut them out entirely from
any fruit? They can not possibly buy fruit of that quality for which
we can get $1.75 per bushel. How are we to supply the great class of
the “ unwashed,” the great ciass of people in our cities who are not able
to buy this first-class fruit?

Mr. Hale: You certainly are not ever going to supply them by sending
inferior fruit to the market (green fruit, big fruit, little fruit, and all
hinds of fruit together) and letting the better class of people or the
moneyed class pick out the little fine fruit there is and pay a big price for
it and then turn the cther over to these people and make them pay freight

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 309

on the whole of it. You can supply them by growing as fine fruit as you
can, perfectly grown, and let them take the second sizes, that are imper-
fect, and you can sell it to them at a fair price. They will pay you as good
a price, and a little better; they are not so poor and so willing to
eat pig-feed that they will pay twenty-five cents per bushel for some-
thing that has not a peck of good fruit in it, when they can get a bushel
of thoroughly good fruit for fifty cents; nor are they going hungry, going
without cheap fruit, simply because we adopt better methods or take the
highest grade and make people pay for it who are able to; they will have
more and better fruit under the advanced methods than they have had
under the pig-pen methods of the past.
Professor Tracy: I do not wish to be understood for a moment as
objecting to this method, but I wish to bring out here, if possible, from
some of these practical men, a way by which the great mass of people in
our cities can get good fruit. I know they eat good fruit in smaller
sizes, in seconds and thirds, and the time will come when they will
buy better fruit, and the money for buying better fruit will come from
their tobacco bill and their liquor bill and a good many other bills of
a kind that would better not be made; but I wish to bring out here, if I
can, some way by which it is practicable to put good fruit, not fancy
fruit, upon the market at such prices that the laboring classes, the people
who have not large incomes, can buy and use it.
Mr. Hale: In that line, take our home market, where we are market-
ing the best of our Connecticut fruit. Roughly stated, we get for our
extras, which are 23 inches or more in diameter, $2 to $2.50 per half-
bushel basket; for the No. 1’s, which are 24 to 2? inches in diameter,
and perfect in every way, we can get from $1.25 to $1.50; for the seconds,
which are perfect specimens of peach, thoroughly ripened, but below
24 inches in diameter, sound all the way through, we take half a dollar.
You may have a half bushel for fifty cents, or you may have it for $1.25 or
$1.50, or you may have to pay $2.50; and by grading it up in that way you
bring a higher average to yourselves and bring a lower-price good fruit
to the people who can not pay the higher prices. They get more for their
money under this method than they did under the old. But, bless you!
gentlemen, it is not the millionaire, it is not the man with a big income
that buys the most good fruit, by any means; the biggest souls and the
broadest spirits are in the great body of the common people and the work-
ing classes. They may be a little dirty, they may be a little, as our friend
says, unwashed, on the outside, but they are clean within and they
appreciate good fruit.

The President: I want to ask Mr. Hale if, under improved methods,
the first-class fruit can be grown as cheaply, so that the grower himself
can produce it as cheaply, as the poor fruit is-produced under ordinary
methods? I ask this because so many people believe they can not afford
this expense, and I want to ask if it is not grown just as cheaply per
bushel, that which is thoroughly first-class, under improved methods,
as what we get under the ordinary method.

Mr. Hale: I believe it can be produced cheaper; that the production
will be cheaper. It may cost a little more to market it, but the pro-
duction is cheaper. There is no question but the close, tireless attention
to it all the time will produce the fruit at a less cost per bushel. It is

310 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

not going to add to the cost per bushel. It may add to your gross expense,
but when you measure it by the bushel, I am sure it will not.

The President: And the life of the tree?

Mr. Hale: The tree will live longer.

PRUNING THE PEACH.

BY PRESIDENT MORRILL.

In presenting my practice or system of pruning the peach I do not make
the claim that it can not be improved upon or that it is entirely original,
but that the plans described and illustrated are the best that I have ever
seen put into practice, and I believe are now quite generally followed
by the most expert growers in the country. I am fully aware that the
plan is indorsed by some growers but for some reason is not put into
practice by them; so I will furnish you photographic illustrations from
my own orchards, showing exactly how I treat my entire orchard of
nearly 100 acres.

In order to fully understand just what treatment is best for any named
species of fruit, we must first understand its habits, peculiarities, and
requirements, all of which may be varied by local conditions of soil,
climate, exposure, etc. These matters each grower must study for
himself.

The most prominent peculiarity of the peach is that, under favorable
conditions, it makes a much greater growth of top than the root can
possibly maintain in full vigor, especially during its first fruiting years;
so we practice pruning, with the following objects in view:

1. Symmetry and proper balance between root and top.
2. The preservation of the vigor and fruiting powers of the tree.
5. The proper thinning of the fruit at the best possible time.

I presume it is well to state right here that the plans I am about to
present can not be followed by every peach-grower unless the majority of
them reform their present method of cultivation and fertilization. I call
vour attention to this matter because proper pruning, or pruning on these
lines, is only of value to the grower who is thorough in all the details of
orchard culture.

When peach trees are placed on good soil and given good culture they
are probably the most satisfactory growers of any of the tree fruits; but
experience has proven that they will invariably establish too many limbs,
and in case of the free-bearing varieties will set altogether too many buds
——and here is where the skillful grower must step in and use his brains
and his shears. If he does not, the trees will attempt to grow, perhaps,
ten times as many peaches as the root systems can sustain or mature
properly. The result is that you have a very unsatisfactory crop of
peaches; the tree is left in an exhausted condition; it can not establish a
crop of sound, strong buds for next year’s crop, nor can it properly mature
all its wood. The next spring you find your tops filled with dead, small
limbs, and the trees fail to produce, or perhaps produce a crop of poor,

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. oll

woolly peaches, devoid of flavor or color, which sell slowly at cheap
prices, and this same routine is followed year after year until the grower
finds that when he should have an orchard just in its prime he has instead
a prematurely aged, broken, and dilapidated one.

All this might be changed for the better, and at nominal expense, if
we begin with the setting of the tree to follow well-defined plans laid on
proper lines, and follow them thoroughly and on time, year after year,
with or without a crop.

In hope of explaining more clearly what’ I consider proper methods
of pruning, I will now’show photographs taken in my own orchards, and
invite your criticism as we take up each picture; and as Mr. Hale, “ the
peach king,” is with us, I especially invite his comments.

You will notice, as each picture is thrown upon the screen, that some-
where on it is a figure showing the year in which each tree was set, and
all the photographs being taken in October, 1896, you can readily figure
the age of the tree. Also, in each picture, you will find a man six feet
tall, and the step-ladder in use is a six-foot one. From these you can
judge the dimensions of trees if I fail to give the same.

Bearing this in mind, permit me to explain photograph No. 1. This
tree is one in a block of 5,000 set in the spring of 1896, all third-grade
trees, eighteen inches to two feet high, but carefully handled and vitality
kept uninjured. . You will see that the limbs start about knee-high to a
man, and on October 1 the top is as high as his head. You will notice
also that the tree as trimmed is only waist-high, with five main limbs
saved, which I think is really one too many for ideal shape; but, of course,
you all know that it is impossible to make hard and fast rules for work of
this character. ;

We will now move on to photograph No. 2, taken from a one-year tree
but bearing its second year’s wood. Unfortunately all these trees were
trimmed before we got around to take the photographs, so I can only
show you the tree after pruning. This tree, you will notice, was started
with crotch about eighteen inches high, trimmed and cut back at one
year, leaving only three branches, they in turn producing three to four
strong limbs, which you see cut back, not quite so harshly as I would
have done it myself, but done by my foreman, but on the whole quite a
symmetrical tree for a two-year-old. You will observe that it is, after
pruning, about nine feet high, and spreads eleven feet. The companion
tree in this picture is a four-year Lombard plum which has been treated
just the same as the peach. You can see just where it has been cut back
each year, and as it stands, is trimmed ready for next crop. This tree, as
you can see, is thirteen feet high and spreads fourteen feet. We find
that, even under this system of pruning, the plum, except in the case of
Burbank, maintains its upright habit; while I think the peach, under
this treatment, shows a decided tendency to spread its branches out of
proportion to its height.

The third photograph shows a tree of* Lewis peach before and after
pruning. You will see that before pruning it stood some fourteen feet
high, with the current season’s growth measuring as much as six feet,
and, being a young, vigorous tree, it has many small side-branches. Now,
imagine the results of allowing all these small branches to remain, loaded
as they are with fruit buds. It would mean that, if the winter is favor-

31

STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Fic, 1.—Tree set April, 1896, trimmed September, 1896.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. 313

PROCEEDINGS OF

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STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

—Peach set spring of 1894. Photographed October, 1896, Before and after pruning.

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL

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Fic. 5.—Four-year-old Burbank plum, before and after pruning. Has borne two full crops.

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 319

Rows twenty feet apart.

Fia. 8.—View in peach orchard of R. Morrill, Benton Harbor, Mich. Three-year-old Gold Drop Orchard.

STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

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PROCEEDINGS

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324 STATE HORTICULTURAL. SOCIETY.

able, this tree would set twenty or more times as many peaches as would
be required for a full crop. Note carefully how we have trimmed this
tree. We show you the first motion in this kind of trimming. Go on the
ladder and cut back all leading growths one half to two thirds; then thin
out the smaller bearing branches as you see. Now, if all the buds left
survive the winter we will pick off more peaches than we leave on when
thinning next June. This tree, or rather this block of 500 Lewis, averaged
a little over one half bushel of fine peaches per tree in 1896, and was set in
April, 1894.

Our next picture, No. 4, shows a tree set in the spring of 1893, which
has borne two full crops of fruit. It is of more spreading habit than
the preceding one, but you will observe the same general lines of trim-
ming. At this age you will begin to observe one of the strong points in
this system of pruning; 7. e., the noticeable thickening and stocking of
body and main branches, and the large, strong formation of the crotches.
These trees seldom or never split down, no matter how heavily loaded,
and I never have a prop in my orchards.

Our next picture, No. 5, shows you a Burbank plum under same treat-
ment, which I find just as desirable in plum culture as in peach.

These samples are, no doubt, enough to impress you with the plan or
system of pruning which I practice and advocate; and I will now show
you some views in this same orchard in full leaf, that you may more fully
see the results.

Cut No. 6; variety, Lewis; planted April, 1894; photographed October
1, 1896; extreme height, twelve feet; extreme width, fourteen feet; height
of body, eighteen inches; diameter of body, four and one half inches.
Bore full crop in 1896.

Cut No. 7; variety, Gold Drop; planted April, 1893; photographed Octo-
ber 1, 1896; height, twelve feet; width, twenty feet, four inches; height of
body, fourteen inches; diameter, five and three quarters inches; full crop
in 1896.

Cut No. 8; view between rows of Gold Drop, set twenty feet apart,
April, 1893; picture taken to show strength of growth, trees meeting
across the row.

Cut No. 9; shows typical tree in four-year-old Elberta orchard; height,
twelve and a half feet; width, seventeen feet; height of body, twenty-one
inches; diameter, six and three quarters inches. This tree was set in
spring of 1892, bore some fruit in 1894, about one bushel in 1895, and over
five bushels in 1896.

Cut No. 10; view between rows in four-year Elberta orchard, designed
to show the uniform character of the trees.

Cut No. 11; shows view in four-year-old St. John orchard, with pack-
ing-house in shade of native forest, and the pleasantest spot on the farm.

Cut No. 12; shows a general view of an eight-year-old orchard that
has been pruned according to the plan detailed here. Notice where the ©
growth was cut last spring, and see the amount of new growth follow-
ing an enormous crop of fruit. This orchard has ten acres and has pro-
duced six full crops, and has made a net profit of over $1,100 per acre
during that time, or a little better than $157 per acre per annum.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 325

If you have observed carefully you have noticed that these orchards
have had absolutely clean, level culture; but one help they have had that
you could not see, and that is, liberal dressings of wood ashes and bone.
I have talked to you entirely on pruning, but I hope no man will carry
the idea away with him that pruning is alone responsible for the fine
specimens I have shown you, as it is really only one of several details of
care that are needed, as a whole, to grow a really first-class orchard.

I have given you exact measurements in several instances, for two
purposes: (1) todemonstrate that pruning, on the lines laid down, stocks
and strengthens a tree; and (2) to give you an opportunity to measure
what you consider good trees of the same age, for comparison.

My excuse for offering you this lecture is that I firmly believe that in
view of the enormous planting of peach trees making in all the peach
regions of the United States, the brutal law of survival of the fittest must
soon be put into operation, when I would like to see our own Michigan
come up smiling with model orchards and men who understand the care
and handling of fine peaches so well that they can still find profits even
after their less intelligent or less industrious neighbors are swept out
of competition by their own negligence or the hand of providence.

Now let me sum up what I think are the essential requirements for
successful peach culture.

1. Proper soil and location.
2. Thorough culture, with very little cropping with other crops.

3. Liberal fertilization with proper fertilizers, viz.: phosphoric acid and
potash.

4, Careful pruning as detailed, always done when growth is dormant.
5. Careful thinning when crop sets too heavily.

6. A man who is intelligent, industrious, and progressive; an honest
man, who has the moral courage to follow the golden rule during peach
harvest.

Of such material must the winner be.

326 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

OBJECT AND LIMITATIONS OF PRUNING.

BY MR. R. M. KELLOGG OF THREE RIVERS.

The object of pruning is to induce fruitfulness by concentrating the _
strength of the tree upon its fruit buds and limiting those to the ability
of the tree or vine to bring its fruit to high perfection without approach-
ing the line of exhaustion.

An orchard or berry patch properly pruned or tilled will, under reason-
ably favorable climatic conditions, produce a heavy crop of fruit of the
finest grade every year. What we call the “ off ” year is the time required
to recuperate from the severe strain of excessive pollination and seed-
bearing. If the tree is limited to its ability to perfect its fruit, this “ off
year,” or more often a series of years, of unfruitfulness would not be
required.

It is claimed that trees and plants have no nervous systems and are
insensible to either pain or congenial surroundings. We have no means
of knowing to what extent this is true. Indeed, we know nothing of
the forces that send the sap up through the tree. We only know that
the hair-like rootlets suck up the moisture of the soil, which is charged
with certain mineral substances that pass up from cell to cell through
the body of the tree, until the leaves are reached, where they are assim-
ilated and combined with certain gases taken from the air. The leaves
of the plant perform the same office as the stomach and lungs of an
animal.

It has been shown that fully ninety-five per cent. of the weight of the
tree or plant is thus gathered from the atmosphere through the leaves.
When we burn wood, we separate carbonic and other gases, which go
into the atmosphere as smoke. These gases are again gathered up by
other trees and vegetation, and are separated by the wonderful cell
tissues of the leaves and combined with minerals sent up by roots, and
sent along down under the bark, where they are appropriated in building
up the wood cells which constitute the growth of the year. We know
this process of assimilation can only go on in the rays of the sun or
bright light, and that during the night and in deep shade this process
is partially or wholly suspended, according to the degree of light. We
find abundant evidence of this in the behavior of trees in deep forests.
All the lower limbs fail to perform their functions and die; small shrub-
bery dies out or makes feeble growth, while the tall trees, forcing their
leaves up to receive the sun’s rays, grow vigorously. It seems to have
been one of the wise provisions of the creator to so incline the earth’s
axis that the sun should rise well toward the northeast, pass around to
the south, and finally sink away in the northwest, that its rays might
touch the foliage on all sides of every tree or plant. Careful investiga-
tions show that strong fruit buds will not form in densely shaded parts
of the tree. Fruit will grow in shade because it only appropriates the
food digested by the leaves. No one ever saw a large, luscious peach

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 327

or cluster of grapes unless the foliage on its branch was well developed
and in the full light of the sun’s rays. It is true of all fruits, even down
to those of the most tiny plant or shrub.

The tree must have its branches so trimmed that, while it shall be
symmetrical and beautiful, its foliage shall be evenly distributed to
receive the sun’s rays. Assimilation of plant food in the shade is slow
and entirely suspended in the dark. Large, open spaces are not required,
and yet it must have free circulation of air, and, if deprived of it, would
suffer the same as an animal confined in a close room.

The orchardist must have an ideal of the form he desires always in
his mind. Standing by the tree as received from the nursery, he must
in his imagination see it full grown, an ideal tree. He should cut away
such limbs as will interfere, and by shortening induce other branches
to start that the ideal shall be realized. This can not be accomplished by
spasmodic cutting away. It must be done annually.

We must ever bear in mind that when a tree bears fruit it is breed-
ing, and that excessive pollen secretions and seed-bearing renders the
tree impotent as readily as in the case of an animal, and it seems to me
this goes far in disposing of the theory of the lack of some kind of
nervous system. It may not be so acute in all respects, but this exhaus-
tion certainly does affect the whole constitutional vigor of the tree.

We have all observed that, in seasons of excessive bloom, when every
twig was loaded with flowers, the fruit which followed was not only
small in quantity, but gnarly and destitute of flavor; and not only that
year, but for several years following. The tree has no power to impart
to so much pollen a potency which shall impregnate the pistils with vig-
orous life; and, as all fruit grows as a receptacle in which the seeds may
mature, the pulp or fruit will develop and take on high quality in
proportion to the development of the seeds. The fact that the forest
trees only bear large crops at long intervals, often being barren for years
at a time, seems to furnish evidence that unrestricted pollen-bearing is
the prime cause of unfruitfulness and the consequent weakness which
induces fungi and many diseases. I would not think of setting straw-
berry runners or any small fruit plants taken from plants which had
been allowed to shed their pollen unrestricted from year to year. Care-
ful experiments have proven conclusively that maximum crops can not
be grown from such plants. They should always be removed on spring-
set plants as soon as buds appear and before pollen secretions take
place.

Experiment has shown that limbs cut away early in the winter do
not heal over as soon as those cut just before growth begins. Hence we
may delay the remoyal of these surplus buds and limbs until just before
growth begins.

Some years ago that prince of fruitgrowers, Mr. J. N. Stearns, had a
pear orchard which bloomed every year but bore little or no fruit, and
what it did produce was so poor in quality as to be worthless. He deter-
mined to graft it to other varieties. One row was selected and fully two
thirds of each top was cut out for this purpose, and the remaining limbs
were loaded with the finest specimens, the balance of the orchard,
unpruned, bearing its worthless fruit as usual. Since that time he has

328 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

pruned vigorously by shortening in branches as well as thinning out, and
has had, even in this year of demoralized prices, a profitable season, sell-
ing his fruit readily at the highest prices on account of its superior
quality.

President Morrill exhibits here today some wonderful specimens
and photographs of vigor of growth and perfection of wood that are
marvels, and the fruit the past season was of the highest grade. I
believe that in the discussions which shall follow this paper he will
concede that his March pruning and shortening in to relieve the trees
of pollen exhaustion has been one of the main causes leading to his phe-
nomenal success as a grower of fancy fruit. I understand he has
followed this system since the starting of the trees, and supplemented
this with vigorous thinning of fruit to relieve the trees of the great
strain of seed formation, so they were always in command of their full
powers, bearing only the fruit they could bring to the highest perfec-
tion. I think he will also concede that this thinning and pruning caused
the fruit to take on a much richer flavor and firmer texture.

Then, again, this early pruning concentrates the growth upon a few
buds, which, under the influence of the early summer rains, make the
principal growth before the great strain of seed formation begins. As
a rule, very little growth is made after seeds begin to form, but, the size
having been attained, the whole latter part of the summer and fall are
utilized in maturing the wood and preparing for winter. All danger of
late growth is largely avoided. A growth thus perfected will stand many
more degrees of cold than an unrestricted tree.

We may now consider what are the limitations of pruning. We must
again note the habits of the tree. There must be a perfect balance main-
tained between the root and branch. In the normal condition the amount
of top corresponds to the amount of roots. If you find a large limb and
dig directly under it, you will find a correspondingly large root. If we
cut away the top and remove the foliage we destroy the means of diges-
tion and bring the tree to the same condition of the dyspeptic. The
roots gather the food and force it up for digestion, and it remains in that
condition and greatly weakens the tree. How are we, then, to cut away
the unnecessary branches? Nature has provided for this. During the
fall months the tree stores up an immense amount of plant food in its
wood, as a resource for early spring, for use before the ground is warm
enough for the roots to act. In mid-winter, when the ground is frozen,
if we train a branch of the grapevine in a warm, light room, it will at
once proceed to leave out and make considerable growth, exhausting the
resources in its wood cells before growth is suspended. I have mulched
currants and gooseberries heavily in winter, and in the spring the leaves
would attain full size while the roots were all frozen solid. The tem-
perature of the air, and not of the ground, governed in starting the
growth. I am satisfied roots do not gather food to any extent until the
ground is quite warm. Now, we may take advantage of this and remove
as much of the top as will equal this early growth. The draining of the
stored supplies, and the growth already made, compensates for the parts
cut away, and the whole action of the tree proceeds with entire harmony.
I believe we may with safety and profit remove fully half of the previous

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 329

year’s growth. It is better to keep within limits and moderation; and,
if there are too many buds, I should resort to thinning rather than to
excessive pruning.

If the or chard has been neglected, rendering it necessary to remove
a great amount of wood at one time, I should mulch heavily the previous
winter, when the ground was frozen deeply, so as to retard root action
by keeping the frost in the ground as late as possible, that the early
growth might be made on the resources of the tree and assimilation be
provided for when roots begin to act.

In regard to summer pruning, when foliage is performing its work,
I believe it is the greatest mistake. There may be a slight advantage in
the wood healing sooner, but it does not compensate for throwing the
tree out of harmony while in full growth, and pollen exhaustion is not
guarded against.

Then in conclusion, let me admonish the orchardist that the secret
of his success lies in maintaining high breeding or fruiting powers in
the tree by restricting it to its ability, securing the growth early in the
spring, utilizing the fall months to mature the wood for winter, keeping
the branches so trained that the sun’s rays shall render perfect assimila-
tion in every leaf, and lastly an abundant supply of food and thorough
tillage throughout the dry months of summer, that moisture may always
be present, and he may with confidence expect large annual yields of
the finest fruit.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Kellogg demonstrated his method of pruning on some branches of
fruit trees furnished by President Morrill.

Mr. Lyon: I quite agree with the chairman as to the value of the ideas
communicated in this paper, but if I understood it fully there is one
particular it did not touch, and was perhaps not intended to touch.
There are two purposes for which pruning must be done. One is the
growth of wood before the fruit season occurs; the other is the produc-
tion of the fruit. When a tree is first planted the object must first be
to secure a proper form of the tree, to secure wood growth, no matter
how rapidly, provided it is healthy; that, as I understand, was not the
purpose of this paper at all. I would like to impress upon all the idea
that pruning for securing proper form of tree and of a proper wood
growth in the right direction, must be upon an entirely distinct principle
from the pruning required for the production of fruit. The principle of
pruning must all be accepted upon the idea that the less pruning the
better, so far as the actual amount of growth is concerned; I can not
take away a single leaf from a tree without injuring the vigor and health
of that tree just so far as the one leaf exercises an influence; and the
more we take off the worse, so far as the actual amount of growth is con-
cerned; but we must train that growth in the direction we need, in order
to form a proper foundation for future purposes. It is this that I wish
to bring out, the fact that we need to prune first with reference to the
foundation of a proper head to the tree and the laying of a foundation for
future usefulness afterward, and then the ideas that are so admirably
presented in the paper come fully into use.

42

330 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Wiley: I think Mr. Kellogg’s paper is one of the best he ever read
on the subject. He comes the nearest to it. Of course, a man can not
get it all. I visited Mr. Morrill’s orchard at a time when it showed what
pruning did, and they had gone the nearest to the last point in pruning
of anything I ever saw. The leaves were wider and longer on his trees,
but the trees were not injured—they were just about as far as they could
go without injuring; they were cut back and kept within bounds. The
bodies were large and smooth, and the tops were cut more than anything
I ever saw.

Mr. Morrill: Butchered, my neighbors say.

Mr. Wiley: Yes, butchered. They were well swept out, I never saw
such sweeping out of tops, and heading back, in my life; but I saw two
results—the foliage was double the usual size, and the fruit was double
the size it naturally would have been if let grow the way they do in
the bush.

Mr. Sherwood: I would like to ask Mr. Kellogg concerning a point
that seems to be open to discussion a good deal now—the advisability
of pruning before the last of March. I have experimented a little myself,
this year, to see how it would result next year. My ideas are in accord
with Mr. Kellogg’s, that limbs that are trimmed in the winter and
allowed to remain dormant before the vitality of the tree starts, are a
hindrance to the tree’s growth. That is my view of it, and I think it
agrees with Mr. Kellogg’s. I would like to know if Mr. Kellogg ever
experimented along that line so that he knows whether it was a detri-
ment to the tree to trim in December or January, or any time it is con-
venient and the weather permits?

Mr. Kellogg: I can not draw on my own personal experience for that;
but in the trees I have seen pruned in that way I have always seen a
long black stub, a portion which was killed back, and it is difficult to
get growth there; while, if pruning is done just before growth begins,
the wound will be covered and new branches form easily.

A Member: I would like to ask if they would follow the same system
of pruning in plum culture? This seems to be especially in regard to
peaches. ;

The President: I do, successfully.

Mr. Ramsdell: Does this apply entirely to peaches, this winter prun-
ing? Would you prune peaches in the winter time?

Mr. Kellogg: Now, I would rather Mr. Morrill would answer that
question, because he has been at this business, and we don’t want theory;
we want practical work; but, in reference to the question as to whether
this theory will apply to peach orchards, I simply say that it applies
to every tree that bears fruit, clear down to the blackberry and raspberry
or anything else. I am going to have an apple orchard and that is the
way I am going to prune it. I am going to prune it every year, I am
going into the trees and thin out everything so that the sun shall have
free access everywhere in the apple tree, just as it does in the peach tree.
Mr. Morrill has pruned his pear trees and apple trees, and so has Mr.
Stearns, and I would like to hear from him on that question. He has been
practicing it with great success.

Mr. Stearns: I was just going to answer this gentleman in regard
to plums. It is just as applicable to plums as to peaches, that first

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 301

pruning. We do not find it practicable to thin plums, it is too much
work; it will not pay.

The President: Are you really sure of. that statement?

Mr. Stearns: I am, so far as Lombard is concerned. I have tried it.
If you have your own help, so that it does not cost you anything, it
will pay to thin; but if you have to hire it done, at the present prices of
fruit it will not pay. Two years, especially, my plums were affected
quite badly on the northwest side of the trees, by a storm, and I was
afraid the pickers would not discriminate in picking, but would put
those in with the perfect fruit, and so I hired pickers to take those off;
and the trees that I thinned cost me more for help than the value of
the balance of the fruit that was not affected. But you can do it by this
process of pruning.

Mr. Post: Now, I have had a full crop of plums for four years in suc-
cession, which is rarely the case; if you do not do something, either thin
by picking off or by pruning, you will not get a crop of plums oftener
‘than every other year, because the plum is a fruit that bears heavily when
it does bear, especially the Lombard; and by the system of pruning that
has been illustrated here you can get a good crop of plums every year.
I have found it to as great advantage to the pear as to the peach. I
practice on all fruits, for that matter, this system of heading in or con-
centrating the vitality of the tree, and it must be done if you expect to get
good fruit, unless you fertilize very heavily and give plenty of irriga-
tion in dry seasons.

The President: What do you say about Judge Ramsdell’s question as
to winter pruning of different fruits?

Mr. Stearns: I would not do pruning of anything until March.

The President: What do you base that on, experience or information?

Mr. Stearns: On experience, and the way I got the idea was in doing
grafting in winter in apples and in pears. If you get anything like a
severe winter you will find that the branch from which you cut scions
will be killed back from an inch to six inches, where you took the scion
off, and of course there would be the same result in pruning the trees.

The President: That was on what?

Mr. Stearns: Pears and apples, and on peaches and plums it would
be still worse.

Mr. Ramsdell: I asked the question particularly in regard to peaches,
because the discussion had taken a range without excepting peaches as
to winter pruning. Some years ago, when I first went to planting
peaches, I planted an orchard of about 500 trees, and in our country, in
those years particularly, we had deep snow—snow three or four feet
deep. The trees had a fine growth, about the middle of November, and
I went out and pruned the limbs nicely so that they would not break
down in the snow. The next spring (although those trees were covered
with snow, so that it could not have been the severity of the winter)
every one of them was dead, and I laid it to pruning in the wrong
season of the year.

Mr. Cook: I would like to ask if this system of pruning has any effect
as a preventive of the decay of plums on the tree?

Mr. Stearns: I have very little trouble with plum rot. I attribute
what I have pretty largely to poor spraying. I used to have a great

332 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

deal of trouble before 1 used Bordeaux mixture, but I have very little
trouble now with plum rot, but I can not see wherein it would make
very much difference in regard to the pruning—whether it would help
or hinder rot.

Professor Taft: So far as rot is concerned, it seems to me that this
thinning out will save the strength of the trees so that they will be less
likely to have rot, and I believe also that some of Mr. Stearns’ freedom
from rot is owing to his use of wood ashes and things of that kind;
and Bordeaux mixture, I am convinced, if properly applied, will greatly
reduce it. I would first have a strong, healthy tree, and pruning of
course assists in that.

Mr. Stearns: There is one point in regard to this spraying that I
consider very important, in regard to rot of the plum and the heading
off of the fungous diseases, of which I would like to speak; and that is,
spraying before the trees leave out. I want to emphasize that. I con-
sider that one spraying, thoroughly done then, is worth more than three
at any time afterward. It prevents scab or anything of that kind on
the tree. That is my experience, that one thorough spraying before the
trees leave out at all, before they blossom, is much better than several
later sprayings; and it should be done very thoroughly. Have the solu-
tion reach every part of the branches and body of the trees. If you do not,
it amounts to but very little.

Mr. Ixcllogg: This year, Mr. Morrill, they had a great deal of trouble
about peach rot, in your vicinity. I would like to ask you if you found
that the peaches on trees pruned in this way rotted as badly as those
that were not so pruned. Does this process of shortening in strengthen
and build up a better texture in the fruit, that will enable it to resist
the fungus that causes the peach to rot?

The President: I am very much undecided in that. I feel as though,
in my own trees, they suffered perhaps worse from rot owing to their
dense foliage. Some of the gentlemen remember, who were down there
last spring, that the foliage is extremely dense where trees are treated
in this manner, and that under the peculiar condition we had of damp-
ness and heat—a shower every day and a temperature of nearly one
hundred degrees—the foliage having prevented free circulation of air,
was against that. I believe that is true, because, on my older trees,
which had ceased producing that very rank growth after bearing several
crops, the rot was not nearly so bad. At the same time, if I had been
able to reach all of my peaches at the period in which most people pick
fruit, some time before it is ripe, I should have saved them; but my
policy has been to pick nothing but ripe fruit, and there was a condition
existing nearly a week in which I think I lost in four days a thousand
bushels of peaches by rot.

Mr. Lyon: Do you mean by ripe fruit that it is actually mellow?

The President: No, not mellow, but just as near it as possible and still
be sound. Under these conditions a man could not work half the time,
on account of the showery periods, and the fruit ripened extremely fast.

Mr. Rork: So far as the season of pruning is concerned, we never
prune anything in the fall. Many were doing it, and told us in the
beginning to do so. Nature, when she gets into winter quarters, says
to me she does not wish to be disturbed, and she never allows herself to

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 335

be disturbed if she can prevent it. So I never prune in the fall, and
never would, although everybody else did, and I have seen better results
from spring pruning than from fall. I study nature largely in all those
things. Again, plum rot, it seems to me, comes to the most vigorous,
finest trees and finest fruit, though as a rule, of course, the constitution
and the vigor of the tree determines its ability to resist, and its power
to produce the best and most substantial fruit; but sometimes real thrift,
and all that, seems to invite rot. I can not say just why, but it seems
as though it did sometimes. Then, as to pruning, I have found that, the
foliage being dense and large, consumes greatly the strength of the tree,
in dry times especially, and you will get smaller fruit of the same kind
with heavy, thick foliage, than you will with thin. Thin it off, cut it off.
I wish some down our way could have heard Mr. Kellogg’s views. They
have this way of thinning their trees: They wait until they are fairly
set, fruit about as large as hickory nuts, see that they are going to have
a fair crop, and then, to save picking them and save trimming, at the
same time, they go through and cut them off. They say they brought it
up from the Watervliet district, and they tell us mossbacks that they
know how, and they trim and thin at that season of the year. Nature
does not like to be disturbed too vigorously just when she is vigorously
growing.

Mr. Weed: Mr. Rork says that nature always guards against this
breaking down. Now, nature, or nature’s forces, does break down trees
in the fall of the year, and of course the weight of the peaches breaks
the limbs off, and our heavy storms on the lake shore break the limbs
off very materially. Now, I have never seen any particular damage from
breaking limbs off from the trees. Such trees always seem to have more
vigor the next year than those adjoining that were unbroken. It cer-
tainly will do more damage to break a tree down in September, October,
or November than it would to trim it at that time or later, it seems
to me. Why is it that it should be a detriment? I think it does not
do such a material amount of damage as it does to wait too late in the
spring. In large orchards where we depend upon skilled labor to do trim-
ming, it is sometimes a very difficult matter to get men to trim thor-
oughly, enough of them to do it, consequently a good many orchards go
untrimmed; that is, some of them do—mine, for example. I could not
get men to trim the trees. So I wish to know if there is material damage
enough in winter pruning, or sufficient to make it an object to leave it
till spring; and it does seem to me that I had trees in my own orchard,
and I have noticed trees this summer in Mr. Taylor’s orchard (he is a
good fruitgrower in our section) that had been broken. I noticed very
handsome fruit and very handsome foliage on the trees, although nature
did not prune them just exactly, perhaps, as we should have done. It
seems to me that nature, or nature’s forces, occasionally does prune trees
for us quite heavily, and I have failed to see any great damage.

Mr. Rork: I do not advocate leaving trimming to nature, though
nature provides somewhat for that. But I do advocate not disturbing
nature when she has gone into winter quarters. If the breaking of a
tree by wind is no harm, let us have a few more tornadoes. My brother
might discover that there are some violent forces in nature that are not
so natural as they are unnatural, and nature does not break nor tear off

334 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

her limbs purposely to benefit herself. Anybody that understands it
will know better than that; it seems to me that anybody who under-
stands natural things will know that. Now, in the spring I would not
wait until the sap was dashing up and down the trees, but when the warm
sun comes a little, and the bark is a little softened and the sap just
begins to think of starting, take them then, and in a moment they are
healed. If you are going to cut my arm off I will choose to have it done
in warm weather.

Mr. Sailor: I commenced about thirty years ago to raise peaches,
and I have followed the plan of cutting back one third to one half. I
begin in December and work until March, and I never could see a particle
of harm. I never saw a particle of trouble from winter pruning, com-
mencing in December. I have followed the Downing principle for a
number of years, and I never saw any trouble in pruning back one third
to one half.

Mr. Ramsdell: My orchard is on Grand Traverse bay. It_
is in latitude forty-four degrees and forty minutes north, and perhaps
what would be a failure there might not be somewhere else; but if I
prune a peach tree in October or after that time, that is a dead tree sure,
next vear. If I prune them and take the limbs that have been broken
by either storms or weight of fruit, as soon as the fruit season is over, I
find they grow out thriftily, and it is but little damage to the tree. That
is a little in excess of your kind of pruning, but in that region of the
country. winter pruning of the peach tree, or late fall, is sure destruction
to the branch or tree that is pruned.

Mr. Weed: I merely ask for information. I will state that my orchard
is on high ground, and is exposed to the lake, and my orchard is broken
down a great deal. I have failed to notice any material damage from
it. As regards a man’s leg, of course, if it should be broken off, and he
should survive, he would get more strength in the other leg, anyhow,
and it is the same with a tree.

Mr. Ramsdell: There is another difference in our region. Our ground
does not freeze in winter, the snow keeps it from freezing, so that roots
are in moist, unfrozen ground all the time. That may make some differ-
ence, as compared to other places where the ground freezes, and there
is no circulation of sap.

Mr. Taylor: I have only a word on this question. It is not many years
ago since, I think in a meeting of this society, I heard very strongly
advocated by some men that June pruning of the apple was the best,
because the new growth would soon cover where the limb was removed.
I have found that that time of year for pruning was more fatal than
any other time that I could trim an apple tree. I have looked at some
apple trees trimmed in November, thoroughly trimmed, and I have never
seen any ill results from it. In fact, they have done as well as those
pruned in any other time of year that I could name. I have been in the
habit, for a number of years, in order to give my men work through the
winter, of trimming my peach orchard through the winter whenever the
weather was suitable; that is, sufficiently mild for a man to work with
ordinary winter wraps, and I have never seen a tree damaged by winter
pruning in my peach orchard, young or old; and I see no evil results from

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 3090

it, neither in the bearing of the tree nor in the damage done by the
winter. Notwithstanding this, I accept the presentation of the articles
and the remarks made upon them in their localities. I fail to see in
my own experience any evil results, and great benefit accrues in the
employment of my help.

Mr. Ramsdell: Where is your orchard?

Mr. Taylor: On the lake shore in western Allegan county.

Mr. Morrill: I would like to say a word regarding Mr. Rork’s state-
ments a few moments ago. He rather inclines to follow nature more
closely than some of us have found profitable. I believe in studying
nature, as he says; but, after studying it, I like to go and do as I please
about it, and in some instances I have found that nature was not doing
the best for the tree in hand. A peach tree, I think, invariably overdoes
itself. I believe that the root of the peach tree is not able to support
the amount of top that it will grow under any sort of normal condition.
There is a question of when and how to take away what is really surplus.
I have a friend near me who has about a hundred acres, and he has
practiced just what Rey. Taylor has practiced for years—five years at
least. His orchard is all pruned when spring opens; the brush is usually
burned, if he has an open spell, and everything is done in his orchard
that can be done in the winter. He tells me he has seen no bad
results. I don’t know how close an observer he is, but he is a very suc-
cessful man, so I have tried the experiment. On theoretical grounds I
have been afraid to do it. I trimmed a hundred trees this fall, and
trimmed all my plums, believing they would stand it better if there was
any damage resulting. But going back to this plan of cutting away peach
trees, which Mr. Rork seems to think would be necessarily harsh, and
perhaps not profitable, as he seems to have discovered somewhere that
the fruit was not so large where this enormous growth was made. I
have found, in my own practice, when I have cut away severely, that
while I do increase the size of the top very materially I also increase the
size of the fruit. I wish to impress upon you what I believe to be a fact,
which Mr. Kellogg expressed in his paper, that the important thing is
to do this previous to pollination. Then I should follow it up with some-
thing which he did not consider. I would thin previous to bud forma-
tion. Set those two things right down in your hat, where you can always
see them when you take your hat off—that you must do that in peaches if
you expect to get the very best development of fruit. I am satisfied that
is true. I am satisfied that the leading growers of the state will tell
you so, I am satisfied of it from my own experience. Mr. Morrill here
demonstrated his method of pruning.

336 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

RECENT WORK AMONG OUR INSECT ENEMIES.

BY PROF. M. V. SLINGERLAND OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY.

The science of growing fruits, flowers, and vegetables, or horticulture,
and the study of habits of insects for the purpose of discovering when
and how to best destroy them, or economic entomology, these two sciences
are each year coming to be more and more mutually helpful to each
other. The progressive and successful horticulturist now realizes that
he should know something about the common insects which habitually
infest the crop he is trying to grow; and, furthermore, that he should
also keep in close touch with those who make a business of studying
these little foes, so that he may, by correspondence or otherwise, quickly
avail himself of and understandingly use whatever information may be
given when an unfamiliar or new insect pest threatens his crop. On the
other hand, the economic entomologist can usually draw safer and more
practicable conclusions in regard to methods of fighting insect pests if
he can call in the aid of the experienced and successful horticulturist.
A horticulturist who “sees what he looks at” can often furnish valuable
information as to the behavior of insects in their native haunts. Insects
will not always deport themselves the same in an entomologist’s cage
as they do in the horticulturist’s field; thus, cage experiments should
always be verified and supplemented by field observations.

I wish horticulturists realized how valuable a few careful observa-
tions, which they oftentimes might easily make, are to the entomologist
when he is asked to diagnose’ an attack by an unfamiliar insect. Always
send plenty of specimens and accompany them by copious notes of what
you have seen the creatures do on their native heath. Do not be afraid
to bother your state or experiment station entomologist (or that of
any other state, for that matter) with questions about your insect pests.
These men are paid to serve you to the best of their ability as often as
you feel you need their knowledge, and most of them are glad of the
opportunity to lend you a helping hand. But do not expect the entomol-
ogist to know all about any insect you may send him. Although much
has been written about injurious insects and how to combat them, there
is still a great deal to be learned about even our most common and
apparently best known insect foes.

In short, then, horticulture and economic entomology should go hand
in hand, the trained student of insect life furnishing the necessary scien-
tific knowledge of the enemy’s habits, and the expert horticulturist sup-
plementing this with, and rendering it practicable by, suggestions drawn
from his knowledge of the natural conditions surrounding the insect.

Since 1841, when Dr. Harris gave us our first economic entomology
in his well-known “Treatise on the Insects of Massachusetts,” the science
has made rapid strides. The earlier writings were signed by such famil-
iar names as Harris, Fitch, and Walsh, and veritable mines of informa-
tion are their reports. However, the addition of Paris green and kero-

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MERTING. 337

sene emulsion, and the modern spray pump and nozzle, to the earlier
insecticidal batteries, soon revolutionized recommendations regarding
the destruction of our insect foes. Thus the more recent writings of
such well-known entomologists as Riley,-Comstock, Cook, Lintner,
Forbes, and Howard have not only added much to our knowledge of the
habits of insects, but their recommendations for combating them mark
a great advance in the science, so far as it concerns the horticulturist.

The establishment of experiment stations in nearly every state
gave a great stimulus to the scientific study of agriculture, and in no
other branch has this been more marked than in economic entomology.
The working corps of many of the stations now include a trained observer
of insect life, and a great mass of literature has already resulted. Much
of this material has been hastily compiled, oftentimes the mistakes of
earlier writers being repeated, and is thus of little value; but there are
many good compilations seasoned with common-sense, and such have a
legitimate place in our literature. The work has been growing better
each year as the observers became more skillful, and now there are
many valuable additions to our knowledge of injurious insects coming
from the press monthly in the form of experiment station bulletins.
These publications are free to any one who may take the trouble to ask
for them, so there is no excuse for horticulturists not keeping posted
in these matters. Bear in mind, however, that, try as hard as he may,
the entomologist can not always present his knowledge in such a way
that the horticulturist can at once put it into practice, unless there has
been a mutual interchange of ideas and suggestions between the two.
It is just this “rubbing together” of each other’s ideas that both the
economic entomologist and the horticulturist need to render the work
of the former the most useful to the latter. This is sometimes well illus-
trated in the recommendations made to combat certain insects. The sub-
stance recommended may be all right, but the time when or how to
apply it may be omitted or left indefinite; or it may be impracticable
when tried under the horticulturist’s conditions; or the whole thing may
be absurd. There has been too much guesswork in the recommendations
for fighting insects; they often need to be more strongly flavored with
common-sense. But, as Barnum so long ago demonstrated, a humbug
often has a peculiar fascination for the American people; and this has
been recently shown in the line of insecticides.

A “Tree Inoculation Company” in the eastern states claims to render
a whole tree safe from the attacks of any insects, more especially the
elm-leaf beetle, by the aid of a wonderful compound which they insert
into a hole bored in the trunk. They made thousands of dollars by
charging seventy-five cents or more to treat each tree, and they realized
$6,000 for the right to use the compound in New Jersey. A chemical
analysis of this secret and mysterious substance showed that it was
nothing but sulphur disguised in color by the addition of carbon. Last
year thousands of pounds of the “American Soil Renewer and Insecti-
cide” were sold in Minnesota. When sown on the field it was guaran-
teed to kill every chinch bug and to so impregnate the soil that the
insect would not again enter the field. The chemist showed that it was
simply a compound formed by combining a large amount of salt with

43

338 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

a very little land-plaster and hellebore. Still another patented humbug
found its way into the market last year. It was claimed that if seed
potatoes were treated with “Siebner’s Potato Bug Exterminator Com-
pound,” the bugs would be prevented from destroying the vines, and
the quality and quantity of the crop would be improved. It seems almost
needless to add that careful tests by two experiment stations showed
that this compound was entirely worthless for the purpose recommended.
The lesson to be learned from these illustrations is to exercise a little
common-sense when approached with a panacea for all the ills to which
your plant may be heir, even though backed by the testimonials of
hundreds of sufferers. .

The immortal words of Walsh, written in 1867, are as applicable today
as then: “Long live King Humbug! He still feeds fools on flapdoodle!”
It is true that some of the patented insecticides have merit, but usually
what little they have is derived from the proportion of some of the
standard insecticides used in their preparation. Most of them are simply
adulterations of standard, unpatented, and less expensive insecticides.
Wait until a substance has been thoroughly tested by several of the
experiment stations and has received their unqualified approval before
you invest in it.

The “acme of perfection” has not yet been reached in our standard
insecticides, like Paris green, London purple, kerosene emulsion, ete.
Experimenters are still searching for something cheaper or more effective
than these. In the magnificent fight which the state of Massachusetts
is making against the gypsy moth, almost every poisonous substance
which chemists can concoct or suggest is being tested. It has been dem-
onstrated that one of the caterpillars of this insect may withstand
uninjured an amount of arsenic, in proportion to its weight, equivalent
to 124 times the fatal dose for a man in proportion to his weight. Arsenic
has also been found in the bodies of pupze, and even in female moths,
reared from poisoned gypsy moth caterpillars.

“‘ Gypsine ” or arsenate of lead is a very promising arsenical compound
which has been recently brought out in the work of the gypsy moth com-
mittee. As yet, horticulturists have used it but little, but where it is
desirable or necessary that an insect quickly get a large dose of poison
to facilitate its death before it can do much damage, it is proving a valu-
able addition to our list of poisonous insecticides. It has been used quite
extensively against the elm-leaf beetle in the eastern states. It is very
doubtful if it will ever take the place of Paris green for general use,
although it costs less per pound and will not burn the foliage even when
used very strong. It has to be used three or four times as strong as Paris -
green to get the same effect, thus rendering the final cost about the same.
From experiments made during the past summer on gypsy moth caterpil-
-lars, the indications are that another arsenical compound known as
barium arsenate is the most successful poison that has yet been tested.
This substance is not yet in shape for recommendation in ordinary use,
and its preparation is somewhat complicated.

A modification of Paris green, known as arsenite of copper, which is
less expensive and more easily kept in suspension, has recently been
tested by Mr. Marlatt of the United States department of entomology,
and. he reports it equally effective with Paris green. If its apparent

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 339

superiority over Paris green is fully demonstrated by further extensive
experiments, it may largely replace the latter. In his experiments dur-
ing the past summer, Mr. Marlatt thinks he has also found another
promising arsenical insecticide in the arsenite of lead (‘‘ Gypsine” is the
arsenate of lead).

Among the developments in the line of insecticides for sucking insects,
whale-oil soap is destined to come into more general use. Used at the
rate of two pounds in a gallon of water, it seems to be the most effective
substance yet found for the San Jose scale here in the east. Thus, there
are a few recent developments in the line of insecticides, and these show
that our experimenters are on the alert for any improvement on our
present standard “ remedies.”

We doubtless lead the world so far as improved methods for fighting
insects are concerned. Paris green is only just coming into general use
in England and other foreign countries. Our leadership is well illus-
trated in the development of our present spraying and other insecticide
machinery during the past fifteen years. Our manufacturers are today
making the simplest, cheapest, and best of such machinery. The first,
weak, short-handled, “backaching ” pumps fast disappeared with the
advent of those more powerful and easier to work; and yet the restless,
ingenious Yankee fruitgrower was far from satisfied. He must have a
pump of more power, with a better agitator; and hundreds of manufac-
turers all over the country strained every nerve to be the first to meet
the demand. Your worthy president, doubtless “ Bent on Harbor ”ing
no longer the old-style pumps, has recently “Eclipse ”’d them all.

But the end is not yet. All realize that the science of spraying has
come to stay. It has become evident that the scheme to shift the work of
pumping upon the horse—the horsepower sprayer—is not adapted to
orchard work; it may do fairly satisfactory work in a potato field, or
possibly in some vineyards. Several of our larger orchardists now depend
upon small steam or gasoline engines to furnish the necessary power to
throw at one time several good, strong sprays. When competition has
cheapened these expensive power machines, they will doubtless come into
general use where spraying is done on an extensive scale.

’ There seems to have been few new developments in the line of nozzles:
recently. The Vermorel in its various combinations and the McGowens
still remain the best for general purposes.

Many horticulturists are very conservative in regard to spraying. They
require an object lesson a year or more long, by one of their more pro-
gressive neighbors, before being convinced of its efficacy. Unfortunately,
some go too far and trust to the spray alone to produce a good crop, for-
getting the equally necessary operations of feeding and cultivating the
trees. A tree that is habitually unfruitful can not be made to bear by
any spray, but the spray may act as an insurance policy on a good setting
of fruit; and it will also tend to insure a better crop the following season..
If the foliage be kept healthy during the summer with the spray, it cam
mature more and better fruit buds in the fall for the next season’s crop..
Much work yet remains to educate the mass of horticulturists up to the
philosophy of spraying. Your own former Prof. A. J. Cook did a magni-
ficent pioneer work in this line, not only in Michigan, but his example and
writings stimulated thoughtful men everywhere.

~ 340 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Legislation against the introduction of insect pests or plant diseases
has received a new impetus since the advent here in the east of that
most pernicious of all scales, the San Jose scale. Maryland has recently
enacted a law which must, if enforced to the letter, almost entirely pro-
hibit the entrance of nursery stock from outside into the state.

The appearance of this dreaded San Jose scale among us may, in the
end, prove a blessing. It has already put every energetic fruitgrower
in closer touch with each one of his trees; and, furthermore, he scrutin-
izes much more closely his trees when they come from the nursery. There
is no doubt that the most fruitful source for the spread of our orchard
pests is by means of nursery stock. Our nurserymen are unwittingly
sending out pear psyllas, bud moths, case-bearers, and many other insect
pests every year. The fact that many nurserymen often buy considerable
stock at wholesale of each other, to fill out their retail orders, has appar-
ently resulted in a much wider distribution of the San Jose scale here
in the east than we are yet fully aware. Many nurseries have, at one
time or another, handled New Jersey or Long Island stock since the
scale obtained a foothold in these nurseries. There is direct evidence
'that the insect has recently been unwittingly sent out from nurseries
hitherto unsuspected; and a careful examination having failed to reveal
any of the scales in these nurseries, we are forced to conclude that the
insect probably simply passed through the nurseryman’s hands on stock
purchased from infested nurseries. The recent discovery of the scale in
a western New York orchard (within twenty-five miles of the Cornell
experiment station) on recently-set plum trees, can be satisfactorily
explained in no other way. How we are to prevent this wholesale dis-
tribution of injurious insects, is a very important and serious question,
and one which yet awaits a satisfactory answer.

The economic entomologist is one of the products of a demand for more
information about our injurious insects. Horticulturists and others soon
found that, in order to fight their insect foes to the best advantage, it
was necessary to know as much as possible about their habits and life
history. I usually find that those who control their insect enemies the
most successsfully are the ones that know the most about them. We
have much to learn regarding the habits of many of our most common
insects. For instance, we do not know how long the “ June bug” lives
as a white grub, nor the chick-beetle as a wireworm. It is not known
where or when the mother click-beetle lays her eggs that are to hatch
into the young wireworm, and no one has yet reared a “ June-bug” or
click-beetle through from the egg to the adult insect. When we know
more about the habits of those insects that spend most of their life
beneath the surface, we can undoubtedly combat them much more suc-
cessfully than we are doing at present. There is a wide field open here for
experiment and observation.

My experience in studying the habits of insects during the past few
years also leads me to believe that there is much to be learned about
some of those insects that we have thought we knew all about. Some
observations I have made during the past season on that apparently best
known of all fruit pests, the apple worm or codlin moth (Carpocapsa
pomonella), will serve to illustrate this last statement. That we can kill
the caterpillars of this insect with the Paris green spray, applied as

!
« PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. d4t

usually recommended, just after the blossoms fall, has been fully demon-
strated over and over again by almost every experiment station in the
country and by many of our leading horticulturists. But it will be found
that the explanations as to just how the poison kills the worm are obscure,
indefinite, and vary considerably. The reason for this seems to be that
no one has apparently made any careful and definite observations on the
eggs and newly-hatched caterpillars. The usually accepted statement,
as taken from our leading text-book on entomology, is: ‘The moth lays
its eggs singly in the maturing blossom of the apple just as the petals
fall. So soon as the caterpillar hatches it burrows into the apple.”
Almost everyone who writes about the insect glibly tells when and where
the egg is laid, but so far as my search through the literature has yet
extended, I have found only one instance where the writer had evidently
ever seen the egg. This statement seems all the more remarkable when
we realize that the literature of the pest dates back to as early as 1728,
and is probably as voluminous as that of any other injurious insect. The
only definite account of the egg-laying habits of the codlin moth, based
upon actual observations, I have been able to find, were published in 1893
in Bulletin No. 25, issued from the Oregon experiment station. I believe
this bulletin contains the first and only picture of the egg yet published.
The author, Mr. Washburn, found that the eggs were laid anywhere it
happened, on the skin of the fruit, and consequently later than was sup-
posed; these important observations seem to have been overlooked by
later writers. Unfortunately the operations of the young caterpillar after
it emerges from the egg were not observed by Mr. Washburn, thus leaving
it still uncertain just how it gets its deadly dose of Paris green. .

My observations and experiments indicate that most of the eggs are not
laid until about a week after the blossoms have fallen, when the apples
are about the size of hickory nuts. At this time the calyx lobes on the
young apples are drawn tightly together, so that it would be difficult for
the moth to insert her egg in the calyx cup; in fact, the hoof-like oviposi-
tor of the female is only adapted to laying her eggs on the surface of the
fruit. The nearly round, very thin, scale-like, semi-transparent eggs, not
quite so large as the head of a common pin, are glued to the skin of the
apple, with apparently but little choice as to its location on the fruit.
As it takes about a week for the eggs to hatch, it is thus from ten days
to two weeks after the blossoms fall before the caterpillars begin oper-
ations. If the usual recommendations for spraying have been followed,
the first application of Paris green is made a week before the eggs are
laid, and the second application several days before the worms begin
work. With these facts before us, we were at a loss to explain just how
the poison could kill the worm. However, a study of the developing
fruits of many different varieties of apple disclosed the following facts:
When the petals of the blossoms fall, the calyx lobes which remain are
broadly spread out, saucer-like, and many minute particles of Paris green
could be, and in fact are, readily caught in the calyx cup. But, as about
two weeks must intervene before the little caterpillar begins eating,
much of this poison would ordinarily be washed out by the rains, and the
first spraying thus be useless. However, nature prevents this by simply
causing the calyx lobes to be drawn tightly together at their tips, as the
apple grows, so that usually within a week after the blossoms fall the

342 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ,

calyx cup has its deadly dose of Paris green well protected by a cover
formed by the converged calyx lobes. Now, how is this poisonous dose
te form part of the menu at the first meal of the little caterpillar which
is te begin work a week or more later? I saw one of the little creatures
emerge from its egg and wander about on the surface of the apple for two
or three hours, doing no feeding, but simply exploring until it finally
worked its little body through between two of the calyx lobes and disap-
peared within the calyx cup. Further field work confirmed this observa-
tion, and showed that the little worms feed around in the calyx cup a
day or more before going deeper into the fruit. Apples were then picked
from a tree which had been sprayed just after the petals fell, and our
chemist demonstrated that there was arsenic in the covered cup of the
calyx. As nine tenths of the first brood of the worms begin feeding in the
manner just described, we believe that this first spraying just after the
blossoms have fallen is of the utmost importance, and will result in the
death of more codlin moth caterpillars. than would follow from several
later applications.

Another insect that has been receiving considerable attention at the
insectary of the Cornell experiment station is the peach borer. For more
than a hundred years this insect has been recognized as a very serious
obstacle to the growing of peaches in this country. Almost every one
who has grown this luscious fruit is only too familiar with the tell-tale
mucilaginous mass found around the base of peach trees in which the
grub-like caterpillar of this pest is doing its deadly work. The life-
history and habits of the insect were fairly well known to the earlier
writers, and are given in any of our books on injurious insects, so that it
is unnecessary to discuss these here. It is a curious fact, however, that,
although dozens of things have been recommended for this pest, there is
no record of any careful scientific experiment against it. Furthermore,
it will be found that when some orchardist claims to have been success-
ful in preventing the work of the borer by the application of a certain
substance, he usually also mentions that the grubs are regularly dug out
once per year. Why not give the credit to the “ digging out” process,
where it usually rightfully belongs?

In 1893, we treated about 450 peach trees, set for this special purpose,
with nearly all the different washes that we could find recommended.
This experiment has been scientifically conducted with the utmost care,
and is still in progress, one year’s work checking and furnishing ideas
for the work of the following year. The list of substances that are being
tested in this experiment is far too extensive to be inserted here; and
it will require at least another year’s work before many definite and final
results are reached. I may say, however, that most of the things recom-
mended, especially the washes containing lime or whitewash, have proved
useless; some, like a mixture of Paris green and glue, have soon killed the
trees, while others, like the recently much-advertised “ German Caterpil-
Yar Lime ” and its American imitation, “ Dendrolene,”’ are promising some
good results so far as preventing the borer is concerned. But let me here
introduce a word of caution regarding the two last-named substances,
which have been strongly recommended for borers of all kinds. The first
year we applied the German caterpillar lime to our young trees, little or
no injury seemed to result. This year we are testing the two substances

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEBRTING. 343

side by side, and thus far dendrolene has killed a few trees and appar-
ently injured some others, while the trees treated with the German pro-
duct have yet shown but little injury. Other experimenters have recently
reported the killing of young apple, cherry, and peach trees by treating
them as directed with dendrolene. It would thus be well for peach-
growers to wait until these substances have received the unqualified
approval of several experiment stations before using them, especially on
young trees.

The greatest trouble with most of the washes recommended for borers
is that they do not remain on long enough as a complete coating. The
proper time to apply washes for the peach borer, in the latitude of central
New York, is about July 1; and they should retain their effectiveness for
at least a month. We hope our extensive experiment will result in our
being able to recommend some easier method of combating the peach
borer than digging it out; but, even though we fail in this, we shall feel
repaid for our work if we can show conclusively that many of the things
se often recommended are worthless and should not be applied. At
present we can only say that the “ digging out” process is the surest,
easiest, and most practicable method we can recommend. I find that the
best time to dig out the borers is in the latter part of June, in our latitude.
If it is attempted much earlier than this in the spring, or later in the fall,
the borers are so small that many are missed. One thorough digging out
in June, when they are about three fourths grown and easily found, will
be more effective than both a spring and a fall examination together.

In this address I have attempted to bring together some of the later
results attained in our warfare against the insect enemies of the horticul-
turist. I have tried to show that much is being done along this line, that
much remains to be done, and that the horticulturist and economic
entomologist must necessarily work together, one contributing the indis-
pensable scientific knowledge to be supplemented by the practical ideas
of the other. Some have doubtless come here expecting to learn some-
thing about the insects that have bothered them during the past year.
Were I addressing a New York audience, I would include a discussion
of the insects that have troubled us there in 1896, but it doubtless not
often happens that the same insects are especially destructive in Michigan
and New York the same year. I must, therefore, leave this phase of the
subject, allowing it to develop itself in the form of questions from those
interested.

DISCUSSION.

Responding to a question about peach-root aphis, Prof. Slingerland
said: These lice work in two ways. You sometimes find them on the
branches and sometimes on the leaves, this same insect, some of them
having worked up and bred on the leaves. In the fall they will come down
and breed on the roots, but they will also breed on the roots the year
round. It is one of those insects that I have spoken about, and it is one
of these underground fellows that you can not readily reach. The only
recommendation that I can make, and the one that is made by those who
have studied the insect (I am sorry to say that I do not know of any
eareful, accurate experiments against it—I do not know that any have

% .
344. STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

been published, there may have been some made) is to examine your
nursery stock before setting it,and dip it into a good strong tobacco water
or strong soapsuds. Now, this insect is not in your soil to start with;
it comes on the trees first. If it once gets into the soil it can stay there
a long time, because these insects are taken care of by the ants. The ants
will carry them over winter. The ants and plant lice bear a curious rela-
tion to each other. The ants get what they secrete and feed upon it, so
that the carrying over of these lice on the roots or in the field is due
largely to the ants. The insect is spread about through the orchard in
that way probably more than any other. They can not work themselves
through the soil very much; they can a little, but I think their spreading
around is due largely to the ants. Then, when they get up on the leaves,
they sometimes produce a winged form which can fly, and that flying form
of course can spread the insect over the orchard. The way to treat it is
to treat your stock before you set it. Somebody has told me that ashes
are proving very effective against it. I learn that Prof. Taft has made
some experiments along that line. I am glad there is some one that is
getting at them.

Q. What do you do with army worms?

Prof. Taft: We got ahead of the worms; that is, found the direction of
their march, and plowed furrows across it, which we found was the most
effective thing. Plow three or four furrows, perhaps, and put post-holes
in the furrows; the worms get into the furrows, and in crawling along
these they fall into the holes, and bushels of them were gathered in that
way. Leave the perpendicular side of the furrow away from the point
they are coming from, so that when they get into the furrow and try to
climb up this perpendicular side they can not get up; and if you have
some holes in the furrow, the first thing they will do when they find it is
not very easy to get up that side, is to crawl along, and so they get into
the holes.

Q. How does early spraying before the leaves appear, affect the aphides
—how are they reached, are they reached at all?

Prof. Slingerland: You could not reach the insect by spraying before
the leaves come out. You spray them mostly for fungous troubles and for
scab. There are some insects at work, the caterpillars sometimes get out
by that time, but generally the spraying for insects does not begin until
after the leaves are out, especially for the codlin moth; there is no use of
spraying until after the blossoms are gone.

Q. In talking about the codlin moth, would not it be a good time to kill
the worm in the cocoon at this time of year?

Prof. Slingerland: You can kill a great many of them by scraping off
the rough bark of the tree, and it makes a nice, cleaner tree; we think
washing a tree will not do it—it may kill a few of the worms.

Q. What varieties of bird most affect the worms in these cocoons?

Prof. Slingerland: We see these detested English sparrows cleaning
them out pretty well.

Q. How can you get rid of the squash-bug or stink bug?

A. The squash-bug is a “tough nut,” there is no doubt about that.
They come out in the spring. The only way I know is to handpick the old
bugs and the eggs early in the spring. If you let them get started you can

Gucamaban ity samt OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 345

kill the young stink-bugs with a strong kerosene emulsion, but it is
better to get these old fellows in the spring; it is an easy matter to get
them out. I do not know of any way to get at them with insecticides.

Q. How do you manage the climbing cut-worm?

Prof. Slingerland: They were very ably discussed in one of the Michi-
gan bulletins. In New York state, and I think it is true in Michigan, you
can keep them off from the trees by a band of cotton or wool tied or bound
to the trees. You can either hand-pick them out of the earth at the base
of the tree, or you can poison them there. <A poisoned bran-mash of
arsenic is very good. The worms will eat that in preference to anything
else.

Prof. Taft: Supposing the trees are all taken out clean, how soon
would you dare to plant? Give us your idea.

Prof. Slingerland: I should hesitate to plant before two years, any
way, I think. I should not plant the next year, because I believe the ants
have a good deal to do with the matter. We know that the ants take care
of the root aphis. The louse depends entirely upon the ants to keep it
over winter. You can plant other kinds of trees in the same soil—cherry
or plum or anything like that, and it will not affect the roots. The ques-
tion was brought up today whether they work on old trees. I think you
will find the lice on old trees, but they are not destructive to them. You
will find the most of them on young trees; that is where they do most
of their damaging work.

Q. Is there any danger in the moving of the young trees that have the
aphis on the roots, of the aphis remaining in the ground and being
propagated?

Prof. Slingerland: You get rid of all the insects there happen to be on
the tree when you remove it, but I think those that are left in the ground,
some of them, would get upon other trees. The ants would carry them
there, or they would get there some way.

Q. Give us a description of the foliage of an infested young tree?

Prof. Slingerland: I could not tell trees infested with root lice until I
pulled them up.

Q. The foliage, I mean.

Prof. Slingerland: I do not believe any one can tell sure whether a
tree has lice on it unless it shows the lice. There is a very curious and
interesting relation between ants and plant lice, and the former do take
care of the latter to a great extent. They will protect the lice from their
enemies; the ants will fight them off. The ants you see climbing up your
trees are going up there to get at these plant lice to get the honeydew they
secrete. I do not know that we have any ants that are injurious to trees
here at the north.

44

346 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

FRUITGROWING UP TO DATE.

BY MR. W. W. RORK OF AGNEW.

This topic is too large for one paper. We can not give the barest out-
lines of the subject. A general treatment will apply to each particular
branch. We know fruitgrowing has become a large and rapidly increas-
ing industry. This year’s extension exceeds that of any other. Hundreds
of acres and millions of trees and plants have gone into orchards and vine-
yards. As yet the supply, with declining prices, has not equaled the
demand. The import far exceeds the export; means for profitably pre-
serving fruit are multiplying; knowledge of plant life, its needs and
enemies, is far beyond that of the past, and every year marks a longer
distance still, as this meeting will show.

The experiment station is more and more a factor of greatest value;
methods for shipping and selling are being perfected; large sections of
country are waiting for the orchard; horticulture is deservedly attracting
wider attention, the public consumes an ever-increasing quantity in ratio
to the people. So we may safely say the limit of fruitgrowing is beyond.

But we have most emphatically come to changed conditions. In the
memory of some, fruitgrowing was not thought of as a great commercial
enterprise. A few years ago it was limited to a few spots, and expected
to stay there. There was no organization of fruit interests. Now it
possesses large territories, north and south, east and west.

There’s Canada, across our northern line,

Has fields of promise, so says her Craig, both long and wide,
And threatens us with fruit most rare and fine

To flood us like a ceaseless ocean tide.

Connecticut with cold extreme and rock-bound hills,
Has orchards Jarge and full, is planting more;

Her Hale, with facts that seem like story, thrills
The men along our wondrous fruit-belt shore.

And Georgia with her sunny clime and showers
Comes with her loads of luscious peach to cope

With that summer land of ever-blooming flowers,
California’s famed Pacific slope.

But first of all, our Michigan we might expect,
Set as a gem amid great inland lakes
Which, like paternal arms, enfold, protect
From heat and cold, cyclone and blizzard wakes.

Again, our early clingstone peaches once brought a good price. Now
they come with the finest of southern fruit and are almost worthless. But
yesterday small fruit was unknown in the market; now the market is
filled with it. The distinction between superior and inferior fruit is much
more sharp. Common or small fruit, though good, is not wanted. The
demand is for large and fine-appearing fruit. The distribution of large
‘ quantities is such as to break down the market. Heavy shipments

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. DAT

through commission result in a wide difference between the selling and
purchasing price, as has been most discouragingly experienced the past
season. Our orchards signally failed this year to satisfy any parties, not
in bushels, but in appearance, quality, and dollars netted. One half the
bushels grown and sold, at the best, would have brought much better
results. The season was not altogether at fault. The same orchards with
the same care and methods cf marketing will, in any year, bring similar
disappointment.

To meet this changed condition is the work to be done, the one vital
interest of the business. It will not do to govern our orcharding by this
unqualified, flattering, and delusive saying, “no danger of overproduc-
tion.” It might do, if it meant better work, methods, and qualities equal-
ing the demand. The time has come when there is little but discourage-
ment, disgust, and disappointment for the average grower. He must
move on; and notwithstanding there is much in fruitgrowing that is desir-
able, with good profit, it is not for the man who has no adaptation, no love
of vegetable life, no eyes on the alert, no wisdom in the market, no dis-
cernment of the time for doing, a disposition to improve the future
rather than the present, who undertakes solely for the money, whose
integrity allows him to put up

Packages good at the bottom and top,

Stuffed in the middle with worms or rot,

However far in the mart they stray

Will surer than fate come home to stay.
And just as certainly,

Nursery stock with lying labels
Ever overturns the tables;
Brings lots of meanest trouble,
Final bursting like a bubble.

Without further defining the new environment, we conclude that to
succeed now means, in a large sense, to begin over by shaping the means
to the end. The orchard can not succeed on a poor foundation. Upon
its bed depends its staying and paying qualities. It must be thoroughly
prepared, enriched, pulverized, firmed. Who has witnessed a preparation
for the orchard equal to that which a good farmer provides for his grain?

For fertilizers, draw heavily on clover and the grasses, and do not
under-value the barnyard. Give the orchard absolute control of the
ground, feed it as the years go on, care for it as a thing of life; to avoid
splitting down, prune to a central stock with branches alternating until
tree is formed; allow no large, thick, spreading tops to consume by foliage
the strength of the tree and endanger it to storms; and to prevent over-
bearing, in times of heavy fruiting, thin with a repeater. Beautiful
orchards have been nearly ruined by overbearing, fences have been made
into props, trees spoiled, and the folly of owners published. Listen to the
protest from every quarter against small, lean, unsightly fruit from lack
of thinning. If our orchards had California’s care from start to finish,
the growers of that state would not come thousands of miles, and over
ranges of mountains, and out-sell us in our own markets. Study our
locality in relation to the market centers. Many are feeling the disadvan-
tage of long distance and poor shipping facilities. Consider the time

348 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

varieties ripen with us compared with other localities. Fifty miles south,.
freestone peaches will come with our early clings, and so on to the end.
of our list. Find when the bulk of the crop from other sections is out of
ihe market, and choose varieties that will supply the place. Strike from
your catalogue most of the sorts. Whatever you do on the soil, mixed
farming is best, save the exceptions.

Visit the best growers, study their work, read, keep a small experi-
ment station of your own, take no man’s advice who is not successful, see
what you yourself can do, grade and pack up to date, forge right ahead,
and you are ready to face the most difficult problem of fruitgrowing, how
to sell and how to distribute. As yet we are mostly in the realm of ideals,
the best of which is, let the buyer come to the grower; both can see, bar-
gain, and handle. If the commission fraud should “ get left,” some of us
would not. To sell through association is better than to sell single-
handed. Grand Rapids societies are in evidence. This method has its
difficulties, especially near the shore; like ducks with their ducklings,
men readily take to the water; if thousands of miles of “the Rockies”
were between us and the dock, associated effort would be a necessity.

But, shipping arrangements made, whence shall we ship? Report says
prices are declining westward; to the east, then, ours goes, but only to
find all others there. Naturally there is a vacuum at the other extreme,
and the rush is to that. So we vibrate between glutted markets. When
peaches were selling in Chicago for ten cents per basket, they were bring-
ing, in parts of Minnesota and Dakota, twenty-five cents per dozen. If
associated methods succeed, it must be through a central bureau.

All in all, we have this hope and consolation: our best men are at the
problem. A brighter tomorrow will dawn. Fabulous prices may never
return, but a profit will come, appreciating, in comparison with general
farming, with added delight and exaltation. The Creator still walks in
the Eden of fruits, and communes with the faithful and obedient. There
will be toil, but amid blossoms and fragrance. The dearest of memories
will cluster round the old apple tree, the home fireside, and the altar of
associated fellowship; and, best of all, something will be contributed to
the beauty of home and landscape, to the happiness, prosperity, and
uplifting of our world-wide humanity.

DISCUSSION.

°

The President: I wish to say one thing about Mr. Rork’s paper. It
seems to me that this paper itself is up to date, and shows a great deal of
appreciation of the needs of the fruitgrower; it shows that Mr. Rork has
made a careful study of the question.

Mr. Wilde: That paper needs no criticism. It is a grand success; it is
well done, I will say, for Mr. Rork.

Mr. Rouse: He says, take no man’s advice who is not successful. How
shall we judge whether he is successful? Advice has been given here by
men who have not been long in the business, and they have not succeeded
very largely; but those things they say seem good, although they have
not experienced very much nor been proved by a long line of success.

Mr. Rork: I will stick to my text. I have been fooled by too many
that had good theories and good advice, and when I undertook to follow

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 349

them I came out wrong. If I do not know whether a man is successful
or not, I am slow to follow his advice. I inquire first to know whether
he succeeded in taking his own medicine, and whether it helped him—
if he has not, if it did not, I will not touch it.
he President: I want to say that I think, for a number of years, I
was in need of an answer to the same question just put. I was taking too
much advice and depending, perhaps, too little upon myself, and taking
advice without knowing how to take it; as a consequence, I did a great
. deal of hard work and received practically nothing for it. I think, through
the solicitation of Brother Reid, here (who you may think is not a very
good friend of mine, from some of the things that he and I say—but he is,
and J am one of his best friends), I think through his solicitations I
became a member of the State Horticultural society. I think he drove up
to my place one day and requested that I take an interest in this thing,
and I did so; and I got my first inspiration pretty nearly from the first
meeting, although we had held local society meetings in order to inform
ourselves better for a year or two. But it gave me an inspiration, and I
heard men make statements in regard to their practices, and I really
thought I ought to know whether that was all so or not, and I spent a
great deal of time and considerable money in traveling around and visit-
ing men’s plantations who were said to be successful. I afterward
attended the meetings of other state societies. At state society meetings

_ we have aright to expect the best there is in the state to assemble, and

nothing but the best should be good enough for any man any more. I
have attended these society meetings, I have listened to the advice, I have
got just as close to these men as I could, and by spending a little time
and perhaps a little money you can get the best there is. It has helped
me wonderfully. Whatever measure of success I have made I do not
ascribe entirely to myself. I try to see what I am looking at, and lots of
times I have wondered that I have not seen more when I was looking
straight at it. A single idea brought out at a meeting is often worth
‘dollars to a man who is growing fruit; perhaps a single sentence in a
paper from some man from whom perhaps you would not expect it, often-
times a man who is a practical man, sits still in a meeting until he seems
impelled to rise and say something, because he thinks there is a mistake
being made; he may get up, with an effort that almost makes him sweat,
and say half a dozen words that carry dollars right to some other man.
I have seen that done so frequently that I have made application of those
things in my own case, and have heard just single sentences that made me
wonder that I had not thought of it before, because I had been all around
it, that have helped me in various details. We must use judgment and
then hunt for information.

Prof. Tracy: Reference has been made to successful men. Who is the
successful fruitgrower? I know of a man who has resided in the city of
Detroit, who was a millionaire, but many of the last years of his life had
to be spent in an asylum where he was guarded and protected from self-
destruction. That man told friends, although he was a liberal man in
one way, giving to benevolent institutions, that it cut like a knife for him
to give anything away, and yet he felt impelled to by his moral character.
As I say, that man was a millionaire. He was the laughing-stock of his .
city because of his close pecuniary ways, and he died in an asylum where

350 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

he had to be protected from himself. That man had a brother who lived
in the same state; he was far from a millionaire; he had a family, a beau-
tiful home, and he was a man to whom every man in the community

came when in trouble, a man whom all in the community felt
they could rely upon, could trust, and could get help from; he was loved
by all who knew him; he was not rich; but he: was comfor table, lived com-
fortably and happily. A certain person, in speaking with the ‘millionaire
brother, asked how his brother was doing. “Oh, he has made a perfect
failure of life; he had just as good a chance as I had, and I don’t believe
he is worth $20,000.” Now, which of these two men—one life happy
in a family, the delight and help and comfort of all his neighbors; the
other, unloved and dying in an asylum—which of those men is the suc-
cessful one? I think the paper is perfectly right. We should go to suc-
cessful men, but we should be a little careful whom we call successful
men. (Applause.)

CULTURAL REQUISITES FOR GARDEN VEGETABLES.

BY PROF. W. W. TRACY OF DETROIT.

If I were to bring in here a collection of vegetables of any kind, or if
I were to gather a collection of men who were successful, one with celery,
one with turnips, one with cabbages, four out of five of the people who
came to see their exhibits would try to get off to one side and ask those
successful men, “ What is it that you do to raise such celery, what is it
you do to raise such cabbages?” They all have the belief that that man
has some secret by which he is able to accomplish the results which they
see. He does have something, but that something is a deep sort of regard,
the same sort of study for the plant which our friend from Connecticut .
has given to the peach, the same sort of regard and study and love for the
plant that our president has put into his work, and without which one
can not succeed. That is the great requisite for success with most of our
garden vegetables.

Now, the suggestion has been thrown out here, and the question has
been asked, whether plants have nerves; and some one went further and
suggested that possibly they have souls. Now, that thing I don’t know;
I can not answer as to that, but this I do know, that no man can succeed
in raising good roses who does not love them, no man can succeed in
gvowing good fuchsias who does not love them, no man can succeed in
growing good vegetables who does not love them and is not willing to
study, and it is just that point I want to raise. In order that you may
understand just what kind of study I would bring out, I want to refer to
a few of our garden vegetables.

Now, here are our beans, and I want to interject right here that no two
plants need the same treatment, no two plants can be treated the same
way and succeed equally well. Tallow and lard are not so very different.
They are both fats deposited by different animals. The two animals are
not very different in some characteristics. But I was down in Kansas,
the other day, and I saw in every town I passed through, in the great

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 351

feeding yards, great herds of hogs following the cattle, and they are fat-
teed and gotten ready for market chiefly on the food they gather from
the excrement of these fattening cattle. I know perfectly well that there
are not a half-dozen people here but know enough about sheep to know
that they would not succeed under that treatment, and yet that is the
best treatment with hogs; they can do better with it than any other. In
the same way, certain things that would be successful for sheep will not
do for hogs. For instance, sheep will do well without water, while your
hog would fail to fatten without water. They are different; one requires
one thing and the other requires the other. A good shepherd is rarely
a good swineherd, a good swineherd rarely a good shepherd. Each kind
of animal must be studied if a man would succeed in feeding it; that is a
principle well-known by any one who has ever attempted to feed those
animals. The same thing is true in your barn. Certain men will succeed
in taking care of your stock, and will get a good deal more milk from
your cows, and keep your horses in better condition than certain other
men. Sometimes one man will succeed with a horse and fail with the
cows, and sometimes one man will fail with the horse and succeed with
the cows. It is a matter of study and understanding of that particular
thing.

Now, it has not been thought so, but it is just as true of plants. Noman
can succeed with even our garden plants unless he can put his brains into
the work, brains which will be forced by love to study the plants and
know their characteristics until he knows what they lke and unlike.
Take our bean plant in comparison with cabbage, just as I have compared
sheep and hogs—I compare them the same way. First let us commence
at the root. What is the root habit of the bean plant? You will find, if
you plant a bean as I have, on sandy soil, that by the time the plant is
grown up and formed two leaves as big as that (indicating), even as small
as that, not more than three inches across from the outside, by a careful
digging we can find that the roots of the bean plants have met in rows
which are twenty-eight inches apart; in other words, a bean plant with
leaves no bigger than my fingers has thrown roots over fourteen inches
long. The roots of the bean plant run out long, continually searching for
food.

Now, take another point. Break off one of those roots. Does it heal
immediately and throw out some new branch roots? Not at all. Very
frequently, particularly along late in the season, after the plant has got
some development, a broken bean root does not branch; it stays right
where it is and does not throw out any new branches to take the place of
the one broken off, and it suffers more, perhaps, than any other plant that
I know of, from just simply the breaking of one of those long roots.

Take another point. A bean root, when it comes to an obstruction,
which it can not penetrate, like a hard piece of soil or a stone, or which it
can not follow around easily in the soil, it just stops, discouraged, and
does not grow any more, and that is the end of that particular root, and
you can not coax it through. With some roots it is different. Put a rot-
ten board down in a piece of quick grass sod, and you will find the roots
will grow right through it. A bean root will do nothing of the kind. The
minute it finds the obstruction it stops right there, and that root does not
grow any further. The bean is able to collect and utilize very closely and

352 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

very fully, through these long roots, a diluted and well matured food.
It is particular about the kind of food it takes into the organization of the
plant. It is very sensitive about that. It is not willing to take food that
most plants would take greedily.

Go up a little further. You know that all leaves evaporate a certain
amount of moisture from the under side of the leaf, through some
stomatz, as they are called, two little organs which stand in this way
(indicating). When it is dry, under most plants these close up, shorten
and close up so as to stop the evaporation of water. These stomate on
the under side of all plants are like that. Now, if we examine these we
find that the bean plant is peculiar. These things work very slowly, they
do not easily close, and furthermore these cell walls are very delicate.
In consequence, if we throw, while they are wet, damp, and at all open,
a little bit of soil upon a bean plant, it is sure to get a little bit of dirt
into one of those stomatz, and you have a diseased condition which stops
the growth of this plant. Take another instance. Owing to these
stomate, the bean plant, particularly at the time of its blossoming, is
very sensitive to moisture. If you have just the right degree of moisture,
it goes on and does very well. If you have a drouth just at the time the
bean is spreading its pollen, that pollen will be a failure. It does not per-
fect itself and your beans blight.

Now, all these points are necessary. A man should love a plant, and he
very soon finds out things which he must find out if he would be success-
ful in the cultivation of that particular crop. What is the meaning of it?
From what I have said of the root, we know this much, that in the bean
crop more than in any other it is important to do all your cultivating, all
your preparation, before you plant your seed; you must get’your ground in
the best possible cultivation before you put in the seeds, because when you
try to cultivate a bean plant after you have planted it, every cultivation
is bound of necessity to cut a great many of those roots and thus do
injury to your plant. Consequently, in order that those roots may find
their way easily, you must have your soil fine, so that your roots will run
easily. That is the point of success in bean culture, the thorough prepara-
tion of the soil just before you put your beans into the ground, through
manurial agents, improving your ground with the kind of food that a bean
plant can use; and lastly, avoiding any cultivation which will lead to the
cutting and mutilating of the roots. I have seen a crop where a man by
simply changing his cultivator one notch and giving it into the hands of
another man seriously injured a crop of beans. In the forenoon the cul-
tivator ran on the rear teeth instead of on the front teeth. At noon the
handles were lifted up a little and the man thought it was not doing quite
good enough work and so lowered the draft-bar one notch and bore down
on the handles instead of lifting up, with the result that the rear teeth got
in close to the plants, and the yield was nearly three bushels per acre
less on the part cultivated in the afternoon. That was the cost of chang-
ing the cultivator, or lack of understanding of the nature of the plant. It
is a simple thing, ‘and three bushels of beans are not very much this year;
but that year, when beans were worth $1.50 per bushel, it was quite an
important item. A man who loves his plant would never do that, he
would love and know the plants too well to do it.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 353

Now, turn and see how different it is with cabbages. I have spoken of
the root of the bean plant. Cabbages root in an entirely different way.
Instead of forming one root, the cabbage plants form innumerable roots
right along the center stem. They form a great bunch of roots, and you
cut one off today andin fifteen minutes there willbeaformation of a callus
on the end of the root, and in an hour a new root will be started from the
end that was cut off. I have seen that, and demonstrated by my own
observation that, under the most favorable circumstances, in an hour
from the time a cabbage root is cut a new branch has started out from it.
It rather helps it to be cut off, because it forces it to establish a great
many of these branch roots, and they grow in that way. In regard to the
stomatee, as I call them, these breathing pores that close when it is dry,
they are very easily worked, in the case of cabbages, and you can muti-
late, you can pound, you can pour water upon the cabbages without any
danger, as in the case of the beans; and I might go through a long list
of differences of that kind which exist between these two plants and also
about the food. I have spoken about the food that beans need, a certain
character of food. They are like sheep, and our cabbage is like a hog in
the manner and the kind of food it will take up. No one would think
of letting sheep follow cattle in order to get food from the waste, but hogs
are fed in that way with profit. In the same way, no one who knows any-
thing would think of putting coarse, rough, crude manure upon a bean
_ plant to improve it. You can not do anything better with the cabbage
plant. The two plants are as different almost as it is possible to make two
plants, in their likes and dislikes, and until a man comes to understand
those and love them and care for them just as you understand the children
in your family, one of whom you can treat one way and one of whom you
must treat another way, until you get at that you can not be successful in
their cultivation.

Go a little further in another respect. I am only pointing out some of
the different points in regard to the cultivation. I have compared my
beans and cabbages. Now, here are two plants, radishes and celery. I
plant the seed of some of the early forcing kinds, and in thirty days we
can pull radishes and put them upon the market. <A radish in thirty days
will increase in weight from the seed something like one thousand times;
that is, the radish will, according to variety and conditions, increase from
the seed—I put in the seed, and thirty days from that the product of that
seed will be from 500 to 1000 times heavier than the seed was, taking
root and all together. I plant a celery seed, and in thirty days the plant
will only be from 10 to 100 times the weight of the seed. See how much
difference there is in the way those two plants start out in life. One has
completed its growth, practically, in the first thirty days, and is ready
for the harvest; the other has but just barely commenced its existence.
Now, then, follow them along a little further. As you go on, your celery
plant every day increases in momentum of growth; that is, it commences
slowly but crowds forward with ever increasing rapidity until at last we
force it, we blanch it, as we call it, through the means of this tremendous
rapidity of growth, which we have established in the plant, and it is only
by that rapidity of growth that we can secure the nice, blanched, crisp
celery which we do. On the other hand, blanch a radish and it never

45

354 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

grows as fast as it does the first week. It grows with wonderful rapidity
in the first week and the first ten days after it gets above the ground; it
grows with wonderful rapidity up to about the time we eat it. Then,
gradually, there is a loss in the rate of growth. It gradually, slowly
lapses until at the time of ripening seed there is no plant in cultivation
which moves forward so slowly as a radish plant in maturing its seed.
This fall, on our seed farm, we actually had radish plants that were forty-
five days from the time the seed was formed in the pods until the time we
cut them, and then the seed was hardly ripe. I don’t know of any plant
which matures so slowly when it comes to final maturity. In celery it is
just the opposite. It comes forward with marvelous rapidity at the last,
and yet just perceptibly moves at first. ;

Now, isn’t it necessary, if we are going to grow these, to understand
these characteristics? Can you understand them without caring for them
and loving them and being in some respect in touch with them? I think
not, my friends, and I think that that is the only secret of success, or the
great secret of success. The secret of these gentlemen who have talked
is that they care for the plants they have in charge, and they love them;
and in loving them are quick to give them what they want, and thus they
succeed. It is true love, after all, which is the great mainspring of all suc-
cess, and it is through the joy of love that success comes.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Riehl: I would like to ask Prof. Tracy two questions. What is
the best variety of Lima bean for private cultivation—for quality and
productiveness? Secondly, what is the best fertilizer to produce the
crop?

Prof. Tracy: Suppose I should ask Mr. Morrill, here, who has had
some experience, what is the best peach? I think he would find it difficult
to answer, and so I find it just as difficult to answer without taking a
great deal of time, as to which is the best of the varieties of Lima bean.
In the vicinity of New York they demand a thick, round bean, like Dreer’s
Improved Lima. In the west, in Chicago, they want the large, flat ones,
the larger and the flatter the better, and you must grow your beans for
your market. For my own personal choice I would rather have the large,
flat beans, and I like any of the improved large strings, or improved
large Limas, better than the others. It is a little difficult to answer the
second question. You certainly should not use on any bean plant a rank,
crude fertilizer. The best fertilizer is one put on for the previous crop;
that is, making the ground as fertile as possible for previous crops, then
put on your special fertilizer. The things we use are potash and bone,
more than anything else. We put both of these on for beans.

Mr. Cook: Then wood ashes would be all right?

Prof. Tracy: Yes, sir, it would be of value, but not specially valuable
withus. The best things we have found are those of which I have spoken.

Mr. Smith: I would like to ask Prof. Tracy if the bean taxes the soil
severely?

Prof. Tracy: Yes and no. Beans are one of the nitrogen collectors,
and at the same time they use a good deal of nitrogen. You can not suc-

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 355

ceed, particularly with the better class of beans, unless you have a pretty
strong, rich soil. The old notion that anything is good enough to grow
beans is entirely erroneous. In order to successfully grow beans you
must have a soil that is rich in all the different kinds of plant food. We
use much potash on our bean crop, never ashes, but always endeavor to
put out fall fertilizer upon a previous crop. Our favorite idea is to put
on an early crop of squashes, for instance. We put them upon clover and
put the fertilizer on the clover in the fall, and plow that under early in
June and plant our beans on that.

Mr. Perkins: I would like to ask the gentleman what kind of tool he
considers best for the cultivation of the bean crop?

Prof. Tracy: The best tool is cultivation of the beans before planting
them. If you put your ground in the best possible condition it can be
made by thorough preparation, you will need but very little cultivation of
the bean crop, and that should be by some arrangement by which you do
very little stirring of the soil, stirring only the surface. A great many
beans are ruined by cultivating too deeply. Get your ground in as perfect:
condition as possible before planting your beans, and then go once or
twice over with some light form of cultivator which will just stir the
surface. We use what we call a harrow-tooth cultivator that we make
ourselves, a tooth-cultivator with a number of small, fine teeth which we
run over the surface. We don’t stir the roots of our bean crop at all.

Mr. Thayer: I should like to ask the Professor if deep plowing or deep:
preparation of the soil is necessary for all garden crops, and when it
should be done; whether fall plowing or spring, or both?

Prof. Tracy: That depends altogether on what kind of piece of ground
you have. If I had to answer yes or no, I would say deep cultivation is
most desirable, the deeper the better, and particularly in the lighter soils
where you don’t run into anything objectionable underneath. If I have
new ground, haven’t any old farm land, I like to plow it deeply in the fall,
plow in subsoil in the fall, but that is likely to expose too much of it to
the winter, and in that case we occasionally cover it with some green
forage crop just as soon as we have taken off our vegetable crop, and then
in the spring work it just as deeply as possible.

Mr. Thayer: There is another question that your answer embraces.
Having land well supplied with nitrogen, rich in potash, and deficient in
humus, how can I best and quickest. supply the missing humus to the soil
for gardening?

Prof. Tracy: Well, undoubtedly, in a general way, the best way is to,
plow under, the most economical way. I am speaking not of a garden
place in a city, but outside of the city where you have plenty of land.
The best way is to plow under green crops of some kind, but we on our
farms do not let a piece of ground remain bare after we have taken a crop.
We think we ought to go out and apologize to it if we let it remain a
week. We immediately put on something; rye, or, as the circumstances
may be, some green crop which we keep going, and put manure upon that
and plow it under whenever we have a chance.

Mr. Thayer: What green crop may I put on there to the best advan-
tage, in your judgment?

Prof. Tracy: I can not answer that. We have used rye. We use rye
sometimes, and we use corn; under different circumstances we use differ-

356 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ent plants. I know of a friend who is growing squashes, who makes
a great success of it. The last thing he does when he gets through
with his Hubbard squashes, cultivating them the last time, is to go over
it and sow medium clover right in with the squashes. The squash
vines of course are killed by the first frost, and it is astonishing to me
to see what a growth of clover he gets on that piece of ground. In the fall
or early in the spring he puts on a liberal supply of manure, and he does
not plow it under until he wants to plant his squashes, and it does seem
as though that ground was improving very rapidly. He had his fifth crop
of syuashes last summer, and it is the most successful one he has raised.

Mr. Theyver: I have been using rye in northern Wisconsin because
it stands the frost. I have also tried buckwheat, but the frost has taken
that, and I have adopted rye recently, and I wish to ascertain if there
is anything better, especially for a northern climate where we expect frost
early in September?

Prof. Tracy: On our farm we have used rye a good deal. The man who
runs our farm and has charge of it directly is very strongly of the notion
that in some way—I can not connect it very directly, but perhaps Prof.
Taft could give us light on that subject—the use of rye encourages rust,
the development of rust in case of beans being the following crop.- You
know rye is a plant much given to rust. His opinion is that the sowing
of rye tends to increase that rather than otherwise. One point I wish to
speak of in connection with sowing rye is that rye is a bad plant if you
let it get too large before plowing under. In the fall, if you are not
watching it, it is up too high, and when you plow it under you have an
air-chamber under your sod, of which it is hard to get rid; and if there
comes on a drouth it is likely to injure your crop. I would like to ask
Prof. Taft as to rye furnishing a nursing plant for the rust which will
afterward affect beans and other plants?

Prof. Taft: I would say that I think there is no connection between
them directly, the rye and beans and similar crops being so unlike, but
from the different grain crops of course the same rust could go from one
to the other; but there may be an indirect connection—it would be merely
a guess on my part. I never had occasion, so far as I recall, to follow rye
with beans, but it is possible that the decaying of this rye turned under
will start a sort of soft growth of the bean, give it a quick start, and we
know that when we have that condition, when the leaves are soft and
tender, that they are more subject to take on these diseases. This rust
is a fungous disease, and that may be the cause. I do not know anything
about it, but I am very sure there can be no connection directly between
them.

The Secretary: Will you answer the question Mr. Tracy declined to
answer, in regard to the cover crops?

Prof. Taft: We have been talking that over, and I agree with what —
Mr. Tracy said now.

Mr. Slayton: Prof. Taft, is rust on rye and beans and all other plants
really a fungous growth? Does it develop from spores, or is it a condition
that is produced by certain conditions of the atmosphere, and is it like
rust on a piece of iron—is it organic?

Prof. Taft: Of course, indirectly the conditions of the air may
influence it, as we know certain conditions of weather are likely to bring

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. B57

on rust, but rust itself is just as much a growth from the spore as the
bean plant is from the bean.

Mr. Slayton: Then we are to consider that there are spores of rust
always with us?

Prof. Taft: Likely to be; yes, sir.

Mr. Slayton: And develop when the weather is just right?

Prof. Taft: Not only that, but every plant has a distinct rust of its
own. I don’t know how many thousands of fungi there are around, but
there are a half-dozen kinds.

A Member: I had two pieces of ground well prepared during the
month of May, and planted sweet corn, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, and
potatoes, and I had a full crop of everything except potatoes, which were
not worth the digging; and I would like to know what was the trouble.
I planted them in the same kind of ground and planted them all at the
same time, and it was a new experience to me. You have talked a good
deal about loving what you grow. I always take an interest in my gar-
den, and this was a new experience to me and I could not account for it,
and so I asked the question. I would like to know why it was I did not
have any potato crop when I had a full crop of everything else I planted.

Prof. Tracy: I can not give any explanation without knowing more
about the circumstances and conditions under which the things were
grown than I do now. I can not even suggest, now, a reason for it—it
would be clearly guessing.

Mr. Harrison: I would suggest a lack of potash. We planted two
pieces of potatoes on a mucky piece of soil, and on a portion of it we
put an application of muriate of potash. Where we sowed the potash we
had over 200 bushels of potatces to the acre, and where we did not use
potash we had about 100 bushels per acre, and the potatoes were not
as good. The potato is a great potash consumer, and it might be your
failure was from a lack of that material.

Mr. Williams: To go back to this cover crop, I would like to know if
rye furnishes nitrogen to the soil when plowed under as a green crop.
The reason I ask this question is, I was quite interested when our friend
from Canada was reading a paper, and the idea seemed to prevail, if h
understood it right, that we must have clover or peas or something of that
class of green crop, the roots of which have a peculiar way of developing
bacteria. I can not give you the scientific terms, but something on the
roots that produces this nitrogen, and that rye does not doit. Now, when
our friend from Wisconsin asks about rye, the impression here seems to
be that it does produce nitrogen, and yet it does not have that peculiar
kind of root. I would like to know whether rye does add nitrogen to the
soil, and if I understood the talk yesterday right.

Prof. Tracy: I do not think that it adds nearly so much nitrogen as.
some other plants. The fact of it is, I used to be a very warm advocate
of rye, and used it very largely and thought very highly of it. Of late -
years I have thought less and less of it, and I have had larger experience -
in using other plants. I am using clovér more largely than I ever did!
before. We sow clover, and if we get any crop that is off early in August:
or the early part of August, we put on clover seed and we put on a great
deal. We do not expect that to go through the winter. If I could only
get a place where I could grow Crimson clover the way they do down in

358 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Philadelphia, I could flood the whole country with crops, but we can not
get it; still, we put it on after the fall crops and get all we can of it. I do
mot think rye is of very much value as a manurial crop, but it holds some
of the properties that would otherwise escape.

Mr. Perkins: I would like to ask Prof. Tracy what experience he has
shad with cow peas.

Prof. Tracy: On the farm in Detroit I have had some experience with
peas, but never with any success. The only success I ever had with them
was on a farm in Grand Traverse county, which would seem to be too far
north to succeed with them, but I succeeded quite well with them there;
we have not succeeded in Detroit and in southern Michigan. We will
never use them there at all; we have abandoned using them altogether.

Mr. Harrison: I can not say that we have had much experience with
cow peas, but we put in twenty-five acres this year and we got an excel-
lent growth, very large indeed, so much so that we had to put on a
revolving cutter to cut the vines to get them under. Our land appears
as though it would be in excellent condition for spring planting. Of
course, if we take the reports from the experiment station, we have
gathered a vast amount of nitrogen from the atmosphere that rye does not
gather, rye not being a nitrogenous plant. We sowed them in the latter
part of May, as early as we could get the ground plowed, and we turned
them under just about the time they were commencing to ripen.. We
turned them under in the latter part of September.

A Member: The ground was surrendered to them for one year, for the
purpose of building it up?

Mr. Harrison: Entirely so.

Mr. Hale: In considering the value of cow peas as a crop for green
manure, I believe it is the most valuable summer plant that we have,
and quite far north, but it must be considered that it is semi-tropical in
its nature, and a tender plant, and will thrive just about with Indian
corn. You can plant it about the same time that it is safe to plant Indian
corn, ‘and it will be killed by about the same kind of frost that will
injure the corn, so it must be grown during the mid-summer months.
If you have abundant acreage and can spare your land for a year with
cow peas, you can probably grow more forage and more substance for
green manuring, filling your ground with a great deal of organic matter,
and at the same time gather more nitrogen, than you can gather in any
other way in the same season; but whether you should grow cow peas or
clover depends upon whether you can spare the land. With us in Con-
necticut, with much the same climatic conditions as Michigan, and south,
the minute the picking of strawberries is done we turn the ground over
and sow the entire acreage with cow peas and get an enormous growth,
three or three and a half feet in height, and just a mass of leaves. We
get this growth to plow under, as Mr. Harrison says, in the fall, and we
sometimes roll it down with a cutaway harrow and sow rye to hold the
nitrogen that has already been gathered.

Mr. Riehl: Speaking of the cow pea, I want to add that with us we find
the cow pea a very valuable plant, and it is coming into use more and
more. My own experience the past year has demonstrated one thing that
surprises me. I had an orchard that I could not well cultivate, a peach
orchard. I sowed it about the first of June with cow peas and allowed

-

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 359

them to be there all summer, instead of cultivation, and I found those
trees did better than any trees I ever had on the land with cultivation.
You know, of course, that the cow pea forms nitrogen in the soil from
the roots, and the evidence in southern Illinois is that if you grow a crop
of cow peas and remove them the land is richer when that crop is removed
than it was before. It is one of the most valuable crops that we can grow,
especially for supplying humus. It will make more valuable matter to
turn under than any other plant we know. On that point I wish to say
that I think one thing is lost sight of in the growing of grain crops. It is
rather misleading when you say plowing under green crops. I believe,
and I think I am right, that the riper your vegetable matter is the more _
woody fiber it contains, the more humus will you get from that product
after it decays. In the matter of rye, of course that is a different thing.
Put it on in the fall and it simply holds the nitrogen that is there, that
would go to waste, and keeps it for the next spring; but if you want to
add more humus, let the crops become as ripe as they possibly can.

Mr. Williams: There are two objects we should keep clearly in view
with this question of manuring. I am principally interested as a peach-
grower. A great many of us are interested in that way; our peaches are
on sandy land, and we want a green crop, first to act as a cover crop, to
protect the sandy land from blowing through the later summer months

_ and from freezing when exposed without snow. Again, we wish to pro-

duce this nitrogen to add to the soil. Rye, I conclude from the discussion
here today and yesterday, does not give us much of the nitrogen, but it
seems to be the best crop for the cover because it lives through the win-
ter. What I would like to ask is, the season required to mature cow peas;
that is, in time to accomplish both purposes. Could I sow those peas ata
proper time so that they would be killed by frost and yet those killed
vines, lying there, would cover the ground and act as a cover crop, and
get the advantages from cow peas as nitrogen producers? If that can —
be done, then how early must I sow them? If I sowed them, how early
would they mature or seed, and thus perhaps bring a drain on the land
that I would not care to have? What time must I sow in order that the
crop will not mature and yet the vines will be there as a cover crop and
as a nitrogen producer?

Mr. Hale: I thought perhaps I made it clear. It is really a crop that
needs mid-summer weather to grow it in its greatest perfection, but
ordinarily you do not care to give up the broad cultivation of your orchard
soon enough to sow any cow peas. If you are willing, however, to sub-
stitute a one-horse cultivator or something to go between the rows in
place of the broader harrows, then you may sow cow peas, never later
than the 1st of July, to get sufficient growth, and then in the months
of July, August, and September you get their full growth. I do some-
times sow them as late as the 10th or 12th of July, but I do not get
sufficient growth; but you get a good winter cover for your orchard
ground. I do not know, but the scientists tell us the amount of nitrogen
you would lose, but you would lose a.good deal of nitrogen through your
dry matter in the winter.

The President: That was above the surface only.

Mr. Hale: Yes, sir. To avoid that, my plan, where I had cow peas in
orchards, and I have done it in young orchards, is after they have been

360 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

killed by the frost and have died down a little, so that I can get on with a
disc harrow, I sow on a little rye and that gathers all the nitrogenous
matter and in that way make a trap to hold it.

Prof. Tracy: That is in Georgia?

Mr. Hale: That is in Connecticut.

Prof. Tracy: Did you get your rye big enough?

Mr. Hale: Oyes. Why, we can sow rye here on the 1st of October, the
10th or 15th of October, and get a good growth.

The President: At the meeting of the Western New York society, last
January, some of these matters were gone into very thoroughly, Mr. Hale
taking part in the discussion. In regard to crimson cloyer, with the
understanding that it was to die during the winter, Prof. Roberts made a
report of some careful experiments in that line as to the value of nitrogen
trapped between a point in July or August—do you recollect the time,
Mr. Hale?

Mr. Hale: I think it was about the 20th of July.

The President: Somewhere along there; but at a time the fall growth
had ceased, and his different experiments taken up and tested, the ordi-
nary commercial value of nitrogen placed upon them, and he found at the
rate of from $6 to $13 per acre left in the stock or plant as the product
gained during that time. Consequently the opinion was there that it
would be profitable, if it never wintered, in the gathering of nitrogen.
Am I not nearly correct in these figures, Mr. Hale?

Mr. Hale: I am not sure about the figures, but he was emphatic that
even though crimson clover did not live through the winter it paid well
for its sowing, and I am sure crimson clover will pay even if you are sure
it will kill out.

The President: I am quite sure those are the figures Prof. Roberts
gave of the different tests, and my recollection is that the concensus of
opinion, in which Mr. Hale coincided, was that if a man followed that in
a peach orchard, year after year, he might get undue accumulations of
nitrogen. That is, an unnecessary amount, and it might possibly be hurt-
ful to the orchard, but not necessarily.

Mr. Hale: That was generally stated.

Mr. Perry: Speaking about sowing those cow peas to hold moisture
and help the land in a peach orchard, would it be any profit to harvest,
in regard to holding moisture?

Mr. Riehl: Yes, but it makes very fine stock feed. You must be careful
and not let your stock eat too much of it. They like it so well, and they
will eat so much, that it is not good for them. I was at a party’s place
who had grown a great many acres and had forty or fifty tons of cow
peas feed, with the pods, that he turned his mules and horses and cattle
to, and he found that they were too rich, and he had to fix the stock so as
to feed them instead of letting them go to the racks. They would not
eat anything else.

The President: Mr. Riehl, during the time in which these cow peas
were growing in your orchard, did you suffer from drouth?

Mr. Riehl: We had a drouth, and that is just the point that surprises.
me, with such a heavy crop as was growing there and no cultivation, that
those trees would do better than they did in open, cultivated lands.

The President: There was a general drouth?

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 361

Mr. Riehl: There was a drouth, yes, sir, and those trees did not suffer.

Mr. Hale: Answering our friend on the right (it does not seem as
though Mr. Riehl had made it clear), while he has made it clear that cow
peas are very rich forage indeed, yet if we are growing cow peas or any
- green crop in our orchard we are growing them not for the purpose of
producing forage but for the benefit of our orchard. If you want them
for forage, grow them in some other field. The purpose of planting these
green crops in our orchards is for the improvement of their condition
mechanically, and for adding plant food cheaper than we can buy
fertilizer.

RELATIVE HARDINESS OF FRUIT BUDS OF PEACHES AND PLUMS.

BY PROF. JOHN CRAIG OF OTTAWA, ONTARIO.

The cause of the frequent and sometimes chronic unfruitfulness of
apple and pear orchards is invariably a source of deep financial interest
to the fruitgrower, besides furnishing subjects for the speculation of the
theorist and for the investigation of the scientist. It is cheering to note
that the efforts of patient scientists and observant fruitgrowers are being
rewarded each year by the addition of some new facts to our store of
knowledge upon this subject. In this connection, I am reminded of an
excellent review of the field, presented to your society by Prof. Bailey
some two or three years ago. The work of Prof. Waite upon pear blos-
soms has been duplicated by Prof. Beach upon grapes, and these observa-
tions now give us a large amount of valuable data. My object at this
time is to present for your. consideration some thoughts and some facts
bearing upon the relative ability of the fruit buds of our cultivated
peaches and plums to withstand low and rapidly fluctuating tempera-
tures.

The fruit bud is, after all, only a modified branch—a good deal com-
pressed, it is true, as in the case of a leaf bud, into a small space.

Beginning at the centre of a cherry, peach, or plum blossom, we find
the pistil or female organ. It is composed of a dilated basal portion, the
ovary—a long, tube-like prolongation, the style, with a knob-like termin-
ation called the stigma. The pistil is made by the fusion of two sessile
leaves—that is, leaves without stems. Around the pistil we find a small
army of stamens. These, too, are modified leaves, modified for a certain
purpose. A single stamen is made up of a delicate stalk (filament) ending
in a cylindrical blade (anther). The anther contains the pollen sacs,
which lie on both sides of the connective line. There are usually four
pollen sacs in each anther. The pollen is developed by a modification of
the internal cell tissue. When the stamen has matured, these pollen
grains are liberated by the splitting of the anther, which at the same
time opens the pollen sacs. The power which art may exercise over plant
growth is shown in the modification of a stamen into a petal, as in the
doubling of flowers, and even into green leaves, which is a still more
retrogressive action. Surrounding the stamens we find a series of

46

362 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

delicately constructed and beautifully colored envelopes. These assist
in protecting the organs within, but their principal function is to attract.
Outside the petals are the sepals, another set of leaves whose mission is
to protect. This, in brief, is a type of flower. There are thousands of
variations, but all amenable to the general conception that a flower isa .
modified shoot, with its parts arranged in whorls or sets and corre-
sponding to the arrangement of the twig, and as such may be transformed
from one series to the other.

Prof. Bailey, in his excellent book on plant breeding, emphasizes the
distinctive difference between pollination and fertilization, terms which
are often used somewhat loosely. Pollination, as defined by him, is the
artificial or manual part of the work of carrying or transferring the
pollen from one flower to another. Fertilization is the work of the pollen
itself, and means the germination of the pollen, growth of the pollen tube
down through the connective tissue of the style to the cavity of the
ovary, where fecundation takes place. The stimulus which the process
of fertilization imparts to the ovule, and which results in the develop-
ment of seed, is also transmitted to the tissues of the ovarian wall. We
recognize this in the rapid modification of the flowers of apples and pears
after fertilization takes place. With the development of the seeds, the
carpels surrounding these become modified from green tissue into ripened
fruit.

The reasonableness of the statement that it is the temperature of the
surrounding air that chiefly determines the temperature of twigs and
branches, as well as the more delicate parts, such as fruit buds and leaf
buds, will be at once admitted; yet many people speak vaguely about the
benefits of mulching trees heavily after the ground is frozen, in order to
hold the frost in the ground in the spring, and by this means retard the
opening of the blossoms. One experiment of this kind, if fairly tried,
will convince the most skeptical that the buds, with their store of pre-
pared food, respond toward spring, after their accustomed winter’s rest,
to the temperature of the air which surrounds them, regardless of the
temperature or condition of the soil. A study of the effects of frost upon
plant tissue is exceedingly interesting.

In looking into the literature on this subject, I have found in “ Diseases
of Trees,” by Prof. Hartig of Munich, Germany, many valuable facts and
observations which I may be allowed to present. Considering the action
of frost upon what we call dormant wood, he says: “Death of a plant
under the action of frost during winter bears a close resemblance to
effects of drought in tissues.” Severe frost, as before stated, abstracts
moisture, and in proportion to its severity. The cells may, therefore, die
in winter when this deficiency of water exceeds a certain limit. Hartig
further says: “A change is induced in the molecular constitution of the
protoplasm, which is rendered incapable of retaining any considerable
quantity of water. This change is brought about probably by the forma-
tion of new molecular groups.” “Should the critical limit of drought not
be passed, the cell gradually reabsorbs and life functions may proceed.
If this critical point is passed, the cell can not reabsorb, and it withers.
The same holds true with regard to the action of frost, as inducing a loss
of water. The cell will bear a certain amount of frost, such as will not
disturb the molecular arrangement of the protoplasmic particles; but,

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 365

as in the case of drought, when this limit is overstepped the cell is unable
to recover the water abstracted by the process of freezing, and death
ensues. This may be illustrated by the action of frost upon starch paste.
Frost separates the water, but subsequent thawing leaves the water and
the starch in a separated condition. Our winters are rarely so cold that
our forest trees ever become injured by molecular disorganization of the
protoplasm of their cells. These have become inured by long and gradual
processes of acclimatization. Not so with exotics, including many
varieties of ornamentals and not a few classes of fruit trees, among which
we may mention peaches and plums.

The absorption of water by the roots ceases when the ground is frozen
to a depth that is reached by the roots of the young plants. No harm is
done if the trees are protected above ground against evaporation, by
snow or other covering. The twigs and exposed branches, in cases of
extreme frost, then suffer as if affected by severe drought. Warm south
winds, causing evaporation during winter, then, have this injurious
effect. The limits of forest growth, in my opinion, are as much deter-
mined by the action of drought as by low temperature.

When a thaw occurs in the frosted parts of a plant the tissues usually
regain the condition which characterized them before the frost appeared.
As the water is set free by the melting of the ice, it is slowly absorbed
by the cell walls and the cell contents. In many cases, however, it is
found that the parts have been killed. Instead of the chemical processes
that are revived under the action of a recurrence of normal metabolism
(living conditions) they imitate chemical decomposition. Views are
divided as to the time when frost proves fatal. Some say during continu-
ance of frost. Sachs is of the opinion that the tissues die only after
they have thawed, and that the issue depends much upon the manner of
thawing. Both theories are probably correct at different periods in the
life of the plant.

First, then, the effect of frost upon green tissue. When the tissues of
the leaves or cortex, and, in fact, when any parenchymatous green tissues
are frosted, pure water is withdrawn into the adjoining intercellular
spaces, but the cells themselves do not generally freeze. The result is
that the cells lose their turgidity and at the same time begin to droop.

In the case of frost affecting growing tissues, the issue depends upon
the manner of thawing. Should the plant thaw gradually, the water
which has been extracted is reabsorbed by the walls and contents of the
cells at the same rate as it is formed from the ice crystals by the gradual
accession of heat, so that normal conditions are restored. In the case of a
rapid and marked rise of temperature, the ice thaws rapidly and the ice-
water flows into and remains in the intercellular spaces, driving out the
air and causing, in the case of green leaves, the translucent appearance
so well known. Chemical processes start afresh under the influence of
the rise in temperature. Instead of these processes going forward in the
ordinary manner, decomposition sets in, resulting in dried and withered
foliage.

The manner of destruction of the fruit buds of peaches and plums is
undoubtedly analogous to the conditions, causes, and effects outlined
above. In many cases the fruit buds, being the tenderer parts in the
plant’s anatomy, are injured, as the peach-grower learns to his sorrow,

364 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

while the leaf buds pass through uninjured. In their composition there
is undoubtedly a larger percentage of water and assimilated food mate-
rial than in the leaf buds. For this reason they are oftener influenced
by sudden climatic changes than the leaf bud. Approaching as they do
more nearly the physical character of the green leaf, they are thus more
liable to injury from sudden cold, followed by a rapid rise of tempera-
ture. It is the temperature of the surrounding air that chiefly determines
the temperature of the twigs, and I may say the vegetative action of the
buds. The roots may be encased in a mass of frozen soil and covered
with a sheet of ice, yet, if the conditions of the atmosphere are favorable,
leaves and flower buds will expand and develop, at least till the food
material stored up for immediate assimilation becomes exhausted. In
this respect the similarity between the action of the fruit bud and that of
the seed, with its store of prepared food, may appropriately be pointed
out. This leads me to say again, therefore, that in my opinion no amount
of what might be called artificial precaution that might be taken in the
way of heavy ground mulches would affect the time of blossoming of
fruit trees to any appreciable extent and certainly not to the extent of
holding them back so that injury from late frosts might be averted.

An effort, which I may say was partially successful, was made last year
to ascertain the relative amount of injury sustained by peaches and
plums throughout Ontario. After beginning the investigation, many
collateral questions of great interest arose in connection. These perhaps:
in a measure clouded the main object, which was to discover, by examin-
ing the same variety from different localities, whether it was character-
ized by a more or less fixed ratio of hardiness wherever grown. Owing to
the varying conditions, I found it exceedingly difficult to arrive at reliable
data. Twigs of the same varieties, bearing fruit buds, were secured from
a number of localities in Ontario. The parts of the buds were examined
with a hand lens, but the majority of the scions were placed in water
in a hot house, where they were allowed to expand at will. While the
results may not be in accord with the experience of some growers, by
reason of peculiar soil or climatic conditions, yet I believe that they
represent in a general way the ability of a number of the standard
varieties of peach and plum to produce fruit after winters of unusual
severity, and may in this way be of service to planters.

It is a well-recognized fact that the percentage of fruit buds killed, in
the case of peaches, does not represent by inverse calculation the per-
centage of a full crop which may be looked for. If a fruit set for every
fruit bud that blossomed, much less opened, then would thianing become
an annual necessity instead of, as at present, an occasional possibility,
desirable oftener than practiced.

At the close of the fruit season, circular letters were sent to those
_who so kindly furnished the scions, asking for approximate crop returns
of peaches and plums, in order to compare these with the estimates made
by examining the buds. An element of error, at first not appreciated,
affecting the accuracy of the results obtained from the examination of
the fruit buds, lies in the fact that many of the buds received were cut,
no doubt, from the lower branches of the trees. Observant fruitgrowers
will have noticed that during years of light crops, when frost has been
the lessening agency, the major portion of the crop is often upon the

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 365

upper branches of the trees, where the temperature, probably, at the
critical period, ranged somewhat higher than the stratum of air surround-
ing the lower branches.

A list of peaches, made out in order of hardiness of fruit bud, based
upon the results of these investigations, which I wish to place before you
as preliminary, tentative, and subject to revision, rather than permanent
and final, would read as follows:

Group 1.—Hill’s Chili, Longhurst, Barnard, Early Rivers, *Oldmixon.

Group 2.—Salway, Smock, Tyhurst Seedling, Wager, St. John.

Group 3.—Hyne’s Surprise, Hale’s Early, Fitzgerald, Foster, Reeves
Favorite, Crawford Late.

Group 4.—Crawford Early, Wheatland, Mountain Rose, Early Rich-
mond, Amsden June, Red-Cheek Melocoton, Alexander, Early York, Gar-
field, Champion, Shaw’s Rareripe, Stephen’s Rareripe.

Following the same system with regard to plums, I would group them
as follows:

Group 1.—English Damson, Shropshire Damson, Blue Damson, Canada
Orleans.

Group 2.—Lombard, Smith’s Orleans, Moore’s Arctic, Reine Claude,
Glass Seedling.

Group 3.—Duane’s Purple, French Prune, Coe’s Golden Drop, Field,
Grand Duke, Fellemberg, General Hand, Pond’s Seedling.

Group 4.—Quackenbos, Washington, Victoria, Yellow Egg, Jefferson,
German Prune, Bradshaw, Columbia, Gueii, Prince’s Yellow Egg.

Group 5.—McLaughlin, Niagara, Prince of Wales, Prince Engelbert,
Shippers’ Pride, Burbank, Ogon.

Group 6.—Abundance, Prunus Simonii, Satsuma, Willard.

Tender fruit buds are not always correlated with tender leaf buds. For
example, Glass’ Seedling suffers less from the winter-killing of the ter-
minal shoots at Ottawa than most other varieties of Prunus domestica,
yet it bears fruit only when winter visits us in its mildest form. Other
varieties, which have their terminal wood killed back almost every year,
produce fruit more or less regularly upon spurs situated on the older
branches. The substance, then, of the results of these investigations is,
that there is a striking difference in the relative ability of varieties of
peach and plum to withstand the injurious effects of low temperatures
coupled with rapid fluctuation. To overcome this, growers should select
the hardiest varieties having commercial merit, planting them in situa-
tions furnishing climatic conditions subject to the least possible fluctu-
ation of temperature. This is, of course, entirely in accord with the
experience of Michigan as well as Ontario fruitgrowers, and as a measure
of safety has often been ably advocated by your progressive pomologists,
as well as by your eminent exponent of the principles of scientific fruit-
growing, Prof. L. R. Taft of the Agricultural college of Michigan.

Finally, cultivate in such manner as will encourage the most thorough
ripening of the wood and fruit buds possible. After this the fruit; and
when we have secured the fruit, it is Grindon who says there is just one
hour, not much more, when the odor and taste of these regal fruits are at
their highest pitch. The meridian passed, the fruit is still delicious, but

* This variety is usually found to be tender in fruit bud.

366 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

now it is afternoon. This is true in part, but most of us can not be so
exacting, and will be more inclined to agree with the same author when
he says that the composition of the peach is so exquisitely subliquid that,
while enjoying the fruit, we hardly know whether we are eating or drink-
ing. It is well to incite desires which may lead us to do better by various
measures of encouragement. :

Mr. Hamilton: I think that Oldmixon would not be considered by our
shore people as being among the hardy varieties; the other varieties
named by the gentleman would be considered hardy, but Oldmixon would
not be.

A Member: With us the soil is just the opposite of that of which Mr.
Craig speaks. On the light sandy soil our peaches were all killed, while
on heavier loam soils they were not. We had a full crop on our heavier
loam soils, but on our sandy soil on the lake shore they were all killed.

Prof. Craig: I think that could be explained by the direction of the
wind at the particular time of the killing frost. The effect of wind was.
observed along both sides of the Niagara river last year. On the Can-
adian side fortune favored the fruitgrower and sent the cold current the
other way, resulting in the comparative destruction of the peach buds in
the United States, and leaving a fair crop on the Canadian side.

THANKS TO MR. HALE.

The Secretary: We paid a deserved tribute of esteem to Prof. Craig
when he was here, a mark of respect which gave us pleasure, but Prof.
Slingerland has slipped away without giving us an opportunity to show a
feeling of good-will toward him. Before it is forgotten, and before Mr.
Hale gets through the back door, toward which he appears to be gravita-
ting, I wish to have an opportunity to express our appreciation of his sery-
ices here. I therefore move that, whether it is true or not that the Con-
necticut river shad is the best shad that has swum since Adam was for-
bidden fishing in the Garden of Eden, and whether the Connecticut peach
is the best peach on earth except the peach from Georgia, whether those
things are true or not, we certainly have found that the Yankee from the
Connecticut river valley surpasses in all the well-known traits of charac-
_ ter any other sort of Yankee, and that we therefore give a vote of thanks
to the representative of that class of Yankee who has been with us, and
wish him God-speed in all his ways.

Motion supported by Prof. Tracy and unanimously carried.

NAMING THE “LYON” PLUM.

Mr. Slayton: Before we take up the apple discussion, there is one
other item I would like to consider. A few years ago a stranger appeared
here, in the family of our brother, Mr. 8. S. Bailey. He has been cared
for and has proved so worthy that he turned him over to our father, Mr.
Lyon, and with him he has proved so golden in appearance, so well
worthy of favor, that we might say he was a child of the golden age come
to live among us. He is without a name. He is a member of the plum
family; and before this society adopts him, Mr. Lyon can tell you about

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 367

him—give you a description of him. Before this society can legally adopt
him he needs christening, and I moved that a committee be appointed to
name the new plum.

Mr. Lyon: Some three or four years ago I received scions of a plum
without name or history, from our friend Mr. Bailey, and grafted them
upon a young tree that was nearly in bearing, and it has now fruited
three years at the station at South Haven. It proves to be an admirable
grower, and is now showing itself to be an excellent, most productive
bearer. Itis of fine size, light color; if I recollect right, a clingstone, and
it is of very good quality indeed. I think it is an eminently desirable
variety for cultivation for commercial as well as for amateur purposes,
and I feel quite at liberty, from the experience I have had with it, to com-
mend it for general planting. It has all the qualities necessary to answer
as a commercial variety, in the way of handling; it is not so delicate but
it will handle well; it is of good size, not the largest by any means, but
large enough, and from what I have seen in the last few years, as to its
productiveness, I think it will prove itself satisfactory in that respect.
There will be a notice of it in the bulletin from the agricultural depart-
ment of the state, when it comes out. I would say it has heretofore
appeared in these bulletins as the Bailey, the objection to that name
being that there is already a Bailey plum named from our once citizen,
Prot. L. H. Bailey, and of course it would hardly do to name another
ee bailey.”

The motion was seconded and carried, a committee was appointed,
which reported in favor of naming the plum “Lyon,” and the report was
adopted.

TREATMENT OF BEAN WEEVILS.

Mr. Taylor: For variety, will you place your hand, Prof. Slingerland,
to the left of that desk, and see if there is not a bottle there? It is a bot-
tle of bugs and beans, and some one wanted to know what the bugs are.

Prof. Slingerland: This year the bean crop in all places where I have
been is practically full of bugs. In this bottle we have several beans,
and they are full of holes, and from those holes have come these little
beetles. We call them bean bugs or bean weevils. The peas have a
similar insect, a little larger. The only way to handle these insects is,
after they get into the bean, after the beans are shelled (you can not tell
they are in there; they do not develop until after the beans are shelled) to
put the beans into some tight receptacle. Then get carbon bisulphide.
It is a liquid which will evaporate very quickly. Its vapor is explosive
and it must be handled like gunpowder. Get the beans into a tight box,
then pour this liquid through on top of the beans, or in a shallow dish
put on top, because the vapor is heavier than air and will sink down.
This liquid is sold by the ounce by druggists. A pound of the liquid
treats a hundred bushels, I think, about that rate, a hundred bushels or a
ton, about a pound toaton. Thisis the substance that is used in treating
wheat for all sorts of wheat insects. It will destroy the insect in all
stages, even inside of the bean. I do not know any way to tell that the
beans have the bugs in them until the bugs begin to get out. We thought
once we could put the beans into water and those that were affected

368 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

would float. Sometimes they will float and sometimes they will not; and
when you buy beans to eat, the only way you can tell is by finding the
holes in them. If there are no holes, you can eat them.

Mr. Taylor: The gentleman thought the eggs were laid in the blossom,
and in some way they get to each bean.

Prof. Slingerland: The eggs are stuck through the pod. We used to
think the eggs were laid on the outside of the pod, but I saw some of
the little beetles digging holes through the pods, right along the seam
of the pod, the string as we call it on the string bean; they eat a hole
right through, and then stick their eggs through there. They are laid on
the pods soon after the pods are formed, when the pods are green. The
eggs hatch in a week or so and the little grubs work into the beans. They
are so small that you could not tell with the naked eye where they went
in. They are white grubs, nice, fat fellows 'to go with the bean when
you eat it! The insect develops and is full grown about the time you get
your beans shelled ready for market, and if the beans are kept in a cold
place the insects will not come out until spring. If you keep the beans
warm they will come out in the fall and winter. The bean weevil will
continue to develop in the beans; that is, if you leave beans with the
weevils in them the weevils will lay eggs on the dry seeds, stick them
upon the sides, and they will continue to breed. If you keep the beans
over winter in a warm place you will get half a dozen broods, they will
breed right along, over and over again. Now, the pea weevil will not do
that. The old remedy used to be to tie the beans or peas in a bag, tie
them up tight so that the weevils could not get out, and they would die
there. Now, the bean weevil will not do that. They will breed right
along in the dry seed, but the pea weevil will not breed in the dry seed.
If you have the bean weevils you should get rid of them, because if you
do not they will breed right through the winter if the beans are kept
warm enough.

QUESTIONS

Will it be of any advantage to sow oats as a mulch in strawberry beds in late
summer?

Mr. Hale: It is a very good plan indeed when you have no other
method of getting mulch, to sow oats in your strawberry field at the last
hoeing or cultivation, some time in August or early September, and you
get a good growth. It checks your growth of strawberries somewhat.
It is quite satisfactory. Of course it is free from weeds and seeds or
any foreign substance dying down.

The President: In connection with that I wish to make a suggestion.
I never have tried that, but I do a good deal of sowing of various crops
between rows that way. I sow wheat in corn sometimes because I can do
better with it than I can even in a summer-fallow. For that purpose
I have bought a five-spade drill that is adjustable to any width, and it is
the neatest little tool in the world if you want to put anything on ground
between the rows, and a man can go over just as much as a horse can go
over once in a day, and you can slip over it and put in just what you see
fit. It only costs fifteen dollars and is made at LaPorte, Indiana, by Rude
Brothers, and it is an excellent tool for anybody who is doing any work
of that class.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 369

Can you sow clover seed with that drill?
Mr. Morrill: No, but I believe there is an attachment for that purpose.

What is the future financial outlook of apple growing?

The President: I supposed that question was pretty well gone into
this forenoon. Will anybody venture to answer that question?

Mr. Riehl: You probably know something of it, that in southern
Illinois, a few years ago, the people went crazy on apple-growing. They
planted Ben Davis by the hundreds and thousands of acres and whole
‘counties were covered at that time. A few weeks ago I was down there
and I inquired as to the status of those orchards, and well-informed men
assured me that sixty per cent. of them planted in that boom are now
being neglected and would never make their planters or their owners
one dollar. This year we have had apples all over this northern country.
Down there we have not had many, and the result has been that prices
have been low, but you may go ten years and that will never happen
again. On the other hand, here is the whole northwest, west, south, and
all this prosperous country wants apples, will have apples, and every
year the consumption will increase, and I am as sure as I am of anything
that whenever you produce a good apple and put it on the market you will.
get a fair price for it; and if you produce a good crop it will happen as it
has in the past, when other sections are not producing a great deal you
will get enough in one year out of a crop to pay for your land and the cost
of all your farm, out of a few acres, out of one crop. If I were in an
apple country I would plant apples.

Will it do to trim peach trees before February 1?

The President: That matter was pretty well gone over here yesterday.
This question may have been asked by some one who was not here yes-
terday. I believe they may have a right to the result of yesterday’s dis-
cussion. Some of our people reported having worked serious injury to
trees by cutting off large limbs next to the body and along the body, trim-
ming up severely, while others reported having trimmed orchards in the
ordinary manner of trimming, shortening in and thinning out, without
harm. It makes a great deal of difference, perhaps, what you mean who
have asked the question. Several men here reported nothing but success
in winter pruning, shortening in and thinning out the top, but I think
the concensus of opinion was that you ought to be a little careful about
cutting large limbs close to the body on account of the drying out that
may take place there and serious injury resulting.

Having had a piece of sod plowed the 1st of July, and not getting it harrowed
thoroughly, and grass coming on to some extent, I crossed-plowed it very shallow
last week. Will it do for strawberries the following spring? The soil is clay
loam. |

Prof. Taft: I think it would depend almost entirely upon whether
there were any white grubs in the land or not; that is the thing I should
fear mostly. If they were there they should destroy a good many of the
plants; but as a rule, where you fall-plow there is far less trouble from
that. I should prefer to use a piece that had not been in grass during
the year, but if I hadn’t anything else I would use this.

47

370 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

What is the proper method of pruning currants?

The President: I will refer that to Mr. Thayer, if he will answer. You
have had considerable experience with currants, have you not?

Mr. Thayer: Ido not pretend to be an expert on currant-growing, but
I follow very much the same plan that we were given in peaches last
night. We keep the center of the bush trimmed, keep out the old wood,
keep all new wood growing, and trim out so well in the center that we get
sufficient sunlight. I think the principle of your peach-farming will
apply very nicely to currant-farming also.

A Member: Do you shorten in?

Mr. Thayer: I shorten in; yes, sir. I keep new wood growing all the
time. Fay is a complete failure in Wisconsin in all parts of which I
know.

What is the cause of pear blight and what ts the preventive of the same ?

The President: I think Prof. Waite of Washington has gone as far
into that as any man, and he has not solved the problem. Prof. Waite,
in a lecture, I think it was western New York two years ago, went into
it pretty thoroughly, and he had made a discovery that he could prevent
the contagion of pear blight going from one tree to another so long as he
could keep it coated with copper sulphate, by the use of Bordeaux mix-
ture; but the difficulty was that the contagion took place in the blossoms
and at the soft terminals. He sprays everything with copper sulphate on
a given day, but by the next morning there are some new shoots out and
some new blossoms upon the tree, and they are just as open to contagion
as the others were, and a man would need to stand there continuously
with a spray pump in order to take care of the trees. That was the result
of his investigation.

What is the advisability of sowing cow peas the previous year to setting straw-
berries? Could they be sown early and turned under and sown again the same
season ?

Prof. Taft: You would not get much of a second crop. I would rather
sow, if I wanted a winter crop, either rye, which would have to be plowed
under early in the spring, or perhaps oats that would kill down and
be iu good shape to turn under in the spring. Either of those. There
could only be one crop that amounted to anything.

I would like to hear named the best ten kinds of winter apple.

The President: Mr. Sherwood, what do you find the best for your
business? Name the varieties in order of value to you. I suppose this
question means from a money standpoint. -

Mr. Sherwood: I do not suppose I can name ten. I do not think the
ordinary Michigan orchard would warrant the setting of ten varieties;
I think perhaps that was the mistake with a great many of our apple
men. In fact, all fruit culturists set too many varieties, trying to get a
little of each, and I think we should confine ourselves to fewer varieties,
better varieties, and study the matter before we set them. From my own
experience I believe I would set Greenings, Hubbardston, Northern Spy,
Ben Davis, Canada Red, Baldwin, and possibly Golden Russet. This

* PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 371

year’s experience has been that the foreign demand has been in favor
of Russets and Hubbardstons. I would never set a King under any con-
sideration. King for a time was one of the best apples we had. It isa
nice selling apple, but I find that the older orchards of Kings through
the state, and it is so all over this state, are dying, showing that the
vitality of King is not strong and that it is a weak tree constitutionally.

A Member: What do you say about Oldenburgh?

Mr. Sherwood: That is asummer apple. It is A No. 1.

A Member: What is the matter with Grimes Golden?

Mr. Sherwood: It is a yellow apple.

Mr. Cook: It isa good one, though.

The President: There are some new kinds coming on with great
promise. Very few of us know much about them. It seems to me if I
were setting an orchard I should have a few Sutton Beauty and a few
more that are coming with such fine recommendations.

A Member: How about Belflower?

Mr. Cook: It is an iron-clad, it is good that way; it is not prolific.

A Member: Take Wagener.

The President: That is all right from Grand Rapids north, but not
south of that point. It is all right for 1896, but you will wait ten years
perhaps before you will see it south of here.

The best five summer apples ?

The President: Now, Mr. Sherwood, what do you say about summer
apples?

Mr. Sherwood: That is a hard question to answer. There is a gen-
tleman here who says Red Astrachan. Last year it was not that way,
and perhaps it will not be so next year. I think there is no doubt but
Oldenburgh is considered to be one of the very best, and there are some
new varieties of summer apple that I am not acquainted with, but Old-
enburgh, Astrachan, and Alexander are all good.

The President: Alexander did remarkably well this year.

Mr. Sherwood: Yes, remarkably well, but Early Joe did very well
with me. It is not a good, clear apple, but it is a regular bearer with
me and I like it. It is a little of the color of the St. Lawrence. It hasa
purplish stripe, a purplish cast. It seems to be a cross between Olden-
burgh and Red Astrachan, as near as I can describe it. I think you all
know it, it is a summer apple; and Primate is a very fine apple, but it is
a poor shipper.

Mr. Slayton: It is the best family apple in the world.

The President: Has any one had any experience with Yellow Trans-
parent? In fruit, I mean.

Mr. Wilde: I have had it fruited now three years, young trees. It is
not a red apple, it is yellow, and it is very nice. In town here they call
it the white apple, it is so light. It takes well for home consumption, here:
in town, but I have never shipped it and know nothing about that quality
of it. It is the best Russian apple I ever tasted.

Mr. Riehl: With us in southern Illinois we have that apple. It comes
into bearing very early and bears well. It is a nice apple, a good apple,
but you can not ship it in barrels, you have to ship it just like peaches.

372 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

I do not know whether you have the market we have, but it is A No. 1
in Illinois, handled as peaches are handled.

~The President: I know that somebody in Illinois is getting a pile of
money just now out of Yellow Transparent, and I know that grafted
trees in this state are doing exceedingly well, and I think, handled like
the peach crop, it is a delicacy at that season. It is a perfectly reliable
bearer, and somebody makes good money out of it, because the few
shipped from this state have sold for better money for a peck than a
bushel of winter apples have.

Mr. Rork: I would ask ‘Mr. Riehl if Charlton Thayler is known in that
part of the country?

Mr. Riehl: I don’t know that apple.

. Mr. Harrison: I think it merits the recognition that is given it here as
one of our best summer apples. Of course, it is tender in shipping, it
must be carefully handled.

Prof. Taft: We have had this variety, I think, five years in fruit, and
while it is not nearly as early with us as Yellow Transparent, by ten days
or two weeks, it is a good deal larger and it seems to me fully equal in
every other respect, and the trees have borne more than Yellow Transpar-
ent. It is larger and a good deal later.

Mr. Sherwood: I would like to ask a question. I have two trees of
Late Roman, and they have done remarkably well, and I want to know
if some of the southern people here have had any experience with it as a
regular bearer. They have borne regularly with me and are a very fine
apple. They are as hard as a rock and they will be from now until the
first of May.

Mr. Riehl: That is an old apple that we have grown, and at one time
was considered a very good apple with us for productiveness and long-
keeping qualities, but of late years it has not done well and we have
dropped it entirely. I do not consider it a very good quality of apple. It
is rather on the sweet order and is not very good. The quality is not
high. If you want an apple of that kind I would name Nero for trial.
It is a larger apple, of finer quality, and comes into bearing quite early.
Let me call your attention to one summer apple that has not been named
here, Jefferis, the finest summer apple.I have in my orchard. No family
orchard should be without it. It has a bright, beautiful yellow splash,
is striped with red, and it will take on any stand. If I were growing
summer apples for stand trade I would certainly grow that; it is a pro-
ductive apple.

Mr. Cook: Jefferis does very nicely in this section of country, and is a
very nice fall apple, but I think I can make more money out of Graven-
stein, treating it as you propose to treat Yellow Transparent, than any
of them. It is a better apple for cooking green than most apples when
they are ripe. It ripens up like a peach. You have to go over the trees
and pick and ship the fruit carefully. It should be taken care of as the
peach is, shipped in crates or boxes and put upon the market as it ripens
up. When it becomes thoroughly ripe it is the peer of all apples in
quality as a tender apple. It will rate with Jefferis, with Shiawassee
Beauty, or any of that class of apple in quality. .

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 373

The best five plums?

The President: Judge Russell, you can name them. If you can not we
will find a man who will.

Judge Russell: Well, I have best had success with this late blue plum,
the Gueii. It sells well. I should take Winter Damson, Shropshire
Damson, Bavay’s Green Gage, Lombard, and Grand Duke.

The President: How does that agree with your ideas, Mr. Gebhardt?

Mr. Gebhardt: Well, I don’t know. To call out five of the best
varieties, I should commence with Black Diamond, in my past year’s
experience, as the standard of about two hundred varieties; next I
should select Monarch, French Damson, Stanton, and perhaps Burbank
to make five. I believe they are as good as we can get today.

The President: Judge Russell has mentioned old, well-tried varieties,
while Mr. Gebhardt has mentioned two that are practically on trial,
Black Diamond and Grand Duke, and not very promising.

Mr. Gebhardt: JI did not include Grand Duke. But I have fruited
it about five years and I am perfectly well satisfied with it.

The President: This is on trial, and that is only in Oceana county. It
has not any general reputation.

Mr. Gebhardt: Black Diamond has been fruited a good many years.

What are the best five peaches ?

The President: I know what has done best for me, taking my own
locality, but people in Oceana county and people in Kent county may not
agree with me. I would name in the order of ripening, for my purposes,
either Early Michigan or Lewis for the first; for the next I would name
St. John; for the third, Kalamazoo; for the fourth, Elberta, and
if you will allow me to put in a variety that is on experiment yet, I
would put right there Fitzgerald as likely to beat anything in its season.
That makes five.

“A Member: Wouldn’t you start with Triumph?

The President: I would not start with Triumph until I knew more
about it. Mr. Graham, what would you name as the five best varieties
of peach for Kent county? Name them in the order of their ripening as
nearly as you can. I suppose*this has reference to them as a money crop,
year in and year out.

Mr. Graham: I do not think I should want to plant anything earlier
than Early Crawford.

A Member: Would that be one of the varieties?

Mr. Graham: I should plant some Early Crawfords in Kent county,
a good lot of them; following that I would plant Engle; I would also plant
Brunson, Elberta, and one later variety than that—perhaps Smock. f
have only named standard varieties.

The President: Judge Russell, what would you say for Oceana
county?

Judge Russell: Early Michigan, Lewis, St. John, Kalamazoo, Elberta,
and perhaps Stevens Rareripe.

The President: You will see by these three lists, with the same char-
acter of soil, and so far as its relation to lake Michigan is concerned,
that, while we are more than a hundred miles apart, Judge Russell and

374 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

I have pretty nearly the same ideas. Back here, on a different character
of soil and a little further back, the conditions perhaps become different,
and Mr. Graham has changed the varieties a little. That simply illus-
trates the fact that you can not always tell, when you ask such questions
as that, what kind of advice you are going to get. It is best always to
search the orchards in your own locality and see what is doing best
under your own conditions.

Judge Russell: I skipped Early Crawford from the fact that it always
comes in a glut; that is the only reason.

Mr. Graham: I would not set Early Crawford in sandy soil at all, but
on heavy land. I think that is one of the very first things to take into
consideration in planting trees, the character of the soil. I can not grow
good Early Crawfords here on light land, but on heavy land they are one
of the most profitable and one of our surest peaches.

The President: Peaches of the Crawford type do well with us on land
that is composed of clay and gravel; where white oak grew on the land
they do remarkably well, all the peaches of the Crawford type, but

-remove them from there to our sandy soil that grew beech and maple
and they are not nearly so good.

Mr. Cook: Has Barnard gone out on the lake shore?

The President: It has gone out of my orchard. I have a few but I
can not get my money out of them.

The best five pears?

Prof. Taft: I hardly know. Of course, it makes a difference whether
a list is wanted for market. I should put in Howell, and it depends a lit-
tle upon location and markets about the others, but possibly Anjou,
Lawrence, and in some places further south Kieffer. The first two I
would mention are Bartlett and Howell, then Anjou and Lawrence. I
should be in a little doubt as to whether to take Clairgeau or Isieffer, and
for certain markets Bose.

A Member: Would you draw the line between Clairgeau and Kieffer
by latitude—if you were a little too far north for Kieffer you would take
Clairgeau?

Prof. Taft: Yes, sir.

A Member: I would like to know the objection to raising Kieffer in the
north.

Prof. Taft: I do not think it does as well, and it does not get so large
nor have the quality that it does further south, nor the color.

The President: Mr. Shriver has had a good deal of experience with
pears at the south end of the state. What do you say as to the best five _
varieties of pear?

Mr. Shriver: Well, it is hard to say. I like Clairgeau and Kieffer and
Lawrence, Howell and Bartlett, and I think a great deal of Angouleme
and Louise Bonne as dwarfs. I have made much money on those per
acre.

How much cow peas would you sow to the acre, and would you do it broad-
cast or in drills?

Mr. Riehl: From a half bushel to a bushel and a half. It depends
upon what you want. There are a great many varieties. They may be
sown broadcast, but drills do not require any more seed.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 375

A Member: There is a difference in the size of the peas, then, is there?
Mr. RiehI: No, there is a difference in the variety. Some varieties are
dwarfs and some grow ten feet high or more.

Do you think the planting of peach trees next spring, in strawberry planta-
tions, would be advisable, RE thorough irrigation is given with cultiva-
tion?

The President: If I wanted to do a good business for the nurseryman
I would set peach trees in strawberry patches, because I would have to
buy another bill of trees, I should think, for next year. Irrigation might
be practiced to save them, but I would rather grow strawberries in one
field and peach trees in another.

Will it do ye plant grapes of any kind in a young Dench orchard the first or
second year?

The President: This was answered several times during the discus-
sions. It isa common practice to grow from one year up to three or four.
The longer you grow them the worse it is for the peach trees.

Is subsoiling on heavy clay soil of much practical advantage in the grow-
ang of small fruits?

Prof. Tracy: .I should say, certainly, as far as my experience goes; it
is on any heavy soil that I have had; it is a very material advantage, and
perhaps as valuable work as you can put on a heavy soil, so far as my
experience goes.

Does any one know of any harm coming to a peach orchard from sowing
and plowing under clover?

The President: I do not think any harm would come from plowing it
under; I think the harm would come before it was plowed under.

What is the best method of training and pruning the grape vine?
Mr. Rowe: That is a hard question to answer. It would depend a
great deal on the location. My own experience is, I like the renewal

system better than anything else. It is a system that is better known.
I prefer the renewal system so far as my experience goes.

What treatment would you recommend for strong, thrifty-growing plum
trees that do not bear fruit?

Mr. Gebhardt: The best remedy I ever found was to take about two
thirds of the top off and graft other varieties in. I find invariably you
will have a good crop on such trees.

What is the best way to get rid of the black or yellow spots on peach trees?
Is there any preventive thereof?

Prof. Taft: I hardly known what the question refers to, there are so
many of these different spots. I have seen a good many of them that I
thought were caused by unripened wood and by freezing and thawing.
Of course, the way to treat them would be so that the wood would ripen.

The President: What would be the nature of the remedy—there would
be no remedy, it would be a preventive, would it not?

Prof. Taft: It would be entirely preventive; yes, sir.

376 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Is there a variety of peach known as Red Crawford, also one known as
Late Barnard?

The President: Mr. Harrison, do you know of that?

Mr. Harrison: I do not, only Late Barnard.

Mr. Weed: I believe that the variety called Late Barnard originated
in my orchard. They are quite distinct from the other variety. They
are two or three days later, I should judge, and they are with me a much
larger peach, better in every way, so far as we know.

Mr. Cook: I believe that the peach known as Late Barnard was intro-
duced from the nurseries of Pennsylvania and was brought here for Early
Crawford. Isn’t that so, Mr. Graham?

Mr. Graham: They were brought here for Late Crawfords, a very large
amount of them.

What is the cause and treatment for plum trees dropping their leaves in
August?

Professor Taft: I think in nearly all cases the trouble is a fungous
disease that eats little holes all through the leaves so that they drop off.
The trees, of course, fail to ripen properly, and are often killed. Bor-
deaux mixture is a remedy for it. We found no trouble in the use of
Bordeaux mixture, or some of the copper compounds, late in the season,
and this has been entirely effectual.

The President: That is fully explained in your bulletins, is it not?

Professor Taft: Yes, sir.

Would you scatter barnyard manure during winter on ground upon which
you intend to grow cabbages during the summer?

Professor Tracy: I should prefer not to. I should delay and put it on
in the spring. If I could put it on without being in danger of washing
off from freezing ground, I might put it on in the winter. It would
depend upon the condition of the soil. If there were danger of it wash-
ing off on account of the ground being frozen, I would not put it on until
spring. Otherwise I would put it on in the winter.

I would like to know what causes spots on the Barnard peach?

The President: I presume there are a thousand people in the state of |
Michigan who would like to know the same thing, and a remedy. One
thing is noticeable, that these spots or blemishes do not come so badly
on peaches grown on high areas (sunny locations) as they do on those on
low lands and places where the air is not so much in motion. I presume
most people have noticed that, and the fact suggests not a remedy but a
preventive in regard to planting such varieties in such locations.

What method should a small peach-grower pursue, one who has but a few
hundred trees of mixed and medium-size peaches, in order to gain a reputa-
tion for himself and his fruit and obtain highest market prices?

The President: I can tell a man how to sell it for what it is worth.
Pack it just as well as it appears to be, and take your chances on any
peach market.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 377

Is it advisable for a young fruitgrower to go into debt at the present time to
catend his business?

Mr. Riehl: It depends on the man. I have done it, Mr. Hale has done
it; and thousands of others have tried it and did not succeed. It depends
on the man.

Mr. Stevens: There is always room on the top for a good, energetic
young man who is willing to work and push himself forward to success.

Why is it that a peach orchard that has been well cultivated and made a
very rapid growth did not bear when one that had never been well cultivated
bore well? Both orchards were three years old.

Mr. Harrison: I think perhaps there were different varieties.

Mr. Slayton: And the soil and the location were different.

Shou'd a man grow everything he fancies he would have a liking for, or would
he better make a specialty of a few branches ?
The President: I would say that would depend entirely upon his

capacity. The most successful men do not reach for too much; they
reach for what they can accomplish.

Mr. Morrill, would you set plums in an old apple orchard from which the
apple trees had been removed the previous fall? If not, what would you do with
the ground ?

The President: I will give it up. I do not think, though, that I would
set plum trees on such land, because it has already been bearing largely
of fruits requiring the same ingredients. Ordinarily we find an old apple
orchard in good condition for grain crops, potatoes, or anything of that
character, in our country. I do not know what character of soil this is,
or anything about it, but ordinarily I like to put orchards on other land.

Mr. Perkins: I have a plum orchard I set three years ago the coming
spring, and I do not think anything in the country can be better. The
apple trees were taken out and moved.

The President: Has your plum orchard begun bearing?

Mr. Perkins: Yes, sir.

Mr. Smith: I would put the plum trees just where the apple trees
were.

Mr. Perkins: I planted the plum trees sixteen feet apart.

The President: I don’t think that would make much difference, any-
way. A great deal, as I say, depends upon the soil.

To what extent does the heavy importation of bananas affect the demapd and
consumption of home-grown fruits ?

Mr. Garfield: I should rather put the question the other way. It isa
question of whether we can keep bananas out by raising good fruit
enough for the people to satisfy them. If we furnish apples that are good
enough, and plenty of them, we need not fear the bananas, because the
apple is a better fruit than the banana; and our northern fruits, if they
are raised in good quality instead of poor quality, will certainly take the
place of the southern fruits that are,imported. The trouble is, we dis-
tinguish too strongly between the fruit that we put on the market and

48

378 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

the fruit that we like to put into our mouths. You never can supplant the
banana with the Baldwin apple or a Ben Davis. The banana is supersed-
ing the Baldwin apple, but it is not superseding Hubbardston or Jon-
athan. The trouble is, we haven’t, for the people who are willing to
pay for such things, the quality in the market. Almost any one would
rather have a banana than a Baldwin apple, and almost any one who has
any good taste at all would rather have a Jonathan apple than a banana
or a melon.

Mr. Cook: If we could wipe out the apples Mr. Garfield suggests, the
poorer qualities, and put in their places the good ones, there would not
be any trouble on that line. Now, it seems to me that the true theory
is for our farmers to cut down an apple tree that is not good for any-
thing, and graft it to something that is good—not put it on the market
at all.

What is best as to a pear orchard, to prevent blight—leave it in sod or culti-
vate it ?

The President: That ground has been fought over, every inch of it,
ten or fifteen or twenty years and I don’t believe any one knows any thing
more about it than he did.

Mr. Russell: A part of my peach and plum orchard is on first-class
heavy clay ground, rather rolling, and I am having a great deal of diffi-
culty this year about its washing. I never had any before. I would like
to know what is the best thing to do.

The President: During the summer months, while you were culti-
vating it?

Mr. Russell: Yes, sir; and in the fall.

Mr. Cook: In the south, to prevent washing of lands, they plow
around the hills, plow in circular form. You will find that in all the hilly
country in the south, so far as I have seen, they plow in that way; they
do not make any straight lines. If their land washes very readily, and if
they have a hill, they will plow around it in a circle so that each furrow
forms a sort of dam to prevent the water from going below.

The President: That does not suit Judge Russell’s case, because his
orchard is all set in straight rows. I have had a little trouble in that
line in my own orchards, the starting of gulleys when we got through
cultivation in the fall, and in the spring when the frost is coming out.
The first thing I do is to take some of the short trimmings out of the
orchard and place them in bunches in the gulley with the butts upstream.
I do not care if the gulley is but ten feet long, we will put some of that
fine brush there, which we know will rot within a year, and shovel earth
on, and commence the cultivation across the hills as much as possible,
and it will not wash again for a year or two on top of that. The earth
will gradually fill up and the brush will rot. By this method I have had
good success.

A Member: Do you bind them in bundles?

The President: No, just gather them up any way. <A man gathers
them as rapidly as he can, with his hands, dragging them in, and takes
a shovel and throws a little earth on to hold them until a team passes
over with a cultivator.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 379

A Member: Mr. Morrill has been telling us that he cultivates his
orchard about thirty or thirty-five times per year. I wish to know if that
cultivation wouldn’t stop it.

Mr. Morrill: The finer the condition of the soil the better the con-
dition for washing, and when the frost comes out in the spring and you
get a heavy rain the soil washes so much the more readily.

A NEW FERTILIZER.

Mr. Garfield: I wish to call the attention of the society to a novel state
of affairs. Some years ago a family in this town sent east to get furni-
ture to furnish their house nicely, and it was found afterward, from some
markings on the under side of the furniture, that it was Grand Rapids
furniture after all. Not long ago, within the last ten years, we have had
Clapp’s Favorite pears sold here upon the market, upon our fruit stands,
that were raised upon the lake shore, shipped to Chicago, rolled up in
fine tissue paper, and brought back here and sold as California pears.
Now this is preliminary to a thing, perhaps, that most of you do not
know about, with reference to our town today. We are shipping in
fertilizer from various localities, sold at from $20 to $50 per ton. There
is an institution that hardly any one knows about in this town, that has
a waste product that is shipped from here to Germany. The entire
product is sold in Germany for fertilizing purposes. I wish to call your
attention to an anomalous condition of affairs, that we have a by-product
here that is shipped by the carload, almost the shipload, to Germany to
fertilize orchards, and here we are-shipping in fertilizers at $25 to $50
per ton from Germany. It is the by-product, castor bean pomace, from
the fly-paper factory of the Thums. They throw away about two tons
per day, I understand, and as soon as they get a carload they ship it to
New York and it is sent to Germany in bulk. I do not know the price
they get for it, but I presume they get somewhere from five to eight dol-
lars per ton. The way I came to know about it is that our experiment
station has just analyzed it, and it has nitrogen and phosporus and
potash in just about the quantities that we have in oil meal.

CONSTITUTION AND UBY -EAWs:

ARTICLE I.—NAME, TERRITORY AND OBJECTS.

The name of the society shall be the Michigan State Horticultural Society, and
its territory shall be the state of Michigan. Its objects shall be the development.
of an adequate appreciation of the peculiar adaptation of the soils and climate of
the state to the pursuit of horticulture in all its branches; and the collection and
dissemination of information bearing upon the theory and practice of the same,
as well as upon the arts and sciences directly or indirectly associated therewith,
or calculated to elevate or improve the practice thereof.

ARTICLE II.—OFFICERS AND MODE OF ELECTION.

The officers of the society shall be a president, a secretary, and a treasurer,
together with an executive board of six members, aside from the president, secre-
tary and treasurer, who shall be ex officio. members of the said board.

Said board shall designate one of its members as vice-president. The officers
shall be elected by ballot. .

The society may, at its discretion, elect an honorary president, whose term of
office shall be for life, said office to be an honorary one, without duties, and estab-
lished to express the sense of obligations which the society may feel to one of its.
members who may unselfishly give a lifetime of earnest effort to promote its inter-
ests, to further the horticultural interests of this state.

ARTICLE III.—A QUORUM.

Four members of the executive board shall constitute a quorum for the transac-
tion of business at any meeting of said board: Provided, That each of the mem-
bers thereof shall have been notified, in the usual manner, of the time, place, and’
object of such meeting.

ARTICLE IV.—ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The annual meeting of the society, for the election of officers specified in Article
II, shall occur upon the first Wednesday of December in each year.

ARTICLE V.—TERMS OF OFFICE.

The officers specified in Article II shall hold their offices until the thirty-first day
of December of the year for which they were elected, and thereafter until their
successors shall have been elected, and shall have signified to the secretary their
acceptance: Provided, That the terms of office of the six members of the executive
board shall be so arranged that but two regular yacancies shall occur in each year.

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. 381

ARTICLE VI.—ANNUAL AND LIFE MEMBERS.

Any person may become a member of the society for one year by paying to the
treasurer the sum of one dollar; and the yearly term of all annual memberships
shall expire on the thirty-first day of December of the year for which they were
taken, but be regarded as continuous, except as may be provided by the by-laws.
Any person may become a life member by the payment at any one time of the sum
of ten dollars into the treasury of the society.

ARTICLE VII.—AMOUNT OR LIMIT OF PROPERTY.

The society may hold real and personal estate to an amount not exceeding twenty,
thousand dollars.

ARTICLE VIII.—BY-LAWS.

By-laws for the government of the society shall be framed, and when needful,
amended by the executive board; but changes thereof may be at any time proposed
by the society in general meeting.

ARTICLE IX.—AMENDMENTS.

This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the society by a
vote, by ballot, of two-thirds of all the members present and voting: Provided,
That notice of such proposed amendment, specifying its purport, shall have been
given at the last previous regular meeting.

BY-LAWS OF THE MICHIGAN STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

I.—THE PRESIDENT.

ist. The president shall be the executive officer of the society, and of the execu-
tive board; and it shall be his duty to see that the rules and regulations of the
society, and of the executive board, are duly enforced and obeyed.

2d. He may, in his discretion, and in the lack of needful rules, during the recesses
of the society and of the board, prescribe rules for the management of the interests
or business of the society, such rules to continue in force till the next session of
the executive board, and until, by its action, they shall have become no longer
necessary.

3d. He shall act in conjunction with the secretary in the preparation of pro-
grammes or orders of business, for the sessions of the society; and in the devising
of plans and processes for the maintenance of its interests.

4th. He shall have the best interests of the society at heart, and shall lead in
forwarding any and all enterprises calculated to add to its permanency or to
increase its usefulness, and establish it more firmly in the public confidence.

«

II.— VICE-PRESIDENT.

The vice-president shall perform the duties of the president in case of the absence
or inability of that officer; and may be called upon by the president to assume the
duties of the chair at any meeting of the society or executive board.

382 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

IlI.—THE SECRETARY.

ist. The secretary shall be the recording, corresponding, and accounting officer
of the society, and he shall also be, jointly with the business committee, its financial
and auditing officer.

2d. He shall incur no expenditure of a large or doubtful character except with
the sanction of the executive board or of the business committee.

3d. He shall submit all bills or claims against the society to the business com-
mittee for approval, and indorsement to that effect, before drawing his order upon
the treasurer for the payment of the same.

4th. He shall attend all meetings of the society, and of the executive board, and
shall keep a faithful record of their proceedings.

5th. He shall sign all certificates of membership, and all diplomas and certifi-
‘cates of merit awarded by the society.

6th. He shall have charge of the society’s books and papers, excepting only such
as, by the advice or direction of the executive board, shall be placed in charge of
the librarian, and he shall be responsible to the board for the safe keeping of the
property placed in his charge.

7th. He shall be the custodian of the seal of the society, and shall have authority
to affix the same to documents when needful.

8th. He shall seek by all suitable means to secure the fullest announcement of
the meetings of the society in this state, as well as in adjacent states, when such
shall be found desirable.

9th. He shall, so far as practicable, cause the transactions of the society, together
with such valuable or interesting papers as shall be read at its sessions, to be
properly published, and thus placed within reach of the state.

10th. It shall also be his duty, yearly, to prepare for publication the annual
report of the society, together with such other matter as he shall deem proper—he
being aided in the selection of such matter by an advisory committee of the execu-
tive board.

IV.—THE TREASURER.

1st. All the funds of the society shall be paid into the hands of the treasurer.

2d. He shall disburse the moneys of the society that shall come into his hands
only upon the order of the secretary, countersigned by the president.

8d. He shall keep the moneys received by the society for life memberships as.
a distinct fund, and shall invest the same under the advice and direction of the
executive board, applying only the interest accruing thereon to the purposes of the
general fund.

4th. Immediately upon assuming his office, and before entering upon its duties.
he shall execute to the society an official bond with sufficient sureties, conditioned
for the safe keeping and disbursement of the moneys of the society, and for the
proper discharge of the further duties of his office, in such sum as shall be specified
by the executive board. Such bond shall receive the approval of the president and.
shall be deposited with the secretary.

5th. He shall, at the close of each year, report to the executive board the amount
of money that shall have come into his hands during the year, the sources from:
which it has been derived, and the disposition made of the same.

V.—THE LIBRARIAN.

ist. The dibrarian shall have the custody of the library of the society. He shall
be appointed by the executive board, and may be displaced at its pleasure.

2d. He shall act jointly with the secretary in the care and arrangement of the
same, and in the reception, custody, and disposal of the volumes of the transactions
annually supplied to the society by the state.

3d. He shall have the custody of the rooms assigned to the society at the state
capitol, together with such books and other property as the society or the board
shall direct to be deposited therein.

4th. He shall report annually, at the close of the year, to the executive board!
the amount and condition of the property in his hands.

CONSTITUTION AND’ BY-LAWS. 383

VI.—THE EXECUTIVE BOARD.

1st. The executive board shall enact all rules and regulations for the manage-
ment of the affairs of the society, determine the salaries of its officers, and assume
the control and management of its exhibitions.

2d. It shall have power to displace any officer of the society for neglect of duty
or abuse of position, and to fill all vacancies by appointment, to continue till th
next annual election. :

3d. The board shall hold four regular sessions during the year, to occur at the
times and places for the regular meetings of the society.

4th. Other meetings may be called by the secretary under the advice or direc-
tion of the president, or of a majority of its members, at such times and places as
may be deemed most convenient; but in all such cases each member must be
notified of the time, place, and object of such meeting.

5th. It shall be the duty of the board to carefully guard the general interests
of the society, to watch over its finances, and to provide for its necessities as they
shall arise.

6th. All important measures shall be submitted to this board, but they may by
the board be resubmitted to the society for recommendations.

7th. The board shall, at the annual meeting, submit through the secretary, in
connection with the reports of officers, such further report upon the condition,
interests, and prospects of the society as it shall judge necessary or expedient.

8th. Two members of the executive board are to be elected each year, to hold
the office for three years, but if any such member shall absent himself from two or
more consecutive meetings of the society and of the board, without reason satis-
factory to the board, the said board may, in its discretion, consider the office vacant,
and proceed to fill such vacaney by appointment, to continue to the next annual
election.

VII.—THE BUSINESS COMMITTEE.

1st. It shali be the duty of the executive board, annually, upon entering upoa the
duties of the new year, to appoint from their own number three members who shall
constitute a business committee for the year.

2d. All accounts or claims against the society, when presented to the secretary
for payment, shall, before payment, receive the sanction and indorsement of the
business committee.

3d. Such claims shall be submitted to this committee and approved in duplicate,
one copy to remain with the secretary as his warrant for the payment of the same,
and the other to be transmitted by him to the president, along with his order upon
the treasurer, as his warrant for countersigning the same.

4th. It shall be the duty of the business committee, upon application of the secre-
tary, during the recess of the executive board, to advise with him as to the expedi-
ency of inaking any contemplated but questionable expenditure for which occasion
may arise daring such recess.

VIII.—STANDING COMMITTEES.

ist. There shall be a standing committee on revision of the catalogue, to be
composed of one member from each of the five districts into which the state is,
for this purpose divided, with one member chosen from the state at large, who shall
be the chairman of the committee.

2d. Each member of said committee (except the chairman) is 2mpowered and
expected to choose a sub-committee for his district, of which he shall be chair-
man.

3d. It shall be the duty of each sub-committee to collect and report, each year,
to the general chairman, such facts respecting fruit culture in the district as shall
promise to be of value in the revision of the catalogue.

4th. There shall be a standing committee on new fruits. to consist of a chairman,
with as many associates as such chairman shall find it desirable to appoint.

5th. Such other standing committees may from time io time be appoi itd by the
executive board as, in its discretion, it shall deem desirable or necessary.

384 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

6th. All standing committees are expected to report at the annual meeting in
December, any information of value to the society or its members that may have
come to their knowledge during the year, as well as any scientific theories, deduc-
tions, or facts that, in their opinion, may be useful in advancing the objects for
which the society is laboring.

IX.—-LIFE MEMBERSHIP FUND.

1st. All moneys coming into the treasury of the society in payment for life mem-
berships shall constitute a perpetual fund, to be known as the life membership
fund.

2d. The principal of this fund shall be invested by the treasurer under the advice
and direction of the executive board.

3d. All interest accruing upon any portion of said fund shall constitute and
become a part of the fund of the society devoted to the payment of its ordinary
expenses.

X.—MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY.

ist. The society shall hold its first regular meeting for the year during the month
of January or February for the inauguration of the officers chosen at the annual
meeting held the previous December, as provided in article 1V of the constitution,
and also to arrange its plan of operations for the year.

2d. Its second regular meeting shall be held in the month of June at such date
as shall best accommodate an exhibit of the early summer fruits.

3d. Its third regular meeting shall be at its annual exhibit of autumn and winter
fruits, in the month of September or October.

4th. Its fourth regular meeting shall occur in connection with its annual election
of officers, in December, as provided in article IV of the constitution.

5th. The times and places for the occurrence of these regular meetings (except-
ing only the time of the annual meeting), shall be determined by the executive
board.

6th. Other meetings may be called by the secretary, under the advice or direc-
tion of the members of the executive board, at times and places by them deemed
expedient.

7th. In case of the calling of a special meeting for the election of officers of the
society, in consequence of any failure to elect at the annual meeting, as provided
in section IV of the constitution, all persons entitled as members to vote at such
annual meeting shall be considered as retaining such membership for such purpose
until such election, and until such officers so elected shall have been inducted into
office.

XI.—RULES FOR DISCUSSIONS, ETC.

1st. The deliberations and discussions of the society shall be conducted in accord-
ance with ordinary parliamentary usages.

XII.—AUXILIARY SOCIETIES.

1st. The society shall, in all reasonable and proper ways, encourage the forma-
tion of local horticultural or pomological societies auxiliary to this society in all
such counties or other municipalities of this state, as shall afford a reasonable pros-
pect that they will be able to effectually maintain the same.

2d. It shall be the policy of this society in supervising the organization of such
local societies to secure an identity of constitutional provisions throughout, and in
so doing to insure harmony among them; but at the same time it will not discourage
the including by them of special or local objects in cases in which such shall be
found desirable, so long as the introduction of the requisite provisions therefor
into the constitution and by-laws of the auxiliary society shall not be deemed
likely to interfere with the harmonious workings of the whole.

3d. Any person who shall become a member of an auxiliary society for one
year, and comply with its regulation as to fee, shall thereby become an auxili-

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. 385

ary member of this society also for the same time, and entitled to all the rights
and benefits of full membership, except that he or she shall not have the right to
vote at the annual election of officers or upon questions of the expenditure of
money.

4th. On receipt by the secretary, from the secretary of such an auxiliary society,
of a list of officers and members of that society, he shall file the same; and upon
issuance of the Annual Report shall supply such auxiliary society with a sufficient
number of volumes to provide one for each of its members. He shall also transmit
the names of such officers and members, with their postoffice addresses, to the
secretary of any and all experiment stations and societies willing to supply bulletins
and reports and to the national department of agriculture for the same purpose;
and the secretary shall issue to such auxiliary society a certificate of membership
for the year. 2

5th. Reports of auxiliary societies shall be made to the secretary of this society
on or before the fifteenth day of January of each year, and shall include the officers
for the ensuing year and a statement of the proceedings of such society during the
past year, which shall be incorporated into the Annual Report of the preceding
year.

XIII.\—_ AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS, SUSPENSIONS.

1st. Amendments or additions to these by-laws may be made by a majority vote
of the executive board, at any meeting; but if objections shall be made the same
shall “lie upon the table” till the next regular meeting of the board.

2d. These by-laws, or any one or more of them, may be suspended for the time,
by order of a majority of all the members of the society present and voting.

3d. A proposition in the general meeting of the society for an amendment or
addition to these by-laws shall be referred to the executive board for consideration
and decision; but the society may submit therewith its advice or request.

49

LAWS OF MICHIGAN RELATING ¥O° HOR]
TICE Tyne:

YELLOWS AND BLACK KNOT.

AN ACT to prevent the spread of the contagious diseases known as yellows,
black knot, peach rosette, and pear blight among peach, plum, cherry, prune,
almond, apricot, nectarine, and pear trees, or the fruit thereof, by providing
measures for the eradication of the same, and to repeal act number one hundred
twelve of the public acts of eighteen hundred ninety-three, approved May
twenty-fifth, eighteen hundred ninety-three.

[Act 109, Laws 1895. ]

Section 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That it shall be unlawful
for any person to keep any peach, almond, apricot, plum, prune, cherry, nectarine
or pear tree infected with the contagious diseases known as yellows, black knot,
peach rosette or pear blight, or to offer for sale or shipment or to sell, or to ship
any of the fruit thereof, except the fruit of the plum, cherry and pear tree; that
both tree and fruit so infected shall be subject to destruction as public nuisances
as hereinafter provided. No damages shall be awarded in any court in the State
for entering upon the premises and destroying such diseased trees, or parts of trees,
or fruit, if done in accordance with the provisions of this act. It shall be the
duty of every person as soon as he becomes aware of the existence of such disease
in any tree, parts of trees, or fruit owned by him, to forthwith destroy, or cause
said trees or fruit to be destroyed.

Sec. 2. In any township or city in this State in which such contagious dis-
eases exist, or in which there is good reason to believe they exist, or danger may
be justly apprehended of their introduction, it shall be the duty of the township
board or city council, as soon as such information becomes known to either such
board or council, or any member thereof, to appoint forthwith three competent
freeholders of said township or city, as commissioners, to be known as yellows
commissioners, who shall hold office during the pleasure of said board, or city
council, and such order of appointment and of revocation shall be entered at large
upon the township or city records: Provided, That the commissioners now
appointed and in office shall continue in said office until their successors are
appointed and qualified: Provided, That in case commissioners have already been
appointed to prevent the spreading of bush, vine and fruit tree pests, such com-
missioners shall be ex officio commissioners under this act.

Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of said commissioners, within ten days after
appointment as aforesaid, to file their acceptances of the same with the clerk of
said township, or city, and said clerk shall be ex officio clerk of said voard of com-
missioners and he shall keep a correct record of the proceedings of said board in
a book to be proyided for the purpose, and shall file and preserve all papers per-
taining to the duties and actions of said commissioners, or either of them, which
shall be a part of the records of said township or city.

Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the commissioners, or any one of them, upon,
or without complaint, whenever it comes to their notice that either of the diseases

LAWS RELATING TO HORTICULTURE. 387

Enown as yellows, black knot, peach rosette or pear blight exist, or are supposed
to exist within the limits of their township, village or city, to proceed without delay
to examine the tree or fruit supposed to be infected, and if the disease is found
to exist, a distinguishing mark shall be placed upon the diseased trees, and the
owners notified personally, or by a written notice left at his usual place of resi-
dence, or if the owner be a non-resident, by leaving the notice with the person
in charge of the trees or fruit, or the person in whose possession said trees or
fruit may be. The notice shall contain a simple statement of the facts as found
to exist, with an order to effectually uproot and destroy, by fire, or as the com-
missioner shall order, the trees so marked or designated, or such parts thereof,
within five days, Sundays excepted, from the date of the service of the notice,
and in case of fruit so infected, such notice shall require the person in whose
possession or control it is found to immediately destroy the same, or cause it
to be done, or the commissioner may destroy the same. Said notice and order
to be signed by one or more of the commissioners.

Src. 5. In case any person who is interested in any tree or trees so ordered to
be destroyed shall feel aggrieved by such order and shall believe that such trees
are not so diseased, he may serve a written notice upon all of the commissioners
in the township in which such trees are situated, which notice shall specify the
part of such order to which objection is made and the particular tree or trees
included in such order which it is claimed are not so diseased and shall request
an examination of such tree or trees by all of said commissioners, which notice
shall be served personally upon each of said commissioners within the five days
given for the destruction of said trees, and it shall thereupon be the duty of all
of said commissioners who have not already done so to personally examine such
tree or trees as soon as practicable, and within ‘said five days, and if a majority
of all the commissioners shall agree that such tree or trees are so diseased, they
shall order the same to be destroyed forthwith by the owner or custodian thereof,
but if a majority shall decide that such tree or trees, or any of them, are not
so diseased, they shall revoke the order of the commissioner to destroy the same
so far as it relates to the trees so found to be free from disease, but this section
shall not apply to fruit ordered to be destroyed.

Sec. 6. Whenever any person shall refuse or neglect to comply with the order
to remove and destroy the trees or parts of trees so designated and marked by
the commissioner as aforesaid, it shall become the duty of the commissioner to
cause said trees or parts of trees to be removed and destroyed forthwith, employ-
ing all necessary aid for that purpose. The expenses for such removal and destruc-
tion of trees or parts of trees to be a charge against the township or city, and for
the purpose of such removal [and] or destruction, the said commissioners, their
agents and workmen, shall have the right and power to enter upon any and all
premises within their township or city.

Src. 7. If any owner neglects to uproot and destroy or cause to be removed an@
destroyed as aforesaid, such diseased trees, or parts of trees, or fruit, after such
examination and notification, and within the time hereinbefore specified, or any
other person who shall sell or offer for sale such diseased fruit, such person shal}
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and punished by a fine not exceeding one
hundred dollars or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding three months,
or both, in the discretion of the court, and any justice of the peace of the town-
ship or city where such trees may be, or where such nursery stock or fruit is
sold, shipped, disposed of, or delivered as aforesaid, shall have jurisdiction thereof.
The words “parts of trees,’’ wherever used in this act, shall refer to black knot
and pear blight only, and not to trees affected with yellows.

Am, P. A. 1897, act 110. Src. 8. The commissioners shall be allowed for services
under this act, two dollars for each full day, and one dollar for each half day,
and their other charges and disbursements hereunder, to be audited as well as
any other charges and disbursements under this act, by the township board cr
city council, all of which costs, charges, expenses and disbursements, shall be
certified by the commissioners to the supervisor or city council on the first day
of October of each year. Said certificate shall describe the lands on which such
diseased trees stood, and the expense incurred in removing the same. The amount
so certified shall be levied by the supervisor upon the premises described in said
certificate, the owners or occupants of which having refused to remove and
destroy said diseased trees as required in this act. The amount so levied shalt

388 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

be collected in the same manner as delinquent highway taxes are collected, and
shall be paid into and belong to the general fund of the township or city as the
case may be.

Sec. 9. All of act number one hundred and twelve of the public acts of cighteen
hundred and ninety-three be and the same is hereby repealed.

SPRAYING.

AN ACT to amend act number one hundred eight, session laws of eighteen hundred
ninety-five, entitled “An act to prevent the spreading of bush, vine and fruit
tree pests, such as canker worm and other insects, and fungus and contagious
diseases, and to provide for their extirpation.”

[Act 2, Laws 1897. ]

SECTION 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That act number one hun-
dred eight of the public acts of eighteen hundred ninety-five, entitled “An act to
prevent the spreading of bush, vine and fruit tree pests, such as canker worm
and other insects, and fungus and contagious diseases, and to provide for their
extirpation,’ be and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows:

Section 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That it shall be the duty
of every owner, possessor, or occupier of an orchard, nursery or vineyard, or of land
where fruit trees or vines are grown, within this State, to spray with a poisonous
solution or disinfectant and of sufficient strength to destroy such injurious insects
or contagious disease, all fruit trees or vines grown on such lands which may
be infested with any injurious insect or worm, or infected with any contagious
disease known to be injurious to fruit or fruit trees or vines: Provided, That if
such trees and vines are infested with the San José or other scale insects, such
trees or vines shall be either effectually sprayed or destroyed: Provided, also,
That no such spraying shall be done while said fruit trees or vines are in blos-
som, except in case of canker worm.

SEC. 2. In any township in this State ete such injurious insects or con-
tagious diseases are known to exist or in which there is good reason to believe
they exist, or danger may be justly apprehended of their introduction, it shall
be the duty of the township board, upon the petition of at least ten freeholders of
such township, to appoint forthwith three competent freeholders of said township
as commissioners, who shall hold office during the pleasure of the board, and
such order of appointment and of revocation shall be entered at large upon the
township record: Provided, That in townships having a board of yellows com-
missioners, such commissioners shall be ex officio commissioners under this act.

Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of said commissioners within ten days after
appointment as aforesaid, to file their acceptance of the same with the clerk of
said township, and said clerk shall be ex officio clerk of said board of commis-
sioners, and he shall keep a correct record of the proceedings of said board in
a book to be provided for that purpose, and shall file and preserve all papers per-
taining to the duties and actions of said commissioners, or either of them, which
shall be a part of the records of said townships.

Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of said commissioners or any one of them, upon,
or without complaint, whenever it comes to their notice, that any orchard, fruit
trees or vines are infested with canker worm or other injurious insects or con-
tagious disease, within their townships, to proceed without delay to examine
such orchards or vineyards, supposed to be infested, and if such injurious insects
or contagious diseases are found to exist, the owner shall be notified personally,
or by a written notice left at his usual place of residence, or if the owner be a
non-resident, by leaving the notice with the person in charge of the trees or
vines, or the @ecupant of the lands upon which such trees or vines shall be grow-

LAWS RELATING TO HORTICULTURE. 389

ing. The notice shall contain a simple statement of the facts as found to exist
with an order to effectually destroy such injurious insects or worms or contagious
disease by spraying such trees or vines with a poisonous solution, or in case of
contagious disease to effectually disinfect said diseased trees or vines, or in case
of San José or other scale insect to effectually spray or destroy such infested
trees, within such time from the date of the service of the notice as such commis-
sioners shall designate, said notice and order to be signed by the full board of
commissioners.

Src. 5. Whenever any person shall refuse or neglect to comply with the order
to spray or disinfect the orchards or vineyards designated by the commissioners,
as aforesaid, or in case of San José or other scale insects to effectually spray or
destroy such infested trees, it shall become the duty of the commissioners to cause
said trees or vines to be effectually sprayed with a poisonous solution or disin-
fectant as occasion should require, or in case of San José or other scale insect
to effectually spray or destroy such infested trees forthwith, employing all neces-
sary aid for that purpose, and the expenses for the same shall be a charge against
the township, and for said spraying, disinfecting or destroying, the said commis-
sioners, their agents or workmen, shall have the right and power to enter upon
any and all premises within their township.

Sec. 6. If any owner, township officer, or commissioner, neglects or refuses
to comply with the requirements of this law as set forth in the preceding sections
and within the time therein specified, such person shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and punished by fine not exceeding fifty dollars or imprisoned in
the county jail not exceeding sixty days, or by both such fine and imprisonment
in the discretion of the court, and any justice of the peace of the township where
such trees or vines may be growing shall have jurisdiction thereof.

Src. 7. The several commissioners shall be allowed for service under this act
two dollars for each full day, and one dollar for each half day, and their other
charges and disbursements hereunder to be audited as well as any other charges
and disbursements under this act by the township board, all of which costs,
charges, expense and disbursements shall be recovered by the township from the
owner of said infected or infested orchards or vineyards, or from the owner of
the premises on which said trees or vines may be growing, in an action of assump-
sit. The provisions of this act shall not apply to the contagious disease known
as yellows.

NURSERY INSPECTION—SAN JOSE SCALE.

AN ACT to prevent the introduction or spread of San José scale or other injurious
insects or infectious diseases of trees, vines, shrubs or plants grown in this
State or imported from other states, provinces or countries.

[Act 137, Laws 1897. ]

Section 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That it shall be the duty
of the State Board of Agriculture, immediately upon the taking effect of this act,
to appoint some competent person who shall be known as State inspector of
nurseries and orchards, who shall hold office during the pleasure of said board,
whose duty shall be to inspect any and all nurseries in the State of Michigan, as
to whether they are infected by San José scale or other injurious or destructive
insects or infected with infectious or contagious diseases, and if upon such inspeec-
tion he find no such dangerous insects or diseases, he shall upon payment of per
diem fee hereinafter provided, give to the owner of such nurseries a certificate
to that effect, and shall file a duplicate certificate with the State Board of Agrt-
culture; and in case he shall find present in any such nursery any of said dangerous:
insects or diseases, he shall notify the owner thereof in writing, and shall direct,
him within five days to use such means as will exterminate such dangerous dis-
eases or insects, and the owner of such nursery shall not ship nor deliver any

390 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

such trees, vines, shrubs or plants affected by such dangerous insects or diseases
until he shall have secured from said inspector a certificate as aforesaid.

Src. 2. The owner of such nursery, trees, vines, shrubs or plants shall, within
the time specified in such notice, take such steps for the destruction of such insects
or diseases as will exterminate the same, and he shall not ship nor deliever any
such trees, vines, shrubs nor plants affected with such dangerous diseases or insects
under the penalty of a fine of one dollar for every tree, vine, plant or shrub so
affected, when shipped or delivered from such nursery, which fine shall be col-
lected by suit by the prosecuting attorney of the county in which said nursery
is located.

‘Sec. 3. Whenever it shall happen that the State inspector of nurseries and
orchards shall give the notice heretofore required to the owner of a nursery, for
the destruction of the insects or diseases mentioned, and said owner shall fail or
neglect to take the measures necessary for the destruction thereof, within the
time mentioned in the notice given him, it shall be the duty of the State inspector
of nurseries and orchards to have the proper remedies applied to such nursery
for the destruction of such diseases or insects, and shall employ all necessary
assistance and may enter the premises of said owner of such nursery for the
purpose of treating and exterminating such insects or diseases, and the said
owner of such nursery shall be liable for the costs of such proceeding, for the
services of the inspector at a rate per diem to be fixed by the State Board of
Agriculture, not to exceed three dollars per day, and for such number of days
as said board shall determine, which said charge must be paid before delivery of
the certificate in section one of this act.

Sec. 4. Whenever any trees, shrubs, plants or vines are shipped into this State
from another state, country or province, every package thereof shall be plainly
labeled on the outside with the name of the consignor, the mame of the consignee,
the contents, and a certificate showing that the contents have been inspected by
a state or government officer, and that the trees, vines, shrubs or plants therein
contained appear free from all injurious insects or diseases. Whenever any trees,
shrubs, vines or plants are shipped into this State without such certificate plainly
fixed on the outside of the package, box or car containing the same, the fact must
be reported within twenty-four hours to the State Board of Agriculture by the
railway, express or steamboat company, or other person or persons carrying the
same; and any agent of any railway, steamboat or express company, or any other
person or persons who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum
not less than twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars, or imprisonment in
the county jail not less than five nor more than thirty days, or may be so fined
and imprisoned in the discretion of the court, and any such fine shall be paid to
the State Board of Agriculture.

Sec. 5. Any person or persons growing or offering for sale in this State any
trees, vines, shrubs or plants, commonly known as nursery stock, shall, on or
before the first day of August in each year, apply to the State Board of Agriculture,
for inspection of said stock under the provisions of this act and a license for its
sale, and shall deposit with said board a fee of five dollars as a license fee for
himself as principal. Such license shall be good for one year and shall not be
transferable, and each of such persons, principals, shall execute to the State Board
of Agriculture, a bond, in the sum of one thousand dollars, with good and sufficient
sureties satisfactory to said board, conditioned that he will comply with all the
provisions of this act, and that upon demand he will file with the State Board of
Agriculture, a list of the persons to whom he has sold or delivered any such nursery
stock, giving the species, together with the postoffice address of each purchaser,
which list shall be held in strict confidence by the said State Board of Agriculture,
and not be subject to inspection by the public. Failure on the part of any nursery-
man, grower, agent or dealer to comply with the provisions of this section shall
render him or them liabJe to the penalties of a fine of not more than one hundred
nor less than twenty-five dollars, or imprisonment in the county jail for not more
than ninety nor less than thirty days, or both such fine and imprisonment in the
discretion of the court, for each and every such sale. Such information shall be
preserved and be for the sole use of the nursery and orchard inspector and his
deputies: Provided, That the provisions of the preceding sections shall not apply

LAWS RELATING TO HORTICULTURE. 391

to persons engaged in fruit growing, who are not nurserymen, who desire to sell or
exchange surplus trees or plants of their own growing.

Sec. 6. No person, firm or corporation resident of another state, province or
country shall engage or continue in the business of importing any trees, plants,
shrubs or vines, commonly known as nursery stock, into this State, or of selling
such importations within the State, or of selling such articles within the State,
for subsequent importation into it, without first having obtained from the State
Board of Agriculture a license to do business in this State as provided in section
five of this act, and shall have filed with the State Board of Agriculture the bond
therein required, together with a certificate of inspection by a state or government
inspector or that of some person designated by the Michigan State Board of
Agriculture for such purpose.

Src. 7. The State Board of Agriculture shall, upon receipt of the fee referred
to in this act, together with the required bond and a satisfactory certificate of
inspection, issue licenses to the applicant according to the provisions of this act.

Sec. 8. Whenever the commissioners under acts number one hundred and eight
and one hundred and nine, session laws of eighteen hundred and ninety-five, known
as yellows commissioners, shall be uncertain as to the existence or nature of any
infectious or contagious disease or dangerous insect pest in an orchard or else-
where, or in case any dispute shall arise between owners and commissioners, it
shall be the duty of said commissioners to notify the State inspector of orchards
and nurseries, who shall at once investigate or inquire into the matter and suggest
or recommend the proper remedies, and give all the information he can to aid in
exterminating such insects or diseases, and his decision of the case and recom-
mendation shall be final.

Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the State inspector, whenever it shall come to
his knowledge that any destructive insects or infectious or contagious diseases
exist in any orchard in this State, or are supposed to exist, to investigate the
case, and if such dangerous insects or diseases are found, he shall have authority to
enter upon the premises and proceed according to the provisions of sections one,
two and three of this act,.in exterminating the same. In case the owner or occupant
of the premises shall refuse or neglect to comply with the orders of said inspector
within five days, the inspector shall employ such aid as may be necessary to
carry out his orders and recommendations, the expense of which procedure shall
be certified to the township board and by them allowed, who shall cause the same
to be assessed as a special tax upon the premises concerned.

Sec. 10. The State inspector of orchards and nurseries shall have power to
appoint such number of deputy inspectors as may be required, subject to approval
by the State Board of Agriculture.

Sec. 11. All expenses incurred under the provisions of this act, not otherwise
provided for, shall be audited by the State Board of Agriculture, and paid out
of the general fund of the State, and the Auditor General shall draw his warrant
for the same: Provided, That all moneys collected by the State Board of Agri-
culture, under this act, shall be paid into the general fund of the State Treasury.

PILFERING FROM ORCHARDS.

AN ACT to protect vineyards, orchards, and gardens, and to repeal act number
131, public acts of 1869, entitled “An act to protect vineyards in the State of
Michigan,” being section 9195 of Howell’s annotated statutes.

Section 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That any person who shall
enter a vineyard, orchard, or garden, during the months of July, August, Septem-
ber, or October, without the consent of the owner, and pick, take, carry away,
destroy, or injure any of the fruits, vegetables, or crops therein, or in anywise
injure or destroy any bush, iree, vine, or plant, shall be zuilty of a misdemeanor,

392 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

and on conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment in county jail, not
more than ninety days, or by fine not less than five nor more than one hundred
dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.

Src. 2. That act number 131 of the public acts of 1869, entitled “An act to
protect vineyards in the State of Michigan,” being section 9195 of Howell’s anno-
tated statutes of Michigan, be and the same is hereby repealed.

MARKING FRUIT PACKAGES.

AN ACT to provide for marking on packages, designed for the shipment of certain
specified kinds of fruit, the number of pounds which each of said packages shall
contain.

Section 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That all manufacturers
of peach baskets and other fruit packages designed for the shipment of peaches,
grapes, and plums, and all shippers and dealers in the same, shall mark or cause to
be marked, in a plain manner, on the outside, otherwise than the bottom, of such
baskets or packages, the capacity of each basket or package, in pounds, at the rate
of one pound for each 48.008 cubic inches of space contained in such basket or
package. ‘

Sec. 2. Any manufacturer of or dealer in peach baskets or other fruit packages
designed for the shipment of peaches, grapes, and plums, who shall sell or offer
to sell such baskets or.packages without complying with the provisions of this
act, shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof in any
court of competent jurisdiction, shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars
nor more than one hundred dollars, and stand committed to the county jail until
such fine and costs are paid.

Sec. 38. All acts or parts of acts contravening the provisions of this act are
hereby repealed.

HONRICUERTURAL. SOCIETIES.

ANNUAL MEMBERS OF THE

MICHIGAN STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

FOR 1897.

wy CO. Reid 1!) -2.2.... [4.. Allegan

ohne Mea pine 22s estat =A oe Muskegon
Ree Vlorrilli@eeness ees Benton clarbor
S:. B. Smith =-_.....-......Grand Rapids
I. H. Butterfield___-Agricultural College
EE Sherwoodes: 22222 22-- Watervliet
George Shackleton -__-_--_-- Grand Rapids
NESE eaWailliams a2 ee ath ay 22s Douglas
ineA WNIOSCLey ne eos oe 2 Grand Rapids
Oi aro wle es eee eS ellevue
JG elancock. 2). ts Grand Haven
ep Cis = sae 2 SL West Carlisle
Grrr gelale re oe een ss Shelby
De Wits Wille yee Se hee eer Douglas
HO rsOuse=12_- ae eyes.) £222 Shelby
JT D yl 2b 007 0 eee 2 oe as Mill Creek
Ra Vi Kellg go 5s see aes Three Rivers
Robe rt Wahel 2222 see See Allieoan:
ep ice mess = se ee es Ont Euron
ENE) layes.:.* 23222-22242. Palmadee
Jake lee WE ae) 0 eee eee ae ae Eaton Rapids
WEISS Gebharte-. ee 2 fees art
1ave 1B% GSMO eek Pee ee Millburg
Ie AR Ay ANE hee eae, eee Agricultural College
va Grahame =a ces 23 Grand Rapids
Jee COLORd Soke 8 2.25 22s Cushing
WiseTo titi 2s Rockford
G. G. Armitage .__.___._._.._.Three Rivers
Thomas Gunson._-- Agricultural College
app OS tt es ee Lowell
Jig Bee VVilihmeyere2e ss <2 ee Tonia
CAB RNV ClCH a 28S Sake oe er Douglas
C. W. Shriver__.._..-... Benton Harbor
Wis ERA Milleres sae Soe oe Berrien Springs

dies I GarGeeaseeee see) Grand Rapids
50

iNe Valeh aol eoyay Ve es ee ee ategore
George S. Meech.____-....Grand Rapids
C4 (BlOOMer =~! a2 eee IS OR
Be Be Walderes222 22322 Grand Rapids
DrditVWihee lors jes. 2 oe Sie Plainwell

Thompson and Lake--_-_- ---Grand Rapids
H. O. Braman

Sar kana pees eee ee s ne
Giles Dickersonizs "292 i. Se ee Palo
Wee Kea Min Sonies sree mee Grand Rapids
IRCRryn Weed Sila sleet eee Douglas
(Us SSS mit hee soo se see Allegan
HC ie hliips sean see Grand Rapids
ZN Wie Ia SOS a3 =e ae ee eee eee Palo
By is Bennett255- 335 22 bowel
Henry Smith-_-__..........-Grand Rapids
ey Hawley s22=2— === -2=sHennvalle
MeO riens sas ese Gr and Rapids
i DaPerking= 22 23-2225
HAR GSse les son Ue le eee lang
Elmer F. Lewis... -.-.---Grand Rapids
Thomas Beales = 2225 9 2s rookhym
Mile a VWWillisin ita Se eee eaKInsey
WAU a yloneeee ee Washington, D.C.
WHEW Golliers 22-2 2.3 Sees Detroit
Wilts Marnie. 225552 se ee Flint
GANG, lee (010) eee eee ene see eee Northeast, Pa.
A Wer inn esse. sees Furnessville, Ind
Johns Garmoryee = = eee Rockford, Ill.
De Re VWisitersees = 22 ee Spr ing Lake
MartingWialshit==252=s = 22eSe
Prank M. Deremo.-.-- =----- ey
NMrsisAc sey Douglas: 22 Houantee
Alvin E. Hathaway -..------ Orangeville
Henry Oldfield..........-.. Port Sanilac

394 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANN ARBOR HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Presient— Wik Lee Sir Gik oe ee ee ee ~--- ---~ --------Ann Arbor
Mea Bresident—J xseearshnallé a 6 2s2 Se ee ee eee

Preasumen——d om eAlman de Soe Le ee eae CE 3

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
B. G. Bull _-_---- ~~ ---~ ---~ ---~ ---- ---~ -------~ --- ---- +--- ----------Ann Arbor

SALES Ulis] EU OPES uals EE ts Nd arse any een ee eR ADEN pie eee We Pai eee ge Ls

ECO Wma MZ OTM ee es Os 2h ay eh a eee eye ee ee OY us

MEMBERS.
Jp Vien ird= --- -=-~ -----------Ann Arbor OS seiCrozier-=-. ae Ann Arbor
Joseph Whitlark ._..-... ---- Bie SCO Ub ems ae er eee ee “
Tipe Ger fal oes eee ea ee x ub Jakeschatter=ssss eee seems ae
idole, Soyer Sos Pe ee sf es iblenmysserticl dasamsa nf ef
Herman Markman--_--------- ss ge Ji AB Call 22 aes Nee alee 2
ERG BOrciitie ature see eae ss ve

Postoffice address of all, Ann Arbor, Mich.

BLOOMINGDALE AND GOBLEVILLE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Py CSU ETA Wie IG WAS Se be hs oo oa es ee a Se ca oe Gobleville

Vice-President Asm a ven. 3 ieee ee oe Te ieee Bloomingdale

Secretany-—Crs ds sNherrifield 2 jos. tae Seek Epa wey apie nee i oe

drensurer—P linye W alts chew: ee Re ee ee ees ee ne %
MEMBERS |

CrpeeMialler tele en Se Bloomingdale | W. E. Wermoth-__- ---- ------Gobleville

‘Wie Wihitchery sess. is Rosina Wermoth __.. ----.:---

JOMMOTS tron Ge sa ae es Leonard H. Cooley -.-- ---- Bloomingdale

WinreZimmers sees my Tenorersy Sinoyares Be We

GeO kate 22 <2. mee s Edwin Remington ____---- uD

EUR OW ERS iets ee as es BrucerCrysial eee

COV mans ee les eee PL - GD SSeoneld.2 2 sae e ee sf ie

W. B. Miller -....--____---- ----Kendall George Wilson 5 5.22222 S22 -

ICED Cosby ebes 2123! Wee CAS WAC amp r=s ee eee Sf

Ise wASEVVisiberwess = 22 os. ae on Charles Remington. -_- 4

Charlesahy,ersongeas 2s. sea aras eS Simon eElazetsaae eae ihe

Byron sD arystetaaes 2a ee eer ee es D Button sess ae See :

WWeS AW Crosbyooe = eo Gobleville | R. EB. Allen_______- ---- --------Glendale

Hugene Watome ses -22 22 eee ut Georce Riche eee

eM eVWiortiing sel es Wi WeaScotti2sceee es ee ee “

Hepa SEOlmesea eh 2. en's f Bak: Ferguson -_--- ------- Bloomingdale

OleG NC ackdier snc. 26 ud aes Of Hee rentice sans eee eles

Dares: Detbome den ere oe as Daniel Allen -_......__.._.----Gobleville

seyelB} \WValilllieieatetoyel 2 es ee A

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 395

SAUGATUCK AND GANGES POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

ATES —— Oe ieg Ve ViRee nee SUS eens eee eaee sees 2... Douglas
Vice- Presidents —H. H. Goodrich, Ganges; Mme wenecland ene Fee Saugatuck
SCOrerain) —@ DACICH Exam W CLC =. oe. => nents Sete a eet eo ke Douglas
COSTE Te Eli Gr VVICLG Ite ee) Se Se ae See BD ye a Se ce

MEMBERS.
ei VO. oe ent an eal Douglas NAM belands:. 2 o.oo) Ganges
1S ORAM aD he yori gee $s ASAWESWTeOSSelia 2. 225k ee eT Re
en Py cln 0 sae ae ee i Dea ane wisi = =. * joan ug
PUGITVES VV ar Koes cee Serene aes eer s Chel wines ees ae ee ty Wee it
W@harles: Gaylord sess = “s EieeEepritehing 222s ut
Charles VanValkenburg-------- cs De Ah a Bro wines == So Ser Se *
TE eB AUN oye a es Ts eee ty Bdwardthintebins: = 2225) 22ns es og
eB anorahamineg i) 2) her, 1 rd eed ep Rt Em De PN
lire yal Le hGeroe Ae Re eee ae sf IMs REY O US cteaies ao! ate WE pee ai
SVVaITIICer ees eatn. nee eens S518 DEP Kite mene Sue ss em bene Ce
Won , Wrouphpes 3 225 eee ir t 8 Charlesthtwesellsvo. 2022. Faeaee Ot
AAU) 1S riya 0 ee ee ee a Co ee DWE Robinsons 22 = ----Fennville
De VirGerber sus os. aie tes ee ee Charles E. Bassett ....___- -_--
iBrankexrumibless=s— === =a ee ee IN, Telehoonlioinie = ee See A Sse yavenaye
Wim owillese2 te See aes ss SIN OGY es a ee eR ie Se. Brayo
AVViee Eee) tine ees oe eee Ganges iGo) ya) camitess psc see ee ee
eee lewis 2525 s= < Daina: Se ul Joel Hina keep a a) Se es
FI) Sp lrg Diva See tes as ne Sen ee PASS Wie IS ere. SoGhes Sasa eee Esther
NES Benne bis seats ese Mo John Rayners son his Slee i
RO ebey Dawaiss canes Le as AW ood. = Braille yes ehh 2 ed oe “
Sebo \WEHGlj eee ee eee fe VieoRaowWadswor thes ee Peachbelt
Winebilumments 22. S222 22 ss J. Gawalliamseaees ee eee Saugatuck
1 J CEST ET RET eg ae a NS Et Daan berms seas es a. rf
Jo los Seat n es SSeS as ae ee Beebe SronsO nee eee eae een Canoes
JacopeMilller=ss= S205 Se ee ar oS

HUDSON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

TCS LOT NID GC Teen WAC CCl emerge cre a ean SR a a Ss ey Se Hudson
ACC eOSLCLCHI=— © AO pr ersten ee ee eee ot GU EN pe et ee ss
Secretary and. Treasurer—J. Hi. Vandervoorst......2..--.-=- -=-~ -...---- ==-- ie
MEMBERS,
W. J. Sloan and wife .--.- -------Hudson George B. Harris and wife- ------Hudson
WVirse oe Vie sAilient ees tian ar a James DL Ong Ses eee ee
©) Cy Hullervandewitesce ene *8 Deacon’ @hildseese4.2 a2) eee ee
Rv Ch briucntandiwites.22 22s. oe fs @harlestelalll ates es een ee ‘
AR @s Weed and wites. oss. a Daniel Rootes ee eee on
So COOPEr andy witeesse2 eae |S JohueWihitheeks 22525 1 ee ee
WV andervoorstesss 255054 |S Mrs and) Mrs. Blory <2 52S. 2ee a
Frank Alexander and wife______-_ oe MorsseViainltite sso a ees ss
Bkivalbethe Alleneses 12 -ee- 20s = ut O. A. Westcott and wife.___- Wheatland
Ree shvancdewile eee ae as Mart? Wialworth] 22 22252222 = $f
OO EHaynes and: wife 2222-02. <5 ef dig ERS Pier Gar ose sb Sree Rollin
D-H: Gardner and wife.-........ ‘ Eley ie ayn one oa ee r.
George Bump and wife.-..--..... ‘‘ de. OF Bemlete cots. oe eee ieee $e
George Bradstreet....._--...-..-. “ orntentecayl eee oe seein ee vg
New Ga StroneandawilO===ses=—— 5 cs UUs Vc AN hc
Orrin O Harrow... s2-) 2-2 eee fe Morenzoieeale.= Co ee Mh
Jrebl.bradstrecte os es ee « James Hawikinse o-oo. ss ae Uy
Sa Aca Vien corn ees e Sea Cees ee we os OS Lempleyc. c25 Us. eee
WSC SON Nn eek eo Oe ee George Be Bunday<._2.° -..-.2. sya
ye VES BO Wiles Soe ee ae i a Marion Underwood and wife___-__ ‘
JOM BOOB et eee ee A Jee Ws Cran gd Billyese Se ocean
Nef sINe CH ASC ec ae EE eee eR id Glenn Monter2 2 ee ee ee at
AOS AG alos io ED ca od ee by SIE He Mi Brownee aoe, Slee re
Dr H. Wood" and: wifes<. ..52 = * Georpe Miller so. .i85.- Ses se

396

STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

MUSKEGON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Preside) ¢ a. W Dim ey 22.22 eee Muskegon Heights
MEMBERS,
He iw ROrcence tn ss cease Muskegon -| “Wim.;Moorman --2 22-25 o2ee2 Muskegon
Oy meonumelpe ees Tee ts oats WM Behernsi==3 2. us
Cp Vy inline yee =e == Muskegon Heights | F. W. Shuttler__---.. Muskegon Heights
@WharlestGiles -25. 222-622. one Muskegon | James Dean -------------- ---- Muskegon
Charles Greeding.___-----~.--- a EL EVEL Oli ee ae
reds asleehimn,= 22-22 s= =" 5= 222 Re MECAGTS bimm er 22a ae ee
IR @lemons! S222 seey2" = North Muskesont| 1) VicshOyes==eesee= === naan st
RMP eth sesso Muskegon Heights | Wm. M. Collier -__. ---.-____- us
eee evein Cell eee IN OTHE Muskegon Herbert alendricke =) oa2s sss te
Gab Randall ese cea let Muskeconh|p i souselle == sae ae
Cri MeGrecorl=s= 2.4 North Muskegon Fred. Schoenbery - -.- Muskegon Heights
Pair CkiD Owen ae Muskegon | W. R. Konkle____-_---
WimeaWellsese 222 sao North Muskegon | Mrs. KE. C. Tripp----- se
Ae aGonneris 22452 Bais ist Muskegon | Timothy Cowles ___----- ..-.-- Muskegon
Onnangsaxtersaes a = sree es lu Mice@rackensss= aes eee ee
CMP SB arenes e222 aie Saee S w3 Mrs. G. T. Merrill_---.---___- s&s
HredaGriesbackess=-2-)-a-5 ss ot reds. Gramineae ane one fe

SOUTH HAVEN AND CASCO POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

President—-Georae Griiin 2-> {526s > ee ea ee eee a ee ----South Haven

VacesPresvent—NV,.WEL. Wil COR a2 = 2522.22 Ne ee ee ee ean ee
SECT ELON == Wie) A OOOK So. Sy BRS Tew UR Paes BP ee ee Peace a ay
dmeasuner—Oe TOAD CaN 35s Sa BIS Se ne ee = “
MEMBERS.
IDE Ua de resi iets ee ee ae South Haven IDpEL Senne eee a South Haven
TaN LEROY ES) Oe peel PR SS Jeane ANbherlysees ea ore ae 2 ey
ASE Pe sd attenrate(6 (es ll pea ee eran at oe ING Who eleronmeinten sys os ee
Wie Ni gulskellcioice SSS Seer. a a CES mmersones... = oS ve
Frank Newland ___- ---_-__- ue ue Herb eketchamess= === ue es
Wiis aauillkerg oe ai oe Lee OG 3 I a Del bai he ope ie cs ah Ba gi ne
Wl, IWIeID ON welic ae ee eS ie 3 Breede Wallcnsoness. sss oe nes of
Wok) Hurlibutos 20 cose, 6 «“ Mor Bisby © eile nee ee «“
Wie (Gig. JeAhenrarmverg. 25 Se Ot st 1s dels Oln@eielorne) =-—— =e ye
AA Ne aUUIGTI NST cs ee ae BL C20 Wooden see ef A
Henry, Penseh!- 4/2) oo Seiedel us OSS ae ee ee ee st s
CAVES chefier 222 25s ue fe AC ViOOLN Ces ee eee ae fe
ANS (Sh. LD iytel omnes ee ee bh UL Die Dern eens nS os
i. vB MMdmondsae se. sy “e ‘6 SS. DL. Malbone th ns a
IE SEO VE ]OV ora. oo ee CON it pe Henry Chatfeldises sr <
HeACwEla nti aria. seams UG “6 Ni I PD ah le ee eB eI ue Se
IL 5. Sigs Mi@angoye te CU & WanO} Cool eee eee a es
Sh 18%, Dio atierey 25 ee eo ee BGS Greencneeeersness rose ce Hy
ARES Monroe tien ss a 66 deS: Malbone see eee se oes we
George C. Monroe-------_-- aiG J IDB: dig Lboyeleyroyeyel a es * i
Cuthbert Warner___._.-_.. “ a WW Dewey eens eee ee a
Norman Phillipss2) wu-.-. 2 EAR WT SNe Src peek epee ge A EN he
James losing =soeese = ue ot AR Nis owlerse cee . es
NoObm Mackeyts com ny ee YG A; Os SRaunivems aaeerron ses iy *
1Bby Wills Wall eran ee vs 6 i Elollenbeclkwe ss aeee ae ne
Ie LAL OPCuCerae = sae ub “ AS EGO OG este ete eae HY ue
WARM D Bee G NI SNe ee OS a GA. IB boyy cece ee Bs
Ded WPLEY ees eke eens CRETE Do Rt 24 John siepy =Se us ere Pe
Aolahay Oyditoreh 2 eS ek 0G ‘6 @: MB eebe Seen Ane se re yi
Thomas McEiwing_:__2..... “ ee George W.'Cain 22-2222 2 oe": ve
as J wNeweomboss se ee a ca ASV Walketield/ =e ae Ub es
5. Js Dunkley lo 2225 oe Kelamazoor) J.C) Nierson ase ee ees sr

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 397

MEMBERS.—Continued

EH WieeSweete eae South Haven | George N. Hale__-_-------.South Haven
Wolneysitosees- = ee of Saavan@Ostrand] 22222) =
pees Sable wsons Aece see EE £6 tees chiwaberoweeeese se ot

ne Werblurlbute =e on. a oe se Be Raavibitney= 22528
TS Vag EVOY Gul 2 ee ig s e ve “s JC OhnStone a= pase ee Bs ue
Nate Vanaham 0-22 2=s soa 02, 9% gs Wie Wie dOhnstoneemsete aa. ts me
ORAS WGA: nee ee ee ah ee eS ACH OW ET DISGIy= tema: Se eR) ue
PObNeSOSq Ue tessa ee ae JoOshiagsrait eset esse ee CS at
do Sle hi es Set ee € $¢ Jee eWallinoford2s 22522 | - < ot
MCs Merrittiusseeeeeeoe se OS fs Sb ol Els aN (21) 5 ee ee ee ut
c. H. Wigglesworth ....-- “‘ Bf epreumiaias 20,3228 222 oo us
Wass Bradleyee-s sso. = “e 38 James H. Johnson________- gs Bi
ae Niewdes Brenche se aye AES Jy DRMizsC o0ley.2- 22, #8 a0
sey Zieedyike eae al eet or ih Mivrons2owers=22- =) oe ue at
MasOne balleye- ss. -- = ee . iC Barden. 2.) ones ey bk
SipuWermenn eye eae a2 ae ut Cy Ca Chappelliz 2S 2 at ae
Vt oaks UL ew RE ee a ee eA metohtons ss -s-55 = = wie es
COs Chapman= 2. 2-2-2 5 es Ee edo eis ars 2s fe
Jes. Matthews==—— 22-2 = oS Aes MASHIS) 01 (Ea ee en ee ae ae
Charlies @ tists 222s 2 oY iy RAINS EV a ee litlpee os eee es eice es
Mirs*Biegh. Moore 22 223.2. “* . Halesbradilieyes=. sate ee 6 ee
sScorse-D). Carnes: 2-0 -- - 5). ef Ralph eElisteag= = sess ese eS :
OcsHilalimenea ee ataes sae ce ss GeorceseiyMyhanes ee Ae g
George W. Mathews ._-- ____ Wy a ELS MIVA VERY tess eae a toe ee ae SE $
Ac, COR ALE H ON j.oe nee oe cai ec ne os Vian! Ordena hes eae ‘
He We ishopie car ee uh ef AGE Chaddocke== eas ef 3
George 1. Seaver.--- 52-5. ne ae IMEWiheelen.ci= 27 se ose E
‘
‘

VisvEletirenchs sass. sees ef Cy Delenrer evs feas8 sas ice
GeorvepNelm sas sas = le e>> BC ss ec Eye arSOnS pees oe sae me :
WimiseeWiestcotts ==. 7 6s a On J. Elempstedd) S222. == a5 eae. a

Mer Hs © L1G eee te es Re Rt TS Kibbie | Adam Schoonberger__-.___ ‘“ ge
CVV EXO DINSONE een me ee we EE Se ee Wall SO nese ee ea es as
We AewEl aruda = 25 ate ee ree eer CE Charless Drakes 222s oes ve s
CharlesshiaAibelilts=2 se ee Ree NE CAG er Robinso nese en ee 5
AWAY CO LEXE CHOI a aren Sie ke es Spee hae Die ODI SOM= =e Ny
Washington Potter____-_-_---- gid eer WiGeiiricter 222 2 so

JPle batOndse se se hee ee ai He Aa Vika O byes ne eee

CeCe Atherly. 25 os AF Pees aS

SARANAC HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

President—H. J. Johnson .-.-- ---~ ---- ---- ---- ---~ ---- ---~ -------------- ---- Saranac
ate Ne CREA It anaes ODES) ee en es eS

PIE RCE) key Sete ee IL PE LOL) oe haha eS eee
MERCUSIL). Ci Eine ELONGLG Lipa ee toe eh eR et ee eee ut

MEMBERS.
OST el, eh bb al ae ee eae a Saranac te Elew ky. des O WO) ole cee Saranac
Cy Denjagmine ses 2. ee *S JeeNiegclanker = 2S saa Uh
Winberiiehsones: oss fyi ee fs DreUe Milliman -..--...--.---Chandler
PAMUC War ret ene a eee nyt De ne DPE Hnolishwe => i= ee eee
Nein a\ ae NAVA Pe eee See a Me ee ye teh racevees tee 252: 2 5 eee Saranac
te

de VVilline tones = 2 = st ORAS Par Gyeee ts Hor eae

Dy Gee Ns es 2 we Ce MaSibley essa ee ee ee wt
is Ge Mercere: 2= a2 Sil Le o> a DPV Houle 9 Clee 2 oC
VAS Ee GOS Gr se eos es a PANS Ay POO ere Sere ae ees Jt
Me VTP NIV EN Ess a sees rei bs eo a MnmMer Smiths. = as eee ss
Hy ABC hur Ghee oer a Uy sey ELUIn te eee =e) nite Sy ee Je
Se Hee bnCkerie Me is yee sO Le fs eM Champerlainiwa. -s- sees LY

Se OHNSONG = ite Reece es Ree ee LY iA burners) oo eas “
Vil arn STOO Tie ae eee & de AY. Robertsonee = eee ee =
JEM TCU aoe ne a Soe as BB Barrowsiee en cee co ee ne

Vile Vie Walltiegiis(= ©5500 ieee of

398 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

LENAWEE COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

(President—W GApPorte ne tt eee ee ee ee VCS DOTS
Vice-President Mins Eanes Critbend emt. ee eee AC Te

SC CTELOUTY =p re VV ROA AIIM GT Gy aS Saeed Ml ED ea Mh 97 I 5 Se = 8 ee ee 2aat pi
Dregs uner= Ski. | C. IB racy ee se ah Ee a ae Ee Sf
Librawan— kev. JohnuGreconyites 0 a). Bae ee eee ee eee
MEMBERS.

Squier ohnsontesssss=s sense o=. Palmyra, |cA: Sioler 2225 Sees ee Adrian
Joule, IBiullimeyvei 23. 5b = ts lelollilonely ||) Iau Ieyeel 6 ese 5 Town House-
Olan Os IWeniaatinel = s- = s ae: Adrian | J. M. Blanchard __- ------------- Adrian
AO lia elen Client Kote tees hata oe oan linton Ings eG JEL WAMlall ave yes oy

CS Crm Cities web eeip nes ese 2 Vo Vee Ver wilh! 220 52022 c5 = eee rs
Mire rtisordenwa=joss2 nee n maa James plese Keir Soe ee ot ee
dino Bel = ee ee Bia iclhian |f evens dis (Grea sa- oe ee
Wier Auliligpe om cs Beiyee. Ar ae ANGlere yal ol] UGGS, IMS Sy arent ayes ns ee

WriGreborters=-- 2822 Westonm|| Nirsi elo nc Appl ee alel aaa me
Wm. F. Howell___---------------Adrian HP ANG) 22 c Some ete eo a ee

EC SS radishe sense ent tere mee Mirss A. Gillett cwan nea os ee ie
AWWA gs 1S el Sato avy) pe I “ De Wit Grandon S224 ee
CherlesiG aWalcox tens one ec eee Mrs) (Gurit (22a eee es eee vs
JE Viallacemz ace = aia. alee oy Wi Sbearnsun.¢ seen e ee eee oy neers
Ji wBealas feces eae es Town House | Mrs. E: P. Crittenden ________ --_- s
MirseeAcn GauNickersonesss sae s see AGiriaiar ie lieve line sae see oe “
INAS GoTo No) yet is ses ae ee a uw IBYe las WWehhave) eae oo ee ee Sa iskolllonaiy
IMbAS, Ib, Talenaanoyhe = See ee or CRAB AG Ustilin: 222 Se eae he ee Adrian
IVT 51 501 O Yet spelen aah geen dele oe es Nites ara V\ alii seer eee Holloway
PPR UO SUG COM) toa rate ee rote ee ae en Sutton |) Alfred Hdwards=.22 222 2222222 22 Adrian
Bram Wh Dilla 2 oe oe 2 ackson “hh Seuin bers) i ee eee Olin nase
ID yes JEIQ OWN a eee iby Ors Olay. || Sie Ake Laswell eae e coe anes Adrian
DS Vvkood ward 2222 ne ee ee Clinitomta | Greiisse lO LOnme eae ee NI tbe ee
(Gs Nila WVGEG nny Se eee Abaca || Clatyaleys) IN, AMyides) 443 Base eS Adrian
JN ep NUE a case ae sti lena TownvEoOusenle Am oOsmEi es CON ass aaa ae ee ot

OCEANA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

eri es Gee “Brassington Pepererert aa Bi menige ste NM WS ee pat SUR SIGE icsr
Preasurer—Wimt He (Barry 22. oo 2 ee eee eae ae ene ny

MEMBERS.

Hod. Russells eee Bart e|G@eorge Hawley: sels oat eae pela
cw EU be Wises Ramee tome ete De ec aE HS OFF ROUSE eae ae ae eee Shelby
[BIPM NI OOTE mae ae een Seca eS ee Caleb Davis == ee eae eee Vicars
ARON A GaSe sen ones ee Shelby | Elerbente Ne wLonees = eee at eee Hart
INISBEt IB TOOKS 2 ee eee ee Ise, || Wan, JEG Ray —- A _.-Shelby
OMe HOPG tie Sale ees Seid 2 aie Charles: shales serosa eee a

A li5 LD bytecctzh avales U Ie eae ares SS Te ee _ Shelby 1D haar WAKE Ovi es pees coy ae Mears
MeonardyAllen 22225 sen Suaeas e New iral|PAsaeM: Prinolessss=s2s 2222 2Seere

Benton Gebhartioescseaeeceeo ee) eElart

ST. CLAIR HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

MEMBERS.
Joins Wie IBkonmaMe ya. oy Port Huron | David Aitken ____-.-...-.. Aitken, Mich~
ALS ANLOVCT, Meta ame SE 2 tf ae Hi. D ope, ees ees Port Huron
Henry A. Rose‘--.--...-.- ae ee Dr. George W. Harris....... ¢
TOMS Mi cyi crv iake cee SMI Te 30 Wank Jeniansonsess es eee sf x
Duncan McNaughton, North PMeihidisonesseee sae es a
a“

Sirect 2s pate Rona eS ee ug Herman Presley-.--- ---- ----

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

LOWELL DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

President—E. E. Church

Chandler, Ionia Co.

SC CRCLOT © LIMLO NG STO We sea aa as oe ee Se NE -..- Lowell, Kent Co.

Treasurer—Mark D. Sneather

MEMBERS

Daniele Sterlinoy sf ses-2222552 02 | Howells Was. benneves a ~ <P eho. Lowell
Were OS bi os atone Burs ns Se es CharlessValsonsass. 2s eae i
Charles MacCarty2_2. --2. = -.--.- z Gabe boreer-se2aes. (eee See is
Daniel Blanchines222 2 ee 2 e IMiyrongisy SCR oe 2 = ae wae ELees Ke
Daniele rletcheries: wees S ue Sylvester Brower 22-225 2222 UL
Hehe TERA ay KO. eS a en Oe PEL O MAT Se wee arse es oot ye ie

PSG ulitondws S52 ere eee a a VOMMEC ATC ye eee ee eee ad
IEORChapiny sree sel yee 1: dja 1D)5 TBIO GA NO Se ee ie
WailitiamGardners ass S222 he irs: v Vain Isle Wankel) ee ee eS HY
iReter*MePhersone2-= 222-68 == us VF AS Chur cheese 5) a8 Boge Chandler
Janes) IB nde ee a eS rie ‘anac Weve letGhereaess sae s ee sae Lowell
SECURE ees wilson Se ene oe Fc BE @alivainie Mannan dees epee sees emacs

JB) IE De A) oT pee ee pe i Matthe war Ebunter 2 == ae ee
Cylra Blakesleewss een Pee 2S. NTICORIRGs oes Care yates eats wa ee eee aa
EO COWATb sss ee ee ere yt Jes Grahams: 5.222 eee eee a
Waele Noony 22 ee aS tte Bara. bois Oe Ry eVVGeu VUNG ies a ee ee se
imercdeiT@hmondiaes 2228s 2 = cs Charles/Hendershotmes sa 4 are
Cpls ay Ine bOMe ss ae vee Se Adan Pe Escnd AIMeSy soo a se WE eal es f
Cares tannand 202s seo tee ID|boovslenley’|| dio Islas ve
De Hi. English ------.------- ---- Lowell JOSE p he kainy ries ae ae ee lo
OnOWAC ams a ers Soe eee ESTES SOS bie eee oye ae Pe eee ey Ie
Spe uC Ker So 2ee ee ue CES Green tana Waa) ee se
1s APTN 0 ces ene er os James Be Greene. fen see ae tee
Janes Mirphyasne oe sae ee te, SE Brea pabCOCk 2 soo a ke 2 ae ee

J ceil Nose ASS =e ee JiamesiMic Geert sean ss ae ee se
/NTe ane araV6 5g) (eo ee oe MES lallantia.= 22.2 = eee Chandler
WV RRengr O00 aes Soo oe Soe ee ES Sis Wie LUCKeR ete 2225 see eee es
PAD MUN TCe 2 sa ee ee Seen 8 Wise Vii ame see eee ut
(Great PAGIEN cr ee vee ve Jaco br Niversves= 2-550 sa re se
SWwallards Eiumiter asso eos = ue

COVERT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

LPL BS TING EASA SIO EG) CE Wa | gas ope er ee as a a Covert
Pee rene eNO DLVC Ve oaeeice ac gees Ton OOS Se 2 5 re ee A

cn Ge ty 3H 0 oT AE FNOOG eS 2 pans oe eee en ee ee ee ae eh ee reg OS
PHRCOS UN Cia la ROOM nae he ea re SS eS OE ane Sen OST 8. eg A ce

MEMBERS.
Pee napSOn S28 60 OS) CC overtak Wad omabeuekot &) 2 ou. cok ucts oie Covert
Epp eertswOrbh. .22 222040 25 oles of ee eS POA eee eee ee Le ees us
EPR ovler es i es yd ee cay Tee Ga, MONbOeaL2 atl. ao ese is
ase AULGTI va eer a ON a ee Ret Gea Wianlbesliete eons Sere SE .
US, LBB EY cae ee Wei oo ae Je Abr? Castlesee se ea. on anes geen
“AU AE [oy 00 (060 | ge a ee eT James Cummings ss see en eee “
Ji. 4s SOUCY oe a eee es oe ae daNesehs fae set: KO: «00 | ee eee aes BN a Pe
1 ROOT fea e8 SEES ee Cao EE Winns Donit pan ..) 0 6 oe ee
Walter ews woOrbbees. 25022. oe aE Hdmond Bostwick. -.- <2. ----2--2 Ht
FAullen POMpCynnnse- cee eee ue ) Elugh blarrison..— 22.2.5. o-cs-l te
NIRS a0 27 NS ene eee ee I |pelenmycks (Goss) 2220 25 ae eee 8
Augustus Shepherd __________.._- he )- Charnes! Conperiat= ces oe eee A:

Postoffice address of all, Covert, Mich.

400 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

OTTAWA COUNTY FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION.

President — ames NG. ban COCK 22. 5 52 sas ee ae ee eee Grand Haven
Secretary sles Want Nieter sss. 225 £225 22 Ae ee ae eee UL
Treasurer —P eter GC. Northouse = 22... se soeses ee ee eee aK
MEMBERS.
Ano rAlibrechit) 22220522 2Gr and Haven Bredys ait sas ae ee eee ----Grand Haven
[CMOS Eas 2a ere eee are Mikeg Sills. 5 eee tae
Henrys Bakersa:= 2202220 077s a CERES Cy Mowe sees as pe ot
Harmonie Bottje2ees.--—-2-- Wy ee EWAN Cenh js 220 sno 5 ug
Georcvel Gy borekes== pe. = 0 we livesnalke Warhol IB ybyeee se Sy OC sf
IElzjoo0 13Koyeboo ya = icaue ss BE Wan Vier VElpakss.. 4 im or: gh
EGC OO Ket Sete ee Suk a a ee ae Wane Van Eloutensos. 2.2. = a aS
pA Doamielsmsnd pany een: ot oe es Wena) ID diene Se a 3
iEHennyaDyl<emipeeess 225-2 se He WVerskloeks 22s ais. us of
JosephsDennyeeosee= sate se ae a Walter Van Bene ae a gs
CHN® Dickinsoneesses2 22 22- yu - Peter Van Weelden._.-... ‘ ub
DEMS J RESUS) aS 0 0 ae an y “latineyel WAVGHE OTe 2 ee Be et
John Goldbers, Jr. .222. et ee John, Welling {22 ee as
AL Ginn oui note ce < Tes VWWellinio ees see ee ss
Georvepilancocksa sess). ae O. ;WitldssSeases oe oo eben ee a:
James G. Hancock _.-----_- oi oY SBN eG HNO SEN eee eee aae Spring Lake
Ae Viele hans 2 oe ee m6 x“ Charles Aiea Soe De Se,
Albert Jansen\s.22=.22 222 — zt lavaiNig © TOSS 2 s- see eee uy up
IMO! dl, IST ee ae He a A aavelss JANG (Orcojijo es ef ue
JNPeLe LOVALONE HOY ee ee ve Jem @orneliustecme === ease
ChmismMuockpet 6 s-) aaa. aeee ue oe Charles S. Cornelius ______- “ ae
Jamesswlockess sane. ets “f a BR eVie sD erenss sense sees ee ee
Johnelancman == s2s2 oes . “ Hye Gardiner teams se pe ae aN
JohmeWiocktessc2 eka tee oe ot TP OOMerse tea Sa Es Se oe
Chylbo Ck pe seues fe Metter ee eae es He JiEles SOMmersetee soe ea sf i
Jo lnas Via vie yee eye ares weer ec ee ienryeVWVasi ilk es eee it es
George W. Miller.____.___- AY ae Mane tinea Wai sin ee ee HG uy
Abraham Mastenbrook__.._ “‘ ue R. Waggonmaker______-- - ub SS
ACC MNOrthOuse pease sesso 50 se EKO), MEGANE? soe = oy
Peter C. Northouse ____._.. ‘“ He W. W. Churchil].:_>22.--02 2 Agnew,
EAN OSOCOOd saree mentee oy 0 oU Jud Ela rrises 2 eet eae eee
Wialterd2 bullli pss ss om ye Whew AROP Soo See eee ie
WeWiwkeck: 22 ese. cere see. so a a J. Mi. Viany Doorme:: 222222 =e
eterpRossieny== === =aae= = y ue Mo Des Viniesicy. 542 Seana Ferrysburg
Taleraney, Invovereigs| 2 Se eee ss Herman Honholt__------.--- f
ElenrysEvossieneens a=) = 22 Hu oe

OTSEGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

President—Oliver Wise ._-_ -_-- ---. ---- ---- ---- ----- ----- ---~ ---~--+----- ---- Otsego
MacesPresident—E)- ae selarta2ss 252/282 Bene ee ee ee
Weare Ww BROW. Leon. oe. oc aU Se 2 ee eee
divcasvrer—Georrehireins 222020 22.5 O. 2o 8 ee ee

MEMBERS.

John Henry --_-- ~--- -----+-------- Otsego CharlesiGray == Otsego
Elerperin OhOnsOne = eset s sane D2 esp dD X29 kre og Pd ee hs a gc Ts Ns

TR Se ear bean ee eerste SNe se ee Gearce Biveing 22." >. See sesco sy
JN 189 IL ovaleciaeel aioe oy ee OS ot aa PARAS SN ATeH a 10) cep Nene pees Ue ae te ee MS
Olinger RN Vssere se eee Sura Ae Tete tae) ye RR. Bentley ete aks Ses eee oe
Cas umlans hampers sao eee ee Rall ply SWWialS@sL 2s =o ee ees iM
AN Cr eeee nk oe etn Seen eee Tee ae ee Delosdtanre. 228 2a a
ames anebones ne et ee nee eae a WAV Er CEL GLTT See ae ee
BranksPhelpscs (2 ck osc ses ce of Hy SEES PO wale ee ay ee ee ee zs

Postoffice address of all, Otsego, Mich.

A .

American) Fruiterowers, Union, OTS aniZation Of 22... -=-.esss2--- - secon oo - ewe = -eeee ese: == sens 139
Anmiralemeectine. PrOCeedINES OF a2. ce scec coc eee toon aoe eec ce nin eaees faeces dee seecss cccase BIE = Ain 189
PAILS IONE Man See eee ran Soca yo eerie cen ose toot sctemecce woman Wnlsne ln cmrssec ecetetiecewes Sceemes 181
Ashesas.a fertilizer for peaches .--.-- --.<-- <..---=--=--= esens Gener ooteoe Se ssce sors posse skeen eee 60
Crenllieanihsiass ee ee = Senos ere Sa Sen Saeterat Goes e ee SeDooreeees 102

ADhissiplack, dexcriptioniand treatment Of, -s-s-e52 2225 -= eee a ae een eae oe oer = 133
PAitintataihompeacheno at eases teen smre ee ome See pierre See eS Bs Goatees cea sosse ee 343, 345
ANE ple wbest suUMmMeCravall COblOS!O feresse) oases sn ncoswes nat ae amsecciocey == = a==m et pete Ed red Pee 371
WHIMte TEV Are CIOS) O femoris eee een ee oe aa oe Orie oi a eee Soe eee wclsmaacse sees. 370

Pepplercnl tuner Mmevnodso fesse eee sehen ee Lites le oe coon, ae ce eses ao coet=siecssal ONO, eOzy COO
RADE OtimENVUlChi Dam a= eae seen Sone Ss 2 Se oo, Deeenae ek ee es saaeenee eget ole ta aye 258
Anplersrowinegsfuture ofinelilingisre: sess) os--nece4-5—= <2 ooaree a ceku eee Meee ee oe ses eeeee 154
Apole notes on newaVarievies) Of 2 casse eas Soc. soc sea acacae sceesecaaaccense Seno a-eswer ees ener. 234, 240
OLGHATde anna yin oo lees (eee ee ee len eae ee os apenesee = SAE Sake Se 161
PROLOPFEHSVACIOUION Oleenoe cen eames ne ea eee ed aoe ae eee sere se dete pcan ete ao- ee eee aaemeene 262

RIVECU ALES Uny ALI CDG IO lees eee ee a ene oo amt aL oan a as Sa See en te Mee eee 103
Applestrees, soil elementsirequirediwhile bearing:---- -=-- --------5- -o-see nee eee eet een eee 281
PO WAN et ate eee meee hee eae Coe eeeee eee es 281

Trees Stayin PoOtawileMiONMedpasese ete see see ee oe rere oe ees easacat cen deee Pe ae ener Se, 259
ASIDES BOLLLOT PO Olttee ames an cee atns satecee cosaeu dene can ccaeee cee beet cc ce uesap ess cee caesneeeees 268
Cane betore;paGkine esas te sees ea ne Se ee ee PIES, posacaca eee OOS 2Od 268
COlGIBLOTAZ ELON este seee eee ean en See ean ns ceensesnene Pi Reem aos ee ee Rn ee 273

BIER TROT HO ea is AR RS ak a eee CEE PRE eae ee SORE een Si 270

EXDOTE OL TLOM: NOVAISCOU sa aa a eee ee eae eee eae rs wene ne esaa.ccns iseeae 32 Oe 257

LINES YER OS pe re eas Se ie eee Se Ss es Pe ee ea pe 272

MANN SMO CAINEEIN lease coe creas ae eae a tees ten fae oclawecemmaw aye oe tone n oneeau ts aaae es 264

AYE SET KEE LN PRO bese eee ore ee ale ee Ee hain eer cer aay aw ee oa siee eS onsen eee 16L

MOLE AStAp Oth Ano WOM LIMULUS eseseo eee eee newaee neat eae eee sees eee a eae aoe ee eee 266
WLOLTAVlOAS OtHereLhUltsieocase eter ee eer ea ene sece ess hone en eeamecei cece ce 159, 163, 259, 260, 369
RDLAVING Of, NCCCSSATY-- 2-25-2252 2+ canoes eae ance decease et ancueicbamssaancss seek ae 2 ee 274
BV CH LID POL aes ars cats Jo cist cee Sansone he see cee Me reece eels Sewaceoalaes ap ee wacarter 272
SPEC UsSVUBRIAN, TOCTALINE occcsccesesnce~-cccceseaeee= ceecasees, oncoe- le aasuccceass Races shee 101
PROG nise. OL, Instead: Ol Paris) STEEN) << 526 son esa Awoneocee eaten nce Sone cake sae enc ae Seeite meee sees 179
MEenicalepray NOU dANGErOUS tOWReAlthy qo oon occa madera mannienadonqtcciscewas ans ce ceeelnsneea sees 121
PAnnNeaWwOrme, LrGAtIMONbiOl - o. 2.0. cce cede esd een awerecten ewer Sens tamsss Sane nae ee ane Pe B4t
ABUES HOO, SD DLied/ asa Tentilizare 22 2-0-5. 2. sence nceehceccmacncars Cantkemece gouu toes chines) loatwes 261

B.

Bananas, etrects Of, on sale.of indigenous frults:--. 2222 oe. oo oo ose ot cea siden aeons oes 377
PEI LEG OOl WN GaDS DON DNs ~oac oS sac eee picasa aoteea st catamik nea none a paces ees ooo scone nae EOE
BArnyAard manure, when DeRt LOAD OLY: op scopic tonueneconac empcaeceuaes Seroeen Niger ceweot erodes 376
BARON WE LO ts Se Are DADOL DY. occemac coos wacesicionancUmaceccssessen. ooetsnen cess wavewmeesnaaae sos eens 64
SRN BV ARTIOUIOS OL. Ssocuuasnenre acuase scutes. Uicuaheaccumesnjeccaand ceo cens a eactin wader eke eee 354

DIALS SOME DECUMATINIOS Ol cocsuxsene -n2-ca ss ea scaas sheen aesstar tee gemcse t Seees Seeetowc me 351

WOGVilE nreCHUMe Ri Ol] carena sessnee sea naas esas secon see mene seamen saa senna neers ae eee 867

d1

402 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. .

Beans, culturalrequisites! ofl o22s J .c0t. ohe5<s55 bo scene ose ance ee aeat cet ere ne near enne tee eee eeeee 351
preparation of soil fori: 2. = = 222. = 55 5 cases eee ce one eee eee ne ee on eee eee 355
Berrien/county, production of strawberries in ess-.-seseeere tases eee eee eee ee 1l
Bitter, rot Of apples 2=.-celes. woos see cans ssawins Sona scc se beeeanae eee cesese ester ee Tene eae 268
Blackberry, promising new sorts Of. 22s... -ssssseceecsas eset een cece le eeean ee oot Oran ae anes 180
WarletiesiOf = sss) -ceca cco eens oe cone sock edeue eee see eee eec oe Seer eee eee ee eee 234
Black-knotiotf the Cherry. sisi: oo sescnes- 6 seosoe05 25 sdb see eee ta ee eee eee ee eee 130
plum; ‘treatment Of: 2... <2-252-2252--c eno ewene at eenmeeee eas BS ee ee 173
Blight/ofthe pear; causeand treabmentiOl-~--..ma--enese sen ee ese cee eeene eae eee eee 370, 378
Blossoms Composition, Of 222.2 scee~ ee ss soe a eee eee eee nee e pane cn ee ee ee 361
LOLtilizaAtiOnO Leee seen een eae es eee ee enn ae et pie tae BEART Een ae 362
Boneias fertilizer for plum ‘trees: 2--222.. 5.0 -cects wenanemsce cate eee eae ee ce teen cca eee ee ee eee 101, 102
Bordeaux mixture, methods/of making 2.22. os -- see waeeee sees eee ae anes ee eeeeneene 119, 120, 122, 135, 186
Borers pinholeiof thepeach=<2. ---s-s-2-.2s-5- ese es oder cet eee ee ae ee eee eee aes eee 133
IBOTELS. 8 WASH LO GEStLOY so. - 22-8 oinccdec csc Scene as sean eee oee mene ae aeeasseesias Se Gee oe eee 134
in; peach’ trees} treatment OL <4 \--s2..cso scecs aes ee ee eee ee ee ee 298, 342
Breedsweed er; Proper USO OL. 22-0 2scs0.ssnsrese=~ sacs eae meeee cen ao sees ee oeeee sen eee eee ease ene 57
Brillhart, Hi: bit; PAPCL DY Less = s-es\- Soncsiot ssa Ses ese ee ee eee ae eee a eee ee ee eieee aes oe eee 6
Buds trot, how destroyedsby cold s2222----- 2-5-5 oe cae ceaws soca eee ee ee eee 363
Burdick \W6,5:, DADer Dyan ce. <= See. Secreta ek ok cae oS aaee eee ee ee ee eee Ce ee 83
Ce
Gabbages: cultural requisites! ofa... 2.2 Sse se ace oebe soseme ee ae Cee ee oa eee Sees oe nee eee eee eee 353
Canada, fruitinesources: Of 2220-22-25 ae eae weston ses Sea ree a ee ee eee ee 255
Canningsindustry ati Hart s- ~~ os 6 oa soe eee ee ee ee ae ee ee 23
developmient: Of :. sis cc. sst ns acas hose eee eee ees Gee seek nonce eee ee eee eee 21
Carnation; cultural methodsiof 22..4.2.ccec - Sento eee ee ene ee ae Ce eee ane eee 251
Varieties Of for profit. 2522-05 Se ee eee ee ee ee ee ee 251
Carnations, diseases of._-_.-....---.-.- Ai ee aes een Sates Sez ei uh ae a he eens eee 252
Propagation Of: a. c2sce obese ac See ee eae eee eee ae are oe ee eee es ee ee 252
Cedanbirds\(waxiwing) damage) by2222 2. sees os ee ee ee ee eee 127
Celery growing, remarks Wp0n.--2 222 -.coseeces cee casera sre Seen oe ee ee Oe eee Oe ee ee 353
Cherry, injurious insectsiand: diseases\Of soa-- ses een eae eee eee ee oe ee ee ee ee 126
black: knotiof thes: .-cssocessecesen cae oe ae eels ree ee ee ee ee a ee 130
preferred varieties. Of =322-5 2222 so Sanna eee ee era ee eee Ree ee ee ee 125, 128
@herriesbest:stocks for {elses vous scot ee eee ae ee eeeee eee an cabbie cas Boebes 123, 127, 129, 130
methods of culture Of az... 2.5 oases pean Soe eee eee eae roe aae ie oe ee ee eee eee 125, 232
Glovers’ AS COVETr ClODS cecsce 6 oa ecw e ce eee es eee eee ee ee re ee eee ee 276, 357
comparative fertilizing value of_.-.--.......-.--.... ----.- Jace ee oacn fozeneen ate ee Sone 279
Codlin':moth; eggsiof; whereiliaid:. ocean neon cee en ee nee ee 341
habits Of nee Lt sea oS Ae eS Soe ccan bays Se eae ae See ee Se ee eS 340
methodsiof Combating 22-3522 soe se soos a2 oe ae eee ee ee ee 119, 121
Cold; nowzitafrects plants. 252-2222 ee ee ek Se ee ee ne en ee 362
Cold storave Gf apples). = 2222 acd cer ewe eae on Se Ie a ee ee 273
College graduates, value of in practical work PebodsL sdacneece meee tenance t oeeec eee eee ee 226
Comings, Geo. spaper. DY 222 cesss foes ane eo ee ee ee ee ee ee 16¥
Commercial fruit growling, future Of -csescoceee ces oe oe soars wc eae = Soke w ea eee ee eee 152
Conrath OC yJE paper, DY. cccsasccsos cece en ewos Seco oes eee ee ee 35
Cook; Stephen, paper by 22 -. 222... 222 Seen eee se ches Seo ae cee eee ee ee eee 125
Co-operative marketing ss:-c5 esi. cee eee ee ee ok ee ee eee 82, 148, 194
JOVEL'CLOpS: CxpPSriIMeNnts: with ~- <<. . sso cae ce eee Secs e cone eee eee 275, 280-286, 356
IN/PGACH\OLCHALAS) S355 Ss seein eee oe renee Sees ee ee oe ee ee 59, 232, 275
NleCeEss Ey LOT. A.. Sassen ck Se ee oe ee re ee ae ee ee ee ee ee 27d, 357
Cow: peasias a iCOVGr CFOD*=-22cccto oe oe ee he es ae oe ee ee eee 277, 282, 358, 370, 374
CraigveProt: John; AddressiDy 2os2 2 se6-58 bee ce cede cee e eee eee eee 255, 275, 361
@rimson’ clover and oats/as a (Cover Crop ]s-seoseee seca sates eee eee 282
Crimson Gloyeras/a Cover Crop iccccs--eses eee coe nee 2 coe ne ee ee 59
@ropsibetweentorchard TOWS...cas ce ones So seet oe ee aca oe ce ae ecg eee Eee eeeee 171, 188, 295, 375
Cross-fertilization, methods of .-...--....__.-----. Fe eT a Ch Foe ee ee ee 39
OLiMOGlONS 2s 2 2Ss es Eee a an are a eee en 4]
value: of inorchards'2.c2ss -0 oak coe cen eee ee eee eee 41
Crown-calliofithe peach cio. 2. ose hen ee re ae eee en = 134
onivariousfruit trees c-= costs s2 eae ss eee Be ee 135

TTOALMENt Ofs2252)b asc so sete oe ae wn Se ee ee ee ree eee 135

INDEX. 403

@ureulio; hibernating of --+..-2.--.- 2... Ms yh s Senne oe ee ee can ee naw assis acaeseeeecaaleesescee 101
MeEGhOOSOMCOMDALN Mea saea ceases = ae e hone eee eee Neeeaseeeeaoose eee 50, 104, 118, 178, 299
@url-leatse= perience wiblwnl S00s=s—e ane ene ee as ane cee en meen eelomecmainonwe ae == one See eae 231
Gh Uhe POae Neeseseesecsae ares ene set ane ctaaceec cles se eae ecu sade cee ceccas acl beccetecacsues 123
WMErPANUEME WAV ATICII ON Olean aanis ontasienacenes. ceulonveatenaseteaeeseee sh ecscina seu scsccsSeete-sSese 181, 2384
VATIG ICS] O Leeann nenes on ae oe amar wae ene Nes eee. Seo evac soe Seine eeedscnee 30, 32, 181
Mucranisacwltbune Of > sass an od coneaioe de sicate oe cdemeente eS dennjseeentscaescvecetsnaces estas suseccs 28
DEOL LROMP es ee ena eo aicloae's ecanjsucccui ease en eteeeed eae eestaccacsedveSadels 2aeens Ease 30, 181
VDI ClO fee ee eecee ee tac cbne awa ceee ccna cower een aeascbanatemecece ee eee ee 370
Watwarnm, thes howto combat=--st5e- -- 5 = 2ea0 See esecec- J-escceesne cees wooden carn oo oekoaseemstccce 60
Cntworms, climbingatrestment)Of--25 -.<-cs 02-5255 ae see eee ease 2-22 oe sa eseswsecsiesevesaa-esss6 345

D.
WelecalessrepOLlesOl see sewem estes eae e eae oo occ ao oeae ceo ceclas es ececle teens oo conecsoeueseeeean nes 92, 95, 99
Wewberriesamanagement Of 25-2 2s22s sa55< 2 secon oe es- 5 -cewccascke sae see seas secs sceneeene sot ses 103
Distributioniorstruits imsthe, Market: co.cc. ~send« cesses saecsesene oaacss Secs eoschs 144, 194, 198, 208-220, 348
MonalasonnoprAcwDApel DY nae seer seers anna essen sok once cenGle cence ceetesessecacaneanelcee cee 113
Mronuthand cold, similar action: Ofecss. == ---scctesssaccanececcees Blob ioassae Seessecdsassneeues 362
IR yerouOlapp lesen cance eee s one eee een eon ce ceases AE aa OE eae ee Re ne Geet AE 270

E.
Harlhycultivation results: Ofse set oes «acu tase ee eee eee se soon cab ocasisce scaee ebacemesaryocees cee 18
MiibiterepOLisilpOMeectees a: saan eee ae atone sacan eee eee anes oan men bente eon ssedeseseete ose ese 2, 110, 192
Hxperiment stations. are toey worth thelt COStaceess cas ceusnoeas sone coee conse eos eee ee eo see eeees 174
MSLIMULUS LOISClONtING SLUG Ye scee one scesse ness te nenen eee antes aeeeeeoee 336
Vala DlLeswOrkiOt ens cee tear aes e coc aoncawnccas acs cewcna@ecseborhmace casene 175

F.
eer hel pwn ana cemen ha taeeemean= eee ee ne eee ee eo ee ee se ee ee eae ae 88
ete HULU Tes BE PSSA INS ee ae ee ne Sie a Fe ee ee eae oe 879
LPO GUSH VG) babe as ote te et ees aie Eres FS A el ie ge ae ee eh ae ee ee RR a aa Se 186
HUST OCE MOLE TANS ECO A ete ae a Re Be Ra ee ee ee ee ee eee 197
Wioriculture; crowthiouins the United Statese.-2--- sce ee nt ones en eee eee eo eo ence encase ceweseeeeu eee 289
MILGEIRTASOMORDEOD] EMAtO bearer sa tne canes ee oe seer nae ee ae ee ee econ ee boas Seca mneeene 246
PaO SspEaCLiCeGiOner MU lle O Wels sacs nee ake ee ts ae See ee sete ee one ee eee eee 337
HrosthGaneerioL from eathy, CUlulVatiONe-..—ccsesee == nooo eens o Scennicewece cuse- aaanseenaeacesean 18
CMECROLEGTIETEORIUIBSU Gece tee. re ak eye ee Le ye a we cosenieee case eee 363
Meni fa DestaisncheaplyspLodUucedes ewes ao) tee ne ee Set Pe eS oe eee 309
dads sHOMsCeRtLOY GOED ViCOlG eet eee ee can pe eo See eee eee ae 363
LALA TaAd VALLASeslOl livin UPON sa-2-es a= So ee eas cise see cana newcewccscancaoslescenninnneee 1i3
MEniterawin eS COMmmercial suture OL: c= ass2 5-2-5 eee oe esee ote cu eee cobece nonnicaeeusecetes aeee 152
BSL CULE MOM UIP ERO freee eae ee ee We ee ee a ee 77, 114
snc ilove Ca DELOM Abe we meee ne cee et a eee nts tee ye al. oe Ee oe ee eee 346
HinnitaimetnodsiOlemarkehin pases. a ase oe eee eee eck eae wesc caus 71, 74, 78, 97, 140, 149, 156, 161
Need Of DObten@istripUtlOnOl—-- feos. oe cece oes cas cnecaceccenons No esas hao ee 73
MUG ULecsSDLin gore all Bectin mio lees so erect eee ee onions at ora oe kan aewasnkon couse eee eeeeees 187
HrnicepMiciican dine NGw..¥ OFk MAarKetse res acne san aeance cock o saeSe bende seen ene snee se cns eee oes 164
FEASOUS LOL Varia lo; PrOGUCLLVONGSS Olean se ceca ses seas ce ceed se sdesee se cane eee eeeeee 249

G.

ESTE CLEA ep (a ACT Oh Pa eee any aera ae ae Ae a A RE EE Ee ST Sek 202°
ELD LGLOe ses setese ccec eee mee ae teen pet ad cnee neue eebrcn oscar Ce roe 207
GPHant PCN LON A Deis Vers cece ete eee ee es On eee eae oa, 8s noe es ee 233
GEA Un Gio Pe Aare Oe eS Ee Oe eee en ei a ae ae ik eee ante PEA ae ee 75, 231
CUAGIG HOS aU e eT DPOV OLNO TU Ob etree ets see ene re ae re en ee ee ae nr te ae 106:
Gooseberry ober mille wile sacaccbe ae coca oon ee ote aoa an ene ome neocon see aan oeeee 3a
Vien LOUIS O Leeeeta ce ails Se cana see cee etre er ee ee aie te ernie eae SoC eee eee 30
TOOROUEETAPE RC UUOLOOlsmaceantin= facet canoe ode ens aaaadae os ces tan ences au cetes wear easeae ae etn eons 28
in Pla h a tecan fect st ceteae cere ce tae a ee ee eee eae oe Ee cane eee 31-33
THAT KEL TOO RVEON: oe ono enna cou cones Sagan sees Mee ede ce aaeen a ce ree eee ee eee 18t
IDEOU UEP OMe sees nena coe eee soe ae ee ee ee ee ee eA ee eg eee 30, 181

49

404 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Gra‘lers, uselof for peaches -.22s. --2-2cncce-s saenc a aden naseseness eoaceanues -sas-e a senonenleeeaeeeeee 306
Grading fruit, importance\ot.--.. 5.2222 2-2 22. esc mceeceasoe ones caeen cas keee ee eeoe sce. saeeeees 212, 301, 348
Graham, Ri. D.; paper by. .-- -.<.-- <-s<e5eq5- 2h 5-5 cscs cs naece cose cscs susobe Memae Se eces noe eee eee 74, 139
Grape, development.of Varieties Of..-.:-...22--s05 225-0--pesean=> et eae eae es acane- see e en bes aeel ee 66
preferred variotiesOb-ws- sos cteceek co akce ees oe eee ene eae ee aoe ee eee eee 70
the fertile andintertile blossoms:Of ... 522-222 < 232-62 eee eee eee eee eee 64
Grapesiclassification. of_= 2. 2. 2255.22. cowensmenscesscecacseeesancsen Seeeas Saaves bere eee ee eee 65
for Oceana County..-.. 2222. ooo hceea Soe sen ooeese eee ee ee tee ene eee eae ae tee eee 69
marketing Of cou. - 32 aso> cawats onsen esees eee eeas sme Rees eke Be AE er ee OO eee ee "0, 141
PLUnINe ane traiMin es Of sas oa. a aaa ee eee ee a ee ae eee 375
Belt-sterilitiy, among oss scsc=scess= ses saeee oe ee ae eee ae eee eee eee ee eee 64
Rimmer thinning: Of---- coo csecen sacs oneee ete hee een eee rea nee ee eee ee ae eee eee 180
Greentmanuring: best plants for. -- ccc2e-ssescseenna coseee ep aeeclee ee aa = seen cnn eesneceeere 279, 355, 356, 370
Value: Of 2 2223c22. cet ee dedoaashcsceeee eet cee eee ete eee eacne stoner sees eeeeeas 78
Groff H.-H, paper DY 2.22 sc. s pened «5 basiceccsassescebecansloseccswsesce cee sansseceaceseesees ee 106
Grnson--Lhomar paper Pyros] s==2--22a5- cose = cosa e eae eee eee ae een ee eee Bee near ela ere 246
H.
Bicht, James M.,:paper by ise s20s<2se-se-2552 how aseetaeescdece axee occ ves see aseae tae seen 43
Halevi He taG Gress) DY 22.5 .s os csajaqcsenceeees st ceen.n seus einoeaecinenwiet esse cee ae eee ae eee eee 287
Hardinesssrelative: of jpeachand plum buds!2- 3. 2-sse nosso oe = een ee eee eee eee eee 361
Hawley hd ward, paper Dy -2.2--scc<ss bl eaeece canoes as coer s ene once ene cas ep ense nee eseeoeeaes 28
Horticultural societies, value of to fruitgrowers--......--.-------------------- ------ Keto Jeez ae are 349
THorticalturists; education Of s. 22 s2c! sasseecsee.- Sees. Ses ce moran se won oe saree eee ae eee ele aee eee 220
Mowks JB. paper DY.222 soc Soses Jason erode ee eas ene eS eee SBE eee onan eR eee on cane eae 10
Hutchins Haward; paper D¥is2se.5 <2... ca eek Sees eee he oe cones Daee ena ethos eee eas aeaeaeeesne 71
I.
Illinois society meeting, report of --..........---... URE es a eos = So Sesh ue add pecan paw rae 99
fnsectienemies; work among =... 02-2. -5402/.5 owcan eae ee eeeinwe ena nee eeeees ceosee a eseeeneteaseeae 336
Insecticides; improvements! in--.2.. 222-2... eeccusece ena sece pen cetienn cease sa emen ceceeneseneoasmees 338
imsectssobservationiot. valnable to Lrulte rowers: oases eee ae ee ee ee ees 336
Inspectioniof MUTSCry-BlOCK 2222... oscon a ce pos eee een ae eee eae eee ee ae ee eee Pe eee 110, 137, 340
Irrigation, an experiment in.-........_.___.---.. SE ee a es ee cea ee ny as Se ee 83
EX PSLienGeviN taan% os Ao Se ws ee eos aS Bann eee eee a eee 85, 173, 187
ODSEPVALIONS OL <2 so-so ace case ee ee ee 86
K.
Koelloge. i Mi Paper Dyes. ae- seed ot ee eee eae peek eee ae ee eee aes eee ee eee 326
L.
Lewis and Early Michigan peaches, difference between.--..-......----.-....---------------------- 52
Bimaibean Wwarietiosiof: 52-2225 fos Se ee ee er ae a oe ee 354
Pyonvex-Eres.. 1...) tributeto: a. 2-5 s2- eee eeee So es aah A ete ee = RE ae st 206
M.
Manuringereen,-Valileof 222 s2cs Seece eee ee se ne ee nae eee ee ee eee 278
Destplants for. access) 25 tS eee ee 2 eee eee ee eee 279, 355, 356, 357
Marketing "co-operatives. 15.2085 so Seat ee ee oe eee des oe eee SOR EE aes 82, 148, 194
miejpods) ote Chica es Ole nec. sete ae nae ete nae eee eee ee ere 218
methods. pursued at Benton: Harbor). 2.sc22 =o. ase ae se ee ee een ee eee eee eee eee wenee 146
Grand Rapids..-.is-<2¢<6-22<. 562s Se esos aes eee eke 147.
Michigan s'advantages in. 2°22... shes See esac saree eee een ae eRe 76, 156, 163
: Co Pit A ah) | rik eee et a Se ROR Regie co aee ie eh Sa 71, 74, 76, 78, 97, 140, 149, 156, 161
Michigan Agricultural College, horticultural education at .......-_.-.-------------------------- 224
; fruits in eastern markets-_--.-..._-- Lcettoit coboks Wek ee eee ea aA ae eee 164, 211
Mixediplantingof tree fruttss---<ocwes=ssostece ee Sees oe coe see ee eee eee 184
Monroe, Cid. .saddress by -- 5-25 -anccelewe cqse copscu odes cusses coe oe oe sue een en eee pooner ae 206
TOPOLt: DY Bice enc os cca descdatasccasacawenescocs Casecn Bose ee reee oe Se eee eee 95

INDEX. 405

Witayaaill, TRVGLE eG ls Eye ONL ESS ARETE oN? Se a oe ee ese ence eE Eee Soe nice 194

TO Se ERO Var oe ee ea an ate eee eee cote ascen =n acee onae 88, 144, 310
NEDOL HD Vereen cees seen Saco e anne eee em ceeoe aac nereeeee a theme acs onceensasieeee 99
MIE WSinEpOAChtOrcenaraniOfeensereeaan ese eceanenoseete edo s cee aaues vissewo coonee 312-323
Niose lyase Ati DA DEI Vaca a mena onan ee nee en ee nee eee eanaon ieee aeons socecers Sere -aes annuus 208
Med GHinoMsEna Wi DOLRICs see eeee sate ne nen ce arene Seen a eeenem ena sen/-lepeeeoa=aaeseeaheae= = camo eo 17
N.
Niirortenebesh planteorm prod cing esas]... ) saree anes er eeese nena eens ee maaclc oncebloneeasneee = =a=== 357
MiiKosenous teruilizersemi peachy OFChATdSa.--— oe. cocee pean eee een seamen =— seman nao ==n===e === 281, 285
PRS COLA DD ClO XI OLDS Ole ae eae x aan) aoe mace eens ene ane oan alaewe elem se= 257
MUI OL yARCOCKAINS DEC UIONIO LS meena aa = on aa ne nnn ee see aiaeiaaen eee aa aab wee ee eae cepeaet 110, 187, 340
0.
Onts asicovererapinipeachiOrchards: css--ccssenc oss sseecesesaasseseanossis=sanaeece seceeaceneneOuy COrW eee
ASHTLENLChel OW StLAW DOLPIOS se see steae eck ce oem eee ea ia oat new eee a teens cebrcce -ceeic=seeoeueeee 368
Untariopocietymeatina, report Ofsesss-ce == ere =e esse tase en a a seteee sosnce esses saceneleaccne nase 92
Orchards rOws; Crops! Det WilON === ses. cee ac ocean cbeece noc esces ocoecencsnis cosas Seceeccnncnase 171, 183, 295, 375
Onceharasexperiencomitl ogee sss es aene ase acce. coke Seeses waccnet ese csane nese oncleoeene soncee= oe ee e= 23), 233
SONELAlUreALINEN biO Leen naar ec can Se renee aoa en ee ane nace ee cares (eenens eae enreees 347
P.
IPackarerspestikind stor Peach esssace ssa ne -ossomisesceaie cease ca vencineeean!- avcsclonotue none e oncse=mone 307
MALKIN RCADACIL VIO eee e eee nc coset ese neaeen one sae ae ceaenens cote nateeae =e eeeaniero=net= 141
UNI OLM Lays teense ene sae ee mac fo earete cas ce ares Seale aceeines nsec cane tap temmeneectomeas os 139
Backing methodsin: Nortn Oaroling s224s-- 225-2 -enan 7 cacse ceeteae wens nos tess sensseeneneucomnieree 158
OLtruitsyimprovement needed in) =. 222 2s ss hnessorccccucatscoasescerssecea 201, 208, 220, 300, 348
Peach, Barnard, spots upon.--...-----.----.--- fase eee eR ol Sen kt deve Sesame ens eoeeeee 376
Duds rolablvemardINOss! Ofer nos cescss coee Coacene case ano acesnccser ose ens weeeeeeeeen eee 351
CHILHreRVanionusiphasesiO leas so. sea ee cas conc ee tle en sod cconme nes dease de ecjesscsseues 52-63, 287-310
Peach growing tutureior invMichigan. os. .22 <5 .4--22'oeaccess-nee'saanessese'cesscosseans/deuee eee 165
ineWNIteGe States ease aot ee ee once ee eee ceccs es sees set emeeueoeeees 287-310
MichitanisraaVantagesinczsc- ssc eea-cac- 25 snono Sesemeee ese oa os oekeleneere 163
EE © Hite) ra tee ET Lee ee ee re at Has IC es ec cdaasd ces dea twasdepeeneereeeae 123
PGA Ch oreh araeaviewSnntky me MOL gece ees oon oh eae eon aco cew Soeeeee ccact ooseceeeesesesevisona 312-323
OLTCharas pMIitroOsenHOUSMMANUreS fOlss-- oe oe can soos ae nee cece peo a cones sneer een se enee= 281, 285
SME Aes CSELIPLLON OL secess tceeee eae casa on con eeeedaee ss eo aa ener cocc\sucwacieecaa 54
BERGH-TODtHAT hi Seen ere Onna Soe coe oe do ae on Lode mencacua dugenni=scehsiacceee 343, 345
PERCherotwirea lin Gu telORee eee tae nee eo oe ene cece dudews bonne sSeeetemaseueeeee 298, 332
REACH ALO eEs iv aTleliGsiO tees ts sete on oe eo ens Socnae ec ccoute oslnsncduteawoudas'octeesiescoucncees 373, 376
GLOW T= 2 OL pene oe see ee ee OL aie, Soa aude nebaetlcecnekic cevan cebeamaesder ee 134
MOUHOAs Otc Ul UU Obese scan ee ea sd occ ood ocne cha cnnes Secdat sonceaeare aes 29), 295, 347
IM MEK OLIN Sesto see ec nian oceanic cles one wenn elecabaneee sata seCelanan ee 292, 302, 303, 347
MOLES OMSV ATI GULOS TOL see oe ae oe eae Oates ook Scececeeers aceasta ieee 231, 2385-246, 373
PIBACHEULCES FLOTUILIZOT SKE OR se eco ae ee i ee ee owns oe cac occ coseakisecserOusemeeeas £95
EU ELED TEL a0 Lone ae nee ae te ey 8 obs bod esate nee ameree eeeeaee 296, 310
TLOAt MeN tw HON IANG INGE seasacescee conse acee ene skis /oveces Soccesurssc Useaseacaueinannte 293
varieties of--.-....--- en an ee Mere ee Pike 6 2 5 oe (68, 376
Peaches, classificationof as townardinesss- 2. ota. ccatecncceecicccouoccceset--waswencedsoceceenesccee : 365
peabyzis KepeetiRd) gio <2 8 Se Sek ee ee SS NE en Se ee ee ee OCT 306
MOLHOGR OAD RO RIN Wiese reek eee eo saen seen eee ococaicie seeds ccceeaunanvassaescaw sem aaneaaees 303
ACHE Os pl ae ee oe ee ee rc eee ese ee oe won ss ee sbknieo se eeer 307
picking and packing of..........--..-.---- Dt Aap Ue ok Sed os a eee 300
Bi pmonOLiroMmmvMichi panini Gian. sseen seo seas. cen beeen eececacse-cule-caek weenie 74
thinning ofe-seeses. beens Se ng eee {he Se Se ee ey ecco 300, 333
PERT LS HT GHUSGL EN Ciirestinl Olt Ghose a reese ae cee ew oon enc c ea Socdewetesenaecnae eee 370, 378
CHLCUTSN Be rcignicOlnii yeas aneeeneee ee een en foe 2 ee cade naceaevaeeeeee 169
este e OER VAIO ESO hieeee sate ee mie ee ane oP ede eae eee 374
CULUELEUNTITO LITO LSI OI Sern aei seers ena I ee ee ay oe eaewnatehawowen 170
notes upon.......... nn ere tere eee ee To Sues dcobesnuce domens eeenee 232

TLC 1 LRUL LO) eee ee eae RC a ecu cusewocuuenmence anaes 171

406 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
iPeartrees; No watO; Seb. 22 Soscoe aoe e = sees demas oe acest es es petnaiae eT en eee eae cence sata e eee meee 170
PLUNING Of) 2 sa ee sacle es alee os oo a noe cere en cao con ene eee eee cee eeene 5 taytara cna s sane 170
LEtEe YE ven (eyranors (Cope sake MKS] CUNO) 72) (0) Pee os Sn oeorso Sar DO UHC eb sees Sie) 65> SeqcoStinSE AS corer Seren 24
PLOLb AN SrOWIN Seon eaten ace cee = Seale =o ae oes aa ae a elcema eae eee cern samt ence eee ene elem ore 25
Ssowingotiniapple:orcharas.2s.-52 22 -a=~cneecsnes = sae ae eee ence ee wie eo ee ees eeaen 259, 276
Pests new andvold ese ee ee Peet ebb Soci ec oon oo ee Same ote mossorma= Sosa 131
Pinhole borerotcthespeach 22.0 essse esse cce> fnas ocean ean eeeete etae eroniee seeemeenree ee 133
(Planting, Oxeess/Ofoccos-~ sea csceses cubes sasee betas ecase seen sens aaedacieamran te eee aaa" aoe eet ees eae 177
Plants, 'seasonsiof rest fOr s.¢-s2-c'sjns sesso cons aeee oe hee meee eee te eo ae ese ecco ae ee ee eerie 248
Plant ibest: varieties Of: 22 222522 as se cee oe cee ae code wn soem nneee noo ceee een ae sae saan sae eenmeee 373
blad dersyor DOCK OCS E= = aac cee sac me aml cele eee ae le ee 137
buds: relativervhardiness of. .-2.---b eee e-seenes-) Geosene eee. esen ae eee cee: eee eee ee 361
culture:in’ Oceana county 2. . acc - = fence le Beene wan ee senior ae sone toe eae ee eee ae eee 43, 49
western New YOPrK ‘<2... 2.c2s.e 26-0 Seeasciecees eee cece este ences cence cc aceon ocean 45
Gulbure, poimtsyin 23.0 22-5 ovate cecssae cee So ecle meres sees aoe oes a eeemeac pee See eee 172
Plum=-prowing notesh@pon! 02. ccseuasacocsocececeee> «sa ccmee ewes oe een aces eaten eee sass cee eee 232, 2383
Pilnmiorchard sarge: qn. oe ssec doc bataacdes coc ae soci oe coe ueeeee eae (omic aa Ce ee ee are ncle wae rene 102
TOU SPLAyVINe LOM seess thes Sse se ho cee eke ou eee pes eaten eco see ate aee te gees eee a ee ee ee 331
the: dbyon; naming of 2. 2.0 22 cele c ae hac eae aed eee oe ae aoe eee eae eaten eaeleoe eas 366
preferred varieties Ofsc.2checieso-ccckweb von aeccceecosaseas oo- face dete aee seleeeeee ae ee eee 46, 373
Plumitrees va disease Of 222. se --o2 ccna escnen le scee je caren nemee eee oe acce ec as chen ae enneaese eee 137
dropping/of léavesi0f. =< coccscls scicccccecasanc sueoemecas coscsee oe ceneee seesecaea see sare 376
TOLENIZEN LOT oa aceen eek ceseaat cee eeee secon s See ooo oe See oe coe eae sess eee eos 101
following oldvapple~orchard:ee-csne---su lene asn tees ceees= coe ceniseseces passe eae eee 377
PEUNIN GOL is So ee os eee eae ee oe cab ene cle eet wanes Se Sa se ee ee ere eee ee ee eee 178
remedy, for unfruittulness| Of. 2 2) oceccoe acne eee cee eaae ce ee eee eee wane cece eae meee 375
SDEAVING Of2 22) bu beta ceecest cot sons ans egideecas bes cesle desea Ss oepectaes cee ceeteeseeeree 173
Varieties Of cds cctsk ca ek Sot en we ok oss n oaee Sule senbuw cna ebeese eects oaece eee eee 173, 273
IPlnms:a mew :diseaseiof = 2225552 oes a eee ee ee as Seat Eee See eas 47
classification of sasito hardiness lessees se eee eee socal ae oacce cee eee see soeneeeeee reuse 2 365
Pollinationsof blossoms 2.422225 eos esse eee eles se ates eee ce toot oes abinte Seen mee ee nee eee Ce aan 362
Productiveness due to certain physical conditions of plants._...........----.--.--..------------- 249
Profit iromiwrapping fruite 2.2. c2stsek oc saseceecn cess oe ases Soe kce oasceoe weet eae eee beees See eeeeee 156
Profite:greatest un the fancy Marketess2.c5 cece ee Ske eat eo tie soa Sens Senne ee ete ee ae aes 156
Pruning ibesttime Lory. oes eae ae tee a el ee eta Se Sra eTelecare ee re em ee 330-335
IM Winter eaters ee eet cece eee si op trode eet I AEE Re «SPI ADE mabe tare ene na ga 331-335, 369
objectiand limitationsiol jase sta es ae ee Oo ne Oe ee eee ee cee 326, 329-335
Ofpeachitreeste ater coset eco eke Seneeeoe ant eae ee Ses cae eee 61, 296, 310, 369

R.

Radishes. reniarkssupons ss. a sess Sasteccces cece se sao ae ee ee eee eee 353
Rapp, OWN= paper Dy. oss as acs ae es SSeS a ee ee a ee ee ee eee ee eee 210
Raspberry -notes'onivarietiesiOf: 2-4: 220 cote ccc oo ae eee ee ee eee 234
thescultwresof=a2t<tectes cc seeks eset wb tte ete Se eee Sn 35, 37
Natvestin gots. =e =e ee ee en Cee enon ee ae ee epee ae 36
Marl borosexperience swith c2ecssssse es <n sesete once sooo ee ee ee eee 34
Varieties testedas secc.ceaese eee ce aces 5 oan eet ee ek ee 34, 36
Raspberries: profits fromme-+ 225 5-2-2-- = eee eee oe soe doiscu eb Tae ORR Re ee 37
Reldtldwy Crannualreporti bye. s.2cee= cece eae con sacs 2 Sea Sasa ee ee eee eee 197
Reportsiof this! Societys vaelueiole:ssoss 522545252 sss css ee eae ee ane 200
Hesolutions]ce 22522 = Stem se Ss ee oe Oe eee ne eS 2, 112, 193
Metrospectiol the: Society +q-22s.2a tess Soaks ess es da asek see eee 204
Review or theryear,) 8o61in horticulture: 222. 3423-25. <2 oe ee eee 198, 231
RiGee epOnti Dyce recs oen an eeee ee see cece einconsesse setae sodas day oh eI Se eee eaten ee 92
ROLE AVIVA ADE SDYaacene ee eee serene ton atau Bccdue ste neis oceans ee ee ee 9, 346
Rose; besticommercialvarieties Ofc secsae core oe oes ec eecc dk eco eee e ee Se So ee ne ere aes 254
culturevoutsideiand underielassies..<c2secsscoccnae cero aces oa eeer oe ene eae eneeee es 253
hybridiperpet ual wwarietiestors=s225 +22 s2e22 52 2. 3 ee ee eee 253
hybriditeas varieties of sci ete ee eae eee ae 253
Roses; motessupon : 22024 5 2 ee A a ee oe Eee ee 247
Rotroftheipeach: treatment for ss. 2242 eee eS See eee 298, 332
Russell asd spaber by csecoas 2s canis sae ose ae bcos soc cece eee a ee a ee 165

INDEX. _ 407

BUsispnureing—p lanes) Olseesssece sean cence ee se Sa aces cane esac cerescoacsansecpescivccnse es Be ee 356

GinDY CANO DOa HS sae sas ee eees ee ao tee olsen een aan aman cen wodurianee’= nvoe clo cn seniescceminncsaans 356

FEV GOS SLGCN MANU Omseep seeders ona aca e anak ersten cese potas wnccdeeesscect et! coctsoeeeen ees 356
S.

Sesle. San sOsesGescriptiGn Olio. cas csc. a25— soa sda ce sean Hoo cewceaas seewece= Seceae casdo.Jesace sans 131

TOMARRAAUPOM see ewe ae cc ace eens Se oe Been ancer sawbes ocscecsety Codann cpeceese 340

tremtMOeNntOlse=— ea tee con so eae ean oescne meena a casabarciscecceseaseecsou sceces~ 132, 137

Seti Pal eeos, SD TMP Olt all ees ee ease a = swan fet acne amram ene eenintrace = aaemnenn aan Sees ea en ee 187

BiTOTAVGOC "hv. EDAD OI ON ecces erate acess coset eaeae ea gemenran sect ae ee cat oe- co euneeees bee esse 159, 258

NEMEOTIEPA. HVV/-i DDO Vetere senebecces « swcce sates cw ncaa te eae cree es eee hlUs 2 ose ta 21

Siineerland yerot iia VeD a Denby see sacs eee ne ecco eee nates sete noes tats fon eee 336

Sraallirinite pOuweenOlenard TOW St2scs— 5. 2- =2 eet ce as eee cee s seeeenwces cancesisa-seeecees case 183

SiihhesolmerDwpa pera DVinec. asses soscoc o-oo c cones eee ctes sbceeecetepeescescrs cock scna ool cesses oe 39

initio nnry ss papOMD Yrs coane ccac crac ce ee ot caso ek eoeas esse ses oc cc oe ee icae. ecasaeaebussstencsones cus 253

Syrnptilne, Shed bie) STA OTE On As Se a eee ae Sa ye Ee 261

STN AVIA A DADOILDY =~ ce wscaees asa woscas Wascecsees teceonedecseeseecs wkee ee oh at Ls Pee 116

Sona tS Hin oHOL TONPLOVONU = 22 <cacsassces ce oe owe sooo eee dooce ee eae encceeelcee sesecs fiises- st ete 378

MOPMUCANA Pa AICOVEMICTOD: -sscn esas casarsas nas sconces cecns sas soecenea cane tearm > tie eccs seseusetcon= 277, 282

Apray conipounds, jmprovements in =-2-5.-- oss ceasc-aeetencance cs wes snes erscewcsmoce eeecccsesece 338

MPLA Vine Ap DArAcUs Wl DIprOVveMoentsiNis << oss sane se eee cone et es eseeesseloasnasiace sence eos eescene 339

LOMCULCUI Ome tees a 5 oot ee aera ee ce eee cl Beene shod a ease ty Bcaties ene oweceioe was eeeaeese . 178, 179

PMI Oe eee seas ace sea ceeals see erie scniet eee oes oe cates eceeedseasweeccs Soesetocodess 331

PLOVONPOMIO’ VOllOWsicoccc pe sees oo ere a enceeia sede aes co ares ancincee es cpaees pee secieeeess 195

PEULMETEPSTOXDOLICN COM Nise a. oon seen a= naa ee seme ae ccCeee as ses wo coe ten 2 neces =e ESL OGIaTS

MCCOMB 0 Leese eee ee etae coe eke Roel ae ee eee a ren meta tits Sime eek GS 116, 119, 161, 173, 178

MeecossALyaAtOpPLoduchionOf APPLES sess sseae ee sweet sae oe Soe abee cease Wood owecesneees 274

OLAS WDEERICR some eraser es are cae na non Snowe aetns Kee cs eee cnet os a eee eetee 188

DCR ee eae ae oes ee oe cleo e Boa eee wan een ee ae nce k oso ses Sse cokes ate coca sare 171

DMM See see em eee on a Soca eta no Weenic sana caae ac oe ea seanesus ee Se eae eee RAS ROR ec 173

produces larger and better fruit..-.-_-.-- Sa eee erg ee ee oe ee ee eae 155

remarks upon -.....- RS tS op tee ee nes es ER ad Pee ee ee eee gee a ees 339

MENS DAP MEROAL MON bt Ofs= ee scan ecccn sot teaes oes eae sm cccen sensae oe sear cance al ccsiscns soba caseee 344

BLGHETIC COYNE DADE TIOV Ee coe essen ce Sa coca erate cae e aie Senet cdoe can) Soaten seasenjseoctalases 172

BLOvGn Nab DADOL Dye ese ee oan Se oe toe ae aiinrs Mae bersau sd en~ oe lcaecs Soese ceded ee rae eee 251

Sirawberry Culture, GIscussion: Of ce cessc-cess -cesce ceases cece onde ssenee sanccsceesnsscee=-osasen= 14

fier CU ASS Oh a ta a ge en 3, 6,18

thesmethods or Culture: Ofes= 2-3 ceseasesaesen nese won cee B petospeeccos cee sear 25 3, 6, 9, 10, 11

MILES WDOLYIOS NEI CHIN GO cesses a. cas. aa ca eons alee ce bee nele eae ta ten oe cene eee caosss seen eecesaseeaes 17

PLElLerredeyNrMeticsiOl==_o- Asso - eo soaks cee ee ee eee Seen cios seu cel eeenes 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14

BDrayin oc OLsrori Dl ehth-2 22. cance ace cledence Caen as oes ocset sess .catdeseacaeee -eneee 188

Subsoiling clay for small fruits.-....--..-.-...-.--- Peat eh UL EE RS Bis EE ey ee eee eee SS 375

SNCCOSS AW at CONRUEUUGS a co- can oe Soe cane ot anuane noseneneu ee ewescenScenate dooce oansseeaensectane 349

RrnanMer meeting proceedings Of sosese aces par ee ee eae aes pee eee neeas saatestem, So scbe cen cease 108
ine

Matiabrats bis ts, PADCIS D¥ico<cos cc so ew nee oe ate eee ee tone ea aetna a (541 IS ee ee 131, 220

Mariiuonii cules sTevision- OF COBITGO... cos ae- acs oceans ceeee ce ape ciGeenee wecarpinasees voosns Saoelomeaaera 191, 196

Thinning of rruit necessary for Dest TeSUIES: so~ ceeece oes sene eee peee et toa ces} weenes eenenseencenn= 158

RFA VE TOL UW ci Vig DADOL DY cc ctnace ance eceawane bea nceo Secs cue ats dwewauaneebesaucsaranessccesoome 350

Mransportasioniol (rats. = 2 ssecesao---ccewacwcatcuSesnanwedocd Re ee eee a a ea ae 144, 195, 212, 348
Vy.

Van Denia EP rots, Eisnts, | ROCTOSS) Disa sestes ana coe eee a ee nee sean wsemh sense nsen soa Sanccees 152

NWeretables carden, Onlitural requisites: Of_..+5.ce anon neo tena] dane eans mew eeeae cree ep sas-enensn's 350, 357

VA OLOtEMHOLESTU DOM sso cef soe eae rs Sd eee Ree Se et cnin aacan Re cod eees Uacuanoueven wc cay omcalety 248

408 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

W.
Washing of:soilito prevent =o: 22222 ssenc tos se eeese echoes ees eee ere eee 378:
WVastenw ater Uuseol1ca DOU tiLneeSasecce sca te as oceania Ser aeieee See ee ee ee eee 100
Wielely Cai, ssDaDOre Dye seca cee ean bie s Seca aa SaaS ae ae ee a a EER 3
WiesterniNew Yorksociety meeting, report Of.5-isocssssecee ees = see oe ee ee ae ee eee 95.
Whitten iC. paper bys ses esate oe coe Se tcl eee Se ator een Oe te MERE eciee La fe ka a ee 11
Winter meeting. proceedings Of Js. -2~- 23-5322 Saat tose ee aoe e eee a ae ae ee ee ne 1
DUNN Pees ee ees eee se ees ee Se ae ee a See 331, 333
Wrapping frultsprotitia ble 22s ce eecles sees ease Soe eee en oe ee es cane eae 156
Wes
WellOWwsiOL the peach; Temarks Upon 22-2). 2) oe ae ee ee el a eee 297
SPIraAyilns aipreventive Of 2-2-2. 2.-5 cee ee cae ee ee eas ae eee 195.

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