ipyieeehss el icy isis mitt et Hin ited ty ions eet ee ? Fates Uris i pean Sratsty te F\ =>; ies = leawrw'e ‘OW ‘uoURgey ‘UOS[ON ‘hb “VY ‘“pavyoro uy sejddv Suyjodaeg FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT peace’ Florticultural Society OF MISSOURI. ORGANIZED 1859, INCORPORATED 1893. MEETINGS AT PERTLE SPRINGS, JUNE 3, 4, 5; CoL_uMBIA, DECEMBER 8, 9, Io, I903. Pea eCOODM AN: Secretary, KANSAS CITY, MO. JEFFERSON CITY, MO.: TRIBUNE PRINTING ComMPANY, STare PRINTERS AND BINDERS. ese MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Te His Excellency, A. M. Dockery, Governor: This report of our Society work, of the meetings held, of the moneys expended and of the local societies and counties reporting for the year 1903, is respectfully submitted. L. A. GOODMAN, Secretary, Kansas City, Mo. City of Jefferson, January 12, 1904. To the Commissioners of Public Printing: I require for the use of my office five thousand copies of Missouri State Horticultural Society Report for 1908—three thousand to be bound in cloth and two thousand to be bound in paper—whicb I desire as per accompanying sample. Respectfully, L. A. GOODMAN, Secretary, Kansas City, Mo. Approved: SAM B. COOK, Secretary of State. ALBERT O. ALLEN, State Auditor. R. P. WILLIAMS, State Treasurer. ik * 2 eal ve 7 . State Hoticultural Society. V BO? OFFICERS FOR THE YRAR 1903... Governor A: M. DOCKERY....... 2.00.00. cnotnec Ex-Officio Member of Executive Committee D A. ROBNETT, President...... Secdisierate aes Reese are arate ii ccetaalatabare ctevereiere,siats/ajaie BST PS COOCHO COLE Columbia Ge Tee DEEN VACe-ELESICEN bs nels slolsinisic clelcialciecin sine isleleieleisisie HovBettocanccboounuaccnoncéoricectc Nichols C. H. DUTCHER, Second Vice-President. ............cccccccccccccccecccscscsscecces Warrensburg i, At GOODMAN, Secretary......sc00 Melaisieteieie (are Bar aiias cisco on guise sieisletriniaistetsteleicaisielorars Kansas City Wie Ga GANOS IPTeaSUrer coc ccs ccc sis seondebotancendeqaracooade™ mietteteieteletectale sterarctersrercver4 :.Parkville Cc. W. MURTFELDT, Third Vice-President for Life..........cceseeccsceceressveceerees Kirkwood LIST OF HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS. R. H. JESSE, President State University........ Blaleretaleratctaterstacelewsiorereralare arelet= Mi earataimet stele Columbia HON. A. A. LESUEUR....... geccene Addodsdec gacosuatonddads jcadaddorondecadedasacanndce Kansas City Us (Ch AONAUNIS! Beagacsmooodn nonadoascogdosaedacc Meleererareleteieores padaqdoadasnbepadadcessdconuabaddace Harlem WSIS ATE DBs WOT 2 010 econ coocuconggo dau nooncnencsooe Hobinentiannduodadovdeaodhe Kirkwood Ch ANG GAGE DIbIDING LLRs BG pGAkeboastncnccqoodoccoonEngonc Ce er elatatotoierctobataretate(erslelarattelaers Kirkwood TEIOINL INE adi. (EQIBINUAING Geode déondbossoocucoonocopcabenas saudccacadcad SOdaGtngoncdneonad c= St. Louis FENER OE pated Gren ISCBNEQING < a\eierstoiziarsieielerere ciers'sye Sunapoceoeedace Aaranee.docdosauoonatoonannddosmocde on St. Louis IPTRQURL. Wee VE BISIEO Ge ae Gpotanaces oopencascocopoonrT steasnes Meleraretofafaeraiersiete e cloeteiiniciorsers Independence IMIRONS Des ne GAME O NEON § ae eadaaoscencooroanacads neancesaccuddoranndoodcuucoche Washington, TC: SONA EWNU ER YZ Top erp aye) sparetesere ts exetaisiel staf eloiwiclaloiole « ejcfaistels/ste/sieia'ajeicralete’sfelelereleieielstels\s}sicirliehe|oiels(«/elacels St. Joseph PROF. H: BE. VAN DEMAN.......5.... Senbtaoabord Pueviastelsiois Raieiaterersielelets natoadas Washington, D. C. TET OIRS dg, bk ISHULNIS COIS Soco Bocce oceaobooonudecadoone neatacsacckobane ShnnGoncbescebacconcaée é St. Louis TEUEVAUN KG VEL OIISTEIN GBR: icine! sloe/eleiclerele's falalatn olaVelstetsieve cjotefeierelatssteistereieietateistefalsfela/= dobant cone Rosedale, Kansas WM. H. BARNES .......<.- clofaieratstatsietaterefeteretciaraisis cieiaiereta tistatelalarstalarcieiaiste eiaarnlectasieiaestoss Topeka, Kansas LIST OF LIFE MEMBERS. fn CrP EVPAONISS# a sialorete\ late lofelaicfaroielarelarevefo(staratelolatalsiatele:sfelefelslela’etelete!sieln efste/slefele atelatelafatevolatolateretete(ars ictal betayestiaate Harlea, TALE GOODMAN cites xs <5 icnwainsseieae ondodondcadooo5os6s000060¢ dtd do sadneocdcodusnadoud Kansas City DME UDUTIN ZAG er cjotaseln wtetarerete ticlate letelsitarele Malelebiofelatsiatetelsierelsicrste efefotelalerste faleafotaraletelofetelotciaisia etolota clot telete Fulten 1D, Ae LOVE INI DAMEN Sop oad se gedacaccomenaGde duadabodde Euae dar nacanuonedoonosodabusduoGasarccec Columbia CIGUAMS, IBIDABISIR: DecaasanseooabebccoanGguoc pophdnoaconc nnooonccoube Maletalalejeiat sid ciolaieretetetsietetatatetctetete y--seneca C) (IEE IBIVONINIS igaone donc OoOBBUCCOOGC COE COBONEcOcaonecCoOcbOndG Bialatctaie’slatalalalsicie‘sisievetalerelefeisteletarccaistars St. Louis RV Een VU AMILESESOTINISS UNI orars atecercisisinrerale’ sic letelsverstaisis eielsts’e ABndcABAnaaunddcosconbonorotoddenodenccuesY! Altenburg ISU Wife NB OMEN DIR Teo ceonneioncoccmoncoddonésondson SooncaaccbcocobbococucMucatooacteoor Fredericktown RUG EMI BV ELEUEYNID) Via) ian el OGGAIN oc; ste sisieleieisisl eareerararsolerelalers eieiensietare)atcacterelaveysstelavars ots Kansas City Maa Cn M LEON eS ETN otter tee (oleic a aiclets)o\ cin: siaiete’a efeisieietatice ce sieiciatsisies siejsls\e ecs.eis/e oie aie mise ieietsstetotalersieirels ere rielstsios St. Louis UTR Deo COUEG OV od scvcrapetcratarataierstoietete-e\ eracel overelstarcbeleravalciereiche syefers arava talereleretaleicarsteretcro stetersteraret teverelsioteistoretatet sts Louisiana Bere ET FOP WU STU AUER ett coat us ener nies uence SRE ORG UT air ee aan cS Louisiana Oe Ma SVTUATR KG rata ctatere ate lols) tastes ncale'oyeica’epateteteye) eta ciais vole o%e folate aistsiatatetatolelers mblotcietcioleeitisiteralielcietsinetcl siete Louisiana NV ctor SAUTE UKG for) ciclslalsrcisisisiereiatace dronnencocendedéoccadacadbusthidc docdocraddsenecosonduacécccre Louisiana EDGAR M: STARK ........... nboddacooratoadcnoneercocbadceacener Setstarcistetereloiercctsletaeleteern oie Louisiana Wire SWiRLKINSON cn. <2 onceac GUCOSICC ACOGABCROOEOROG odecéodcoac soocbbtogonedatedacc todd St. Louis 1st Ee, 0.0] De eee Pieri feicieteincislaivich arteeinincisis sole cases sists Geaaateecee Adonoecocucnccectone! Sarcoxie WH be MEO OAD UN | on cparnarcnnncneonur conte Raiaeraiciatete steel nialofeictavais aiciele meeteve clsfeleieeiste cielets ate Kansas City Tite WATS DIA re eleceic crits ute alnictcla’ataiccalale la timate ciatevaie eleia’eaielolaateciars daccoporocce Pa ritare ra aialeterintel ele sieteceinetetote Sarcoxie VI State Horticultural Society. LIFE MEMBERS. [By virtue of resolution passed June 9th, 1902. See page 88.] COIN RAT) SPAS Mirage wraretorarnic ovale dete tatela)teteielatetete otalotaicis?atsia’elaicieiera erates lain velerotetaretctetayatelaleteieisistersia erste enoryerare cts Smithville PACA Gem SMa IV UEU RRs tetelelafein'cloleletstelels plateisietslersitaletotetalelsts siofuleta lei efeteisiniolalatalereteleiottietate ataialetestelalsioe islets Fredericktown R. J. BAGBY & SONS ..............- cecees SOME NOUO CASIO SONA TOnSUcaDasanc.c/odspdasader New Haven TEST, PAIRON INTE IDM 7 gagdadoadostinn sdans0cuddousedcd0000 aiela(a cinta le ereiniereie sielaelclel es yaeriotnisi ste Willow Springs M. BUTTERFIELD ......... a ajatelaeleeterelerslorsieislels ndonooaacte sielsialsiRei cto are Sele ret eearersieitte tytsterersreval Farmington Ate COMBS) .-.-. aiatela eietalels ersinreisielessieieietelaterserstalsie Bandera boo cahdaopsamiadsancaqontasoc Ft. Scott, Kas. Sem Gen CORE Cisco ciceiccissis Bere ate Ane area ees Uibs tai weave aie lo ae moera ele Teve olcietabeteloticie rots itive cia tie slate teas iste einie refetsterstorers Odessa OAIOUE PMG deine wipe cies oetine nite sooogansanndso00ce tei iaielciaysiaielexeerets ie s/a) ciate aialsicieiotatateteye oleletererpteraelte Hannibai Nerd ouMED ANVIL GS) ans atetare otavarelnichetar storia latetetels bralerctelste{sfersinreleisiereteistete Sasa Geaisisisties diets gisteiais eapaaierts,< od CALLERS ODL ECan 19D WEED Sis ieisicts sieieieiere soba00 Saodeon oD a0n00000 Ba etece siofeiate jefe talolecoielaicisie ads eiioteiaesottiokei es, «| telayele Versailles HEGEL S CEDE IR vin cie sie lslareleisie Soo0doo0aD00n0 i elayereratate sldalarsie stators staleisvate aleinciewleiseeis oe staseinels nersiee Gasconade SILAS OES PRUAUIED: ctarereseloieiclataleieleictoievelsieieisiclelsietsrelstelsiersloislerersteleltiettsie tales eicets letra ta itataiels (opel este cite atetete Montevallo TOSMGAMB GH). ccicsescentles: spdomOnwag00ObO NE relalslotaleietorolarcterstereieciecsts Resa teee cpiacisiels sett rere ener Brookfield PED ete CSU TISCHY SS ON a taretetosetavotalelaraveletctatstalsiataleteie(alateteteleteletaieteieieratetel=teleleeteatelalelelsteie/eieis eats tea ietiels ais Warrensburg Wire Gn G AN! ee foie. nio(aleleveraerele cisleiotelolstelsteteloisin sletelersiaelersivtelsiemicleisieisieloleisiorsiiem clonicmtadine niet Maciel Parkville Ga iW. HOPKINS) ..:... Sia elefelaratein ofc e:ejaleie susiciaveiesets sles are olevefarisisielale/elsisletelereie (ela) eiete ie clerelaiaiain)«a.<|aielata Springtield 1D, LLARSMMOUN Genoses n'sicalelarateloleiate wielatelatolotafelaisielee sreymlesal ole wale eteteistalereieisioictars' eloistakets ai nisioesosiateraaas =| sais Virgil City Vy Dee VEYA) Ri SS NCO utara erate totecotateleialstsialaleinietatalsiets Taletelsinsrale'ssoyaveteressictolelete aleieievais Sicieiste sie Sitar sicinare we Shi e mieel reieate Union Vs 18f5 DN EMOIM Sasoanpdodc0san090500%0008 aia's ielaielafe elaia\ele sbeloisie/sseyale eles loiratela chal stoi stclslotatets) awsietarate arate Fulton NE LEB INDORE | Sosabhe dhocidddousosoba to sou bdoudDAcdnopodddudnbobouson ey zodoaSoIoseoO sons ocr Oregon WM. McCRAY ....cccccccccccssese socangoudgaagoasoes boon soabbosdoKuOONASASSIdIS IAIS5095 acKC Cowgill SIME DELAY) | a itectere.sicisieietelaisiae cists sialaweeisieiolefsssieis( viel disretaieiaVe’erenrorsjeine aiteles saeco sem eo eee LaPlata db ING WOON BIDE Gagosaoe ass taletate ote cfoletate’ sie sin oiaje)ciatereysleietoieieisteleteisie stnvomisiersistatc histo eichel vs cieteeeretets Weader Oregon J. H. MONSEERS ....... oosate elefoivleisie eleisieie’s.ajeieleisle clots feveicteisieieienreiciete sisie mereisieioieinicininic sae teioc ine eee Seaman COD OR imacistlsieistcrsleriste lolalovereleletetereie ale wicreralellevetelstetersysistelelelers\eteler=\clstctele oieyete/sisterelets tee feie oie atari Tatler eaateeret Holt BavA OPAL DE RSON( isc sei eis ieicieleleieis atelvielejelojelsialera eiuinieletefevalejola{e ele (blele!etoisloleeferensievetetntetsisinie =t-Tnieiets Kirksville RF, H. SPEAKMAN ............ sa tapas Stare tale ta Wicsclsie wy eiakotae ails Hinicce Stove piofeiayn brace eis cloratetsie lefelern nie ea eeieeetees Neosho fey, Wh MEOETAON Ao Agqonanoan F sialaie bb's co elaletelelela www nels ctu ietata pis © vole nlarelatwin's' ete eisiocmiats (otatvicls e's toi eee Nichols IB TRS OA OW DASE Sa phgnadatannonjnoscosuacos arciavare oletelaieteiels sleicroialeitieis slelaloremieieloteievee icone toe seeer Princeton SUMMED CLIN Y Liles) rep O elsteisinielslsio sisiniaisinieisicls(ets Revie sieiwratetnelste'pltalselele Bite leer e alee era nitions stele tt taste Sarcoxie 2 CC VALET MAS DBRT Ganoangaonanoaacansonc6 BSS HRS aR RCAC A enEACO DAZ ASticr ic aGp nASH ha pUOb AOS Co: Columbia ACES ZL MU MAN 1a; cjersjacsieweieseie Sele sisinseciomine ese nisioclo oes Bie bei Cie esis cae Cnet eee cattsas ahi Weatherby Lisl JOr Gy AG CATWOOd Sodedseses- SGOAOSG Springfield ee ACE Bey A COCK ois o:iaietersernerscteveiccs Warrensburg Anderson Tully Co.,...... Memphis, Tenn. Eee ePAIILGM: cyciercrewtecciccisele ’..Carthage, Mo. (Ce Go EBC Sodantoonoapancdeese aaa Boonville EMSA GbOT a mcn asanasieacess ae cs Nauvoo, IIl. pe Sees CECTSLC] Oy -ccteicis se ore Lee’s Summit eae SUI CYe -scyacleciecinies seine ce stinine care Fulton WY PDS STASSLONOS Ss ccaicicneccice veces Mexico GeO OLEV aca cioeiicccssincn es scars St. Joseph Tie Je SUCTILCS . sosicjcetslastes ¢ atc svsran toute Morrison PARC ESOMMEVAM T scavee + ef istele ale cicnicwneiere King City RTD pe ES UG CT sess cinto, ojeie sioicinielaieleiaie Stara ceteteare ote Amity din (Gal ssp fe7245 ae VER ens ce eee Versailles CEOs IS OOMEe md Leacscsiecin cheats siete ora St. Joseph SVAUIAY WIESVALOINY oy cto,craiciveraie a Sale nels selstaysie. Wheeling H. W. Blanke..1130 Market St., St. Louis Win Ns CM GUIC Es cine cs ssjeie nie clots srosiers Richards MOSHI CMEI lyric cicapeniecintes Columbia Mrs. Jos. Baumgartner........... Columbia el eS IS OTT ie co cre cterel orescence Columbia IMaros = 1syolenaa kee waprocaEaepnoeoeane Chillicothe Bess sbuccertield ss. .cc.dcce ss Lee’s Summit [Aa ae SALLY yrecmeccces dieielete Careline ine Bolivar rey SESE trie creree otro terete ois eetererleeeis Mayview J jake Ie Blakely wai ckolmvore sitiatacofalefayerereave Platte City Uy OS G83 9 tal a ae asnisen aes ober Parkville Dep AM YiCT a. ctecccasicls cis scissiceuace McBaine MO Mem aE CTUS Olin crcloreicinrs ehsiainrs cee Aatee tee Columbia Spins Pp ES ULL EN cas cele tistecc neice cece Versailles Inigo VIDS MIB RWE 0/GCS Aaa COpRBERAraacodbres Vinland Mi oy IR CAZLOV ctaaiscisc se ec teceelas 6 Columbia One As esses el Bas se eenerenen Urbana, Ill. Vie CALC icnsrasuicsce neice tee orerets Marble Hill ELV Sen OOO Kate, Atateidel sie Nurcisininetae ee eran Potosi HU io @LOSS ea nc cecissaeis erwinee cee cieoe Allenton Wir Ga Camp DOM << erasers) sivtsyerae asi eisve St. Joseph CO EBOLrOMISer sn acene ase oc Vinita, Ind. Ter. PAGE e1T LOT Ie ern os cccce Sociselerescisieiine sie Randolph Wire tse © OUIUIS. te ct cs cies siereetinticierree Glasgow NIE SRO) SC OLR irre os vicueies selsoeve watererniots Springfield Mba PIVS MCUIV GL cacvcles siinte-are screens Koshkonong Ores CIRISTOMSECTI. acta mncinesccses Bells, Texas LEON ee @LOISS ER eater nc casio nercaoriee ae Bourbon iby AGS a Deis ee OO aeaeirs Jefferson City Gere Duteherwskkescssessou Warrensburg 1a AWE DIS 0) 1 ese Seana ob OGRE HORE Holton, Kas. LEXA er Vite eI) ayer. een sheen etaet oes Bismarck Eee DAWSON seta elctclcie aie suietccis ceieneie Elsberry icicle ed Donate lace at cee cees Welch, Ind. Ter. PAS OUTIKCS Are yects suiekeine cn eee Weston Ah Apa BIA ih daeton GEaGeESHEGe SABES Steedman EXte SGNVATOS a atrch oseccesiee. Peirce City is al Cage a] Dia VOU Se Ooo GOO ono ae Centreview JDO UNS Dist ni ee tE aR DEeOcG ERR ean See aoe 6 Howard Row, Memphis, Tenn. ID U OMEN al ASTYSS) BoA GHOOr cane OnE RE ER AAtk Rolla WATE EN CISET: tt Socieyecinn cc Ne Seat Bea Parkville dit 1D ceed Soli Walc Foor ergo pe tanabnbr Fairville Tien DIINO Seto onus pace rc teeter Rushville EVO ee ROnSViGHE™) pac cicteseiete hears Farmington VV ie ASE OVEN OW. fc2.¢0cue owls cata Martonville PEIN aU Cryer etapa piatoreicis Gite au eee Fairfield MEMBERS. 1s pd she NEE Ae ihe one ee mAR tL AORDOE Mulberry Mord) (Sc INenmedly:ssscccis cis celeste Parnell TaN c LICHT OL sens seecine of lone cteleer Mt. Grove BECE id VW CUO WS toeeceseceneret Columbia GeV ae Orie Yatrecedccicesloc dockins Columbia See Tis CTE USO sec cists seine Warrensburg RITES Oh ME TUS aeeaictas «ic eisterioe ieee Warrensburg Ge AS BHOELEIS ocies cleicics Louisiana ye ARTO TOR icra setaiataretote/< acotczesoa ciate Alton, Ill. Wire ERISA Retires, ocsisleteseveueiaielovels ore! crete e siciainle Potosi A fn hae ab Os Cohicltemannarinooscecananocane: Bourbon Wirse Weaver. kvOO MCU Cer sases ae Columbia Eee GS PRICK ATASCTIN se ccicisiielsimaete mets Neosho AS (Smut. sy. arene cleccietiela Gistetsiseteine Chillicothe W. J. Stevens....... Pope School, St. Louis EPS VAM CSUCI tercsivisiciettsisislelasis Zaloteis Sunlight * A. V. Schermmerhorn..... ....Kinmundy, Ill. SAW Sieh iovel Ando sancoondoddes Richview, Ill. Gee eS CSHE Tlutetcte clea clstelsle reins siaiane’e West Plains Glace, Mig Suehiorbhal Sspananccadoanpobcce Dalton ED GNM Groton ais.cicavere sheets sreleinisyale Glasgow AMY Wis Siyyehanawnr “sigsndadounsancans Mt. Grove i SSN OG SVASS cee ater claw soe oe neielalctelieerers Wea 39th and Wyandotte, K. C., Mo. (EAA SS OLUTLOIS top relerelosetelerars alcis slcieie/eterainate Wallace Seu Eager LUT Cla Ceaatet tel cleteteverscaieteles\simia ts elevele Rushville a 1S Stet yell le eeismgcancedadeade Warrensburg AIS Ghyatol Siren dieses Asscococconoadaceo cbc Stark dive Vena Syeroiiles do6haening cooper Cannel Gravel Point IW EL Strong? vod ici ckeccese ese sue SCHEIN Is (DLA DRS Srepliloee een reeae 4029 McGee, K. C., Mo. IN pods MS ING DIET Carters: ore cisctaletesa¥is, ovpiesoterateters Eldon AN (GH) SPineyoe ls ehond sbononodgopedeen St. Joseph er ees SING Ci seces wiccs s.crielefriei sca eistetere Moberly INNGhet ye Sicha cogdoacoe acanokoos Brunswick ET OmSCOCIS hice anrae alesis ictemietela escent Columbia ODE ear Cal ciwahvantreatesiassieataststers Paynesville Shi'a) MN aiGiemitornsaemonedaaemcoddeoc Blackwater GeosiSs eLOWMNSEN Gh. cis steicteete's enateisomttetale Troy Bea. Mo) oy bd Renn aR aMeecararinn saad <0 & Nichols ia GBS ela Novo lo eRe arco cstocasonac New Franklin De PAY CUITM EN aantentectasciniert South St. Joseph Jigen H PUGS So hatjenmreceseciocs Coffeyville, Kas. (CiNoW MD Mio} MOS Ss waAwea 5 ookoUS Lee’s Summit oA. Llavor, Wynewood, Ind. Ter. SI ROIN LOC Gia Nevoetcta sletaiets aie tetietevarereteverein ota eis Fulton 15) Meh ebaibbaenshalpcgagoedvonoccs cc Auxvasse IPs, Ace Viale WW PATO Nc). cts lale».s.00 eter D cropacleletoie items aels Grain Valley, R. D. 21 He (Harnest. Vienne. ce scias cee Lockwood PAR AGED aS UL SS Lc UIRUK ate seralcteve’ ove ccxn) # sieeeieetee Oregon Wi Ie Wi ST ee erecta cir steve cce's slaaicteete Marshall TSS) BVT py EM QUEL rot teterate, ctecucaceieleieis eo savers eter ee paoata ...--.93 Nassau St., New York, N. Y. CD Wise TO LD rete clereiste ley c's cle Chicago, Il. Car AWiallae i renciracicciiers ale icles oe notes Jackson Ty Prey AVG OTe aye aicie ts scetaieic cass ‘ole Sieve eisseleeree Mexico ELEM yi WW SUIS. ser eile se mjelnieiemes meer Wellston (CP eH Watben balck n.:. 3 asi. slew eins Morrison SOT TVOMW WAT Curate) fevers cs sare c/s eta aiste steteaterers Wappapello Di aN SW Al clot era aeeeesEreenasd on). Nichols GHORS AWiOOOSONK 625.5 3.0 fk voceeereee St. Joseph Debts s VVEIISCIE saris isis Se Sie ha atone te er Liberty 1 ISU ee hye eg oa kz) a OS IS oo Cn) Nichols WV PED WViSIUUS ii ien. cco siiesin selsinieys stent Glasgow TC. \WalSoniys v=. Station D. St, St. Joseph DNA ca ca ep RU LS OWT Ya tale ics ovevelatebelptete res iovovere St. Joseph AG 1G. WO OUEON IS. waeiess/eiatarcis oe le o's sap oteateieters Troy ES FB: p WaKE TSO Tiss ete sire escielaisie oar eine Mexico ETE iradiet, WAU EUD cre etareieleleloteicieieieleie’orn)= a mintele Columbia GEV. VALID ATNS .Oieeiciniie sisiels we'sie Humansville EVM WUC OU cctetetclelataierareseceisfoiciets shel rateierars Nichols IFXoVo MMM Willies e aa seesapoedsone Louisiana Sis WialliamSomi ce cite cine acre os celerae Miller State Hoticultural Society. ib LIST OF MEMBERS—Continued. Some ESHeRVV EL ESTIC Tie raeta te. clare cleyere ciecteacs es aitte Sarcoxie MIN © AVES OM. oszraret cers ote eta craiereia ears o/arese Hannibal DUIS VAC usitcte avs clefaleleietasis ose cc's Springfield Te PAR NWVLLLISIR: aac natccre aust steelers silane ee aels PAW tLIITE Os AVNCLLOL ccc wa 'celeivieiola.cisie e\sieiaice ATCO RECM lel mins tiatejelele stele 403 15th Ave, Milwaukee, Wis. peel Fis GNWWAIGE 3 iSsic cece caccc as wste'ets Sarcoxie CaM Williams ic cventsass ascecm acces Laclede RETPONVT LO Start eee s eisiciictelaseic sie creole misc Sarcoxle SV Vida ee del IVNO OOS (fate cle's cieraivieislsi cian steele Sarcoxie CAE Zeitin eer wicaucse desc cee ieee Zeitonia WHASs AWWALSOME w ceemcwe dolce se awataecss Sarcoxie 0/99 aol Bane A bol oR Ce Aree ee ee ee Nichols PAC ILOMS Wane siccletielcnlelcclcseitet cients Nadine ASI ZlmMermdans. cs ocecteies ee Amazonia LIST OF COUNTY SOCiIEaT LHS: Adair County Horticultural Society— R. M. Brasher, president, Kirksville. A. Patterson, secretary, Kirksville. Audrain County Horticultural Society— M. B. Guthrie, president, M=2xico. K. B. Wilgerson, vice-president, Mexico. R. A. Ramsey, secretary, Mexico. W. G. Hutton, ass’t secretary, Mexico. Wm. Eagan, ass’t secretary, Mexico. W. M. Pearson, treasurer, Mexica. Barry County Horticultural Society— W. W. Witt president, Exeter. E. B. Utter. vice-president, Butterfiel G. G. James, secretary, Hailey. J. C: Crane, treasurer, Exeter. Barton County Horticultural Society— B. D. Hayes, secretary, Lamar. Billings Fruit Growers’ Association— J. W. Washam, president, Billings. Wm. Watkinson, vice-president, lings. C. E. Purdy, secretary, Billings. H. H. Stone, treasurer, Billings. Members, 25. Bil- Birch Tree Fruit Growers’ Shannon County— V. H. Kirkendal, president, Birch Tree. F. Anderson, secretary, Birch Tree. Association, Bismarck Fruit Growers’ Association, St. Francois County— Cc. J. Tullock, president, Bismarck M. H. Dowling, secretary, Bismarck, Boone County Horticultural Society— D. A. Robnett, president, Columbia. D. M. Hulen, vice-president, Hallsville. Jas. Baumgariner, secretary, Columbia. Samu’l Baker, tresurer, Columbia. Members, 40. Butterfield local, Barry County— Morris Bayless, vice-president, field. I. R. Crane, secretary, G. D. Bethune, treasurer, Members, 12. Butter- Butterfield. Butterfield. Benton County (Ark.) Horticultural So- ciety— Cc J. Eld, president, Bentonville. I Henthorn, vice-president, Bentonville. I. B. Lawton, secretary, Bentonville. L. H. McGill, treasurer, Bentonville. Members, 69. Callaway County Horticultural Society— D. M. Dunlap, president, Fulton. R. E. Bailey, secretary, Fulton. Central Missouri Horticultural Associa- tion— AS Tuttle, Dr: Chas: Boonville. Boonville. ist vice-president, president, Dawie, Mrs. Jas. Boonville. Eugh Roberts, secretary, Boonville. W. A. Smiley, treasurer, Boonville. Members, 20. Gault, 2nd _ vice-president, Clay County Horticultural Society— F M. Williams, president, Gashland. F. P. Chedister, secretary, Linden. Berry Growers’ Association— J. I. Sparks, president, Gashland. Conway Horticultural Society, “.aclede County— W. H. Getty, president, Conway. R. O. Hardy, secretary, Conway. Cole County Horticultural Society— W. A. Maddox, president, Jefferson City. Henry Hentges, vice-president, Scruggs Station. A. J. Davis, Secretary, feffarson City. Cc. A. Dix, treasurer, Jefferson City. Members, 20. Everton (Dade County) Fruit Growers’ Association— J. E. Gyles, president, Evert5n. L. L. Gibson, vice-president, Everton. W. S. Wilson, secretary, Everton. Members, 238. Exeter Berry Growers, Barry County— T. G. Johnson, president, Exeter. K. Armstrong, vice-president, Exeter. J. Armstrong, secretary, Hxeter. _Jess Talbert, treasurer, ixeter. Gandy Berry Growers’ Association— J. P. Boyd, president, Sareoxie. J. MeMahon, vice-president, Sarcoxie. H. H. Bean, secretary, Sareoxie. Joe Dodson, treasurer, Sarcoxie. Members, 100. The Grafters— E. H. Favor, president, Columbia. J. B. Hill, vice-president, ‘olumbia. J. Lee Hewitt, secretary, Columbia. Members, 17. Greene County Horticultural Society— Theodore H. King, president. George A. Atwood, vice-president. Earl B. Hopkins. secretary. H. H. Park, treasurer. cenry County Horticultural Society— M. L. Bonham, president, Clinton. M. G. Conden, vice-president, Clinton. J. M. Prezinger, secretary, Clinton. H. T. Burris, treasurer, Clinton. Holt County Horticultural Society— N. F. Murray, president, Oregon. J. N. Menifee, vice-president, Oregon. Wm. Kaucher, secretary and treasurer, Oregon. State Hoticultural Society. XL LIST OF COUNTY SOCIETIES—Continued. Koshkonong Horticultural Society— T. M. Culver, president, Koshkonong. Cc. M. Alderson, secretary, Koshko- nong. H. C. Huxley, treasurer, Thayer. Laclede County Horticultural Society— Phil Donnely, president, Lebanon. W. R. Mellvane, vice-pres., Lebanon. B. H Cowsgilly secretary, Lebanon. M. W. Serl, treasurer, Lebanon. Members, 50. Logan Fruit Growers’ Association— Prof. A. Stark, president, Logan. G. N. Boyd, vice-president, Logan. B. Logan, secretary, Logan. N. Beckner, treasurer, Logan. Members, 65. Leasbury Fruit Growers’ (Crawford County)— H. N. Lyon, president, Leasbury. Cc. P. Lindsey, vice-president, Leasbury. J. L. Fulton, secretary, Leasbury. Association Tiineosln County Horticultural Societyv— A. H. Kercheval, president, Elsberry. T. O. Maves, vice-president, New Hope. B. C. Benedict. secretary, Moscow Mills. Cc. F. Wallace, treasurer, Brussells. Linn County Horticultural Society— A. P. Swan, president, Marceline. I. D. Porter, vice-president, Marceline. H Long, secretary, Marceline. J. W. Porter, treasurer, Marceline. Livingston County Horticultural Society— FEF. Kk. Thompson, Chillicothe. D. A. French, Chillicothe. J. T. Jackson, secretary, Chillicothe. J. W. Bird, treasurer, Chillicothe. Members, 59. Madison County Horticultural Society— A X11 State Horticultural Society. LIST OF COUNTY SOCIETIES—Continued. ’ R. F. George, secretary, Peirce City. W. A. Rhea, treasurer, Peirce City. Members, 116. e Phelps County Horticultural Society— Robert Merriwether, president, Rolla. Albert Newman, secretary, Rolla. Polk County Horticultural and Agricul- tural Association— G. W. Williams, president, Humansville. G. M. Briggs, secretary, Humansville. A. H. Schofield, treasurer, Humansville. Polk County ciety— A. W. St. John, president, Mena, Ark. F. S. Foster, secretary, Mena, Ark. G. S. Graham, treasurer, Dallas, Ark. Members, 50. (Ark.) Horticultural So- Richland (Pulaski County) Fruit Grow- ers’ Association— Jchn C. Evans, president, Richland. W. W. Hillhouse, vice-president, Stout- land. H. W. Rausch, secretary; Richland. L. C. McCully, treasurer, Richland. Members, 25. Purdy (Barry County) Horticultural So- ciety— ; U. S. Lane, president, Purdy. H. W. Marshall, vice-president, Purdy. Cc. M. Bennett, secretary, Purdy. M. Roller, treasurer, Purdy. Members, 65. Randolph County Horticultural Society— B. R_ Boucher, president, Cairo. G. N Ratliff, secretary, Moberly. J. W. Dorsey, treasurer, Moberly. Members, 48. Ray County Horticultural Society— A. Maitland, president, Richmond. G, A. Stone, vice-president, Richmond. R. Williams, secretary, Richmond. Members, 20. Republie Horticultural County— J. E. Davis, president, Republic. Dr. BE. L. Beal, secretary and treasurer, Republic. Members, 40. Society, Greene Ripley County Horticultural Society— J. G. Hancock, president, Doniphan. S. S. Hancock. secretary, Doniphan. Saline County Horticultural Society— W. S. Huston, president, Marshall. W. C. Gower, vice-president, Marshall. Thos. Adams, secretary, Marshall. Members, 2. St. Francois County Agricultural Asso- ciation— P. V, Ashburn. president, Farmington. J. B. Highley, vice-president, Farming- ton. ; Maurice Highley, secretary, Farming- ton. J. R. Pratt, treasurer, Farmington. Members, 23. St. Joseph (Buchanan County) Horticul- tural and Agricultural Society— W. D. Maxwell, president. St. Joseph. R. E. Lee Utz, vice-president, South St. Joseph. Jas, M. Irvine, secretary, St. Joseph. Robt. Onstot, treasurer, South St. Joseph. Members, 45. St. Louis County Hortiéultural Society— H. Meyer, president, Bridgeton. Geo. Wiegand, vice-president, Bridgeton. E. W. Terry, secretary, Bridgeton. B. J. Koenig, treasurer Normandy. Members, 17. Sarcoxie Horticultural Association— Henry Foster, president, Sarcoxie. J. F. Wagner, vice-president, Sarcoxie. J. C. Reynolds, trustee, Sarcoxie. Andy Seneker, trustee, Sarcoxie. St. Charles County Horticultural Society— Dr. J. E. Edwards, president, O’Fallon. Jacob Schaeffer, vice-president, O’Fal- lon. Tony Moser, secretary, O’Fallon. J. S. Keithly, treasurer, O'Fallon. Seymour Fruit Growers’ Association— Webster County— T. C. Love, president, Seymour. G. L. Childress, vice-pres., Seymour. L. S. Witmer, rec., secretary, Seymour. F. A. Williams, cor. secretary, Seymour. T. J. Smith, treasurer, Seymour. Members, 38. South Missouri Fruit Growers’ Associa- tion, Howell County— Jeo. Comley, president, Willow Springs. J. Lovewell, secretary, Willow Springs. South Missouri Horticultural Association, Howell County— D. J. Nichols, president, West Plains. J. W. Hitt, vice-president, West Plains. Stoutland (Camden County) Fruit Grow- ers’ Society— J. W. Burhans, president, Stoutland. Henry Evans, vice-president, Stoutland. Janie W. Burhaus, secretary, Stoutland. Pp. C. Kennedy, treasurer, Stoutland. Members, 41. Vernon County Fruit Growers’ 5 -Vreipht on ‘reports. . 2.040603 Secitvttncs hace ates .50 | Boer M ENO CPOE Sve gen scl eieeer een oat ea ona ee 2.50 Bieie bt OManepOlisre. «asec es cats cease ae 2.05 | s 6 . State Horticultural Society. ~~ Zepe. 30; Hreight on reports, scence oy eer eS $2.05 ; Preight on reports .ix..2c% +: Pare at st bier 1.35 PTCIMt On TEPOLts arya viee eae he Mee eee es tO Salary 01 See y.1or April seer eee he eet ~ 66.66 salary of Typewriter. 1... as ate Pe 20.00 EEXPUESSiis 6 sae ek eee Be 4, ay hae hecho 87 Warrant No: 35205). sc: cise alee ae cee 140.98 May s0,. Lribune Printing Go.;express. Js Jes 2.5. ced $10.72 scotford. Scand Sy Cay-"type holdem sa. os 2.75 Pencils? Papetse tle... eee Saks este ae 4.65 Ty 500 PTOSTAMES da. tm Sereussyte peeteecnin into 9.50 Loo tolders: Oe iN Or va st tas, somes meee a aed 4.50 1,000 large envelopes (reports) mori. see 12.50 Warrant Nov 6300. 10 ike: Deena cana tare 44.62 Reva Ole 0s "OE Dill ss uey a oath, eoteceee ie ae ae gene eee $10.00 PS Qs billy 4 eee eicton ceccgaiee oats eee te 3.00 BOs pill hy Meee ws ae cant chee eee ne 20.00 Drayace wns tsarchios ao he eee ieee eee Lone 75 Salary ‘ol Setiyiton, Mayet 2050 severe 66.66 Salary of ‘Typewriterstor May os... 2 23 20.00 WearrantaNo. 36 sic. ined oleate Fate ee 120.41 Totalidisbursementstiasie co cise. ae cee nee $1,443.86 Pertle Springs, Mo., June 4, 1903. The Finance Committee have examined’ the Secretary’s copy of the Treasurer’s report, showing a balance on hand Jan. 1, 1903, of $398.31; receipts to date of $1,496.36 and disbursements of $1,443.86, leaving a balance now on hand of $450.81. Owing to the unavoidable absence of the Treasurer, and the impos- sibility of getting the bills and warrants to the meeting, the committee were unable to pass on them or compare the report with them. The Secretary certifies to the committee that the reported list of re- ceipts and expenditures is correct, and that he learned upon inquiry that there is with the National Bank of Commerce in Kansas.City a credit of - $450.81 to the society. | BENJAMIN C. AUTEN, Ep. KEMPER, . Z Tch opp; Committee. - af ; ~ Z he = ,, - Summer Meeting: — - 7 WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THE BIRD LAW? ; (Hon. N. M. Bradley, Warrensburg, Mo.) 7 On the 28th day of April, 1893, I was requested by your Secretary to prepare a paper upon the subject, “What is the Matter with the Bird Law?” Why I should be asked to treat this question, I am at a loss to un- derstand ; however, I am satisfied that the idea originated from our mutual friend, Prof. C. H. Dutcher, who is, by the way, your second Vice Pres- ident. He, knowing that I was a member of the last Senate which has be- come famous in the history of Missouri Senates, and whose experience will probably tend to drive thousand dollar bills from the channels of circulation, possibly thought that if I were induced to say a few words upon the subject suggested, the missing link in the history of the late game law—now being so earnestly sought by Mr. Folk and the St. Louis grand jury—-would possibly be supplied. I have been induced to say a few words upon this subject, but in the outset, I want to inform you that I have constitutional rights and propose to stand upon them. If by the question assigned me you desire that I discuss the game law that was before the last Senate and tell if possible why it failed to pass and become a law, then I must suggest that the subject assigned me is hardly broad enough. The subject assigned me inquires only, what is the matter with the bird law; while the bill before the last Senate sought to regulate the killing not only of birds, but of animals all the way from deer to raccoons. The first section in that law referring to the animals protected, reads as follows: No person shall catch, take or kill, or attempt to catch, take or kill, by means of steel traps, traps or pits or other device of any kind, any raccoon, mink, otter, beaver or muskrat between the first day of February and the first day of November of each year, etc. This section of course interests the trapper. The next section seeks to regulate the killing of squirrels, and of course interests every country boy and gray-haired nimrod who handles a rifle. The next section seeks to regulate the killing of deer and has a clause in it which reads like this: “TIt-is further declared unlawful to make use of a dog or dogs in hunt- ing, pursuing or killing deer.” This part of this section is very dis- tasteful to the owner of old Buck and Drive, who say that they can have more sport and kill fewer deer than the city sport who chooses to resort to lead propelled by smokeless powder. It was this clause that kindled at) rs + ae = YS. 2S 8 ~ State Horticultural Society. the ire of Ex-Governor Coleman and caused him to come to Jefferson City and labor to defeat the whole bill if necessary to defeat this clause. The next section seeks to prevent and regulate the killing of birds, including wild turkey, prairie chicken, quail, plover and, by the way, the restriction placed upon the killing of the last named bird brought pro- tests from almost every portion of the State, as I remember it—ducks — and geese. Section 17 of the proposed law declares it unlawful to hunt on Sun- day—there is a better law upon the statutes now than the one proposed. Section 18 makes it a misdemeanor to hunt within another person’s in- : closure. The same law, only stronger, is now upon the statutes. Sec- tion 19 declares that it shall be against the law to hunt rabbits with fer- rets or weasels. I don’t know anything about this class of sport, but I suppose there are people whe do indulge, or the law would not be proposed, and it is probable that some of these people have a friend or friends in the Senate whose vote would be cast against the bill before he would permit this clause to stand and become the law. Sections 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 refer to and attempt to regulate the catching of fish, and without going into details there were more protests made to me con- cerning this part of the iaw by my constituents than to any other law while I was in the legislature. Of course I felt compelled to heed their desires. What I have said, in substance, covers the scope of the law and taken as a whole is far reaching in its scope and effect. It affects every part of Missouri. It affects the occupant of the palace and the hut. It affects the owner of the gun and the hound. It affects the person who visits his traps each morning as well as the person who follows the “bird dog. A bill so broad in its scope as this must necessarily meet much opposition. You must remember that all parts of such a bill do not affect all parts of the state and hence there can be no common under- standing and no common interest. It meets my opposition and fails to get my vote because there are provisions in there—not about the birds—but about the fish that meets the opposition of my people. This is not only true in my case, but is true with every other senator on the floor. Hence you can understand why it was that this bill when brought onto the floor of the Senate, brought forth an amendment from almost _ every senator. There was actually more than thirty amendments to this bill, adopted by a majority vote of. those present and voting, and there -would have been mcre if the chairman of the special committee had not begged that it be permitted to come back to the committee and let them revise it in accordance with the views and wishes of the various sen- ‘ators as had just been expressed. It went back to the committee—never 7 Be ~~ Summer Meeting. : 3 - to be heard of again, except to be printed for information. There is _ where your bird law died, not because any person wanted to see the bird law proper killed, but because this society and the Audubon Society. I believe it is called, permitted the section referring to birds to get into: bad company, and the merits of the bird law were not sufficient to carry the demerits of the game law through. Ict me suggest that the next time you try to pass a bird law, you go it alone and let the game law remain as it is, if the bird law already upon the statutes does not suit you. The present bird law seems to me to be a very good law, but I have not studied the subject as you have and probably there are deficiencies that _ fave not suggested themselves to me. Again it is possible that this society and the friends of the bird are attached to and !ook with great favor upon another feature of the bill | that was presented to the last Senate. I might add another, and say two features. Section 1 of that bill provides for a game warden and gives. him a salary of two thousand dollars a year, and I sometimes think that the man who wanted to be game warden wrote that bill, because it seems to provide amply for his salary and gives him the power of a king. Listen to a few of these provisions: “The game warden shall, upon probable cause being shown for believing that there is concealed any animal, bird _or fish, caught, taken or killed, or had in possession, or shipped contrary to the laws of this State, search in any place, and to that end may enter any building, inclosure, car or apartment and break open any chest, box,. locker, crate, basket or package and examine the contents thereof,’ and further it says “Said game warden shall not be liable for damages on ac- count of any search, examination or seizure made in accordance with the provisions of this act.” This law, you will notice, gives the game warden more power than a sheriff has in seeking stolen property and then exempts him from liability if he abuses this power. Section 4, reads as follows: “In any case where the prosecuting attorney neglects. or refuses to prosecute any person for the violation of any of the provis- ions of this act, the zame warden may prosecute for such offense without the sanction of such prosecuting attorney, and he is hereby. authorized and . empowered to procure the services of an attorney at law to prosecute or assist in prosecuting on behalf of the State, any person charged with violation of any of the game, bird or fish laws of this State; and the game warden shall allow such attorney at law a reasonable compensation for his. services, which shall be taxed as necessary expenses of the office cf game warden.” It looks like some attorney might be interested in having this. law passed. As for myself, I would prefer to leave this power in the hands of the prosecuting attorney, where it now belongs, who has to 10 . State Horticultural Society. answer to his people for his deeds, rather than to give it into the hands of © a game warden and an attorney of his own choosing. Section 5 is as follows: “‘‘Said game warden shall have the same power to serve criminal process as sheriffs or marshals and shall have the same right as sheriffs or marshals to require aid in the execution of such process; said game warden may arrest, without warrant, any person caught by him in the act of violating any of the laws of this State, for ‘the protection or propogation of birds, game or fish, and take such person forthwith before a justice of the peace or any court having jurisdiction who shall proceed without delay to hear, try and determine the matter, the same as in other criminal cases.” And this power is not only given to the game warden but is given to each of his deputies and he is given power to appoint as many as he pleases, and whom he pleases. Now of course, if the game warden to be, prepared this law or had anything to do with it, he would provide a method for getting his pay, of course. Well, he is provided for in this bill and this to me is the most obnoxious part of the bill. It is a wellknown fact that no legislature would not vote to pay him out of the general revenue, so another method must be devised. So some scheme must be devised that will pass the leg- islature and still get the money. They have found it and section 27 pro- vides and says: “It is hereby declared unlawful for any person to hunt or kill any game animal or bird in this State off his own property at any season of the year, without first having obtained a hunter’s license.” Fach person procuring a resident hunter’s license, shall, when the same ¥ is issued, pay to the county clerk a license fee of one dollar. Each — person procuring a non-resident hunter’s license shall, when the same is issued, pay to the county clerk a license fee of twenty-five dollars. In addition to the license fees herein mentioned, each person procuring either a resident or non-resident hunter’s license shall pay to the county ‘clerk for his services in taking the affidavit and issuing the license, a fee of fifty cents. It shall be the duty of the county clerk on the first of each month to remit all fees collected for hunter’s licenses to the game warden. By other sections of this law the game warden is empowered to issue other and various permits for other and various purposes and charge for the same, all of which goes into and is set apart for the pay of the game warden and his deputies. This feature of the bill I can not stand for. Iam not yet ready to say that every boy within my district who shall kill a quail on the land of another, who permits him to go there, without first paying to the game warden and his deputies and the county clerk a dollar and a half, shall - be guilty of a crime. 1 would prefer to pass any laws protecting game, nl ee ae Suminer Meeting. — ba be fish or birds and permit the authorities whose duty it now is to enforce _ the criminal laws of this State, to enforce them. And it has been my’ observation that the game laws of this State have so far been liberally ob- _ served, and when the farmers throughout the country are made to be- ‘lieve that the insect birds and all other birds that this society are seek- ing to protect, should be protected and there is a law placed upon the statutes for their protection, these laws will be observed without the aid of a game warden or a deputy and without this one dollar and fifty cents tax that is assessed against every person who wants to shoot a mink, that has been catching his chickens, across the line on his neighbor’s land. So my advice to you is, if it is worth anything, frame a law protect- ing the birds proper—birds within the meaning of your society—and trust to the good people of the state and the prosecuting officers now pro- vided for to enforce it, and you will have no trouble in securing its pas-— sage. HUSTLING TO MAKE THE ORCHARD PAY. (T. H. Todd, New Franklin.) This subject gives me a great deal of latitude but I shall not under- take to cover the whole ground, for I think it would take too much of your time. I shall only touch along the lines of this great enterprise in which we are all very much interested. You understand this subject is on the financial part of the entire growth and culture of growing apples. You will agree with me when I say there would be no orchard plant- ing, no horticultural societies, no worrying about crops or failures if there were no money in sight in this business. I would say then first let us get down to our work and start right, for you know in any business it is very important to start right. If you start in this way you have gained almost half the victory. Then I would say plant a jiine of good varieties, not over six or eight kinds, such as your experience has taught you will do well in your vicinity. After planting our orchards our work commences. You under- stand when a great many plant orchards they imagine their work is done and go off after other pursuits of life; but you will follow me, -please, after the orchard is planted and see what we can find to do. We will begin now to cultivate this orchard. If the land is strong, plant in corn and cultivate three or four years. Plow the rows of trees well both i “ : = 12 . State Horticulturai Society. S ope ee ways, Just like you would plow a row of corn, with a one-horse double- — shovel plow, with a short single-tree muffled on each end and leather | tugs. Then follow with hoe, work the ground level for two or three feet around the tree. Commence spraying the first year the trees are set. Run over the trees with a hand dust sprayer, commencing-as soon as the little trees begin to bud out. Do this some three or four times during the season. This gives them a fine growth and fine foliage. You will find the little trees will hold their leaves very late and give them a fine pro- tection to go through the winter. Lime is a fine fertilizing agent as well as a cleanser and a protector from any insects. In June we will run over young trees with a wash of lime, soap, sulphur and carbolic acid. Put this on the trees up in the ttle branches with a small brush. This is a fine protection against borers or any other insects that may bother the root of the trees. See that there is no grass around your trees before going into the winter quarters. Wash the trees again with the same preparation late in winter to keep the rabbits off. You will keep this work up until your trees commence to bear. If you cannot plant your young orchard in corn on account of thin soil on tired land, when you plant your trees mulch them and sow the land in clover, and continue to mulch them every year. After your land has been in clover three or four years break the land with a turning plow, and cultivate in corn two years. After the land is broken with the plow and cultivating corn, we will stop mulching as we do in any other cul-. tivation. You will bear in mind, please, that you must keep your orchard replanted, where the trees have died out. Every year mulch them as © soon as planted. We have arrived now at the time our orchard is be- ginning to pay, say five years old, when we find we have apples for sale. — First know what you have. If you have a fine quality of apples you | should know it. You should know what there is in the country. If they are inferior you should know it. Yiou should be well posted all along the lines of what apples are worth. When the buyer comes around you should kindly meet him at the depot, take him to your home, and through your orchard. Give him a good dinner and treat him nicely. See him back to the train, etc. Don’t look upon him as a man slipping around through the country trying to rob you. When he proposes to buy your fruit, talk to him and give him an intelligent answer. Do not try to get all out of your fruit that is in it and more teo. If you should sell your apples to a packer or shipper, do just what you agreed to do with him. If you agree to sell : him a certain grade of apples do just what you promise him to do. es ere Summer Meeting. 13 Make the grade of apples good, do not try to force apples on him that are not in line with what vou agreed to sell him. There is no money in this sort of work. When you put your name on a barrel of No. 1 apples be sure they are No. 1’s or any other grade that you may under- take to make. Handle your apples nicely from the trees. After your | shipping apples are all picked out, keep your cider apples all worked up, throw your pummace up in a hopper or tank with all other refused ap- ples. Do not have any apples, not even a rotten apple, under the tree, throw them in with the cider pomace into your vinegar tanks and let them ferment, by doing this you will save everything; also have a fine lot of vinegar, from the refuse stuff that is thrown away. I had last year some sixty barrels of fine vinegar. It was all saved in this way and is bringing me from $7 to $8 a barrel. ~ When you have cleaned up the apples, from all of your trees, then commence to prepare your orchard for winter quarters. Take a hoe, ‘and scrape all the dead grass away from the trunk of the tree, for two or three feet around. Whenever we have dead or broken limbs we saw them off, this is all the pruning we do, after we have headed and started our young trees. You will find by doing this you will have no water sprouts. As we go over our orchard, when we come to a dead tree or one that is dying, we tag it so the man that follows may know what to take out. Every tree then that is dead or dying is tagged when we go over the first time. We then follow with dynamite, by boring a hole _ under the roots of the trees with an auger, slip in a stick or half stick as you may determine by the looks of the tree, and blow them out. . By doing this the tree is blown out, all the dead roots and ground is thorough- ly blown up where the tree stands, this cleanses the place and kills the ‘insects by the next spring. You will find the ground where the tree has been blown out in fine shape to reset another tree. Last, but not least in the way of preparing our orchard for winter quarters, we go over the orchard with a preparation of lime, sulphur and carbolic acid. Commencing in the, forks of the tree we take a long bladed knife and clean out the forks of the trees thoroughly. You will find a great many leaves have lodged there and a great many insects have gone there for their winter quarters. We then have all the grass taken from the trees, the forks cleaned out nicely, and the broken and dead limbs sawed off. The tree is now ready to apply the wash. Take a brush and apply it well, putting all you can down in the forks of the tree with your brush and then on down to the ground. All the settlings in our bucket that we carry our wash in we empty that out around the roots of the trees. \ “44 State Horticultural Society. We use a great deal of salt and lime around under the trees through the summer if any tree should be inclined to have bitter rot. We use for spraying altogether two or three of the cyclone dust sprayers. We find this means of spraying a great success. We can spray in windy weather, before or after a rain, never have to stop for Jand being too muddy in orchards, but can go right along at*any time without any hindrances. Allow me, if you please, to go back where we spoke of blowing out dead trees. You will find this to be a great success. There is no trouble in keeping these spaces all filled in with growing trees. When we adopt this method, when we set the spaces, we mulch these trees for three or four years. I have five acres of an old family orchard that we do not-connect with our commercial orchard, that has been filled in with young trees and kept up by the rules mentioned. I have some winesap trees in this orchard from which I gathered last year from five to six barrels of good apples per tree. They are 42 years old and full of apples this year. In this line of work I flatter myself knowing I have made my orchard pay. I have apple trees from five to forty-three years old. They have apples on them and are looking well. I havea good crop on this orchard | and they have all been handled in the wav I mentioned. HOW TO HAVE A GOOD OLD ORCHARD. (W.-H. Benedict, Richards, Mo.) To have a good old orchard one should have a good young orchard. If good trees not over two years old have been well planted in good productive soil, and well cared for for 8 or 10 years you ‘have laid the foundation jor a good old orchard. Up to this time the orchardist has lived mainly on hope and southwest wind as far as the orchard is con- cerned, and returns have not been just exactly what he had a right to \ expect.. Our own orchards at this age met with several reverses. For | two or three years in succession we had continuous cold rains, at and after blooming time, that so affected the crop that our income from the ~ orchard in three years was ‘practically nothing. These wet springs were followed by dry hot summers and then late fall rains and most orchardists realize what destruction and trouble it wrought. To add.to our troubles, about this time our trees were attacked by bag worms and canker worms. We sprayed about the first of June for bag worms, which were much the worst, and so missed the canker worms. For the past ‘ ' = Summer Meeting. 15 four years we have been fighting canker worms and fungi, or rather playing at it. Early in the spring of 1902 we bought a power sprayer -and went at it right; canker worms, leaf rollers, etc., are done up, but we quit too soon to keep down all the scab fungi. The contrast in the ap- pearance of our orchard now and three years ago is very marked. Why are so many of our orchards unprofitable and short-lived, in these days of books and horticultural journals of the first class, when there are so many to exploit their methods of planting which range from crowbars to dynamite, their methods of culture which range from . clean cultivation through the summer to a blue grass sod? When we have steam engines and dust machines galore to spray our trees with ‘and even galvanic batteries to give the poor insects an electric shock if they attempt to crawl up the tree, it would seem as though the or- -chardist would have no trouble in getting rich and prolonging the life of his trees to a good old age. During the war a certain preacher was expatiating on power, resources, moral right and providence all being on the side of the north, and dramatically exclaimed, “If these things be for us, who can be against us?’ Up jumped a little Irishman and shouted, “Jeff. Davis and the Devil, bedad!” The man who raises apples for a living has many things against him. Within four miles of our place there are five twenty-acre oichards planted about the same time as ours in the spring of 1883, just twenty years ago. Three have been in timothy sod and mowed. One in clover and mowed, and the other in weeds. ‘These five orchards have never paid the interest and taxes on the land, and under present treat- ment are not likely to do so. Two of the owners of these orchards say they don’t believe in breaking up the roots of an orchard. Neither do we, except to a limited extent; we use the disc and common harrow and they answer all requirements for cultivating an orchard. We are not an advocate of continuous yearly cultivation till late in the summer. It defeats one of the objects of tillage, which is to add fertility as well as to hold moisture. Another cause why an orchard is not good when it is old is lack of pruning. I know many people boast of never having put a knife in an orchard, and others go to the distressing extreme of the tree butcher. I am inclined to think that most ‘of our orchard trees carry entirely too much wood to be productive, es- pecially on our rich prairie soils. Slow-growing trees in sod are injured worse by pruning than thrifty trees under cultivation, but pruning should be done regularly, moderately, with good judgment and common sense. We much prefer the dormant season for pruning. Too close planting is an error too often made. In one of our orchards the trees are set 16 State Horticultural Society. twenty by forty feet, the other thirty-four by thirty-six. (We much pre- fer the latter distance. : Another reason why orchards are not good when they are old is the ~ jack of protection from insects and fungi. From several years obser- vation I am led to believe that more trees are lost and rendered unpro- ductive from the destructive effects of fungi in its various forms than~ — from all other causes combined. I once went to a celebrated oculist, — z thinking I had something in my eyes. He remarked, “Oh, no; there is nothing in your eyes, they are just inflamed ;” but I insisted that there must be something in them, but he insisted there was not, and the phy- sician knows. How many of us know what fungus is and how to combat it? How. many of us could tell the truth and the whole truth about it if placed upon the witness stand? How many professors are agreed upon it? One tells us the spores of scab fungi do not live on the trees over winter. — (One member of this society recommended that we thoroughly spray the ‘ground under the trees, but suppose the leaves had been burned in the ~ iall and the ground plowed, would the spores wiggle through the ground and climb into the tree? A Certain colored brother in Alabama was ex- plaining to his congregation the theory of the creation of man. He went on to say, “And de Lawd, he made Adam out ob de clay ob de garden, an’ he set him up agin de palin’ ter dry.” At this point a young | brother arose and enquired: “Uncle Peter, who made de palin’” “Set down dar, you nigah, any such questions as that would spile any system of theology.” A man has a good crop or two and he at once sets up an elaborate theory about cultivation, bud developments, etc., only to have ~ his pet theories demolished-by next year’s failures. Who can tell us why this good old orchard of ours that bloomed so full the past spring failed to set a big crop of apples. Was it because they were not properly pruned, cultivated, sprayed, etc? Nearly all of these things we have done from their youth up. Some men could walk into the orchard, look up wisely at the trees and tell us instantly. “Frost killed them,” says one, “Too many of one variety, seif sterile,’ says another; “Need some compound medicated tree vitalizer,” says a third. There is, however, one obscure cause often overlooked. Some pesky nurseryman some twenty years ago may have palmed trees on us whose pedigrees were a little shaky. On general principles it may be stated that those who love the bus- iness of fruit-growing and give it their best thought and closest attention should, and generally do, succeed best, vet we are compelled to admit even then there is much truth in that unique poem called “Homeopathic — ~ Summer Meeting. . 17 Soup,” the closing lines of which, if applied to apple trees, would read thus: “If they chance to fail, say that Nature did it, If they chance to bear, give the care the credit.” DISCUSSION—ORCHARDS. Mr. Goodman.—I would ask Mr. Todd what proportions of carbolic acid, water, lime, sulphur and soap he used in the wash he speaks of. Mr. Todd.—We make the wash in three gallon buckets usually, but when going over the large orchards, we make it by the barrel... We make it by the bucket for the young trees. We put in each three gallons, one anda half table spoons of carbolic acid. We use hard or soft soap made of concentrated lye. We use a lump about 5x4 and put it in a vessel of warm water; enough to dilute the soap, and when diluted we put in as much .sulphur as will mix well. I suppose at least a quart in a three gallon bucket. We put in this preparation, mix thoroughly and then put in the lime and water until we have a thick white wash, but not thick enough to scale off. You can tell by this what proportion to use. I prefer using the unslacked lime, as it keeps up the warmth until thoroughly mixed. After it is thoroughly mixed, I have no trouble. It does not take _a large quantity when going over the young trees and it is not expensive. When I go over the large orchards, I make it in barrels. This wash will stay on through an ordinarily wet winter. We put it on after gather- ing the apples last fall. If it gets off, I go over it again next month. I have gone over them twice a year. Mr. Gilkeson—lIs there any danger of the fresh lime burning the bark? -T. H. Todd.—No. A. H. Gilkeson.—Should it be mixed a day or two before putting on? Mr. Todd.—No; mix it fresh so that it will be warm. You under- stand sulphur is hard to mix, but it will mix with the soft soap and sul- phur before going in with the lime water. We have, with the soap after diluting, nearly a gallon of sulphur and soft soap, then fill up with lime and water in the three gallon bucket. You will have no trouble with burning and. there will be no borers if applied well. Rabbits will not touch the trees. I have a fine place for rabbits and I went away last winter, leaving word to wrap the trees. I was a little afraid to. trust the wash, as I was to be away. The hands left a good many of the trees unwrapped where they needed it the most, but they had been washed and I was surprised to find that none of the trees were touched by rabbits. H—2 13. State Horticultural Society. Hard soap will do if you cannot get the soft soap. You can make a soft soap and not make it so strong. We put in just enough lime to make a good white wash. iXeep the mixture well stirred when putting on the trees. Keep using it until vou have nothing but dregs in the bot- tom and then throw that around the roots of the trees. I think lime is one of the greatest agencies to fight insects. We throw it around and under the trees and when we find a tree going back, we throw lime about the roots. Do not be sparing with it; it will not~ hurt anything and the next year you will have fruit and fine foliage. I use unsJacked lime or any kind of waste lime. If I run out of the un- slacked lime, I throw quick lime under the trees. .W. P. Keith—Do you use only one and a half spoonfuls of car-_ ’ bolic acid in the water? Mr. Todd—tThat’s all. We may get a little more than that, but _ I would be afraid to get much more in. Mr. Keith.—lI use three times more than that and found good effect by using at least twice as much as you did. Mr. Todd.—I was afraid to use more than that. It does not take much of the crude acid to make it strong. Mr. Keith——This spring I used one half gallon to. the barrel of whitewash, and I can endorse what he said about the rabbits, and I found not a single borer in five-year-old trees. Dr. Chas. O. Ozias, Warrensburg, Mo.—I would say I have used a wash similar to that one for about fourteen years. I can’ testify to the good it has done my orchard: I use the unslacked lime, because it sticks better, and I always made it a rule to use seventy-five cents worth of crude carbolic acid to the barrel, never had an injurious effect on the trees, and kept the bark smooth and clean. Of late years I added fire clay to make it stick better. If you get the white wash too thick, it will not stick well and will scale off. | Tree Wash—To a barrel of whitewash add one gallon .of crude carbolic acid, two gallons of soft soap, ten pounds of sulphur. In mak- | ing, put a peck of unslacked lime in a barrel, with your soap and sul- phur, add water to cover whole to slack the lime and keep from burning. Cover well to keep in steam as it all boils together. Then add water to make sufficiently thin to spread well. DR. CHAS: @7 OZIAS; Mr. Morrill, Macon, Ga.—I can testify that this wash keeps the borers out. That is what we use in Georgia. It will keep out peach borers. We use one-half pint of crude carbolic acid to every five gal- lons of whitewash. We use one quart of soft soap, one pound of sul- phur and half a pound of salt is still used in Georgia, for the reason a, tape —_ i - “ee - * : Stew A tue Summer Meeting. — 19 = that it seems to keep the borers out. I have peach trees sixteen years =) * old and have used this wash since they were set out, and they are just ~ as sound as when set out. Three years ago I looked over my orchard and out. of -possibly one hundred trees that I examined, I found but — one or two worms on the trees. We use this just before the trees bloom and put the whitewash on thick around the roots of the tree. With “the per cent. of the crude carbolic acid used in this preparation will last three months. Every time I have used it I have not been troubled with wormy peaches. What is injurious to the human family might also be to the insects and possibly the scent would keep them off. One ss _year I did not use it and had wormy peaches. I do not think that three times the.amount of one and a half spoonfuls is sufficient. I would not use Jess than one-half pint to five gallons. I mix the sulphur and . soft soap, then add the crude carbolic acid, one pint to every eight gal- “lons. It certainly will keep the borers out. Mr Todd.—I have been afraid to use more than that, but I use “ enough to tell that it is carbolic acid. Sometimes we can overdo, and I do not like to get beyond judgment. But I suppose he knows, for he has tried it. : D. A. Robnett—Why do you have to put the potash in the form of soap before dissolving. Could you not put the ingredients in without making soap and then melting it back? My wash is made with con- centrated lye. We put the wash in barrels and use hose to spray the trees. We do not put it on to stay all winter, but put it-on two or three times. We spray from each side of the tree and get it on evener. We get on faster if we do not put in the soap. We use concentrated lve instead. Mr. Todd.—The making of the soap is a small matter. As far as using brushes is concerned, I do not use more than half a dozen a year. I clean them off as soon as I am through using them. A brush will get into the crevices where the work should be done, as that is where the insects go for the winter. I see your point for throwing the wash through the nozzle. I do not think it would stick. I think putting on with a brush makes it stick. Dr. Ozias.—In your application of the potash preparation do you get in all the crevices, etc., that you would in using a brush? Two fif- teen cent brushes will go over a forty acre orchard once. If this is kept up, the bark is smooth and vou do not wear the brush out. It occurred _ to me that you would not get the smooth bark if you did not use the brush. Pres. Robnett.—I have tried brushes and paid- $1.25 apiece for them _ and they did not last long. Brushing and putting them into the strong whitewash, they would soon be gone. The cheap ones did not last long - re) ~ State Horticultural Society. at all. When I put soap in the wash, it clogged in the force pump. Mine does not stay on like yours. Secretary Goodman.—I think these papers are worth a good deal tous. The expression “tired land’’ is one of the best expressions I have heard used. I would ask the gentleman who made that expression what he means by “tired land.” It occurred to me that a great deal of the iand I saw in South Missouri was tired land. While the land was good enough to produce a good crop, it was not good enough to produce a good crop of apples. - Mr. Todd.—I mean land that has been in any one crop too long. [believe any upland that would bring a good crop of corn would do to plant trees in. If it would not.grow a good crop of corn, I] would con- sider it tired and would put the land in clover. Secy. Goodman.—It is just as necessary to have rotation of crops in orchards as anywhere else. The farmer has more sense about that than we have. So many of our fruit growers do not do this. We need one year with clover, one year with cowpeas and one year with corn. J. EX. Mohler, Warrensburg.—How long may I grow small fruits without injury to the trees? Who has tried this? ~ Secy. Goodman.—If you can give it good care and attention, I do not think anything is better than growing small fruit. Some of my very poorest land I had, I put in pear trees and blackberries. I made money from the blackberries and pear orchard, and the land was better than when I first planted. I think we ought to use lime and fertilizer. J am glad to hear so much about lime, I think it one of the best and cheapest fertilizers we can get. Last winter I used seven car loads. I had two men in a wagon and they threw a large scoop shovel of lime under each tree. I use it in the berry patch and in the orchard. In our large orchards, we do not grow any small fruits, because it makes too much trouble in getting around to gather the apples. I grew small fruits in my orchards at Westport. If a person will use lime and cowpeas, you can grow as much small fruit in the orchard as on other land. There is one thing that we must be sure about in this business and I think both the papers failed to touch on this point. That is, you want to locate in good subsoil. It is more important that you have a proper subsoil than a good top soil. The man who says good corn, means a good orchard, is mistaken. If you have a good subsoil you can make the top soil. G. T. Tippin.—In regard to growing small fruits, I have noticed a bad effect, but it can easily be overcome. In growing strawberries with young growing trees, some of the large strawberry growers have lost : 4 Summer Meeting. | Ne se -in the growing of their young trees by not cultivating the trees in the spring. Strawberries are never cultivated until the berry crops are taken off and the young trees need cultivating in the spring. So those who have this idea, should go around the young trees in the spring several times. If this is done, you will lose nothing by growing strawberries, as well as other small fruits. I have noticed more bad results from this in Arkansas than anywhere else. 1 own an orchard of thirty-five acres | of peach trees set out in strawberry field and only received the cultiva- tion the strawberries did. Adjoining this, I had peach trees planted with corn, receiving the same cultivation the corn received and they are. three times as large as the others and in the same kind of ground. All due to the fact that the ones with the strawberries were not: cultivated at the right time. Mr. Morrill—In regard to plant food, do you not have to supply the plant food the crop derives from the soil? Secy. Goodman.—This rotation of crops I give you will furnish all the plant food necessary. You take cowpeas, clover and corn, growing them in this order and this supplies all the plant food the land will need. In fact, it will make the soi! better year by year. We have a hundred acres of land in the Ozarks which had been in corn for ten or twelve years and would not grow corn. The land has been planted to the orchard and this rotation of crops used and the land is better than when we began. Pres. Robnett—About corn being good to raise apples, if you say clover you would get nearer the point. Any land that grows good clover I believe will grow good orchard. A. V. Schermerhorn, [linois—-We have land that will not grow clover, but we can grow apples. We have to add manure to most of our land. I do not believe that any land that grows good corn will grow good orchards. I think that is a mistake. I think the rich, heavy soil we have in Central, though they raise fine corn there, is not suitable for orchards. We notice that the Central [linois people invest in our land for orchards. Orchards do not do so well in the heavy soil as they . do in our section. We must study our soils. We must not judge from what it produces in corn or clover. In fact, I think we do not know just what kind of soil we do want. There is such a large difference of opinion about this. Mr. Keith—What about subsoil? Our soil is a joint clay and I think our land is too rich for trees. It is not hard pan, it is very porous and full of seams. We never use fertilizer. I never use any and think our trees compare favorably with a great majority of trees in the State. We think they grow too much wood. We generally have a good fruit 22 ett State Horticultural Socicty. crop and sometimes above the average. I think it is good to have clover in the orchard for the first five years, but sometimes clover has been in for fifteen years. We never mulch. We have a very light soil. Mr. Schermerhorn.—We have a heavy clay subsoil, which some people call hard pan. We have all kinds of subsoil. I can’t see a very marked difference in the orchards. We have land that will grow clover ~as well as it does here. It seems to me that the hard pan is as good orchard land as we have there. Mr. Gilkeson.—How far is the hard pan from the top soil? Mr. Schermerhorn.—It is sometimes very near the top. Secy. Goodman.—Do you consider the hard pan land good orchard iand? : | (Mr. Schermerhorn.—I do not see much difference in our locality. It seems to produce just as well. We do not dig through the hard pan; _it runs down about one foot from the surface. In some places the water stands in basins. [n one ten-acre orchard there was a basin in the center and the trees have ali died out around this. Mr. Gilkeson.—Is it not true that where the hard pan holds the water that it kills the trees? You will find it in little patches where the trees will die and about ten feet away the trees will be good. A. T. Nelson.—We have some rocky subsoil and the trees seem to do well. I pick from twenty-five to thirty thousand bushels of apples every fall and not over ten per cent. are cultivated at all. I have been in a great many orchards that have never seen a plow. Five thousand acres were sold to Iowa people. We dug holes and found the red clay subsoil ail over the tract. Prof. Wragg was with us and he claimed that that was the best orchard land in the country. They were out eight weeks looking for orchard locations and were better satisfied with the red clay subsoil than anything they found. It appears from twelve to twenty- four inches under the surface of the ground. We haul dirt to cover the roots of the trees. On some land the dirt doesn’t cover the roots and the trees are doing well. Mr. Tippin.—Before touching on this, [ think our friend Mr. Todd is open to criticism. I take it that he meant that soil that would pro-— duce a good corn crop would produce a good orchard. : Mr. Todd.—I stated that upland that would produce good corn would produce good orchards. Mr. Goodman struck the key note about the subsoil. Our friend Schermerhorn is right about the hard pan, but I do not think they have the kind of hard pan we have. Mr. Schermerhorn.—Clay county has more hard pan than any other county in the State, and it is called the banner county for apples. Summer Meeting. . , 23 Mr. Tippin.—-I think we need a soil that retains moisture, but not a _ soil that retains water like a basin. It is what we have to have in our ~ State. ; Secy. Goodman.—I think the best subsoil is soil mixed with gravel, and when we have these extensive rains, the rain sinks through the gravel and in the dry weather the water comes up. The trees in this soil do “not suffer in dry weather, while the trees in the upland and in the river bottoms suffer and have to be cut over and over to be saved. A joint clay which will allow the water to sink through and in the dry weather to come up is the best. The low places that hold water are not fit to _ plant orchards in. Mr. Nelson—During the drought I set out four thousand trees. We hauled dirt to plant these trees in. I planted in May and they had no water until October, and out of the four thousand I did not lose two hundred trees. I planted in the red clay subsoil. C. H. Dutcher—From what county did Mr. Nelson ship his dirt? Mr. Nelson.—From Laclede county, the banner county of the State. Mrs. Dugan.—Do you consider rolling land superior to prairie land as a rule? Secy. Goodman.—Yes, much better. N. Engle—I have trouble with blight. I do not know what it is. Sometimes it starts on the body; sometimes on the limb and event- ually the tree dies. Will this preparation that the gentleman spoke of have any effect on the disease, or is the disease known? Will it do to plant trees where these trees have died? W. H. Benedict.—I do not whitewash that way. I use a spray pump. I do not think that such diseases would be cured by this. It comes from the soil. _ Mr. Engle—I have it in good soil; has good under drainage, gravel underneath. Still, my trees died. The bark turned black. Sometimes it begins on the side of the tree and get larger and larger until it kills the tree. Mr. Todd.—In regard to this blight, we have concluded that it is ~ nothing more than what is called sun scald. A hard winter will cause the bark to crack and the blight comes around the crack when the sun shines on it. It hardly ever occurs high up in the branches. I do not think the tree is susceptible to this when this préparation is used. Pres. Robnett—The whitewash will no doubt help the tree resist the sun. Are your trees headed high? Mr. Engle—My trees are headed about the height of a man. Secy. Goodman.—I think he has two troubles. One the body blight, the-same as the pear blight. It is the result of injury, perhaps, or the 24 sie ~ State Horticultural Society. result of a crack and the sun overheating the sap. But it is a body blight and differs from the sun scald. To prevent these troubles head the tree Jow, not over eighteen inches from the ground if the trees. come’ out there. This body blight is something that we cannot prevent. It generally occurs to trees headed high. Mr. Engle——How do you keep the limbs from the ground? Secy. Goodman.—You don’t want them off the ground, Let them go without cultivation under these limbs. They have the very best of care. Mr. Gilkeson.—Cultivate with Clark’s extension harrow. Mr. Todd.—Cultivate with the harrow before loaded with fruit. Pres. Robnett—Cut the limb if it.tends toward the ground and that will tend to turn the limb up. WEDNESDAY—JUNE 3, 8 P. M. President Robnett called the session to order and the following papers made the program of the evening: HIE SRELATION: OF “BIOLOGY: 1@ HOR RMICULTGREs (Prof. B. L. Seawell, Warrensburg, Mo.) The term biology may be used to signify a scientific study of living organisms. The term horticulture, while it originally was used to mean _ _the practical care of a garden, has, in recent times, come to signify the scientific study and practica! culture of all plants which bear what are ‘known commercially as fruits. He who would circumscribe his study and practice of horticulture by the iron paling of custom house defini- tion, can engage in the culture of strawberries whose botanical fruits are as dry as those of the dandelion, but if he cultivates Pondorsa tomatoes, whose fruits at least are as luscious as dried prunes, then he falls to the level of a vegetable garden, or, if he grows wheat, whose golden fields of ripened fruits are richer than pomegranates and figs, he rises to the lofty dignity of an agriculturist. Biology has no boundaries within the limits of the kingdoms of animals and plants. The universal biologist, if such a scholar could exist, would take the same keen interest in the subjects for study of the vegetable gardener as of the horticulturist; of the chicken raiser as of the fine stock breeder ; and of the plain “hayseed” as of the agriculturist. Biology bears about the same relation to horticulture as North Amer- ica does to Missouri, or as an elephant does to his liver. An elephant’s + Summer Meeiing. 25 liver could not live without the-elephant, nor could there be a healthy, live elephant without a liver. Horticulture could not be a successful science without biology, nor could biology be a complete science without comprehending horticulture. : No purely physical labor, without wise mental guidance can ever accomplish desirable results. The would-be fruit grower may thrust the finest fruit trees into post holes dug in a swamp, or elsewhere, and await patiently his income, but his patience will be changed to impa- tience, and his income transformed into disappointment and poverty. *» The would-be practical horticulturist (?) abounding in “horse sense,” but eschewing all ‘“book-farming” ideas, may successfully grow fine fruit trees, say pears and apples. He suffers no anxiety about the few scattering fire-blighted twigs and blossoms during ‘the first few years of fruiting. He begins to get faint vision-peeps at the shimmering heaps of gold, glinting beyond the snowy blossoms and rich foliage of the first “full-crop” year. Suddenly, after a few warm spring rains, nearly every new-grown twig of blossoms and leaves blackens before the awful fire- blight, and in vain he drives his tree trunks full of nails, at the sug- gestion of his neighbor’s horse sense, thus postponing his hopes for the gold heaps for another year. Another year the suffering tree trunks may not grow a twig sufficiently juicy for the bactrium of fire-blight. The practical horticulturist has probably found no disease of fruit trees so thoroughly destructive as fire-blight, nor so completely baf- fling to all attempts to find a satisfactory remedy. All spraying was found a useless waste of money, time and energy. All cutting and burning of blighted twigs was practicaily in vain so long as the or- chardist remained in ignorance of the real biological nature of the cause of the disease. Mr. M. B. Waite, of the Bureau of Vegetable Pathology and Physiology, United States Department of Agriculture, in his study of “The Cause and Prevention cf Pear Blight,’ proposed, some years ago (Year Book, United States Department of Agriculture, 1895) a method of cure and prevention which is absolute, if followed out with absolute thoroughness and completeness. In speaking of the method of curing and preventing fire-blight Mr. Waite says: “In the process now proposed, theré are three vital points, namely, the thoroughness and completeness with which the work is carried out, the time when the cut- ting should be done, and a thorough knowledge of the disease so as to know how to cut. The method of holding the blight in check was dis- covered through a carefui scientific investigation of the life history of the microbe which causes it.’ Mr. Waite made this careful scientific investigation.in the early nineties, though the microbe itself was dis- covered in 1879 by Prof. T. J. Burrill. Mr. Waite established the fol- 26 : State Horticultural Society. i lowing proofs, that this microbe (Bacillus-amylovorus) causes the dis-— ease; “(1) The microbes are found in immense numbers in freshly blighted twigs; (2) they can be taken from an affected tree and culti- vated in pure cultures (and in this way can be kept for months at a time) ; (3) by inoculating a suitable healthful tree with these cultures the disease’ is produced; (4) in a tree so inoculated the microbes are again found in abundance.” Mr. Waite further established by his re- searches that the microbe does not survive the winter in the soil as was once guessed, but rather in its native medium and habitat, the inner bark and cambium layer of the twig stems, where, under conditions of heat and excess .of moisture in the early spring, they begin to multiply. ~ Their activity, combined with other causes stimulates an excess of ex-- uding gum in which they thrive. This gum, being visited by insects which also frequent flowers, becomes the source of inoculation for the flowers, and the flower nectar affords the best possible culture medium > from which they spread again into the inner bark and cambium of the — young, juicy twig stems. In’this way the entire orchard may become infested in a few days. Fortunately, the period of excessive activity of this microbe is short, so that in late summer and through the winter its life is barely maintained, and at these periods man may attack the enemy. Generally there are a few living, but inactive, germs during these seasons, to be found a few inches toward the trunk from the black- ened portion of the twig, and if the twigs are all pruned a sufficient distance from the blighted portion, and burned, the future spread of the disease may be checked or absolutely prevented. In this way if the practical horticulturist will supplement the re- searches of the practical biologist with his-intelligent study and. per- sistent labor, he may some day possess the gleaming gold beyond the unblighted blossoms, and the biologist will come in for his taste of the luscious pears and apples. No department of human knowledge can stand to itself alone. Blot out the world’s knowledge of astronomy, and every map of the globe or any part of it, would vanish, and every traveler upon the land, and every steamship upon the seas would be lost in the bewilderment of . darkness. Obliterate the science of physics and chemistry, and every mechanical invention, every precious metal and its thousands of useful _~ combinations, every wheel of commerce and every fabric of manufac- ture wouid be resolved in to that elemental state of nature that could be iikened unto the “virgin forest” and defined as the place where “the : hand of man has never set foot.” Shut out from the»human mind all knowledge of biology, horticulture and agriculture, and the human race would lapse to the low level of primeval savagery, and stand upon the ~ eas Summer Aecting. 27 same footing in the struggle for existence as the teeming millions of other organisms whose right and power to dominate could probably not be denied nor prevented. The eye cannot say to the ear, “I have no need of thee.” The horticulturist cannot say to the astronomer, nor ~the physicist, nor the chemist, nor the biologist, “I have no need of thee.” ; Horticulture is related in a thousand ways on every hand to every department of human knowiedge, and the horticulturist should seek to know of these relations. How can he better seek to know than by study- ing all the sciences, though their relation be remote and scarcely per- ceptible. He cannot most effectually study while he plants, and prunes, and plows, hence the necessity for broad, general education in early life preparatory to this great and profitable vocation whose highest suc- “cess is coincident with the highest culture of the mind. Fortunately our best horticulturists are themselves biologists, at least _ within the limits of their time for study, and have themselves contrib- uted much of the biological knowledge necessary for the most effectual cultivation of horticultural products. But perhaps the chief biological contributions to horticulture have _come from biologists who have given their entire energy, using strictly scientific methods, to the study of living organisms, regardless of their 1elation to horticulture. Pasteur studied bacteria with a view to know- ing their nature, and the nature of their products, not thinking, perhaps, how the knowledge acquired might afterwards be used in the successful struggle against the ravages upon the plants and products of the horti- culturist. The biologist whose researches upon the physiological functions of plants proved that most plants must have atmospheric oxygen in con- tact with all parts of their surfaces for purposes of respiration, was not searching for an explanation of the practical necessity of planting fruit trees in well drained soil. The biologists who have so carefully determined the life history of so many” parasitic fungi, and so many noxious insects, were seek- ing primarily to know the interesting characteristics of such organisms. But upon this knowledge the practical horticulturist has based his meth- ods of dealing with them as enemies to his cultivated plants. Wallace and Darwin, in collecting their vast volumes of data, and formulating the remarkable theory of evolution, were probably seeking a rational system of philosophy upon which to base an explanation of the marvelous diversities and affinities among organisms, rather than a practical, working basis, founded upon natural laws, upon which stc- cessful horticulturists build all modern methods of plant breeding, with 28 State Horticultural Society. a view to developing new and successful varieties, for profitable culti- vation. The leading men of our government, supported by public opinion, have not failed to catch the spirit of this intimate relation between the pure science of biology and the practical science of horticulture, afid related sciences, and accordingly have wisely established the many de- partments of special biological study and research in the United States Department of Agriculture. The expert biologists who have taken charge of these special researches have applied every resource of bio-_ logical science, sustained by all necessary financial support, to the prac- ~ tical solution of the many perplexing problems which the busy horti-| culturist might never solve. oF Every up-to-date horticulturist who 1s in close touch with the United _ States Department of Agriculture, has received volumes upon volumes in which are published the biological researches upon the economic phases of such organisms as the codling moth, the apple borers, the canker worm, the San Jose scale, the bark louse, the army worm, the bean weevil, the cabbage worm, the potato beetle, cut worms, leaf rollers, apple aphis, and the hosts of the parasitic fungi without common names ; and such plant diseases as fire-blight, powdery mildew, downy mildew, hlack-knot, strawberry spot disease, apple scab, peach curl, peach yellows, bitter rot, strawberry rust, etc., etc.; and such subjects as “Spraying for Codling Moth,” “Black-rot of the Grape,” “Black-rot of the Sweet Po- tato,” “The Forest in Relation to the Orchard,” “The Theory of Fungi- 99 66 cides,’ “Experiments in Treatment of Diseases of Plants,” “Fungicides. and their Application,” ‘‘What to do with Peach Yellows,” “Bacteria and — Plant Diseases,” ‘Does it pay to Spray,” and so on through the horti- culturist’s library. Not only has the general government recognized this important re- lation of biology to horticulture, but the State experiment stations are publishing whole libraries of biologico-horticultural literature, so much indeed, that if the horticulturist would take time to read it all, his or- chards and gardens would fast revert to primeval forest conditions for — want of pruning and cultivation. The pure culfure value of an extended scientific study and knowl- edge of animals and plants, is as great as that of a study of mathe- matics, history or literature, and herein, in very truth, lies the most im- — portant relation of biology to horticulture. The horticulturist who does not see more beauty, and have a greater source of happiness in a great thought, or a lofty conception of the In- finite as manifested in the marvelous works of nature, than in the gold for ae ae So 4 oa eae y Summer Meeting. 29 which he sells his hard-earned fruits, has failed in the highest purpose of life. The richest and most practical horticulturist is he who, not only intelligently and successfully cultivates his own gardens and orchards, and enjoys the comforts and pleasures of his well-earned prosperity, but who unselfishly takes pleasure in his neighbor’s prosperity, and through the broad scope of his intellectual and spiritual vision sees the marvelous ‘forces and laws of the Infinite, as they are shown forth in the countless -forms of animals and plants, whether found in his garden or. orchard, as friends or enemies, or found in the remotest lands or seas. Secy. Goodman asks for information in regard to blight, and whether pear blight and twig blight are the same. Prof. Seawell—Blight is a bacterial disease, and the same blight affects apples, pears, hawthorns and other members of the Rose family. If it be allowed to live near by the orchard in hawthorn trees, it is likely to spread to orchard soon afterwards. Secy. Goodman.—There seems to be one class that runs way down in the branches and we were led to suppose twig blight was different. Prof. Seawell.—They are caused by the same bacteria. Sometimes goes down the trunk. It may be checked by a change in conditions. Ii the wet, warm season’ passes away, it may be stopped. Bacteria does not live in the inner bark. It survives the whole year in the tree in what is called the resting spore in its life history. The bacteria was discovered in 1879 and researches were made between 1890 and 1895. A] PEEBACFOR HARD Y=PLANES: (Mrs. G. E.,Dugan, Sedalia, Mo.) Have you ever tried to imagine what a desolate and gloomy place this world would be without flowers ? I have sometimes found myself thinking that if women and girls waged such a relentless warfare against the flowers, as is persisted in by many thoughtless men and foolish boys against the birds, we should either cease to exist because of the devastations made by insect life, or else become ruthless barbarians. Few persons, comparatively, ever estimate the refining influences of flowers. They come to us with their message of love, and their wealth of beauty, so simply, so unostentatiously that we do not fully appreciate 30 State Horticultural Society. them, but accept them with unthinking indifference. I thank God often that He permitted me to realize the persuasive, silent mission of these messengers from paradise. “I love the flowers that come about with spring, And whether they be scarlet, white, or blue, It mattereth to me not anything; For when I see them bright with sun and dew, My heart doth overflow with such delight, I know not blue from red, nor red from white.” Every garden, however small it may be, has within it something of paradise. When the sweet procession of beautiful blossoms comes trip- ping along so gaily in the early springtime, how our hearts rejoice, how glad we are that winter’s reign is over, and that we have sunshine, verdure, and the flower-scented atmosphere again. ; j Each sentient and sensitive soul feels renewed in spirit, and wonders how it is that the world seems to be growing annually more fascinating, and thinks that the eternal gardens cannot be much fairer than are those here which a beneficent Father has given to his children. Nature is very kind to us, much more so than we are to ourselves, or to each other. We ignore her lessons, disobey her laws, and receive her benefits with careless, unthankful hearts. With little expense, not a great.deal of care, and with no trouble, we can have gardens of hardy plants blooming annually, and bringing joy to our hearts, blessing to our souls, and happiness to every friend who visits us. A judicious selection of perennials will assure more satis- faction than any other form of floriculture. When the sun of our life begins to decline, and the hills of light are growing nearer, we begin to care more for the hardy plants, which require little attention, after they are once established, and when we have them we appreciate their value more and more as the years go by. Have you ever noticed how persistently the memory of some beautiful garden or lawn will cling to you until after many years you can close your eyes, and by some occult spiritual sight, see again the beautiful plants-you were enraptured with, so many years ago. Fully twenty years ago, I was going north from our little city, and saw just at the top of a long hill, a large, old-fashioned southern house, with its wide verandas, and railed-in galleries, over which rioted a pro- fusion of vines, including roses and honey-suckles. The house was set well back from the road, and was reached by a wide driveway which wound between a double row of lilac bushes. The month was April—one of those smiling sunny Aprils we used to have in the long ago—and those bushes were in full flower; each had been trained and trimmed up — aot ~ * Summer M eeting. = .3t for some distance was full of fragrance. Taken altogether that picture “is one of the most interesting in the large scrap-book of nature studies held tenaciously in my memory. - To me, one of the most interesting of all the many admirable traits _ of the hardy plant is its constancy and its few requirements. When once , it is established, it will grow and blossom with annual regularity, often improving with the years, and always hiding away in its life a wealth of perennial surprises. “Oh, the snow drops are in bloom!” cries some enthusiast who has. _ been searching the garden borders for early treasure. A few days later from the direction of the bulb-bed comes a rapture- full voice, fraught with the importance of a great discovery, crying out, “Did you know the crocus blossomis were out?’ You hurry away to behold this vision, and sure enough there they are, more beautiful you imagine, than ever they were before, so that you have a sensation, some- what, I suppose, like that which thrills the gold seeker’s heart when after weary years of prospecting, he suddenly strikes a vein of rich ore. There is something to admire, to create enthusiasm, even to cause a feeling of awe, in beholding the great variety, and marvelous beauty on “Individual Expression in Flowers, of the hardy plants. One Easter day some years ago, while visiting a friend in Kansas, I saw a front door-yatd actually glorious with its decoration of snow-white Burmuda lilies. There were hundreds of them in full bloom, and thousands of buds. I have never seen a more impres- sive floral spectacle. This recalls one of my pet ideas concerning flowers ; perhaps I may have exploited it before this Society on a previous occa- sion, but I will crave the privilege of saying again, that each individual ‘should courageously express his own tastes and preferences in the plants he cultivates; and the manner of arranging them on the lawn, or in the garden. Since the paper read at a horticultural meeting several years ago, ” the opinions therein expressed have returned to me in various journals and magazines, but no matter if they were better dressed, or more fancifully decorated, I knew them at once for my own original ideas, and congratulated myself that I had had the courage to express them, disregarding the fact that they were new, and might be unpopular. : Emerson once said, ‘God will not have his work made manifest by cowards,” therefore in horticulture, or in ideas, let us be faithful to our- selves, and original in our work. A correspondent writing for Current Literature declares that “simple ideas, with every idea well planned and well carried out, result in the best ~ ! ’ > 32 State Horticultural Society. : gardens. The garden must be yours, if it is another’s, it is not worth while to you. A good garden is the one that gives the most pleasure to the owner. He may grow orchids or thistles. The measure of success in a garden is the sensitive mind, not the plants. A garden is for the affec- tions.” Many persons have I known who cultivated gardens because they loved them. In Sedalia there is a practicing physician, a refined, court-- ecus gentleman, who is a rose specialist. I often drive past his home to look at the roses. They are not hidden behind an unsightly fence, nor concealed in any way; they flaunt their beauty right out in the front yard, for every passerby to enjoy. Personally, I dislike selfish gardens; they always seem to: belong either to foolish or selfish people. Its permanence is a strong plea for the hardy plant. In thinking of England, I often wish I might wander in one of those old gardens, the magnificent heritage of that land; gardens which can boast of a continuous existence and history, reaching back to the Tudor period. Who that*really cares for gardens, would not wish to see those in Eng- land ? In some of the eastern states are gardens of hardy plants, over a century old, whose histories would be very interesting could they be given. In our own state are a few gardens with pleasing, if brief, histories. A friend wrote me in February, from near St. Louis, of a garden which I have ever since wished to see. “There is,” she says# “a spot near here that I would like to have you visit. It is where I had my flower garden in girlhood. Great clumps of lilac bushes and clusfers of maiden blush roses, set out by my mother; who has been dead thirty-four years, flourish and blossom there. The year before she died, she brought a few sprigs of trailing myrtle and planted them in a flower bed. They have spread over the whole garden site, and it is now carpeted with the pretty ever- green vines. Today in the midst of a snow storm, I went over to the myrtle grove and gathered a big bunch of myrtle blossoms and white violets. ‘The house in which we lived has fallen down and been carted away, and that old garden in the middle of a field makes sensible people often remark, ‘Why don’t you cut down those trees and grub up those bushes? Aren’t they in the way when you cultivate? Of course they are, but—well, the more sense people have, the less they understand. It is only sentimental people who understand such things as that solitary old garden in the field.” That last remark contains the gist of the whole matter. Those who care for flowers must be classed with the sentimental people, and I re- joice that this company is rapidly increasing in numbers. ee eee Summer Meeting. 33 There is a growing taste for gardening, especially among women, _ and to all who love to plant and cultivate flowers, I would urgently re- commend a generous invoice of the hardy varieties. It is true that they bloom but once a year, but they make up in radiance what they lack in continuity, and by carefu! attention to selection, one may have a succes- sion of flowers of pleasing variation, superior to the monotony of per- petually blooming plants. After July, I am always disinterested in gera- -nium blossoms, and have a feeling that I never want to see another. It is now a fad for women to cultivate plants, and for once the fad- dist has something useful to occupy her brain. The Hon. Mrs. Ans- truther, writing for the Cornhill Magizine, says, “She who would now be modish, must cease to be a housewife, and become a garden wife.” She says also that ‘“‘the housewife is a social incubus, while the garden wife is a social success.” In America the two occupations go together, and she who is the best housewife is usually the most interested in floriculture. You might wish to ask me what hardy plants to cultiavte. I should reply by saying ““Those you most admire.” Make your selection ¢arefully. Among the hardy plants that I have found satisfactory, are the lilacs, syringas, spireas, honey suckles, altheas, California yellow- bells, japonicas, weigelias, and as many hardy roses as one has room for, including the polyantha group. Also the snowballs, especially the new Japanese variety. For climbers, I like roses, the Seven Sisters, Prairie Queen, and Baltimore Belle, I also like the Clematis, and the Dutchman’s Pipe vine. Se ; In bulbs, if you cannot have them in all varieties, you may choose from this list; Snowdrops, ixias, spiraxis, grape hyacinth, crocus, lily; of the valley, tulips, “hyacinths, narcissi, jonquills, all of the family-of lilies, the iris in vatiety, the peonies and daffodils. Then plant all the trees that you admire and have a place for. 1 omitted the hardy phlox, which ts very pretty and effective, either in clumps or hedges ; the Bleeding Heart, the Columbine and hardy Chrysanthemums. Plant from any of this list carefully at the proper time of year, be sure that soil conditions are right, and you can have each spring a succession of flowers that will be a continuous surprise and delight throughout the season. a Any honest florist from whom you buy your plants, will tell you how to plant them. Never do any garden work in a haphazard way, because you will, in so doing, simply waste your time, and brew for yourself a _ bitter cup of disappointment. Everything planted in my garden from a pine tree to.a crocus bulb, is either done by my own hands, or under direct eee» 34 - _ State Horticultural Society. supervision, a supervision so direct, positive and insistent, that it is difficult for me to hire masculine labor. I have the name of being very hard to please. 1 rather glory in this name, except when I need the strong hand of a man to assist with the work. This spring I planted out a dozen trees, and as many grape vines. The colored gentleman who cou- descended to do the digging, kept up a fire of comment something like this: “That hole’s plenty big enough for that tree.” But the roots will be cramped, I teil him. Dig out the corners more. ‘“Law’see” says Mr. Dark-man, ‘‘what if they is crowded? I’se planted out apple trees many a time, big orchards of ’em, and dug leetle holes, jest big enough to crowd *em into, that’s the way I allus did plant trees.before.” “Do the trees you plant all live?’ I questioned. “No, of c’ose not every one of ’em; some allus does die.” “Not when I plant them,” I said with emphasis, -and he manifested incredulity by a grunt of disapproval, which said as plainly as words, “I don’t believe it.” He was to come back the next day and do some more spading, but he did not appear. I went after him, and found him leaning against his cabin, smoking a cob pipe. ‘‘Why didn’t you come back this morning, as you promised?” I indignantly demanded. He replied with that ag- gravating slowness, that makes one long to hurry speech with a stout club, “Wa’ll, ye see, I’se jest waitin here for Mr. D. to send for me. I’se goin’ to carry hod for his masons.” “Do you call that easier work than gardening?’ I asked. “No’m,” he drawled, ‘’taint no easier and it ain’t no harder, when folks is as hard to please as you-all is.” “You-all” was only myself, but he politely in- cluded my husband, who was down town, the hired girl, who was in the kitchen, and the cat asleep in the barn loft. The point is, one must be particular if he wishes the things he plants to survive, and grow in loveliness from year to year, and from generation to generation. I have never found that it made much difference whether one plants trees and shrubs in the fall or spring, if the work is done right, but it would be better not to plant at all, than to do the work in a slip- shod way. I must confess to a special liking for the homely, old-fashioned plants; I like the great clumps of those old-fashioned yellow lilies, the columbine and hollyhocks; even the tiger lily is a welcome member of my large collection of hardy plants. It may be that I like them because they were in my grandmother’s garden, and so grew a place for themselves in my heart when I was very young. Is it not something fine to be able to do even a little towards beauti- fying the world, and to make happier and better a few human hearts? MY x a . : sii. : “f ; : 3 \ Summer Meeting. rie Ree Nor is this a small insignificant ambition; a good garden of hardy plants may be a heritage left to children and grandchildren that will bless and benefit them far more than a legacy of mere gold. Whatever helps a life to grow upward into a purer light, a clearer atmosphere, or causes the finer feelings to take root and climb up to a more healthful place, is surely something worthy of notice and is an aspiration both noble and un- selfish. Mentioning my grandmother’s garden recalls to mind an article writ- ten by Geneva Lane for a St. Louis paper !ast month. She says: “Grand- mother’s garden was the spot to which the sweetest memories cling. It was enclosed by a hedge and lay open to the southern sky; even the beds of homely vegetables were surrounded by boxed borders of flowers, and the walks were edged with rows of old-fashioned pinks, with their pale green leaves and soft, feathery blossoms, whose sweetness all the odors of Araby the Blest could not surpass. From the hedge leaned out great red roses with loose flopping petals and flaming hollyhocks lifted their stiff spikes of bloom. Such big gorgeous butterflies came to that garden, and such a saucy wren nested in a knot-hole of the grape arbor, and such a bonnie bluebird built in a gourd nailed to a tree, and such cheery, chattering martins accepted the little house set for them atop a pole; and they all lived in peace, for no quarrelsome feathered alien had then come to spoil their Eden.” In sentiments like these is hidden one of the strongest pleas for the hardy plants, for a garden around which clings such fragrant and tender memories, is something very sacred, and well worth cultivating. J. Horace McFarland, in the April number of the Household, de- clares that’we Americans do not care enough for the beautiful plants of our country, but that we continually neglect them to cultivate assiduously a few foreign introductions, so, while I am making this plea for hardy . plants, let me include a special one for those belonging to our own country, and climate. This writer tells of a wonderful old garden on the Hudson, in which, he says “the quaint roses of generations ago are neighbors to exquisite Peonies and Iris, and where the grass goes to seed untouched by the lawn mower, and where the Honeysuckle and matri- mony vine clamber at will over the portico, and where a black locust with more than three centuries of bloom, is flanked by mock orange and lilac bushes.” He declares that this garden ‘is always lovely, and al- most cares for itself. There is no annual florist’s bill to pay. This last item is one that appealed to me with considerable force, for the florist’s bill is no small matter, when one yields to the temptation to buy the exotics which so seductively adorn every greenhouse. I have S fam FRR rs oly : x ee = 5 = x tne 36 z State Horticultural Sécict y. ae often thought that persons of weak will and limited means, ought never to trust themselves inside the florist’s domain, which is surely enchanted ground in the spring time. I speak this from personal experience. , However, we may, if we will, have lovely gardens without the exotics, or the greenhouse either, for that matter. I have in my garden many hardy wild things growing, which are a source of pleasure to all of us. My list includes great clumps of Verbena, Sweet William, Solomon’s Seal, Bleeding Heart, Blue Bells, Hyacinth, and Larkspur, Wild Violets in lavender, deep purple, pure white and yellow, the Little Johny Jump- ups, and Pansies, Dogtooth Violets and Colinsia, both the blue and white, and pink and white, which come up each year self-grown and bloom beautifully. | This fall I shall plant out a Redbud and a wild Crabapple tree. Some relatives from Penna. who visited us in April were greatly pleased with the Redbud, and I was fascinated by an avenue of wild Crabapple trees. that I came across during a country drive about the middle of April. They had been pruned ‘up until only a full top was left, and at the time I saw them, these symmetrical trees. were in blossom, perfuming the air for a long distance, and making me wish that I owned a Crabapple grove. Like Nesbit, I love wild flowers and can endorse all he says in this quaint old-fashioned poem which he calls SERMONS IN FLOWERS. The common kind o’ flowers, Lord, you made a lot o’ them; The daisy in the medder is as clean as any gem; The wild rose in the thicket is the ripest kind 0’ red— It’s purty, and it’s happy—look at how it holds its head. Them little dutchmen’s breeches is a favorite o’ mine; ¢ I like to stumble on ‘em with my eyes, an’ catch their shine. ~- An’, then, the johnny-jump-ups, noddin’ soft when I go by, An’ as blue an’ glad an’ helpful as the ca’m midsummer sky. The blazin’ dogwood blossoms—how they flash along the road— Come a-bloomin’ in a minute, till a feller thinks it’s snowed; Lord, the hawthorne holds a sermon that is sent direct from you An’ the bendin’ cherry branches, an’ the-elder bushes, too. There’s the perky dandelion bobbin’ up so fresh an’ bold, Till the whole enduring hillside has its polkydots of gold; An’ the blossomin’ May apple, hidin’ underneath the -trees, Sends a tingiin’ sort o’ flower till it coaxes out the bees. The common kind 0’ flowers ! Lord, I guess they like to grow An’ to fill the air with gladness just because you love them so . Lord, I try to undersiand them an’ my heart beats in accord When I bend an’ whisper to “em: “For this blessing, thank the Lord.” In conclusion, let me urge you to make a selection of hardy. plants, which includes all perennial things from grass up through smaller plants, then bulbs, shrubs and trees. With a judicious planting of hardy things, - <>. “Summer Meeting. ~~ SDS and a dozen packets of annuals, you may have a garden that will be a delight to everyone who sees it. Only a_little energy, a few dollars in cash, and a determination to make plants grow, and almost anyone can have a garden, not only to en- joy himself, but to leave as a heritage to coming generations. What “worthier ambition could one have than this? Then plant sweet flowers! Hardy flowers, That will grow and bloom from year to year; Grow and bloom when these hearts of ours, True hearts, that loved them, are not here. HORTICULTURE A BUSINESS, SUCCESS: ITS AEM: (Prof. H. B. McAfee—Park College, Parkville, Mo.) An agriculturist has been defined-as a sort of farmer with no cal- louses on his hand. The same superficial view might consider the life of a horticulturist one continued picnic. Horticulture is undoubtedly a fascinating occupation; but for most of us its fascination depends, in some measure at least, upon our success from a financial standpoint. There are a few devotees of science who: find sufficient compensation in the joy of studying nature’s laws, but most of us are not satisfied until we have succeeded in transmuting our knowledge of nature’s laws into the coin of the realm. Horticulture is a business and success is its aim. I would not be understcod as stating that money and money alone is the goal of the horticulturist—such a statement would prove me out of harmony with the noble men and women who have constituted the ad- vance guard in fruit growing in our grand state. They are men at whose feet I delight to sit and from whom some of my most valuable lessons have been learned. Success has crowned their efforts. They have not all gotten rich, but they have laid the foundation of one of the greatest industries of our state and the public is richer for their services. The man to whom fruit raising is a mere pastime is a peril to the business. How many young aspirants for success in this field have been hopelessly swamped and finally discouraged by trving to follow the ad- vice of such people. They break into our papers with wonderful theories and startling results of so-called careful experiments, all of which are valueless and misleading. They are not all as wild as the editor who wrote elaborate instructions for the planting of the seed and the cultiva- tion of an oyster bed, but generally they are as innocent of any valuable knowledge of the subject treated. A careful student always looks first at the title page of a book to learn the author’s name; so a wise student of the problems of horticulture will first ask for the credentials of the « - 38 > State Horticultural Society. <- sad writer or speaker. If he is a theorist only, or cne whose experiences have ‘ not borne the fruit of success, he is not a safe adviser. I employed a man. once to take care of our dairy cattle. Within a few days a valuable cow showed signs of discomfort and there were signs of fever about the head. He proceeded to cut a slit in her tail near the bushy end and insert salt, binding up the wound full of salt. I am often reminded of this remedy by some of the articles I read re- garding fruit raising; results attributed to causes which have absolutely no relation. The voung horticulturist, and, indeed, all of us who are trying to be progressive, are constantly in danger from the advice of these _ theorists. There is perhaps no other business, unless it be in the practice of medicine, in which there is so much room for rank guessing.. In spite of this condition horticulture is a business and to be successful must be conducted as such. That is simply saying that we must use our judg- ment, carefully considering and weighing every advice and selecting from the mass of possibilities with the best wisdom at our command. The merchant must study his markets both in buying and selling and has a wide field, but it does not compare with the field that is open for the horticulturist. If he masters his business he must study the laws of nature as governing soil conditions, effect of atmospheric changes, plant life, insect life, processes of growth and ripening, fertilization both of bloom and soil, and when he has covered all these fields of knowledge he is just where the merchant is when he starts_in—he has still all the problems of market which the merchant has. He must know what to produce and where and how to dispose of his production. All honor to the man who has mastered the intricacies of such a business sufficiently to make & success of it. THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 9 A. M——BERRY GROWING. MY EXPERIENCE IN-GROWING STRAWBERRIES. (J. R. Helfrich, Eldon.) Our Vice-President, George T. Tippin, in his response to the ad- dress of welcome at our meeting Jast summer said: “One of the greatest sources of jearning is the failures of others, engaged in horticulture.” If this be true (and I believe it is) my experience in growing strawberries will surely be a great source of learning, for it has been more of a failure than a success. te LHR Summer Meeting: 39 It is an old saying, “bought wit is the best wit if you don’t pay to dear for it;” but there are different ways to buy it, one way is by ex- perimenting, another by reading and taking the experience of others, and I have come to the conclusion the latter is by far the cheaper. As far back as I can remember any thing about strawberries, about the year 1870 or 1871, my mother planted a small patch in the garden, and when it came time for them to bear they had a nice crop of bloom, but very few berries, so she thought she had planted them in the wrong sign, and the next spring she took some plants from this same patch and planted another bed; taking special care to plant them in the right sign, and the result being the same as the first patch she gave up trying to grow strawberries. I don’t remember of ever seeing strawberries on my father’s table. I would be ashamed to tell this if there were not hundreds and thousands of families all over our land just the same. No wonder so many of our farmer boys want to go to the towns and cities. After -I was married and had a home of my own, I concluded I would grow some strawberries; and being told to plant them in the light of the ~ moon, | thought I would make it doubly sure, so waited until the night the moon fulled, and planted them by moonlight, but it happened to be a dry moon and my berries all died. Then, after I came to Missouri—the land of big red apples, where strawberries can be raised by planting them in the ground, instead of the moon, I thought now I will grow strawberries; so about the first of August I prepared the ground, and the latter part of the month we had a good rain, then I drove 20 miles toa nursery and bought two thousand plants, 1,000 Crescents, 500 Green- ville, 200 Warfield, 200 Parker Earl, 100 Miner’s Prolific. I commenced on the west side of the patch and planted four rows of Crescents, then the next four rows I planted half through with Greenville, and finished out with the Parker Earl; Warfield and Miner’s Prolific; then I had thirteen rows left, so I went to a neighbor that had an old patch that he intended plowing up, and got plants enough to finish the patch. Then the work began. I soon found the ground was pretty foul, and I had a tussle with the weeds, but it was not my first experience with weeds. I knew what to do with them, and I succeeded in getting a fair growth of vines that fall. I became interested and began to read up some and soon found I had made one serious mistake in setting each variety sepa- rate without some fertilizers with them, but fortunately they were con- siderably mixed and had enough perfect flowering varieties with them to fertilize them. As stated above, I planted in August. The next spring we picked a few messes, the following spring we had a fair prospect, but on the 19th of May, just as the berries began to ripen a hail storm 40° State Horticulturai Society. in connection with almost a cyclone, struck them and after the storm the ~ patch looked like it had been mowed and everything raked off—a little discouraging but I did not give up. I began cultivating again, thinned them out some and by fall I had a very respectable looking swe patch again. The next spring we picked about 200 gallons, the four rows of ~ Crescents yielded about as much as all the balance of the patch, the thirteen rows taken from the old patch hardly paid for picking, the vines. were nice, but berries were small and imperfect. Since that time I have tested a good many different varieties. I am now growing Cres- cent. Warfield, Haverland and Bubach, with Bederwood, Brandywine ; and Glen Mary as fertilizers. Then Crescent has been my farvorite from the first, but the Warfield, Bubach and Haverland are much larger-and this year they are about as full; the Brandywine is my favorite for a late fertilizer. The Glen Mary has not proved to be what it was recom- mended. I plant a new patch every two years. I expect to plant-another patch next spring. I will plow under a patch of cowpeas this fall; next Spring as early as possible I will plant them in rows four feet apart, setting plants eighteen inches apart in the row; give them thorough culti- vation, keep in matted rows about 18 inches wide, after the ground freezes will mulch lightly with straw (I have tried bagoss and sawdust; but prefer straw) the next spring I will remove only the thickest bunches of straw. : I expect to plant largely of the Bubach, Warfield and Haverland, but will not give up the old Crescent, and for fertilizers will plant Brandy- wine and Bederwood, but will select some other variety in place of the Glen Mary. I have never used commercial fertilizer until this spring. I sowed it broadéast over my patch about the time they commenced bloom- ing at the rate of about 200 pounds per acre. After they are through fruiting I expect to thin them out and give another liberal dressing of fertilizer. Will also use some unbleached wood ashes. As stated above, I have never used commercial fertilizer before, but have seen it used with good result. STKAWBERRIES—DISCUSSION. A. T. Nelson.—Fer early berries, 1 like the Cumberland, Haverland and Bubach. Mr. Markey—I have not had much experience with strawberries, but I will say this spring the Haverland and Warfield have been the best crop with the Crescent next. We use Michell’s Early to fertilize the Cresent. Box of Aroma, FF, H. Speakman, Neosho, Mo. rk, of ¥ ~ Summer: Meeting. — . 4] Pres: Robnett—Can any one tell which is the better bearer—Ex- celsior or Michell’s Early? . J. E. Mohler—I planted five hundred of each a few days ago. The Excelsior is a sure bearer. The Mitchell is not so large, but is good. The Execisior is a dark red, slick berry. Mr. Markey.—I would like to ask about the Aroma. I notice in South Missouri and Arkansas it is grown quite extensively and is spoken well of. G. Tf. Tippin—vThe Aroma has been very satisfactory in South Mis- souri ever since planted. In fact, I believe it has more friends than any other variety. It is not so good this year, as it was injured by the frost. Still, it has proven to be the best commercial berry we have in South Missouri. The Haverland and Gandy will give the largest yield this year, having escaped the frost. In naming varieties to plant, I don’t know what is best. I think the locality should govern that. At Spring- field I would plant Warfield, Haverland, Aroma and Gandy. We plant for only home use, as we are in the middle of the strawberry region. i believe those are the best four varieties. I would plant largely of the Aroma. A good many plant the Excelsior, but they do not plant the Micheil to amount to anything. The Excelsior is a very sour berry. J. B. Wild.—For the early berries we plant the Michell’s and John- son’s Early. This year Johnson’s Early was better than last. The Aroma is largely planted. The Gandy did not do well this year. The Warfield is planted a good deal; the Cresent not as much as formerly, but still planted to a large extent. Mrs. Moore-—We are making heavy planting at Mountain Grove cf the Aroma and the Gandy. Mr. Markey.—What about Parker’s Earle? M. Tippin.—Parker Earle in rich soil is a success. It has to have strong soil and plenty of moisture. Mr. Markey.—I want to plant a good many berries next spring. I have some bottom land and wonder if the Parker Earle would be a good variety to plant there. Secy. Goodman.—About Kansas City the Parker Earle is considered the leading variety as much there as the Aroma in South Missouri. B. C. Auten—I would like to know what is the best berry for home use. J. E. Mohler.—I have a good many varieties. We have some that are good one year and not good the next, but among those I am ac- quainted with, I think the Cresent, Warfield and Haverland are the best three varieties, and of course, pollinizers. The Bubach is a fine berry but we do not know when we are going to get a crop. 42 | State Horticultural S ociety. C. H. Dutcher—What is the best fertilizer for the Haverland? A. V. Schermerhorn—The Clyde in Illinions. Prof. Dutcher—How about the Lady Thompson? J. T. Stinson—If you used the Lady Thompson and the Clyde, they would do all right. Mr. Markey.—The Wolverton is used by some. Prof. Dutcher—Last year I got good out of the Cumberland. Mr. Schermerhorn.—Do you not think it better to fertilize with large berries? In my experience it is much better to use something larger to fertilize large berries with. Prof. Stinson.—In a large commercial field, we find it to be a bad proposition. It is a bad thing to have berries not similar to put in a car load. You find it an advantage to have similar berries. The Wolverton is a good thing as a fertilizer. It is a bad scheme to have a berry like the Michell’s Early in a Haverland bed, because they are gone before the Haverlands come in. If you can arrange it, it is a good scheme to have berries that ripen near.the same time. Mr. Gilkeson shows specimens of twigs which are blighted and asks for information. Pronounced twig blight by Prof. Stinson. Secy. Gocdman contended that it was different from pear blight. Prof. Stin- son, however, contended that twig and pear blight were one and the same. Referred to Prof. Whitten. VARIETIES OF STRAWBERRIES. isp (H. W. Jenkins, Boonville.) Solomon said ““That of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.’ Had Solomon lived in this day and age of gaudy pictured nursery catalogues he might well have said there is no end to the new varieties of strawberries and much study over the catalogues in the selection of varieties to plant is a weariness of the flesh. For each spring comes on a new crop of novelties and wonders. Larger, better colored, more productive, hardier, in fact each new comer that comes forth for public recognition is the acme of per- fection, produced by scientific methods of cross fertilization. A royal thoroughbred and of course with a pedigree and generallly backed by -a testimonal from a Ohio man or the other fellow from Michigan. - With each annual crop of these scientific wonders comes a crop of suckers seady to purchase them at fabulous prices. For in every fruit -grower’s heart is a desire for better things and he allows his cupidity to Sumner Meeting. 43 overrule his better judgment, so the promoters of paper colored berries find ready sale for their prodigies, and the merry war continues from year to year. The present spring the writer read a circular from the introducer of anew variety—“The Lazy Man’s Berry,” for the man who belonged to the No Sweat Club. This he claimed would do no good if cultivated, but should be grown only in fence corners, blue grass pastures or any place where it should be left to its own way of growing when it would completely and utterly kill cut all grass, weeds, buck brush, etc., and produce berries so profusely that you could simply scoop up the berries by the bushel. I did not purchase, because our Boonville market can only consume sO many, no more. But enough of this—I think it a good plan to get a few plants of these new varieties each season and test and try them, as that is the only way any one ¢an determine their value. Of course all of you know that strawberries are divided into two general classes; perfect bloomers or staminate and imperfect or pistillate; the latter class I regard as the most productive when properly fertilized and some of our best varieties are found in this class. To my mind a perfect berry should have, first— vigor in plant growth, strong, healthy foliage and good system of roots. The fruit should have size, color, good flavor, good shape, be smooth, firm, -and productive. But alas, how many possess all these good qualities ? Nearly every one is lacking in one or more of these essential points, some have size and color, but not productive, others poor color, not attractive to the eye, etc. At the same time, soil and surroundings have a great deal to do with making perfect berries and what does well in one locality fails in another. For example, the famous Hood River berry of Oregon, ’tis said, will do no good in any other valley or place except its native home. To enter into a minute description of each variety that has been grown or tested by the writer in the past 20 vears would consume too much time and space. I will say here that more new varieties have proved disappointments, some highly recommended are utter failures, so that the only safe plan for any one in making a selection of varieties is to plant and test for themselves and when a variety is found that succeeds, then stick to it. . I am fruiting the following varieties, the present season: Aroma, Bubach, Bederwood, Brandywine, Clyde, Excelsior, Gandy, Greenville, Haverland, Klondyke, Michell’s Early, Monitor, Parker Earle, Robinson, Ridgeway, Seaferd, Splendid, Up-to-Date, Warfield and an early variety, den’t know the name and pass my opinion. Aroma, vigorous plant, large, soft, not productive ; Bubach, vigorous plant, healthy, large, good color, productive; Bederwood, small plant, ~ i? 44 = State Horticultural Society. ‘rusts, small, poor. color, productive; Brandywine, vigorous plant, large, poor color, fine flavor, not productive; Clyde, poor plant, large, poor color and flavor, very productive; Excelsior, vigorous plant, medium size, good color, very sour, not productive; Gandy, vigorous plant, large size, fair color, late, not productive; Greenville, vigorous healthy plant, large berry, fair color-and soft, very productive; Haverland, vigorous plant, large berry, well colored and very productive; Klondyke, vigorous plant, medium berry, pale color, productive; Michell’s Early, vigorous plant, small, inferior, soft, not: productive; Monitor, resembles the Clyde, is very productive; Parker Earle, vigorous plant, medium berry, good color, very productive; Robinson, vigorous plant, medium berry, fine color and flavor, not productive; Ridgeway, fine plant, medium berry, fine color and flavor, not productive; Seaford, same as Bubach; Splen- did, poor plant, large, good color, not productive; Up-to-Date, failure in nearly every respect; Warfield, poor plant, medium berry, good color, very productive. The Haverland, all things considered, well deserves to be crowned queen of strawberries; comes early and stays to the end, “is no quitter,” and if I could only find a stamimate with as many good points, I would discard all others and grow only the two varieties, as that would be all I would need for either home use or for market. \ LIST. OF BEST VARLE LIES TOR STRAWBERRIES. A. T. Nelson, Laclede—Cumberland, Haverland, Bubach, Gandy. Mohler, Johnson—Michell, Excelsior, Sower. J. B. Wild, Jasper county—Michell, Excelsior, Haverland, Aroma, Ridgeway, Lady T., Warfield. E.. C. Markey, Johnson county—Haverland, Wolverton, Crescent, Michell Early. G. T. Tippin, Greene county—Aroma, Haverland, Gandy, Warfield. Mrs. Moore, Webster—Aroma, Gandy. C. H. Dutcher, Johnson -county—Crescent, Haverland, Bubach. J. T. Stinson, Webster county—Aroma, Haverland, Gandy, Mooley, Crescent, Warfield, Haverland. M. Butterfield, St. Francois county—Lady Rusk, Clyde, Ruby, Gardner. : oe 3 - ath - = Sumer Alecting. —— AB ~ RASPBERRIES. _ (Samuel D. Gregg, Independence, Mo.) To the members of State Horticultural Society :—I have been notified that I am on the program for a paper on raspberries. To begin with, the raspberry is one of the best, yes the very best, fruits we have in its season, usually from June the 12th, until July the toth. How to Set Out Raspberries—Procure tips of the Black Cap varieties, in the spring, set in rows six feet apart, and three feet in the row. . How to Cultivate—The first year keep clean top, 15 inches high; | cultivate level until about middle of July, then cultivate so as to leave a drain in the center of the row. The second and third years, top 18 inches to 2 feet, but do not make the mistake of most raisers of topping too high, for the wind will have a greater purchase on them in summer, and storms and heavy snows will break them down worse in the winter 3f too tali. Spring Pruning—This should be done not too early, as a subsequent freeze would kill them back and neccessitate another clipping, but do it about the time the buds begin to swell in the spring. Do not make the mistake of cutting the canes too long as many do—thinking they will get more berries by so doing, and if they do they are small, but prune according to vigor of plant or number of canes left, say about eight inches from-main stalk; commence the cultivation and keep it up until berries are all gathered, then finish with a center drain, as the bushes will not stand much water. Manuring—Scatter well-rotted barn-yard manure, in small amounts, as too much is liable to create fungus; for berries, wood ashes is the best I have tried, and new fresh dirt from the forest is better than barn-yard manure. Of Pests—Some seasons, early in spring, the cut-worm does’a great deal of harm by- cutting off the earliest canes which are the best—this last spring a small worm would get into the center of the cane and kill it down within three or four inches of the ground, these would better be etit out and let new ones come, for the cane so killed by worm throws up too many smal! canes from the stool which is left. Pull out surplus canes to four or five, then in spring pruning thin out to three canes, then the *berries are larger, and the best plan for increasing the yield is to increase the size of the berries, by so doing you increase the market value and have quicker sales. 46 State Horticultural Society. s Diseases of Raspberries—I believe that the red rust a fungus is - the principal one or about the only one that has come under my knowl- edge. This, if taken in time, can be controlled by using fungicide, but better dig up and burn all infected plants. Varieties—Doolittle is an early but very good one, the Hopkins is also an early berry and more productive than the Doolittle. The Miami is a very good berry, called by some Mammoth Cluster. The Kansas is a larger berry and a good bearer. The Gregg originated in Ohio and is the largest berry of which the plants are on the market. The Mis- souri is the largest of all, often measuring an inch to one and one-fourth inches in diameter. Merchants of Independence have given them the preference of all other berries. Plants not on the market. Berries wiil be on exhibition at St. Louis Fair, 1904. RASPBERRY—DISCUSSION. E. B._Katherman.—We have tried something like ten varieties of raspberries and have dropped everything but the Kansas. No variety stands frost like the Kansas. The Kansas will bear if any variety bears. | Secy. Goodman.—What kind of soil have you? Mr. Katherman.—We set out raspberies in a dry, sandy soil, three to four and a half feet apart. Secy. Goodman.—Do you set them in hills? Mr. Katherman.—Yes, sir; we do not plow both ways, except to cut the weeds in the spring. Secy. Goodman.—Does not that seem close before fall comes? Mr. Katherman.—No, sir; we always keep them cut close. We top them once a week during the summer, letting the laterals grow till fall. If we want tops, we cut them, if not, we let them grow until spring. To get good plants, they should be topped. Mr. Markey.—I find that if we want the best plants, the best plan is to keep it low and keep the laterals trimmed within seven or eight inches from the main vine. In that way they are not mashed down. We put three or four stalks in the hill. Secy. Goodman.—The Kansas raspberry with us grows so that. we plant the rows eight feet apart and four feet apart in the row. Even then the branch covers the ground so that we have to cut in the fall and they grow thick enough to keep the weeds down and have little trouble with them. If they top, head them back. We leave the tops until spring’ Never prune in the fal]. Seems to keep the plant in better shape and y + 3\ Summer Meeting. 47. condition. We prune about April the next year. I believe in pruning rather closely. Mr. Gilkeson.—How long does the old stock last? Secy. Goodman.—One year. While one is bearing, we are raising another for the next year. We prune from six to fifteen inches and then sometimes the branch bends. We find it easier to cultivate and take “care of large quantities in that way. The plants grow in the summer, bear the next spring and then die. Some people remove the old canes as soon as they die. I believe this is wrong. We should leave these - until the next spring when we trim the laterals, then cut the old canes -away. They are a protection to the new. canes. . Pres. Robnett—If you leave the old. canes until spring, when the laterals are cut you can get at them better. ENSTORY AND PUBLIGATIONS OFTHE STATE. HORTICUE2 TURAL, SOCIETY: . Second Paper (T. A. Sampson, Secretary State Historical Society, Columbia, Mo.) Without repeating all of the facts stated in a former paper on the History and Publications of the State Horticultural Society, which was published in the 33d annual report of the Society, it might be well to re- call the organization of the Society in 1859, under the name of the Mis- souri Fruit Growers’ Association, which name was changed at the meet- ing of January, 1862, to that which it still bears. . The first president was Norman Colman, afterwards Lieut-Governor of the State, and later a member of President Cleveland’s cabinet as Secretary of Agriculture, and still an active member of this and similar societies. George Husmann, Professor Swallow, General Minor, General Edwards and other prominent and well known men took part in the organization. The Society has been fortunate in having men that it could retain in office a long time. Among these may be mentioned Henry T. Mudd, Governor Colman, S. M. Tracy, L. D. Morse, William Muir, John C. Tice, D. S. Holman, N. F. Murray, J. C. Evans, A. Nelson and L. A. Goodman, the present efficient Secretary, who has filled that office since 1882. Mr. Evans was president for nearly the same length of time. Ye - r, wre * > eS eh: * DE ee aS, 48 ~ State Horticultural SOplePyroe ene eee It has been stated that the Society became dormant during the Civil — 2 War, and was afterwards re-organized, but such is not the case. Annual ‘meetings were held in 1861, 1862, 1863 and 1864, and officers have been — regularly elected each year from the beginning. | At, the meeting in June, 1902, the Society decided that all who had “paid their membership fee for ten years should be declared life mem- ‘bers. Under this resolution, twenty-eight persons became life members, making the total number of these at the date of the last report forty-six. The Society has accomplished an untold amount of good for the — State by exhibits of fruits at its annual and semi-annual meeting's, at ~ ‘the meetings of the American Pomological Society, of the Mississippi ‘Valley Horticultural Society, at the St. Louis Fair and St. Louis Ex- ~ positions, and at the Expositions held at New Orleans, Chicago, Omaha, Buffalo and Charleston. : Through the influence of the Society the Governor appointed a day ‘to be cailed “Arbor Day,” for the planting of trees and ornamentals; and for the ornamentation of the grounds of the State Institutions and of the public schools. The benefit from the publications of the Society has not been as great as it should be. Unfortunately there are some farmers who do not read anything, and there are others who thing that because the annual reports of the Horticultural Society and of the Board of Agriculture are published for free distribution that they are of no value. Ifa law could be passed to compel every farmer to read these books through each year, it would return one hundred fold the cost of their publication. The subjects treated in these publications are varied, and of interest to many outside of the farmer and horticultural classes. The subjects of or- namentals, flowers, small. fruits, nuts, entomology by Miss Mary E. Murt- feldt and Professor J. M. Stedman, mushrooms by Professor Trelease, and other similar subjects are treated, while the student of history. will find in the 37th report an interesting account by Mrs. H. E. Shepard : of the early explorations in Southern Missouri by DeSoto, Joliet and . Marquette, Hennepin and La Salle, Pike, Schoolcraft, Catlin and Feather- _ .stonhaugh. The history of the Society before mentioned brought the data to 1890, and mettings have been held each year since in June and December. ‘The following table gives the three principal officers who were elected at each December meeting for the year following: Summer Meeting. 49 - OFFICIAL REPORT OF Thr MISSOURI STATE, HORTICUE= PER AL SOCIETY. : Report Meare President. Secretary. Treasurer No. 1Sgo. J. evans. L. A. Goodman: D. S. Holman. a2 1891. is s A. Nelson. 34 1892. é ) Summer Mecturg. : For your further information we herewith submit the data of the _ apple crops in the United States since and including the year 1896: MORO ahaha: ees REE gre ey Tae oie tein, tte a 69,070,000. barrels Pre ae ocr, htxse ea Mais thee il HOt mga els, Misie oe 41,530,000 barrels MeN Gre Sita eee ntti Sol ee eg acne SS er eae bl we 28,570,000 barrels SONS iat ae OE tne te te tas VE Lats le Pecos holes sao 6 one 37,500,000 barrels EOOO Sei: | Bees Mpa FU ahals We ete ee ces Pr hae 47,960,000 barrels 2 OS ae eon ee Sar Ae Tacit Se pee ae 23,075,000 barrels LUCE AER SER eee tet Mer eit OMe on AD ae Oe 43,000,000 barrels You will notice that the crop of 1902 was about 20,000,00 barrels larger than the crop of 1got, although the claim was often made dur- ing the fall that it was several million barrels less. In fact, I believe there were as many apples purchased last year as there were in 1896, somewhat differently distributed. If the data of all the new territory pro- ducing apples last year not formerly taken into account could have been correctly compiled, [ believe this would have been verified. The ‘96 crop was the largest ever produced up to that time. That year during the packing season, and even as late as February, prices in New York and New England ranged from 50 cents to 75 cents per barrel packed F. O. B. cars, this stimulated and increased consumption, and created a large export demand of 2,900,000 barrels; the largest in history of the country. The apple export of the crop 1902 ranks next, of over 2,500,- ooo barrels with prices over double. If prices had been reasonable, say 75 cents to $1.00 for the fruit, during the barreling season no doubt but that the export for 1902 would have exceeded 3,000,000. barrels, and as times were so much better in this country last year than they were in 1896 double the amount would have been consumed in the early part - of the season and the serious disasters that followed would have been avoided. We are satisfied that estimates given out by many were honest, and intended for the benefit of the growers, yet we feel assured that in some - sections of the country information was given out not based upon facts in possession of those who issued it at the time. With them this may have had a twofold object at the time; first, to cause other sections to hold their apples; second, by others holding they would have a better chance to force prices up to their own ideas; failing in this they stored their apples and suffered by it, realizing less for their fruit than they would, had they been willing to sell at what it was worth, prices based upon the supply (which must always regulate prices) during barreling season. The growers of the United States, especially of the middle west and the Pacific Coast States, must not be unmindful of the fact that there 76 State Horticultural Society. has been a great expansion of the apple industry in the last decade, as shown by the United States census for 1900. From 1890 to 1900 there was added 75,000,000 apple trees of bearing age, therefore, 35 per cent. of a crop in 1902 would afford as many barrels as 100 per cent. of a crop would, or did produce ten years ago, or in 1892. The apple in- dustry of the United States having reached such large proportions has become one of the staple products, and requires the same business methods as the handling of the cereal or cotton crop, consequently, for the pro- tection of both the growers and dealers, statistical reports should be carefully collected and based upon fact as near as possible. In this con- nection we would recommend the suggestion made by some writer, that estimates should be made in barrels and not on a per cent. basis. Statis- tical correspondents should be required to give the number and age of trees, reported upon when furnishing crop estimates. It is a question whether or not by voluntary reports, data can be secured upon which the grower can fully rely. The Apple Packers’ Association of America through their organized efforts are making some advancement along this line of work, yet the heaviest buyers do not take these reports en- tirely, but spends lots of money traveling over the different apple states making their own observations. We know one man who spent one thousand dollars last year looking over the apple crop, and then de- cided not to buy any apples. Many others did likewise, still the impres- sion was abroad that the buyers were trying to bear the prices, which im- pression really grew out of wrong ideas as to the size of the crop. The growers will be better protected and in a position to act safer and moye intelligently when in possession of the facts.. We believe the organization of the Commercial Apple growers should be encouraged for mutual benefits along these and other lines. One or two other points before we close. These we have referred to in a former paper on this subject, but think them of sufficient importance to justify your attention again. Our apples should be gathered and barreled at the proper stage of ripening, the same as peaches, strawberries and others fruits. A very large per cent. of the shrinkage in the apple crop 1902 was due to the packing of over ripe stock. Apples should never be on the trees when the trees begin to shed their foliage. Again, always remember that it never pays to pack poor stock, especially when we have as large a crop as that of 1902. Be Ne Summer Meeting. ~ SE FRIDAY, JUNE 5,9 A. M. Call to order. The report of the Committe on Finance was read. That on Fruit follows: The Committe on Fruits respectfully submit the following report on fruits exhibited by: J. E. Hall, Warrensburg, Strawberries, 7 varieties, awarded $2.00. L. R. Katherman, Warrensburg, strawberries, 3 varieties, awarded $1.00. Mr. Katherman also exhibits branches of Early Harvest Blackberry, Ikansas Raspberry, Early Richmond Cherry and Wild Goose Plum, show- ing good crop of fruit set, in good condition. ™ Jesse Mohler, Warrensburg, 3 varieties Strawberries, awarded $1.00; 2 plates apples, awarded 50 cents. Also find on the table some evaporated apples, dried whole by Mr. M. H. Benedict of Richards, which are very nice. A Rustic Hanging Basket of wild flowers by L. X. Wagner, Loyal Cross Roads, awarded 50 cents. S. P. Cutler, Warrensburg, one plate Ben Davis awarded 25 cents. Ed. Sams, Warrensburg, Cherry, Early Richmond, awarded 50 cents. Ed. Kemper, Hermann, Grapes, 5 varieties, 2 branches of Elvira, one summer pruned and one not pruned, which shows the fruit on the summer pruned vine was much farther advanced, awarded $1.00. . Signed G. T. TIpPin, A. T. NELSON, J. S. BuTTERFIELD. The Secretary read the following letters: ; From B. F. Bond, Varner, Ripley county, Mo., May 20, 1903. Hon. L. A. Goodman : Dear Sir—I have your address from J. C. Whitten, Columbia Ex- periment Station. I want to give you my plan to keep peach buds from winter killing, how to dwarf the buds and keep them dormant. Take suitable wire and a pair of pincers and twist the wire round each limb just tight enough to choke off the flow of sap. You must use judgment in doing this. The best time to do this is to be found out by experiment. I should say to dwarf the buds in July and to keep them dormant in August. I mean to test the matter and I want you to give it to your 78 = State Horticultural Society. : > society. Now here is what I found this spring, a broken limb on a peach tree in full bloom, while all others were winter killed, the limb was broken in early fall and it has peaches on it now doing well. To break the limbs would do, but would look bad, hence my wire plan, and my plan is to treat half of each tree top each year, this plan will cause the tree to be cut back each year, which is necessary for good peach culture. I think about two year old limbs will be best to operate on. If the buds are dwarfed I should take the wire off late in the fall. Just to keep them dormant take the wire off in spring, the sap will rise with force and overcome the injury. From Tony Moser, Secretary St. Charles County Horticultural Society, O’Fallon, Mo., April 15, Mr, L. A. Goodman: . “Dear Sir—The copies of the 45th annual report of the Missouri State Societ? received, with many thanks in behalf of the Society. We are getting along nicely with our local Society. Now, Mr. Goodman, would there be any hopes of us being able to induce the Misscuri State Society tos hold: tts. summer meeting of .1¢604. in St Charles? “St. Charles” isva thriving city with a population of about 10,000 inhabitants, has free mail delivery, municipal water and light plant, a number of colleges, first class hotel accommodations, two railroads, is connected with St. Louis by trolley cars with a 15 cent°fare. A highway bridge being con- structed, will be completed in the fall. I think this would be an ideal place for the Society te hold its summer meeting of (1904) the World’s Fair year. J am sure the kind people of St. Charles would extend a hearty welcome, and be proud to entertain you. I think this would be a great benefit to St. Charles county, as it is in need of a waking up along the line of fruit growing. We have some choice lands for fruit growing in our county, and are near a good market, namely, St. Louis. Hoping to have a favorable reply. St. Louis, May 25, 1903. To the President of the Missouri State Horticultural Society: Sir—The Business Men’s League of St. Louis has the honor to ex- tend an invitation to the Missouri State Horticultural Society to hold * its convention in 1904 in St. Louis. The Great Louisiana Purchase Exposition will then be open, and the city will be most attracive. The hotel and hall accomodations will be adequate, and railway rates will be low. Very truly yours, C. P. WALDBRIDGE, President. Wm. F. LEwELLyn SAUNDERS, Secretary and General Manager. Summer Meeting. 79 . St. Louis, May.25, 1903. To the Honorable President and Members, Missouri State Horticultural — Society, Pertle Springs, Mo., 7 Gentiemen—In behalf of the City of St. Louis, I take pleasure in extending to your Society a cordial invitation to hold your meeting for the year 1904, in this city. Very truly, ~ Rortua ‘WELLS, Mayor: Holt, Clay county, Mo, May 30, 1903. L. A. Goodman, Kansas City, Mo., Dear Sir—Otf all the 14 years I have handled berries this is the worst “Lhave had. All along I had hopes of getting a pretty good half crop, but I give up. This morning the field is red with berries with rain pouring and every other one is rotten, so there is nothing to show. The creeks are all out of their banks. Of 20 varieties I have tried, Haverland is worth them al! and Bubach next. I have a patch of Haverland now that has been badly frosted 3 times that I believe will fill 2 rows of boxes set end to end on each side of the row if we can get sun to mature them. They are in hedge row, they are about 3 plants wide and 4 inches apart in rows, they are fertilized with Clyde and they are just as full, but it must hurt any man’s conscience to ship them to any one, they are so poor in quality. Well, I have a good show yet, but there are but few apples in the country, some of the ben Davis are getting moldy and it is impossible ~ to spray for rain and mud. Most of the orchards are brown from the work of canker worms. If men have the right to raise such stock as that to destroy our fruit, why do we make them restrain their other stock? I think this will be a good question for the June meeting. Well, we will have a few cherries, a few peaches, plenty of black and raspberries, no dewberries, no pears, not much corn, about half pianied. Tam too poorly to leave home, but will be with you in spirit as long as you meet. From Yours Fraternally, Ga T; @por. From Z. T. Russell, Carthage, Mo., June 1, 1903. L. A. Goodman: Dear Sir—Many people used to claim and believe that the black raspberry did not do as well in the south as in the north because of the greater heat and less moisture of the former. _ Now, in 1901, we had the longest and severest drouth ever known since berty growing was first tried in this section of the State, and not- BU State Horticultural Society. withstanding this fact there was gathered and sold in 1902 the largest and best crop of raspberries ever grown in this county. This, it appears to me, completely upsets the old theory and calls for a new one. If agreeable to you, I would like for you to present this point to the meeting for discussion. There will certainly be members there who can explain this point and give us a new and better philosophy of it, that will be in harmony with the fact above stated. With best wishes for the success of the meeting. THE PRODUCTION OF HARDY VARIETIES OF PLANTS: (Dr. J. C. Whitten, Experiment Station, Columbia, Mo.) Hardy varieties of plants are usually secured by selecting from a hardy specimen as a basis, or by crossing some desirable form with a hardy variety and then by carefully selecting the hardy seedlings which possess the other characteristics desired. The first step, then, is to secure the proper hardy variety with which to make a beginning. If these varieties contain in a fair degree the other characteristics desired, ‘selection of such as most nearly suit our ideals is all’ that is necessary. If, however, the hardy varieties possess other characteristics which are not desirable they may be crossed with such forms as will supplement them in other desirable characteristics. From this progeny seedlings may be secured which possess the hardiness of the one parent to at least a considerable degree, and which also possess the desirable char- acteristics of the other parent. It is not always easy, however, to determine just what constitutes a hardy variety. There is sometimes a correlation of parts in plants “which enables us to determine one characteristic by observing the other characteristics of the same plant. For example, in peaches large size fruit is usually correlated with large leaves and stout twigs. The breeder of peaches, then, is usually able to- determine whether a seedling will have large, fine fruit without waiting for it to come into bearing. If it possesses large leaves and stout twigs he knows that it will probably produce large fruit when it reaches bearing age; while the peach seedling which produces small leaves and slender, closely knit twigs, will almost invariably produce small fruit. In the pear, a seedling which produces small leaves and small twigs with short nodes, and a scrubby, thorny appearance, usually produces small, inferior fruit, while the tree which produces large leaves and stout twigs with long nodes, will usually pro- duce large fruit. ~ Summer Meeting. 81 In this State it would be highly desirable if we could produce hardy strains of peaches. Very frequently the fruit buds of the peach are in- jured by cold weather of winter. At the experiment station we are at- tempting to produce varieties of the peach which will less frequently winter kill. Could we secure commercial varieties whose buds would fail only half as often as do those of varieties now in cultivation, it would be worth millions of dollars to the State. The first step has been to attempt to determine what constitutes hardiness in the peach, and what, if any, outward characteristics are correlated with hardiness in the difierent varieties. Observations in various orchards for a series of years have shown us that the winter killing of peach buds, while due directly to low tem- peratures in winter, is usually due indirectly to the premature starting into growth of the buds on sunny days in winter. Sometimes late culti- vation in an orchard, especially if. it is not carrying a heavy crop of fruit, induces a late autumn growth, so that the trees go into winter with unripened wood and buds which are very easily stimulated into activity or growth on warm winter days. This premature growth renders the buds and twigs tender, so that they will not withstand the subsequent cold. Sometimes a midsummer drouth causes peach trees to cease growth abnormally early, particularly if thorough cultivation is not kept up to conserve the moisture in the soil during the dry time. If warm autumn rains subsequently occur, the trees frequently take on a second period of growth in autumn, which is somewhat akin to the spring awakening. Occasionally, even fruit buds which should normally remain dormant during the winter, come into blossom in the autumn. Buds which do. not actuaily blossom, often swell sufficiently to cause them to be rendered: tender. 4 The ability of a peach tree to withstand cold, then, often depends upon its being thoroughly dormant. The same thing may be observed in seeds. Seeds may be subjected to extremely cold temperatures with- out injury, provided they are dry and dormant. After they have sprouted and made a little growth, however, they may be killed by even a much higher temperature. At the experiment station we have observed that there is an apparent correlation between the color of peach twigs and their ability to pass the winter safely. We might say, in other words, that there is a correlation between color and hardiness in the peach. It was first observed that our hardiest varieties usually produce lighter colored twigs than do those varieties which frequently winter kill. The Snow type of peaches, for H—6 82 State Horticultural Socicty. instance, all produce pale, yellowish-green twigs, and they are remarkably hardy. Their fruit buds frequently pass the winter safely and the trees produce fruit when other varieties are winter killed. The Ortiz, another variety with pale, yellowish-green twigs, is remarkably hardy, while varieties containing darkest purple twigs winter kill. An examina- tion of the fruit buds of various varieties during a number of winters indicates that the hardiness of these varieties producing pale twigs is due to the fact that they are less easily stimulated into growth on warm winter days and consequently remain more thoroughly dormant during winter than do those sorts which possess dark purple twigs. Experiments have shown why this may be. Thermometers inserted in the twigs of very purple colored varieties show that on sunny days in winter these twigs often attain a temperature of fifteen or sixteen degrees higher than the temperature of the atmosphere. Laboratory experiments show that this purple coloring matter of the twig or syanin, has the power of absorbing great quantities of heat from the sun. Similar thermometers inserted in peach twigs whitened with lime wash to reflect the rays of the sun, show that the whitened twigs will remain at atmospheric temperature, or slightly below. It may easily be seen, that during sunny winter days a raise of fifteen degrees, or sometimes even more than twenty degrees, in the temperature of the purple twigs above the atmospheric temperature, might cause them to make considerable growth and become active enough to be easily injured by the subsequent cold, while twigs which are whitened to reflect this heat, remaining at the atmospheric temperature, might pass this sunny period in a dormant condition. The varieties like the Snow and Ortiz, which have pale twigs, register a temperature be- tween that of the whitened twigs and the dark purple twigs, showing that they would probably be less easily stimulated into growth on sunny days than would the latter. Aside from the difference in actual tem- perature of light twigs and the dark purple twigs, the rapid change, or Auctuation, in temperature of the latter may be unfavorable. Observa- tions show that in cases where the difference between day and night tem- perature of the atmosphere and of whitened twigs is only ten degrees, that the difference between the night and day temperatures of purple twigs was twenty-five or twenty-six degrees. In days of intermittent sunlight, the sudden appearance of the sun from behind a cloud in one case where the ground was covered with a light snow which reflected the heat upwards to the trees, thermometers in purple twigs raised in temperature sixteen degrees in six or seven minutes; when the sun again passed under a cloud, the temperature of the twig fell fifteen or sixteen degrees in a very few moments. This fluctuation of temperature on the part of the purple twigs is no dobut injurious. Sunumer Meeting. 83 There seems to be, then, a correlation between the hardiness of our peaches and the absence of purple coloring matter in their twigs. In order to determine whether or not this supposition is of any economic importance, we are now attempting to breed varieties possessing light colored twigs. In order to do this we have begun a collection of as large a number of the light twigged sorts as possible. These light twigged sorts and their seedlings usually do not produce the finest fruits; from them, the peaclies are not only usually small, but usually pale in color. Furthermore, they do not produce quite the high flavor of some of the purple twigged varieties. For that reason we are crossing the light twigged varieties with such purple twigged varieties as produce the finest fruit. We wish to determine whether or not we can obtain varieties from which the purple color will be eliminated and which may yet pro- duce as good fruit as do our purple twigged sorts. It remains to be seen whether or not this can be accomplished. Weston, Mo., June 2, 1903. Friend Goodman—You are aware of the situation that surrounds us. Water bound—no trains to Kansas City. Two a day only with mail and way passengers to St. Joseph reach us. I send the paper by mail; it may reach you in a round-about way. My full intention was to meet with you. Just now the outlook for travel is uncertain. Hop- ing that those who can meet will have a good and profitable time, is the wish of Yours truly, J. A. DurKeEs. EE REAR: (J. A. Durkes, Weston, Mo.) The most desirable situation for the pear orchard is on elevated sites, sloping to the south or east, on a loamy, sandy clay, that is open sufficiently to admit of free drainage, and yet where the roots extend- ing deeply and freely in it, reach moisture in very dry seasons. Cold, wet stiff clay is a very undesirable subsoil, perfect drainage being very important. We have records of localities in many states where the pear seems to succeed perfectly, continuing to increase in vigor and productiveness from year to year; and doubtless many-other sections in due time will be added to the list of those now become famous. 84 State Horticultural Society. The fruit growers of the Union certainly deserve much praise in their efforts to make pear growing practical. Our country is a large one with such diversity of soil and climatic influences much experimenting will be required. An orchard of dwarf pears, trained in pyramidal form, is a beauti- ful sight, planted with adapted varieties, it can be made quite profitable in hands of a specialist. The ground for the trees should be thoroughly prepared by plowing and harrowing, checked off ten or twelve feet apart. Varieties known to do best on the Quince are planted, such as Duchess, Bartlett, Anjou, Louise Bonne, and others in smaller lots that may be grown for trial. The ground can be planted for several years in low growing crops of any kind; then left to rest—grass and weeds cut down for hay or left as a mulch. In planting, the trees should be formed, roots trimmed, the soil well firmed upon them, and very little pruning done after, except to bring the straggling branches into shape. The aim is to retard excessive growth, but to induce a larger number of small ‘mbs and twiggy growth. This, we think, will be largely a safe-guard against blight by diverting the sap into many channels. Trees of the pear orchard should be twenty or twenty-five feet apart. I plant twenty; this seems to be a good distance, for in few instances will the trees grow large enough to need more space. The pear tree is an upright grower, the roots not spreading near the surface. We start the heads of trees low, one to two feet from the ground. After the first season no trimming is done except to cut away dead or blighted limbs when these appear. Shocts starting from near the ground, unless too many, are left to grow as a new part of the tree. In the mode of training the pear we have adopted, which could be termed the renewal system, these new shoots become very serviceable for this reason, quite often a tree blights and only part is lost, the root and a part remaining healthy and living on, growing vigorously and bearing fruit the same as when all the tree was there. The per- centage of trees lost by blight has been much reduced when trained in this way. While those trained to a single stem, when blight appears, the whole tree is lost, the trunks all being shaded may in part be a safe- guard, but our theory is, as before stated, inducing a slow, ‘healthy growth of wood, and plenty of it has as much influence, if not more, for we find that trees having passed the first years of fruiting, and the older they become, are less subject to the blight. Of course we have not been free from it, but it does not worry us much. When we se¢ a twig Summer Meeting. 85 and limb, large or small, turning black, they are cut away and destroyed. When a whole tree is lost, we put in another soon as possible. For home use and experimenting we plant many kinds; but for commercial purposes we have selected the following: First, the Bartlett bears every year, though it also has its full and off seasons; the tree adapts itself well to the mode of renewal. Keiffer, for shipping long distances, storing to ripen late, is the best pear we have. Clarigeau is very large, fine form and color. The Duchess on the Quince seems to succeed everywhere; one of the best in size and quality. Anjou, out East, an early winter pear, ripens with us from the middle to the last of September. The Howell is large, smooth, finely colored and very fruitful. Bergamotte Cadette is one of our best pears, not known as well as the others named; it is large to very large, firm; excellent flavor; car- ries well; trees healthy, of spreading habit. The Seckle we include in the list, though small, its high fame for quality gives it ready sale. Flemish Beauty is one of the best pears we have. The trees bear well but are so subject to blight. But we cannot afford to do without them, so, in order to keep up a supply, we are forced to adhere to the old adage, for every tree that is lost, plant two in its place, and by the way this must be the motto for all fruit growers. THE PEAR. (Polster Brothers, Warrenton, Mo.) This is an old subject and nothing new to report. In other lines and branches there is advancement and new remedies for diseases are discovered, but it seems for pear blight there is no remedy, and it is a vexed and difficult subject in horticulture. The knife and saw seem to be the only remedy. Watching the trees from early spring till late in the summer, cutting and sawing off all affected limbs and branches and at once burning same seems to be the only refuge. Warm, moist weather is favorable for blight. Cool, dry weather is unfavorable. Most of damage is in a month or two following bloom, but young trees may be attacked at any time during the summer. Eighteen years ago we planted four hundred pear trees and continued planting every year until we had eighteen hundred trees. Eighty per cent. were Keiffer; the balance, other varieties. If we had planted Keiffer only, we would have been much better off, as seventy-five per cent. of Keiffer are still alive and bearing heavy crops, and nearly all other varieties are dead from blight, except 86 State Horticultural Society. Garber did well. The Keiffer on our clay timber soil grows to perfection here and is equal to a Bartlett for canning and eating if properly ripened. The Keiffer, like the would-be doomed Ben Davis, has been much abused, but those who know them and want money in their pocketbooks will do well to plant both. PEARS—DISCUSSION. B. C. Auten.—I have nearly all the varieties mentioned and some others. I have more success with the Dwarf than any other. Pres. Robnett——I had some trees that grew for six years and then died. They will do fine for several years. Mr. Kemper.—Is new land good for pears? L. A. Goodman.—It depends on the sub-soil. It is no use to plant without the proper sub-soil. Pres. Robnett.—I believe it is a good plan to let the sprouts grow. I met a man who was a great pear grower and he said that he had a tree planted in a fence corner that did not receive mucli attention, and the sprouts grew. This tree did better than any in the orchard. I am trying a tree that way and it is doing finely. AE PLM. (J. E. Thompson, Windsor, Mo.) This grand fruit is being sadly neglected, and we find ourselves up against the proposition of whether we will raise our own plums or pay the people of California to do this for us, and “we pay the freight.” ~The plum, to succeed best should be budded on plum roots. While some of our nurserymen for economy’s sake will bud on peach roots, yet I regard this as false economy. I greatly prefer “plum on plum” even at the greater cost. Location.—The soil should be reasonably fertile, porous. and well drained. Should be so cultivated that the water will not stand around the roots of the growing tree. Then, too, let me suggest a thing to our farmer friends: A good plum tree makes too expensive a hen roost to be used for that purpose. Better use a goods box. Pardon this di- gression, but I have seen so many fine plum trees ruined by this method that I feel a word of warning is in good place. Culture—Plant the tree not quite as deep as it grew in the nursery, and then mound up well with dirt for six or eight inches around the body of the tree. Hoe or plow well for the first three years. By this time it should be well rooted so that you need only to keep the weeds closely mown. Never mulch a tree after the fourth season. Varieties —Among the Americans: Wild Goose still leads. It is sour and the curculio loves it as a dainty morsel, yet its immense prolific Summer Meeting. 87 nature will assert itself to such extent that it will come nearer making a crop every season that any variety that I have tried. Wolf is another good one of American type. Japans—I put Abundance as first, Burbank as second. Wickson is new with us, but its immense size will recommend it for thorough trial. ‘Red June is another that is all O. K. I will say right here that you will not go very far amiss if you plant almost any of the Japans. Frost in early spring seems to be their worst enemy as they bloom pretty early. Europeans——Damsor is a good one, a shy bearer, but none more delicious. It is locai in its habits. In many localities it bears better than any other of its class. I prefer the Shropshire Damson, on account of its larger size. Lombard, Shippers’ Pride are both good ones. Ship- pers’ Pride especially standing up pretty well against the hot suns of June and July. Sun scald is their worst enemy. German Prune is well spoken of in some localities, but I have not fruited it. Enemies and the Remedy.—Borers or worms getting into the roots are the worst enemies that we have to contend with so far as the tree is concerned. The leaf rollers that prey upon the leaves and the different species of Caterpillars that eat the leaves all are very destructive if al- lowed to go unchecked. We spray the trees with a mixture of Paris Green mixed with lime and water. One pound of Paris Green and one pound of lime mixed with water at the rate of the above to 200 gallons of water. Usually one application has been sufficient to destroy them. If not, then in four or five days later try it over. It is remarkable how quickly the pests will succumb to these poisons. Marketing —We have usually sold to nearby markets and have found that the market basket that holds one-tenth of a bushel the best. Although it is easily tried to find what vour market calls for. I have shipped very successfully in ordinary berry boxes and crated the same as the strawberry, raspberry or any of this class. Procuring the Trees for Planting —Always buy from some reliable nurseryman. It is far better to pay two prices and get what is reliable, than to place your order with some peddler who has no interest at stake but the present deal. Plant the varieties with a good reputation; shun the high prices, new wonders. They will in almost every instance prove a disappointment. DISCUSSION ON PLUMS. Mr. Morrill—I would like to ask what success you are having with the Japanesé varieties ? Secy. Goodman.—A great trouble with them is that they bloom so early that they get caught by the spring frosts. Wherever they escaped 88 State Horticultural Society. they have borne wonderful crops. The Gold is a good plum. We had fine crops in Bates county last year, also in South Missouri. Wickson, Burkank, Gold and Red June are good varieties. If there were some way that they could get over the two or three weeks at blooming time, they would certainly be very good. Mr. Kemper.—Is there much difference about the peach on plum’ and plum on plum? Secy. Goodman.—I think where the soil is not dry enough for the peach root, it is well to have it on the plum root. Mr. Kemper.—Will it live as well with plum on plum? Secy. Goodman.—The plum root will stand more moisture. Pres. Bobnett——Do chickens roosting on the plum trees hurt them? G. T. Tippin—When they bend the limbs and get them out of shape. When we have a few chickens and lots of plum trees, it is all right. Secy. Goodman.—In the spring when the sap is running up, the chickens are apt to rub the bark and loosen it and kill the trees. Mr. Tippin.—I have one tree of the Newman. It is a more prolific bearer than the others and lasts longer in the season. It is about the size of the Wild Goose plum. I am safe in saying the plum lasts six weeks and gives better results than anything I have planted. DISCUSSION ON GIRDLING. Mr. Morrill—Three years ago I was at Sparta, Ga., and several traveling men were talking about the peach business. In the month of March we had our peach crop damaged. One of these gentlemen, who traveled for a chemical company in Ohio, asked me what it would be worth to Georgia if they would be assured of a peach crop every year. I said it would be worth millions. He said he would like to make a proposition to me. He said that several years ago in Ohio, he was looking at some peach trees and some one had hitched their horse to a tree, the strap had been broken and part left tied around the tree. He said he noticed that the sap was not running into the limb on which the strap was tied. A freeze-came and killed every peach except on that limb which was loaded with fruit. He thought there was something in that and took a tree in his own garden and bound it with a strong piece of scrap iron. That year every peach in his garden, he said, was killed except on that, tree and it had a full crop. He had not time to tend to this business, but thought the principle could be patented. It might save millions. We could patent the principle and the steel bands and might save the peach crop in the whole Union, by preventing the early budding of the peach. J would like to see some one try this prin- Summer Meeting. 89 ciple. I have not had time to do this myself, but believe there is some- thing in it. Secy. Goodman.—I have done a great deal of this all my life. 1 remember in my old home in Michigan, we often had trouble in the trees not bearing and girdled them, with the idea of holding back and making them more hardy. I believe this is worth testing. The trees usually set plenty of peach buds. Even then the fruit may hold better and become larger and have better color if they are girdled. We used to girdle apple trees as much as pruning them. The trees were marked at bearing time and we girdled the trees that did not bear. I have no fear in taking off six or ten inches on the tree. Girdling is a much better way, because this space will heal over in the course of two years and almost every instance will heal. It may take three or four years sometimes. By girdling the size of the crop and the size of the fruit is often double, also girdle the peach, plum and cherry. One man told me he had an orchard that did not bear and I told him to girdle them. He said he was afraid he would kill them. I told him to go through the orchard and girdle every other tree and note the difference, and then the next year girdle the others. This year we are girdling some we girdled last year. Of these, I am taking out a strip about two inches above the old girdling. They have got to bear. You need not be afraid of killing the tree. This of course injures the tree, as does every bearing, but this injury is to our profit and if I can make a tree bear by injuring it, I will do’so. You are not injuring the tree; only making it do what it ought to do for you. In girdling this time of the year, from now until the twentieth of June, you may be sure you will not injure the tree, only make them make perfect fruit buds and the chances are that you will have fruit for the next vear. Every grower of the grape knows very well how to produce a long cluster by tying a wire around the vine and so have the vine loaded with magnificient fruit. ) . } You can make a tree bear and hold the fruit by girdling, the apple, pear, cherry, plum and in some instances the peach. The apple begins budding june Ist; also the pear. You can transform the young bud into a fruit bud if vou girdle now. You may girdle in July and August and change it. Even as late as August, you can make the growth of the bud much better. I take off from two to six inches, depending on the size of the tree. On a tree thirteen or fourteen years old, I would take off six inches, clear around the tree; usually at the center of the body of the tree. This year we girdled about six inches above that, sometimes only four inches. Yt 90 State Horticultural Society. D. A. Robnett—How tight would you bind the grape vine? Would you imbed the wire in the vine a little? L. A. Goodman.—Just so it was tight. You will cut it off any way the next year. Girdle it just so it is tight. The grape vine does not increase much, so wind it tight. Mr. Morrill— You would not girdle unless the tree was putting on plenty of fruit buds? . L. A. Goodman.—No. Mr. Morrill—Do you wrap the girdled .place after taking off the bark? Secy. Goodman.—No. There is a thick sap which comes out and it takes care of itself. J. E. Gladdish—Will girdling make the tree hardier and protect it from the frost? Secy. Goodman.—No. J. E. Mohler—We have an orchard of trees twelve and thirteen years old. Every vear they bloom heavily and when the peaches be- come the size of marbles they drep off, leaving only a half or third of a crop. Will girdling help it? L. A. Goodman.—Girdling may cause the tree to give more pollen to fertilize better. J. E. Mohler—We thought it might be that the ground was too rich and sowed the ground in timothy last fall. It made the growth better. ‘Would girdling heip the Keiffer pear any? Secy. Goodman.—Yes. A. H. Gilkeson.—I once had apple trees that would not bear and was told about the girdling business. One year I girdled one limb. It was full of fruit and the rest of the tree was not. I had some Hunts- man that did not bear and girdled them, as I thought, severely, about the last of May. The orchard is thirty years old and they are still bear- ing. The first year after they were girdled, they bore a big crop and they had never borne before and they were fifteen years oid. I think the best thing to do with the Keiffer pear is to kill it. Mr. Morrill——Was not the falling of the fruit caused by too much nitrogen in the soil? C. H. Dutcher—Nitrogen is productive of wood substances and if it has too large amount, the tree is expending its energy in making wood. I do not know that nitrogen was the cause of Mr. Mohler’s fruit fall- ing. I had some apple trees and all the apples dropped off. Would you girdle them? Secy. Goodman.—That would depend on the condition of the trees. The apples have dropped from want of the perfection of the fruit buds, Summer Meeting. 91 possibly. If sc, and the trees are overgrown and are making a good deal of wood, I would girdle them. C. H. Dutcher.—It struck me that an apple tree that bloomed well and set plenty of fruit buds and the fruit got as large as marbles, and are now all gone, that it was no fault of the tree. J. E. Mohler—Would you girdle the Mammoth Blacktwig ? Secy. Goodman.—Yes. J. E. Mohler—Can you make them profitable? Mr. Goodman.—Yes. They are profitable in South Missouri and Mr. Dix at Jefferson City has some fine trees that have done well. FINAL RESOLUTIONS. Resolved, That the State Horticultural Society fully appreciate the hospitable treatment accorded them by Mr. J. H. Christopher of Pertle Springs, Mr. and Mrs. McCrinn of the hotel, and hereby express our thanks to them for the same. Resolve further, That we express our appreciation of the interest taken by Vice-President C. H. Dutcher, Mr. A. H. Gilkeson and the tocal Horticulturists, who under so adverse circumstances caused by the excessive rains, have done all they could to make our meeting among them a success. Resolved, That we express our thanks to Dr. E. B. Craighead, Prof. B. L. Seawell and Senator Bradley of Warrensburg, for their able contributions to the success of our session by their papers and speaches ; also to Miss Dogget for literary entertainment. Resolved, That we express our thanks to the railroads who kindly favored the delegates to the meeting with reasonable rates’ over their respective lines. Goi REP BEN, Chateman. MISCELLANEOUS. MISSOURD SLATE HORTICULTURAL, SOCIETY, (By Prof. J. C. Whitten.) (Written expressly for The American Truck Farmer.) The Missouri State Horticultural Society will hold its next meeting at Columbia, Mo., on Dec. 8, 9 and 10. An account of this Society, and what it is doing for Missouri horticulture will no doubt be of interest 92 State Horticultural Society. to the truck growers. This Society was organized in 1859, by some of the pioneer fruit growers and gardeners of the State who conceived the idea that meetings for the mutual expression of opinion would be helpful to them in their profession. At that time the horticulture of the State was in its infancy. The large commercial orchard was practi- cally unknown in this section. The best commercial varieties of fruit were scarcely yet determined, and planting largely, or exclusively of a single variety was not dreamed of. The best orchard was at that time the one that contained the greatest assortment of varieties, regardless of whether these varieties would thrive well in this climate or not. The nomenclature of varieties was not well systematized, a variety frequently passing by different local names in various sections. Modern methods of cultivation and management were not well understood. With this confusion of ideas and methods the pioneers of this Society entered into the work of furthering the interests of Missouri Horticulture, and the improvement they have brought about has been little short of wonder- ful. One of the first lines of work that attracted attention was the determination of the best varieties to plant for market. Reports by different growers of the behavior of the various sorts were secured, in order to determine what ones proved to be most generally profitable. This revealed the fact that the correct names of varieties were not gen- erally known, for the reason that local names were variously applied to fruits in different sections. A correct nomenclature was of importance in order that the grower might be sure he possessed a given sort. At the meetings of the Society collections of fruit were exhibited, so that competent committees might pass on their comparative merits and also straighten out conflicting names. This has given rise to a comparatively wide knowledge of varieties by the leading fruit men of the State. The origination of new varieties, adapted to our soil and climate, was also taken up by a number of enthusiastic members. As a result a goodly number of commercial sorts have orginated in Missouri. New varieties of apples, peaches, pears, grapes and berries have gradually swelled the list. Formerly nearly all the varieties of fruit grown in the State were old sorts which were brought from the east. At the present time the majority of commercial sorts are of western origin, many of them having had their birth in Missouri soil. Ideas and traditions with respect to methods of cultivation and management, as well as varieties, were formerly brought from the eastern states, where conditions are very different from our own. The Horti- cultural Society began agitating the question of adapting methods of shaping fruit trees and of pruning to our own local conditions. Mem- Summer Meeting. 93 . bers of the Society began experimenting along this line and reporting their results at the meetings. Eatly copies of the reports of this body show that for a series of years attention was fastened largely upon the question of adopting low heads and a dense branching system for their fruit trees. As a result a new system of shaping the tree, better adapted - to our conditions has been developed. In the eastern states, with a maritime climate, trees were given high heads, so the ground under the trees would warm up and so grasses, or other crops could be har- vested under their branches; the trees were given open tops, and were freely pruned, so as to admit sunlight and air to ripen and to color up the fruit. As opposed to this we have gradually adopted in the west, where our sunlight is intense, low heads, to shade the trunk of the tree and the ground under it; we have adopted a straight, central trunk, with dense lateral limbs as a protection to the tree and its fruit. Earlier fruiting and closer planting have been adopted as better suited to our conditions. A quarter of a century ago the officers of the Society began plant- ing what niight be called the pioneer, large commercial apple orchard of the State. It contained 1,600 acres and was for years the largest orchard in Missouri. The experience of putting this enterprise on a paying, commercial basis did much toward developing the present methods of commercial fruit growing in Missouri. Reference to the reports of the Society shows that only a com- paratively short time ago the members began to agitate the question of better cultivation of fruit trees. Up to that time it was quite common for fruit trees to receive no cultivation at all, but to leave the orchard in sod and perhaps pasture it with domestic animals. Today nearly - all the leading orchards of the State receive good cultivation. In many cases the orchard receives as good tillage as does the garden. The old custom of planting promiscuous varieties has given place to the planting of a few commercial sorts. This has enabled the grower to harvest and market to better advantage and restricts his varieties to those that are the most profitable. .In picking, packing, handling and marketing great advancement has been made in recent years. A short time ago Missouri ranked far down the list among the fruit growing states. The last census, however, showed that there were over twenty millions of apple trees growing in Missouri orchards, or one-third as many again as in any other state. Since the apple com- prises over 80 per cent. of the fruit grown in the United States it will be seen that this State is now in the front rank as a fruit growing State. The same census report shows that Missouri has more than doubled the area of its apple and peach orchards in the past ten years,. 94 State Horticulturai Society. a growth in this respect that is phenomenal. ‘It is safe to say that more than half of the fruit trees now growing in Missouri orchards are not yet old enough to have borne fruit, and a still larger proportion of them have not yet reached full bearing age. For that reason this State has not yet reached first place among the various states in actual fruit produc- tion. The present indication is that when all our young orchards come , into bearing we will produce more apples than any other state and rank well up in the production of peaches and other fruit. The work of the Horticultural Society has been one of the most important factors in pro- moting this rapid growth in the fruit growing industry. Under the auspices of this Society exhibits of Missouri fruit have been made at all the expositions and leading fruit shows held in recent years. These exhibits have never failed to attract wide attention to the fruit industry of the State and to carry off their share of the prizes. The Society helds two meetings each year, one in June and the other in December. ‘These meetings are generally held in communities where fruit growing is creating interest in the industry. Papers are read by sucessful fruit growers and by scientific investigators and thes¢ are published in the annual report of the Society. In this way the or- ganization is able to present to the horticulturists of the State the best up-to-date methods. These meetings are open to the discussion of such problems as confront the horticulturist. At the coming meeting in Columbia papers will be read by some of the leading fruit growers and scientific investigators of the country. The University will at that time dedicate the new Horticultural building, which is one of the finest of the kind in the United States. Opportunity will be given to see the University and the Experiment Station grounds. It is expected to make this one of the most largely attended and successful meetings that the Society has yet held. MEETINGS. OF THE MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURE SOCIETY: Every fruit grower in Missouri who can possibly do so should attend the three day’s meeting of the State Horticulture Society to be held at Pertle Springs, next week. The impression that some people have got in their minds that the summer meetings are not as important as the winter meetings, is a wrong one. True, it comes in a busy season, but the three or four days taken frorn work to attend these meetings will rest and refresh mind and body and permit us to take up the regular routine of work upon our return with so much added zeal that no time will have been lost. Summer Meeting. a0 One of the aims of the Society, as shown by reading the programs of the past years, is to pretty well cover the scope of general horticultural work each year; so it will be seen that part of our fruits are given promi- nence at the annual June meetings while others are taken at the Decem- ber meeting; hence it is necessary to attend both to gather up the strings of the whole year’s work. As at the last winter meeting, where much prominence was given the apple, cne gentleman said he came just to hear about the strawberry, and they had hardly been mentioned, while so much time had been given to the apple. The Secretary replied that it was true, but if the gentleman had at- tended the June meeting previous, he would have seen that small fruit was most thoroughly discussed and scarcely anything relative to the apple. So it goes, and to get all the good possible from the Society’s meet- ings, let us attend all that we can. We are assured that the location possesses sufficient attraction in itself to well repay us for the time and money spent, and with the pro- gram as already printed, and the discussions that are even better than written papers, all render this meeting one of importance. More especially is it necessary to meet at this time, together with fruit growers from all over this State, and from other states as well, and discuss plans for the great work before us. (We refer to the Big lair, for which plans must be made and work promptiy pushed in order to be ready for this “biggest show on earth.” b It is said “there is nothing new under the sun,” so it requires a more perfect system and the exercise of our best talent to so prepare and put old things before the world in a new form, and so take and hold the first place in horticultural display in the known world. This is a great undertaking and may seem egotistical for “Poor Old Missouri” to aspire to such a position, but judging from past pro- gress, and feeling our courage rise higher with each new difficulty, we feel that we are really modest in our humble aspirations to lead the world. With our faith strong in the possibilities of our State, with the im- proved methods in orchard work becoming generally practiced among our fruit growers, we need only to properly put before the people our magnificient products to win success. Any and all mishaps that have or may yet occur to our fruit crops should only spur us on to greater zeal, and more earnest activity, and will make success only so much more deserving. These things all need discussion, not only by members of the executive board, however able, but by each and every fruit grower in 96 State Horticultural Society. the State, who may have just the exact idea that means perfect success. In looking back over the work of the Society in past years, we find it was always at the front. Fruits, varieties and methods of cultivation and marketing; insect depredation, or diseases, were all promptly met, taken up, and discussed at once, that ‘the best means necessary could be placed quickly before the people. Along with it all, there has ever been careful consideration for the amateur, the beginner in horticultural. work. Every session of the Society shows many papers and thoughtful discussion by the most practical fruit growers in the State, with the special aim of giving needed information to the beginner. In fact, from the beginning, it has been the great aim of the Society to get the people to study and think intelligently, to awaken a more active desire for more knowledge, and to unite the people in an effort to push the wonderful development of otir products. To be able to take advantage of all that is possible for us to develop, means increased intelligence and a higher education, together with more thorough appreciation of what it means to live in a fruit state. Bene- fit will come to us in our homes, our business, local community and our State. In all of this the State Horticultural Society has proven itself a leading factor. Practical knowledge is made so by experience, and here again the Society has done an immense work, and has made it possible for a man of inquiring mind to become more wise and thoughtful, more cultured and conservative, and more of a companionable creature, capable of enjoying more deeply, with a more generous appreciation of our fellow-man, and a more abiding faith in the power that has bestowed gifts with such a beneficient hand, and given us the intelligence to seek out and make these gracious gifts our own—The Ruralist. PLANTING STRAIWBERRY PLANTS. With some the season for planting is already at hand. To begin, have your ground well plowed and smoothed down with a drag or roller. Mark out your rows 4 feet apart. This is best done-with a rope {wash line). Drive a stake down at the end of the first row and unwind your rope to the other end of the field to be planted; now drive another stake in line and tie to the stake. Walk back upon the line in such a way that you tread the line with each foot placed directly in front upon the line so that it will not be moved out of place. Continue the lining out until the field is “lined out” in this manner. You will observe that this Strawberry Field, D. McNallie, Sarcoxie, Mo Summer Meeting. . 97 i \ feaves a plain mark and is easily followed in setting the plants; besides, the rope or line is nct in the way and the mark much easier to set to. Early planting is best. Much dépends upon this work of setting the plants, which should be thoroughly done and with the least exposure to the plants. For this reason procure a small, light box or basin to carry the plants in. Take a bunch of 25 or 30, as the case may be, and trint off about one-third of the long roots (some take off half). Provide yourself with a dibble (made of steel), or a wooden one will do if the planting is not to be a large one. A dibble is made like a medium sized butcher. knife with a handle across the end, the blade being about twice _ to three times as thick and provided with a double cutting edge, not so sharp as the knife. The wooden one. can be made easily out of a piece of hard wood, osage orange being very suitable for this purpose. Take the dibble and push it into the soil (on the line), draw it toward you _ before withdrawing it, which will leave an opening for the roots of the plant to be set. . Now, with your left hand take out one of the plants and place the roots about half way across the opening, and - with the dibble in the right hand draw the blade of the dibble across the roots, and with the curved portion press the roots down into the opening in such a way that when the dibble reaches to the bottom the roots will not be doubled up but be straight down in the hole. A little practice will scon show how easily it is done. Next take the dibble and push it down about two inches ahead of the plant and draw the soil toward the plant, firming it well, so as to cover the opening. Make another draw a little farther ahead and the plant is set, which should leave the crown just peeping out of the ground. Continue the planting at from 18 to 20 inches apart. Some set 2 feet, others 3 feet apart, de- pending on the variety or the manner of after culture. Where it is intended that the cultivation is to be both ways the plants are set 3 feet apart. Generally it is best to begin the planting with a staminate variety. Where pistillate varieties are used they are planted in the same field. Most growers plant two rows of pistillate, then one of staminate, and so on. Varieties in succession of season of ripening suitable for family use or for market: Michel, Lady Thompson, Warfield, Clyde, Haverland, Aroma, Ridgeway, Gandy. All blossoms should be removed from time to time, in order that no fruit ripens on the new-set plants. Cultivation should be thorough from the beginning in order to secure an even stand of your plants. HENRY N. WILD, Sarcoxie, Mo. Practical Fruit Grower. H—7 _— 5 tS "i oF. ¥ ee * Ee OM an raf It se, he a be eu © § v * a 5 ¢ Mis 98 State Horticultural Society. ~ Caan pee SECOND CROP STRAWBERRIES. St. Joseph, a French variety, comes nearer being perptual bearing than any variety we have.tried, but does not succeed well here under ordinary culture. Of our American varieties, Cumberland Triumph comes nearest be- ing a double cropper. Two-year old beds are almost sure to produce a good strawberry in the fall. This fall fruiting can be encouraged by barring the rows off with a one-horse plow as soon as the June crop is over, and cultivating several times between rows. A neighbor of mine ~ is, and has for some weeks, been gathering from two to six quarts of that variety daily from an acre. The bed is two years old and was barred off and cultivated in the manner stated—Colman’s Rural World. INTERESTING TALK ON®*SOILS. Prof. E. M. Shepard, of Drury College, addressed the Greene County Horticultural Society at the March meeting on “The Soils of Greene county, Mo.” The following are some of the thoughts advanced as re- ~ ported for The P. F. G. by the Secretary, Miss Emma J. Park: Soil is the unconsolidated surface material of the earth. It is divided into two kinds: First, soil proper, which is a few inches deep, and, second, sub-soil, which is from a few inches to many feet in thick- ness. Soil proper is composed mostly of sand, clay, iron and humus. | — There is less of lime and magnesia and an extremely small amount of phosphoric acid and potash. Erosion has been a powerful agent in the breaking down of rocks. When we realize that 30 miles of the Alleghany mountains have eroded away as they rose and that 3,000 feet of this country has washed away, some idea of the length of time taken to build this earth is formed. Of soils proper there are two kinds—those of disintegration and those of transportation. The soils in the northern portion of our country are largely made up of soils of transportation, that being the glacial district. Here, except in the river bottoms, we have the soils of disin- tegration. One of the things we need on this limestone soil is lime, as lime is easily dissolved out of the soil. With a sandstone soil, however, the sand is insoluble. In soil derived from the wash of limestone we will find lime more abundant. It is the upland where lime is needed. If you have a sandy soil it is important to know your sub-soil. If clay ee Fahey Wes et vy c _ - - ~ Sp, sae See epee * She ca ; ws 2 Summer Meeling. - — “> 99 is the sub-soil deep tillage gives the best results; if you lack the clay the moisture is retained better, by shallow tillage. A shale soil, which is rich in clay, needs the deep tillage, and sand or ashes help to loosen it. There are different means of stirring the soil: First mechanically, by tillage and sub-soiling; second, by nature’s methods. By capillary attraction the soluble portions of the soil are transferred, either up or Gown, dependent on the moisture. Evaporation brings the soluble por- - tion near the surface. . The earth worms do a vast amount of stirring. It is estimated that they bring up Io tons of earth to an acre and work from 3 to 6 feet in depth. They loosen the soil and correct the sour . land. Transportation of streams is another important method employed | by nature.. For 6,000 years the Nile has made Egypt a garden spot, and in this country the Mississippi acts much the same. There are chemical and physical agents needed to make a soil, and three conditions are necessary for this: First, easy penetrability of roots. Second, sufficient retentiveness of moisture and fertility, but not too retentive. Washington township has the post oak flats and a too reten-~ tive soil. Third, a soil that will absorb solar heat. The soil needs for this, color and texture. A light color is objectionable, while a black soil goes te the other extreme and dries out too steadily. The texture of a soil depends on three substances—silica or sand, clay and humus. The percentage of each for a perfect soil are 60 to 80 per cent. sand, 10 to 30 per cent. clay and 5 to 10 percent. humus. Some soils need correcting or reclaiming to vield good crops. For the sandy pine barrens with clay sub-soil add quick lime. The peaty soil can be reclaimed by careful drainage and the addition of ashes. For the clay soil, under-drainage is-a good corrective and the addition of quick lime ashes; or use deep plowing and piling in of brush to assist drainage. If you are in doubt as to what you need as a fertilizer a good way to teli what is needed is to burn the fruits and analyze the ash and see what it contains. The ash represents the material taken from the soil. In digging a well here in Springfield we would pass through a great number of rock. The greater part of the surface rock of Greene county is made up of a coarse crystaline limestone (pure limestone con- tains 98 per cent. carbonate of lime). This rock alone would not give a very good soil, but just below is a flint rock, which gives the soil its rich and lasting properties. Below the flint is a slate-colored rock called the Lower Burlington, which gives the soil of Washington township. - Below this is the Choteau, a yellow rock of sandy limestone. This alone 100 State Horticultural Society. f gives a very thin soil, but right beneath is the vermicular shales (another poor soil producer,) which with the Choteau makes a wonderfully fertile soil. Farther down comes the Phelps sandstone, which is the same as the Kentucky phosphoric acid beds, but the layer is not thick enough to yield a paying quantity. Going farther we come to the cotton rock, and then the sacroidal sandstone, neither of which gives good soil. The rocks below these are not found as out-croppings near Springfield. FERTILITY FOR FRUIT GROWERS. Dr. Jordan, the director of the State Experiment Station at Geneva, N.Y.,gave us a talk on fertility, in which the so-called essential plant foods were hardly mentioned, showing that the subject, as he says, is really a - very complex one. The soil may contain nitrogen, phosphofic acid and potash in greatest abundance, and yet their purpose be defeated by other conditions, especially by lack of the proper texture of the soil, ana by lack of water. Trials made at the Station showed plants growing in clear sand to be unhappy and miserable, while doing very nicely in sand to which three per cent. of sphagnum moss had been added. The favorable result in the latter case was brought about simply by change of texture _ inthe medium. Water must be considered one of the elements of fertility. A lack of it is a more serious handicap in the production of a crop than any other untoward condition. In a good many cases the water con- ditions of the soil are not up to the point where the plants can do their best. An acre of peach orchard containing, say 160 trees, pumps into the atmosphere from 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 pounds of water in the course of a single season; a corn plant evaporates 30 pounds, and a sunflower or hemp plant 60 pounds in their season. The annual precipitation, if from 19 to 36 inches, equals the amount of from 4,000,000 to 8,000,000 pounds of water per acre. Some of this is carried away in the drains; another portion evaporates from the surface, and only a part is saved for the plants or evaporation by the foliage. The available water supply is that which the soil retains for the use of plants, and the only way to save it is by thorough tillage, which breaks the capillarity. It takes from 8 to 20 inches of water to support a tree for a vear. If we start in the spring with saturated soil, 12 inches of rainfall will be sufficient for the re- mainder of the season, provided that we take good care to supply by tillage. Tools of tillage for orchard use should go down from three to four inches into the soil. In some cases two inches might be suffi- cient. . ab ; Summer. Meeting. 101 Late fall plowing has a tendency to increase the water supply for another year. Rolling, after seeding, while increasing the percentage of germination of the seed, also increases the loss of water by evapora- tion. Soon after every rainfall, the soil mulch should be restored by cultivation. A cover crop during a dry season may steal water needed for the fruit crop: Prof. Beach, in reply to a query, states that experi- ments have shown a check to growth, whether direct by lack of water in early fall, or indirectly by the presence of a cover crop, to favor the development of fruit buds.—Report of West N.Y. Hort. Society—Rural New Yorker. BAT -AN-APPLE: (Written for Green’s Fruit Grower by Oliver Rice.) Are you feeling sort of blue, Don’t know hardly what to do? Everything gone all awry, Or, at least, so to your eye? Eat an apple. Are you feeling kinder sick, Like a rag the chickens pick? Are you feeling cross and worried? Wish, almost, you’re dead and buried? Eat an apple. If you are a minister, And your sermon seems a blur; And your prayers but little better— Think not Satan is the matter. Eat an apple. Apples, apples are the charm, That can keep the world from harm ; Call back faith though far receued, Give an uplift when most needed— Eat an apple. TEEPE OBEIG RED APPLE OF] LHE ‘OZARKS: Reasons why attempts to run it down should not be encouraged—Hand- some Fruit keeps well—A great favorite among Orchardists of Mis- souri and the Southwest—Comes in mighty handy at Midwinter. In some of the Horticultural journals have appeared recently articles decrying the Ben Davis apple, so long a popular favorite and the principal stock in trade of the Western nurseryman and commercial orchardist. In the markets, too, the prices paid the present year have been less, proportionally, than for other varieties. 122 State Horticultural Society. Z Popular preference is apt to be fickle and unreasonable and it would be most unfortunate for the majority of apple growers and equally un- just to the qualities of the apple in question should a prejudice against the latter prevail among consumers. It is undeniable that there are many varieties of apples superior in - fiavor and texture to the Ben Davis, but these deficiencies are more than ~ balanced by other characteristics and qualities in which it takes the lead. In the first place the tree is a rapid grower, is hardy, less subject to fungous and other diseases and more resistant to insect attacks than ‘most others. It is an annual bearer, which the Dominie and other choice sorts are not, the fruit is, taking one thing with another, incomparably beautiful, it is a fairly good dessert fruit and excellent for all cooking purposes; makes cider of the best quality and is scarcely equaled by any other variety as a keeper, not only in cold storage, but in the ordinary storeroom and cellar. Said a-lady to the writer the other day: “Do come and help us eat some delicious apples—Jonathans. We bought a barrel recently, but they are not keeping well at all and a large part will spoil before we can possibly use them and my family does not care for canned apple-sauce.” Vhe same might be said of Grime’s golden pippin, Huntsman’s favorite, Northern Spy, Winesaps and other so-called winter varieties. Some of the eastern varieties, such as the Baldwin, Seek No Further, York Imperial and Rhode Island Greenings when free from codling moth and when carefully handled can be made to last out the winter. But of Mississippi Valley grown fruit very little is seen in the market or remains in the cellar by spring except Ben Davis and the Black Ben Davis or Gano of the same strain. The leathery and rather flavorless Jeniton might be adduced as an equally good keeper, but when grown in Missouri and states to the southward, it isn’t worth keeping. Another thing must be taken into consideration by the too fastidious consumer and that is, that as the Ben Davis has been planted so largely for the last fifteen or twenty years there is now no other variety or col- lection of varieties grown in sufficient quantity to supplant it. It is Ben Davis or nothing. That this overwhelming preference for a single sort, on the part of commercial orchardists was wise is open to question and may result in loss in the future. No doubt planters will give greater areas to other apples henceforth, but the “big, red apple of the Ozarks’’ will still. have its devotees, not only among horticulturists, but among dealers and apple lovers generally. It may:not be able to tickle the palate quite so accept- ably during autumn and early winter, as some others, but, as has been mentioned, these have comparatively a brief season and when the great, Sumner Meeting. 103 glowing globes of the Ben Davis are brought out of cold storage at mid- winter, crisp and jucy, as when taken from the tree, they are not likely tc wither in the fruiturer’s stalls nor to be rejected by the cook or re- garded slightingly by guests at the dinner table—M. E. Murtfeldt in Farm Visitor.—St. Louis. SHAPING YOUNG APPLE TREES. (By Dr J.C. Whitten.) Recently large areas have been planted to apples in Missouri. The last census shows that Missouri now has more growing apple trees than any other state. The larger part of these are in young orchards, many of which have not yet come into bearing. The problem of how best to | shape these trees is, or should be, in the mind of every possessor of an orchard. The time to shape an apple tree is while the tree is young. A recent trip through some of the newly developing fruit sections of the State shows the greatest possible difference of opinion among growers as to the pruning and shaping that should be given a young tree. Some believe in high heads, others in low; some contend that the tree should have an open, spreading head, while others are just as positive that the head should be dense to shade the tree. The former prune by a thinning process, restricting the top to a few main branches with scattering laterals, while the latter adopt a cutting back method to secure as many limbs as possible and never thin out any of the laterals. Many are opposed to any pruning at all; they contend that this is the natural method and that it is not wise to oppose nature in the treatment of a tree. This medley of opinions should not cause the orchardist to think that there is no such thing as correct pruning, or that to learn to shape trees aright is a hopeless task. Diversity of opinion indicates the truth . that methods should be modified to suit different conditions. The habit of growth of the variety, the soil, aspect and climatic conditions tend to determine what method should be employed in a given orchard. Dif- ferent growers succeed with different methods or systems of pruning if they conserve such principles as are adapted to their conditions. The man who would prune intelligently should learn to know his tree and to consider what environmental forces, in his particular orchard, favor or oppose its best development. He should consider it a sensitive, living, plastic organism which responds to treatment. Too much stress cannot be put upon the fact that evervthing we do to a tree is sure to either favor or oppose its best development. Before a single step is taken in shaping a tree the grower should consider carefully what effect it 104 State Horticultural Society. is to have upon the tree. For example, if a tree is too dense, thinning out a judicious number of its twigs to admit sunlight may be beneficial; on the other hand if this thinning out is so severe as to admit too. much sunlight the prunning becomes injurious. In low ground and in a foggy climate very low heads which shade the ground, thus keeping it moist, favor the development of injurious fungi, while in a sunny, windy bleak region low heads may be just the thing. An upright grower like Clayton should be headed lower than a spreading or drooping variety ‘ike Huntsman. A tree which naturally makes a thick, dense head, like Rome Beauty, may need to have a few of its branches thinned out when an open, straggling grower like Minkler may not have limbs enough for its best protection from the sunlight. The parts of the trees with ref- erence to the sun’s rays should also be considered. It may be advisable io shorten or to remove limbs from the north side of a tree when to re- move a similar amount of wood from the stinny side might let in so much sunlight as to cause serious injury from sunscald. But let us proceed to some of the practical details. Once a tree is well headed in the nursery it is not advisable to attempt to change the height of the head. It is better to leave it too high or too low than to attempt to re-establish the system of branches. Severely cutting an apple tree back to induce main limbs to form lower down is generally useless, while cutting off main limbs to secure a higher growth is in this climate always dangerous. A straight trunk, or central leader should be secured and maintained. This may be accomplished by shortening any branches that tend to outgrow the main trunk. -If a fork forms in this main trunk it may be corrected by cutting off one side of the fork to a short spur, the next winter after it forces. At this young age the spur will contain active buds which will throw out side branches next spring in place of the tork. Forked trees may grow all right until they come into bearing, but the forks are liable to split and ruin the tree as soon as it is loaded with fruit. It is better to remove one side of such a fork while it is young than to delay. Removing large limbs should always be avoided. In this climate young trees are liable to lean away from the sun, toward the north or east. The best way to keep them straght is not to set them so they lean toward the sun but to keep them in balance by winter pruning. It will be observed that the limbs on the north side tend to grow faster than those on the sunny side. In some varieties the southern limbs turn toward the trunk of the tree, away from the intense sunlight, while the northern limbs spread well out away from the body of the tree. Shortening the limbs on the north side equalizes the weight of the head of the tree so it will not tip to the north. In correcting Summer Meeting. — 105° forks the side nearest the south should be left in order to throw more of the weight of the tree top toward the sun. The young orchard should be gone over every winter for this sort of shaping until the trees reach bearing age. lf the trees are thus properly shaped they will need> but little pruning after they come into bearing. Having secured a straight central leader it is desirable that all other. limbs be equally distributed as side limbs. Then the tree will be symmetrical and will not split. If limbs cross and injure each other by rubbing, one should be removed or shcrtened below the point of crossing. — The cutting back and thinning of young branches may be done more | freely on the north or east sides of the tree than on the sunny side. All possibie limbs should usually be left on the sunny side of the tree to pro- tect the trunk and main limbs from sunscald. In fact it is sometimes better to allow two southern limbs to rub and injure each other than to remove one of them, if its removal is liable to leave the south side of the trunk exposed to too much sunlight. In the west, dense heads are pref- erable for the same reason that low heads are—to protect the trunk and main limbs from our intense sunlight. Even though the heads may seem too dense for the first five or six years, as soon as the trees come into bear- ing the limbs fruit, thus opening up the tree so that too much sunlight may fall on the trunk and on the bending limbs. . While the grower should carefully go over his orchard to shape the young trees every winter until the trees reach bearing age, it must not be decided that every tree will need pruning. In fact it often happens that a tree makes a correct, symmetrical growth and needs no pruning in a given winter. In such cases it is folly to prune it just because the orchard is being pruned. Most growers who prune, prune too much. Our need of dense heads renders comparatively little pruning sufficient for the apple, but this little should be all the more conscientiously done. Much of the injury to cur orchards is due to the fact that a tree is neg- lected just at a time when the removal of a single small twig would have corrected an error that eventually leads to the breaking down of the tree or to the removal of a large limb. Prune as is necessary while the trees. are young and the removal of large limbs will be avoided later. West. FRUIT GROWER. LOW HEADED APPLE: TREES. . (By Prof. Arthur T. Erwin—Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa.) One important lesson gained from the past is that, at least for the northwest, low-headed trees are very much better than the old-time “sky- scrapers.” ¥ 106 : State Horticultural Society, In a prairie region like Iowa, protection from the wind is important. This refers not only to the matter of wind falls, but also to the protection of the plant from the drying influences of winds in winter. A low headed tree offers less leverage, hence less wind fall; and the head being closer to the ground receives proportionally more protection from desic- cation. A serious loss to young trees is by sunscald. This usually occurs on bright, warm speils in early spring, and the injury is generally on the _ south or west side of the trunk. Heat stimulates activity. During the — winter season the protoplasm is in a dormant state, and while in this con- dition is uninjured by cold. On a bright, warm day, on account of the rise in temperature, the protopiasm becomes active. At night the tem-— perature suddenly falls, catching the protoplasm in this active condition and it is destroyed. The iive bark dies and partially peels away in. patches. A low head has less trunk exposure, hence less opportunity for such injury. The top also shades the stem better, and hence affords a protection not received with high headed trees. No fruit grower who is in the business for the money can afford to omit spraying as one of his orchard operations. Low headed trees can be sprayed much-more effectively and also cheaper than high ones. At gathering time there is also an important advantage. One man on the ground can do the work of two on ladders. Perhaps the reader is beginning to ask if low headed trees are such an advantage, why haven’t we had them long ago, or do they have dis- advantages also, that have not been mentioned? Yes and No. Orchard cultivation is an essential to good fruit growing, and a high headed tree is very much more convenient in this respect. It is likely in this one fact that we find the practice of high heading so prevalent in older sec- tions. With the old-time implements and harness it meant slow work and lots of lifting, to work around low headed trees. The fellow who has had such an experience is very strongly tempted to lop off a few of the lower branches the first opportunity. Better types of orchard harness and implements have remedied this toa large degree, and there is no longer ground for complaint from this source. The traceless harness does away with single-trees, which skin the bark and are very useful in the orchard. Some of the recent types of orchard tools are also a great convenience. A form of the Acme Harrow with wheels in front and handles behind, is easily run about by the driver, and is an excellent tool. The Extension Disk Harrow, which is provided with an extension whereby the sides can be spread, thus enabling the driver to cut under Summer M eeting. ; a eG, ' the tree without driving so close as was formerly necessary, is also a great convenience. With the emphasis that has been placed on orchard culture, there have also arisen ce1tain misconceptions as te what the idea embraces. This is due, in a measure, to the iack of a clearer knowledge regarding the vast system of a plant, and its work. Many think that the clean culture idea requires the stirring of the soil up close about the stem. This is feasible, only while the tree is young. As the top becomes larger it be- comes difficult and expensive, hence the tendency is to either lop off the lower limbs, thus heading the tree higher, or else cease cultivating as the - tree becomes large. As the top increases in size, there is less necessity for cultivating close, and the greater part of the benefits of clean culture may be obtained without doing so. The root system of a plant serves two important purposes. The one is to hold the plant in place—to stay it. The second is to take in plant food. The staying power of the root system of a plant is well exemplified in a large tree, on a windy day. The leverage afforded by its broad spreading top is tremendous, and were not the roots good stayers, the tree wculd certatnly. move off. We also have the practical example of this same power in the “back muscle,” required in pulling weeds in the garden. The large roots serve the important office of holding the plant in place, and also act as a conductor of food material. The small root- lets and root-hairs are the organs of absorption or the feeding roots, as we call them. The feeding-roots are situated at the outer extremity of the root system, and the plant is entirely dependent upon these for the absorption of nutrient material. Examining the root system of a thrifty bearing apple tree, you will find that even where the rows are thirty-three feet or more apart that these feeding-roots reach beyond the middle and interlap freely. This being the case, it is evident that the place where the soil is really being fed upon most freely and the place where there is the greatest de- mand for moisture, is not up close to the stem, but out in the middles, where these feeding roots are found in such great abundance. Hence the presence of a dust mulch in the centers conserves moisture at the place where it is needed most. I recently visited a thrifty young orchard, which had reached bear- ing age. It has received good cultivation up to this time, and the trees have made an excellent growth. The owner now proposes to seed the orchard down, with the exception of a small circle around each tree, which he proposes to cultivate with the hoe. 108 ~ State Horticultural Society. From the standpoint of both efficiency and saving in expense, I should exactly reverse this plan. The shade under the tree is an aid in conserving moisture, and on the other hand a soft blanket of vegetable matter is of advantage in protecting wind falls from severe bruising. To briefly recapitulate, a low headed tree is-less subject to sun- scald, and sustains less injury from winds, the crop can be gathered cheaper and spraying can be done cheaper and more thoroughly. By the use of improved orchard tools and the cultivation of the middles only, after the trees become large we can maintain good cultural conditions, and yet-have the trees headed low. COMMERCIAL ORCHARDING. \ got (By G. T. Tippin, Nichols, Mo.) Abstract of an address delivered before the Wisconsin State Hor- ticultural Society. In presenting this paper we are keenly sensible of the fact that while a great deal of valuable information and good has. obtained from ad- dresses of similar character, a large amount of harm has also been done. What might be termed a broadcast or blanket information based upon individual experience in a certain locality is often more harmful than beneficial in its effect, for in the majority of instances where adopted and followed out by the inexperienced fruit grower, because of entirely different conditions as to climate, soil, variety, etc., from those upon which the information were based, failure and disappointment follow in a marked degree. Whiie commercial orcharding is reaching large proportions in this country, the center of the apple production moying west of the Alle- ghanies to the great Mississippi Valley, Missouri, the state we have the honor to represent, being in the lead with five million more trees planted than any other state, we have felt that this phase of the sub- ject would not be cf as much importance at this time as a discussion of how and what to plant, to cultivate and care for, and, last, but not least, how best to handle the products of our commercial orchards. The object of planting the home or family orchard is to provide fruit, health and comfort for the family, while commercial orchards are planted with the view of profitable investment and making money; hence, to know how to plant, grow and bring our crops to maturity does not avail us much if all our labor is sacrificed by improper handling and marketing our crops. In this connection we deem it not out of place to state that ' Summer Meeting. 109 we believe that the National Apple Growers’ Congress recently organized at St. Louis, was made necessary in the progress and development of this great industry and will prove to be a very valuable institution to all commercial orchard growers, especially so as to packing and handling our fruit. This being true, some one may ask, “Is there danger of commercial apple orcharding being overdone?” We do not think so, but as our production increases our grading and packing must be better to insure “success. Pack only No. 1 stock, turning everything else to the evapo- rator or other sources. Some one may say that too much fruit was evaporated this year, as the price is very low, and if more had been evaporated price would have been still lower. We do not believe this, for it is our opinion that the low price for green apples this winter is not due to quantity but to quality. We believe that if all the apples in the country were No. 1 the market would be 50 cents to $1.00 per barrel more than it is. We also believe that the low price of green fruit makes the low price of dried fruit, consequently, if all poor stock had been evaporated, since evaporated stock can be carried without much risk, and goes into consumpticn much more readily when green fruit is high, we would have realized much better returns than we will under present conditions. In growing a commercial orchard the soil is the most important factor. We believe this applies anywhere within the apple belt of the United States. Fertility and moisture are indispensible. in successful apple growing. Deep clay soils, free from stone or gravel, without hard- pan below, are best in our country. Select soil that will remain as near an even temperature as possible, as to wet and dry, heat and cold. The selection of varieties to plant should always be governed by the way the different varieties behave in different localities. The varieties that we would plant in Missouri, as a rule, would not be adapted to your state. Not being acquainted with those sorts that do best here we wouid not assume to recommend. However, if the Duchess and Wealthy do correspondingly as well here as they do in North Missouri and Iowa we believe they could be as profitably grown in a commercial way as Ben Davis in Missouri. Select your varieties adapted to your locality, test- ing new and untried sorts only in a limited way. What would be better still, let a!l your experiments, as near as you can, be made at your horti- cultural experiment station. This is what they are for, and if all our state horticultural societies would discourage the planting of new and untried sorts, unless they had been named by some pomological society of the states or nation or state horticultural society and recommended as worthy of trial, thousands of dollars would be saved to the planter, and -s =< = OE se EP ie 110--" State Horticultural Society. ep Zs Mee ‘many amateurs would not plant the same variety under two or three dif- ~_ ferent names or pay an exorbitant price for trees propagated in a special way and on special stocks, which never approached a reality nearer than the incubation of the idea in the brain of some schemer who wanted something for nothing. We simply refer to this as a caution in making a bad start. Many good men have been shipwrecked in commercial orchard ventures because of bad beginning, so we trust our diversion- will be pardonable. Good, well-grown trees should be selected, grown as near home as _ possible. Be careful not to plant too deep, keeping in mind that tree roots can be starved for want of sunlight and air. Do your thinning in the early life of your orchard, shaping your trees and trimming them,. keeping in mind the fact that extreme changes in sap temperature are very injurious to trees, causing them to die in spots, forming canker, _ ete., while our trees should not be allowed to grow too thick inside, yet they. should be formed so that the force of the sun’s rays would be broken both in the summer and the winter. How best to cultivate. depends largely on local conditions. As a general rule it is best to cultivate regularly until the orchard comes to bearing. After this, in some sections and upon some soils, it is best to sow clover, cowpeas, or grow some grass crop and mow it twice a year, leaving the crop on the ground for mulch. Some have splendid success by continuous surface cultivation during the season. In applying the different modes of cultivation to our orchards we should study the na- dure of our soil, the location and the effect of the cultivation and treat- ment about to be applied, and not go ahead on the theory that because Smith, in Missouri or Illinois, by treating his orchard a certain way made a success the same treatment will succeed with us. Commercial orchards are being planted on a large scale in many « ~ sections of: the apple region. Large contiguous blocks, reaching one to three thousand acres, are being handled successfully, yet we believe that the same number of trees planted in 10 to 20-acre plats would give better results. It has occurred to us in our observations, covering a number of years, that it would be better in planting 40 or 80 acres, as the case may be, to plant in blocks, leaving avenues at least 100 yards wide which could be cultivated in small fruits or other crops. Our rea- son for this is that in our experience in packing apples we have found that, after the trees have become large the limbs reach, or almost reach, each other. We have often found that the fruit is not so perfect in the - large orchards as it is in the smaller ones, and have come to the conclu- sion that it is easier to combat the ravages of insects and fungi in the smaller plats than it is in the very large plantations. As the extended _ — \ 7 ~ = a p ’ ¥ ' Summer M eeting. ae M1 and unfrequented forest is the habitation of wild animals and birds, so may the extensive orchards after becoming thickly grown become, to a2 greater extent, the habitation and harbor for insects and fungi than the smaller and more frequented blocks. The time for gathering our commercial crops is also very impor- : tant. Fruit should always be gathered when at the proper stage of ripe- ning, regardless of the time of season. This season our apples matured three weeks to one month earlier than last year, and many growers sus- tained heavy loss by waiting until fruit was too ripe to pack. As a large per cent. of the growth in the development of tree fruits and plants is supplied by light and air we perhaps give too little consid- eration to this feature of fruit culture and have suffered by doing so. We know of no vocation that requires the application of good judg- ment and common sense more, or one that pays any better on the capital invested, when applied, than commercial orcharding. The individual must take the best information he can get as to soil, varieties, care and culture, and intelligently apply it to his needs, governed by local environ- _ ments with which he is surrounded. Do this and he will succeed in grow- ing an orchard. « HEREDITY IN PLANTS. (Miter: Earl in Am. Gardening. ) The great importance of heredity as a factor in controlling plant diseases is only now beginning to be fully recognized. _ Individual plants, Jike individual men, vary in their ability to resist disease. Even in plants of the same cultural variety, this difference in resisting power is often quite marked. It has long been observed that some varieties are more resistant than others. It is now found that, like other qualities, this power of resistance is inheritable, and that by carefully breeding from the most resistant individuals, it is often possible, to establish resistant strains or varieties. This point was clearly brought out at the recent Conference on Plant Breeding in New York. The case of resistant strains of cotton, described by Mr. Orton, of the Department of Agri- culture, was particularly interesting. In a very few years he has been able to select strains of cotton, practically immune to the wilt, a disease that has devastated large areas in the Southern States. Spraying to pre- vent disease is at best an expensive and exacting operation, and culti- vators will welcome the day, if it shall ever come, when the breeding and selection of resistant varieties shall make it no longer necessarv. 112 . State Horticultural Society. : PEAR BLIGHT: (Conrad Aul, Smithville, Mo. ) The blight is nearly always caused by too rapid growth. The rem- edy: set on thin land. If you have no thin land, do not cultivate but little, one year for peach, plum or cherry and for pears not at all. Apple trees will bear two years cultivation if land is very rich, if not overly rich, three or four years will do. EVERGREENS, HOW TO CARE FOR AND PLANT. (Read by Joseph Hurley, gardener, to James W. Paul, Jr., Radnor, Pa., before the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. ) Evergreens should be heeled-in as soon as received. A great mis- take, in my judgment, is frequently made in having the holes already dug in advance of the arrival of the trees, but the anxiety of the gardener to get the job off his hands naturally inspires him to be prepared to plant them as soon as they arrive and, as frequently happens, the planting takes more time than he calculated, and the results are that the trees are lving on the ground from perhaps four to six hours before they are all planted, exposed to the prevailing dry winds of either autumn or spring. Now, there is one point to which I would like to call especial atten- tion and which I think is not sufficiently well understood by most per- sons. The reason why an evergreen cannot stand getting even partially dry, as the deciduous trees can, is that the sap of the evergreen is of a resinous nature and, after once becoming dry, it can never be brought back tc its normal condition, no matter how you water it or care for it after- wards ; whereas, if most deciduous trees become somewhat dried out they can be brought back to a normal condition by soaking the roots, or if necessity requires it, burying the whole tree, roots and branches, in the ground for a week or ten days, and unless, the roots have been entirely dried out before burying the tree you will find your tree comes out of its grave ready to start to grow. Hali an hour of exposure to a hot sun or a drying wind is often enough to dry out the roots of an evergreen; notwithstanding it. May have the best of the gardener’s care in planting and ample watering after tt is planted, it will eventually die. And while the water question is in Summer Meeting. 113 my mind, if there is any one thing that causes more failures, other than allowing roots to dry out, it is that of puddling roots before planting. As a rule, those who puddle do not water afterwards, hence in the course of a few days the dry earth, coming in contact with the damp puddled roots, absorbs all the moisture and leaves nothing for the young roots to start in, only a few hard dry balls of earth that had adhered to the roots. HOW TO PLANT. Assuming that’ you have had your trees heeled-in, of course you would be naturally familiar with the size of the balls, and, therefore, could judge accurately the size of the hole required for each tree, but it is always wise in digging holes for trees, if you err at all, to err on the side of having the hole both deep and wide, and, in low or filled-in ground, it is alway advisable to fill in the bottom of the hole with eight or ten _inches of broken stone, for if there is anything that an evergreen detests it is water lying around the roots. Where such conditions prevail and . where artificial drainage is not provided, the tree may survive for a few months, then take on that yellow, sickly appearance called tree consump- tion, and die. Dig around the roots of one of those trees which I have just described and what will you find? You will find all the lower ‘roots black, sour, rotten; the tree is existing on the few little white roots which the trunk is sending out just at the grade level, where the air has kept the soil sweet and pure. These few young roots sustain life for a while, but in the end the result is what I have already described -—death. In planting, be sure you do not plant them any deeper in the ground than they were growing in the nursery row; this can be readily seen by - a ring around the tree showing the dirt mark. Throw your rammer across the hole, sight it with your eye, and if the underneath part of your rammer is level with the former dirt mark on your tree, then you are ready for planting. Now for a willing rammer and a lazy shoveler, and my experience has taught me that it is wise to use two men ramming to one shoveling. It is very prudent and wise after the tree has been set in position, its best side facing London, to tie up all the lower branches with a rope. - This will prevent them from being injured with either the rammer or shovel. If your trees have not come to you bagged and with a good ball oi earth, and I would not buy an evergreen tree of any nurseryman who would not send his trees bagged, then I would consider it a very H—-8 114 State Horticultural Society. wise plan to spread out the roots as the hole is being filled in, so as to try and get them in as near the same position as they were before the re- moval of the tree from the nursery. Keep your eye on the rammer; never mind the fellow with the shovel; make the rammer ram and ram and ram, but look out that he doesn’t get his rammer to close to the trunk of the tree and ram off the young, fibrous roots that the tree has to depend on to make it a thing of joy forever. Never fill in the soil level at first; leave room for water. Have a man follow the planters with the hose, and if not convenient to a hydrant, then use the garden watering barrel, giving to each tree planted from eight to ten quarts of water; give them the same amount of water as soon as the first watering has soaked through, and when the second watering has soaked in then vou are ready to put in the balance of your soil, and the tree is planted. CARE AFTER PLANTING. Having planted our tree, the next thing to do is to mulch it with manure, leaves, or any other kind of litter that will help keep the mois- ture around the roots. Under no circumstances, no matter how dry the “weather may be, should you give any more water to the roots, but that does not mean that the tree can survive through a protracted hot, dry spell. We have another method in hot or drying winds of supplying moisture and that is syringing. Syringe morning noon and night, syringe Sunday as well as week day, syringe the foliage as often as vou can, Syringe it whenever you can. If you cannot reach your evergreens with the hose, go around among them with the bucket, and the little green- house syringe. No matter when you plant, spring or fall, keep the syringe going until Thanksgiving. These are the methods which I adopt and I have planted more than 5,000 evergreens within the last:two years and our percentage of loss has not been over two and one-half per cent. American Florist. SUGGESTIONS FOR TREE PLANTING FOR ARBOR DAY. (L. A. Goodman, Kansas City, Mo.) 1. Selection of Trees.—Care should be taken in this selection that they be not too large, too old, too crooked or grown in too much shade. Beautiful, young, symmetrical and well-grown trees should always be selected. It is a great mistake to think a tree is not beautiful because it is small or young. It is another mistake to think that you must have ae i i >» Summer Meeting. ‘ 115 large trees in order to get quick shade. Medium or even small trees will often give good shade as soon as large trees, and they are always healthy and sound when they do get large. 2. Digging and Handling of Trees——The greatest of care should be taken in digging the trees to secure plenty of good roots, and that with- out bruising them. Again, the trees should never be exposed to the air any longer than is absolutely necessary. Handle carefully. Put them in ground as quickly as can be done. Heel them in at once, so that the air will not injure them. Never leave them out if the air is frosty. In fact, do not dig them if it is frosty weather. | ; More trees are lost from careless handling than from any other cause. Remember that the trees are alive and that they cannot be kept alive in any better way than to keep their roots covered with earth. Roots out of ground are like fish out of water; it is only a question of time how soon they will die. : 3. Planting the Trees.—Dig large holes, especially if the trees have to be planted in a sod. Have plenty of loose soil in the bottom of the holes and plant carefully, being sure that you get the soil in contact with every root of the tree. As soon as the roots are thus covered, tramp the ground well and then fill up the holes and tramp again, leaving the trees- “just about as deep as they stood in the nursery and no deeper. Trim the tops slightly so as to equalize with the roots and still leave some of the young wood growth so as to assist in the development of leaf sur-. face. Without leaf surface you can have no root growth and hence no: tree growth. It is a great mistake to cut off all the top to a square stump. In fact we should use no tree, if possible, where this has to be done. 4. List of Trees.— ie Deciduous: Sugar maple, elm, box elder, white ash, tulip, linn, chestnut, oak, sycamore, cut-leaf birch. Evergreens: Norway spruce, red cedar, white pine, Scotch pine, white spruce, arbor vitae, savin, dwarf pine, pyramidal arbor vitae and dwarf arbor vitae. Shrubs: Forsythia, lilac, snowball deutzia, weigelia, syringia, althea, japonica, spireas, hydrangea red bud, dogwood. Roses: Madame Plantier, General Jacqueminot, John Hopper, La ~ Reine, General Washington, La France, Madame Charles Wood, Paul * Neron, Seven Sisters, Prairie Queen. Climbing Plants: American ivy, bitter sweet, Japan ivy, honey- -~ suckles, trumpet creeper. 5. Take care of the trees and they will repay you. Canst thou tell, little tree, What the glory of thy boughs will be? 116 _ State Horticultural Society. RAISE. QUAIL TO-KILE INSECTS; The pupils of the Peru High School listened recently to a most unusual lecture. Isaac W. Brown, of Rochester, Ind., widely known as the “Bird and Bee Man,” talked on ‘‘The Quail and Its Habits,’ and a pair of quails, alive and domesticated, were used as an illustration of the truths imparted by the lecturer. The quail were taken from their cage and placed upon it, where they sat during the lecture. They did not even make an attempt to fly away, and when Mr. Brown whistled “Bob White” they quickly answered his call. The quail were raised by Prof. Andrew J. Redmon, one of the high school instructors, who has one of the largest and best collections of birds in Indiana. “I am the happiest man in Indiana today,” said the lecturer, because I am standing in the presence of a pair of birds that have been domesti- cated. This is absolute proof that the quail can be semi-domesticated and put to good use. We don’t want them domesticated, because then they will remain about our homes and will not go into the fields and rid us of the insects, like the Hessian fly, which ruin our wheat crops almost every year. “If the farmer would domesticate the quail we would not have to spray our orchards when they are in bloom in order to raise a crop of fine fruit. Quail would eat and drive away the insects. From observa- tion I have learned that a quail will eat an insect every minute of the day. Take ten hours of the day and you'll find that one quail will get away with 660 insects. Usually there are twenty-five quails in a covey, and they would eat 15,000 insects a day. At this rate, with two or three ‘coveys on each farm, it would not take long to rid the fields of the insects and insure us a good crop of grain. “Then in the fall what a happy and profitable pastime it would be to go quail netting, just as the English do fox hunting. The nets we once used were fifteen feet long, with one end and both sides open. On a wet day quails do not move about unless they are compelled to seek a place of safety. Whenever they roam about the mother goes first, while the young follow after her. The father remains in the rear look- ing for danger. One signal from him and the covey hides. “The quails, after they are caught in the fall, could be held in cap- tivity until spring to keep them from, starving and freezing to death. Then, when spring comes they should be turned loose again to roam about the fields, to eat the insects and to whistle ‘Bob White,’ which Summer Meeting. 117 means, ‘Don’t get lost, Mandy,’ who is on the other side of the fence with her young, just out of their nest and with part of the shell still clinging to them.”’—Chicago Tribune. The Ruralist heartily endorses the above proposition except the net- ting and especially is it so now of Missouri when the drouth last year prevented seeds from maturing and the cold hard winter and wet spring ‘of this year killed the birds and ruined the eggs, thus reducing the num- ber until there is hardly “seed” left for this year’s crop of Bob Whites. There should be a law passed to prevent killing quail for five years, and he who is found hunting quail this year should be pitied for lack of good judgment, or common sense, to use a more forcible term. Let them alone until they multiply. There is no finer sport than a quail hunt, provided you find birds; but in Missouri, alas, there will soon be no birds to hunt.—The Ruralist, Sedalia, Mo. hey 4 ae b tees, sf pov. : WINTER MEETING AT COLUMBIA, DECEMBER 8, g, 10, 1903. WINTER MEEFTING. FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL > MEETING. The forty-sixth annual meeting convened on December 8, 9 and 10, 1903, at Columbia. The day sessions and fruit display were in the new Horticultural Building of the Agricultural College; the even- ing sessions were held in the auditorium of the Missouri State Uni-. versity. This meeting was one of the most enjoyable the organization has ever held. The meeting was especially notable because of the number of other states represented at the meeting. Among the vis- itors were Messrs. Munger of Iowa, Loop of Wisconsin, Christy of Nebraska, Snedeker, Riehl, McClay, Baxter of Illinois, Kellogg of Michigan, three members of the Holsinger family and M. E. Chandler of Kansas. Then there were the visitors who were on the program— Dr. Burrill of Illinois, Hale of Connecticut, Craig of Cornell Univer- sity, and Powell of the Department of Agriculture. Then, too, the different sections of Missouri were well represented, the delegates being distributed over the entire State—Western Fruit Grower. The first session was called to order by President Robnett. The ‘Rev. Dr. Layman read a: passage from Psalms and delivered the in- vocation. The president introduced Mr. W. H. Rothwell, city at- torney, who in the absence of the mavor, made the address of wel- come on behalf of the city. , WELCOME ADDRESS: Mr. Rothwell said in part: Fellow citizens and members of the State Horticultural Society: I am a very young man to have placed upon me by the absence of our mavor the duty of welcoming such men as you. When I look over this intelligent audience, especially at the ladies in it, I wish that I were a fellow horticulturist, that I might mingle with you. At the request of the mayor and on behalf 122 State Hoticultural Society. of the city council I welcome vou to our broad thoroughfares, to our homes and our family circles, to everything you see except our wives and daughters. The keys of the city are in your possession; use them in whatever way you see fit. During the few days of your sojourn here I think the people of the city and of Boone county wili do everything in their power to. make you welcome. Thanking vou for your kind attention, I welcome you to the city. Whatever you see is yours while you are here. PRESIDENT R.. H- JESSE ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSEPY, I most heartily bid you welcome. When you were here five years ago you asked the State Legislature for a new building of horticulture. ‘No response was given by that Legislature or the next, but victory has at last crowned our efforts; and it seems fitting for this society which has done so much to secure the building, to meet here for the purpose of dedicating it to the service of horticulture. You suggested the build- ing; you sustained us in every effort to get it, and therefore it is pecu- liarly your building. I heartily welcome you to it for the first time. In my opinion no organization in this State has done more for the advancement of the State than this society. For the last twelve years, as long as I have been in the State, you have displayed intelligence and devotion to the science of herticulture. For your good works I love you and welcome you most heartily on behalf of the University. RESPONSE. (By Second Vice-President C: H. Dutcher.) Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: A position on our program means work as well as honor. None of us object to the honor, but few, if indeed any, covet the work. But, fellow members, to respond to such cordial and able welcome addresses as have just been tendered us, ought to be a pleasure to anyone; and such I consider it, however much I may have desired not to serve you in this capacity upon this occasion. We cannot thank the mayor and President Jesse too highly for their words of hearty welcome and exceeding good cheer. They give us a home feeling at once, and indeed such ought to be the case. The bond of sympathy between this society and the University and the city in which Winter Meeting. ; 123 it is located, grows naturally out of the similarity of our work, at least as it pertains to the Agricultural College. We honor all her departments of instruction, and are glad of the success of each, but our especial in- terest was manifested in a resolution I myself had the honor to offer at our Springfield meeting asking the Legislature for “an appropriation of $25,000 for additional experimental work in horticulture, entomology . and botany at the Agricultural College and Experimental Station at Columbia.” Yes, gentlemen of the University, just so long as you will allow us to wear a few of your feathers, and you continue to wear some of ours as gracefully as you have done in the past, these birds of similar feathers will gladly flock together very harmoniously. We know you have done us much good by meeting with us in vari- __ ous parts of the State and in many other ways. And somehow we flatter ourselves that you had more furniture upstairs when you came home than when you left, though your pocketbooks may have been somewhat de- pleted. Of one thing I am sure, the work the University professors have done over the State among the farmers and the fruit-growers has brought to the University large returns in the way of new friends, friends con- verted from ameng the indifferent, the ignorant and the opposing, a deeper interest and larger enthusiasm in old friends, a better understand- ing in many ways, the results of which are readily perceived when you compare the University of the early 70’s with the University of the late go’s and the three years since. That graphic picture “Before and After Taking” don’t any more than tell the story. It was just five years ago tonight we closed the last session we held at Columbia. On pages 232 and 3 of our ’98 report you can see what we thought then. I lost my - modest proposition of $30,000. Mr. Tippin made a dash for $50,000 and got it—on paper—but the college got only $40,000. Only four years after this I offered the Springfield resolution already mentioned, and while we do not think we did it all with our little hatchet, we helped; and what we now see delights us, and we are glad to be here again after a five years’ absence. ; Our only regret is that we have not a better display of apples to put before you at this meeting. But you will remember that we have seen a hard time in the last five years. We met here in December, ’98. The damage October had done to our orchards by the continued rain to the 16th, and the unexpected freeze that night, which put all our trees to bed with wet and frozen feet, had not attracted our attention. The February freeze following so soon afterward, almost ruined some of us. Fruit buds were killed; young trees and nursery stock almost wholly ruined; the bark on many of our old and bearing trees burst yo 124 State Horticultural Society. open, and those not in prime condition killed outright. Of course we had no fruit in ‘99, but the season being a reasonably good grow- ing one, many trees partially recovered, fruit buds were formed and our 1900 crop was fairly good. 2) But what shall I say of 1901, ’2 and ’3? Borrowing an idea from the arithmetical genius who, finding no difficulty in saying ’98, ’99 and_ even 1900, did not like to say nineteen hundred and one every time, but cut it short by saying “naughty one,” I can truly say 1901, ’2 and ’3 have been naughty one, naughty two and naughty three to the fruit growers of nearly the whole country. The favorable spring of 1901 was followed ; by our almost unprecedented drouth. Many trees that had not fully recovered from the freezes of October and February preceding suc- cumbed. They set some fruit, but could not mature it and live. The summer was very unfavorable for setting fruit buds for 1902. The re- covery of many trees from former disasters was checked. But 1902 in itself, will be remembered as a favorable year for fruit raising for all whose trees had reasonably recovered. ‘Those trees, then, that had borne little or no fruit in 1901 did fairly well in 1902. It was a growing sea- son and our orchards did reasonably well. Fruit buds were set, the winter of 1902 and ’3 was quite favorable, and our orchards started well for 1903. More people made adequate arrangements for spraying than ever before. “The spraying for scab was well done, and that for the canker worm was successful. True, it was a little muddy. A good horse would sometimes stick with onlv a light spring wagon, a Cyclone Dust Sprayer and an extra bushel of dust. But the leaves were growing, the blossom buds were changing color, and soon a fine bloom delighted our vision. The blossoms had not been sweeter in years. We were happy and began to. talk about barrels and boxes, and cold storage, and to see visions of bank accounts with a good credit balance. Over the country telephone came the oft repeated query, “How’s your orchard?’ and cheering replies went back, congratulations followed. The country groceryman congratulated us on our happy prospect, and the local con- sumer wio thinks 25 cents high for a bushel of apples and will postpone -buying till they drop to 15, said, “I do hope we will have a full apple crop this year. I am really hungry for apples,” and was glad when told of the prospect. ; Thus passed most of April, 1903. We had new moon at 8:30 a. m. on the 27th, but she set at To:05 the night of the 30th, hence we really had “the dark of the moon” that night, and according to our moon-eyed friends, a frost on stich a night will surely hurt. Any way it did hurt. A large portion of the apples fell to the ground. The cold rain that Winter Meeting. 125 preceded and followed prevented proper fertilization. The hail in many sections of the country bruised those that were left, and hard spots re- sulted. Rain continued through the warmer months, and_ prevented spraying for codling moth, hence many wormy apples. Scab formed abundantly, old insects flourished, many new ones appeared, and we were unable to prevent their depredations. Under such conditions a perfect apple was almost an impossibility, and many orchards furnished not a barrel for Eastern or foreign markets, or even cold storage. Our credit balances disappeared, and if we got enough out of our poor stock for our own families, we were glad it was no worse. This is a dark picture say vou, and too pessimistic for one of my temperament. What of 19004? Is there no promise for the future? I think so. The copious rains of the past season kept our trees growing, and could they have had a proper amount of sunshine the growth would have been phenomenal. The crab grass grew close around our trees, for we could not use the hoe, and this kept the borer moth away. Those, therefore, who thoroughly rid the trees of the borer last year had an casy job this fall. While the past season gave us, in many portions of the State, though not in all, no good fruit and not much of any kind, it was good for the recovery of injured trees. Trees set out in ’97 and ’98 are old enough for a crop next year. If all trees old enough did not set fruit buds in last July and August, what in the world did they do? They did little or nothing else in my section. True, some of them shed their leaves rather prematurely, but I hope no permanent injury to the tree is pres- aged thereby. Possibly it is our fault. And here I am tempted to vent- ure the opinion that if we will ali apply more lime dust either with or without poisons, to our trees from the time the leaves first appear till they fully mature, the leaves will be more healthy, more persistent, and our trees will do better. It is becoming known that dry poisons burn and debilitate the leaves much less than wet poisons; and “the good we all may do” by a more liberal use of lime dust upon the tree and lime in any form on the ground under the tree, is by no means determined. When our dust spray men devise an easy, cheap and ready method of reducing the ingredients of their dust to an impalpable powder, and at the same time thoroughly mixing them, they will not only revolutionize the whole spray business, but they will come very near furnishing a specific for all the iils our orchards are heir to, when it is thoroughly and fre- quently applied. Do you ask about the season for 1904? The kind of season we may reasonably expect would interest us all, 1am sure. I[ wish I could tell you : ‘ = == Day x ei ge $ 2 ~— = er a 126 State Horticultural Society. all about it, but I dare not venture too much. I have compared the latest storm charts and astronomical diagranis for January to May in- cluded for this year and next, and I must confess my inability to say — much to encourage. I fear the last week in April and the first half of May. We shall certainly have an opportunity to test the influence of ! Venus, under whose influence we had so much rain last May and June, and that of Mercury, the well known sleet god, to whom our cold first half of last April was charged. This year Venus is in almost full force by the last week of April, and Mercury enters our sphere April 26th. On May 3d both Vulcan and Mercury pass their equinoxes, and Venus. reaches hers on the 4th. She continues till the 23d, but from the 12th’ to the 30th Vulcan passes his equinox twice giving us his modifying and Lhope mollifying influence. All I can say, then, is about this: I don’t look for a repetition of February, 1899. Our winter is not to be very lamb like, nor are we very. likely to have our apple buds killed. If we should have “some extenuating circumstance”—an opposing planet whose influence we have not suffi- ciently considered, or much cloudy weather from April 26th to May toth-- we may escape a probable repetition of last April and May. If so, be of good cheer afterward. We shall, in that case, have an apple crop, and a good October and November in which to gather and store our fruit. It may cheer some of you to know that in 1904 we have “the light of the moon” from April 22nd to May 7th. If the moon theorists are right, then we mav escape. - But I must close. My desire for a good crop this year and the heartiness of our welcome tonight filled me too full for utterance; hence, T could not say much. But the inspiration of the hour is upon us and we want to hear from Europe and Oregon, and to learn what Hannibal has sent us on the apple business. Columbia and Missouri University so nearly one and the same, we thank you for the welcome you have tendered us tonight. SOME NOTES ON HORTICULTURE IN EUROPE. (By Marie L. Goodman, Kansas City, Mo.) To cover this collection of notes we shall need to take horticulture in its most comprehensive sense, including experiment stations, gardens, flowers, fruits and markets. The first new method noted on our trip was foreign indeed, but not on the other side of the water. At-the Ex- periment Station of Amherst, Mass., you will find-a Kansas: man in ; pave ie Winter Meeting. a 127 . charge, Prof. Waugh from Manhattan, now dean of this eastern station. With characteristic Western energy, he pointed out the experiments under way there, and one of the most interesting was that of the Cordon apple trees, dwarf stock planted 18 inches apart in a row and bent or grafted at right angles, 8 inches from the ground, all in the, same direction. _ When the one behind reaches its neighbor in front the end is grafted in- ‘ . and soon all are grown together as a rope or, in French, a Cordon. The end is kept for growth and feeding the tree. Back of this to the bend are the fruit spurs. The foreigners using this Cordon method put in other buds for more fruit. . There are 150 students at the Amherst College and Prof. Waugh has too in his lectures on Horticulture. They grow flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables for sale. Last spring over 2 cars of nursery stock were sold and from 2 to 4 tons of grapes at & to 12 cents per pound, besides the waste and trimmings to farmers and neigh- bors for jelly, canning, etc., at 5 cents per !b. At Florence, Italy, also, we saw the School of Horticulture and the experiment grounds. Here American peaches were planted 9 by 12 feet apart—too close as the gardener agreed. The peaches on the field trees were killed by a late frost, but on those trained against the walls were many peaches and the Amsden were already pink. The pyramidal forms bear fruit best, but they take so much longer to come to bearing; so all manner of other forms are used, like lattice work some, a seven branched candlestick ; like U and double or triple U. In the hot houses grapes were growing large as plums, and Japanese persimmons were large as our tomatoes, and tomato plants in pots were ripening the second erop. The Italian soldiers are taught at this school. Since the country necple cannot read, printed bulletins are not issued much but institutes are held for them at many places. Another school is at Geisenheim, a tiny town near Bingen on the Rhine, and is, as Prof. Whitten said, the finest technical school of horti- culture in Europe, and I gave my hearty congratulations to the one American student so fortunate in being there. Every now and then, commenting on different varieties, the Pro- fessor of the school said of one and another, “It is “dankbar,’” which is b translated “thankful,” and, as it proved, means that the tree gratefully responds to care and cultivation. There is a pleasant sound in that little word “dankbar,” and our crops would be better if more of our trees had a chance to be “thankful.” Even the little Cordons responded gen- erously to the attention given them; and every tree and plant, every foot of ground, gave evidence of the care taken -with every detail of work. On a rainy day in August at Geisenheim, you may find the. students a - ft 128 © State Horticultural Society. ; 7 at the preserving house. AJl stages of the work were in progress. The plum butter and all other products were cooked in small, shallow retorts by steam heat. The result of this work was an array of beautiful jars of preserves, canned fruits and jellies, such a collection as would win prizes at any State fair, delight the hearts of housekeepers and of hungry boys. Very properly these are used by the boys and faculty who live on the grounds. Instruction in floriculture and landscape gardening is apparent on every hand. Most astonishing were the glorious begonia blossoms 4 to 5 inches across, and double ones as large, like delicate double hollyhocks, of every shade and hue. Ina storage house we found, lying on racks, not only pears as we are accustomed to have, that they may ripen off the tree, but peaches also, and apples, plums and tomatoes. We all know of the time given in care to a tree, or perhaps two in a tiny garden, or to one trained against the stone wall; but we Amer- icans scarcely guess what can be done on a roof in a space 20 feet square. Our hostess at Rome had all her horticultural products on a small part of her roof. You went through a gate from the other part to this shady room. The wall of the house comes up about 4 feet above the roof, and on a shelf inside were the rows of pots and boxes that held her plants. Ail manner of flowers she had, and in large boxes sitting on the floor grew the larger shrubs and vines. The hose came into play every even- ing to give them all a good drink. On the wires overhead were trained the vines for shade. The wistaria flourished, the honeysuckle added its share of shade, the five leafed ivy apparently struggled for existence, al- though it had as much earth and water as its neighbors. One grape vine gave promise of a small crop. The nespoli or medlar tree grew in a / tub and bore fruit, and from the few wild strawberry plants in little boxes we had _a taste of 3 or 4 tiny dry sweet berries. The nespoli or medlar tree grows as large as a persimmon tree and the fruit is shaped like a small pear with a very yellow skin, but the flesh white and as smooth as satin, the seeds are large as persimmon seeds. The practical mind of a horticulturist might not be delighted by the grape vines of Italy, but his artist soul would surely be charmed. The vines are trained in luxuriant festoons frem tree to tree along the borders of small grain fields or there would be a row of trees, each side of an irrigating ditch, each joined to the next by the graceful green garlands of the vine. In an orchard five or six festoons will reach from a center tree to its surrounding neighbors. Such grace and ‘beauty could be accomplished in no other way than by these lovely bend- ing garlands of the rich dark foliage. The trees used for the supports are often planted and grown for the purpose, but they are usually forest Winter Meeting. 129 varieties and not fruit trees, even the mulberry is not grown for the fruit, but for the leaves which are stripped off to be used in feeding the silk worms. The best apricot we had served to us on the shores of Lake Lugano, northern Italy. It was not insipid as the yellow, but its white juicy flesh had a most delicate flavor and partially clung to the pit. The children in Italy spent their pennies for fruit and poor men and women chose a cornucopia of cherries for refreshment between meals. Because fruit is such a iuxury more pains is taken in arranging the packages for sale. Strawberries, for instance, a pint in.a little graceful basket were piled up on a bed of leaves leaving a green border of them extended beyond the edge of the basket, a charming contrast to the red berries. Anybody would pay 25 cents for such a fragrant, pretty treat. In the Paris market quantities of leaves—oak, grape, linden, etc.— are sold in packages of 25 or more for the purpose of using under the fruit. Ina small, white paper dish were laid 3 grape leaves to make an attractive background to the two peaches, one bunch of grapes and 6 plums, over the top, another leaf, then wrapped in white paper and tied so that by a loop of the cord you could carry your package right side up. The whole cost sixty cents. It ought to be nice at that price. Well, and it was nice. You have heard of the marvels of intensive culture; nevertheless you are surprised upon looking at the tiny plots of gardens in the valley outside Paris to learn that from three to five crops are grown on each lot every year, and the profit runs from one to five thousand dollars per acre each year. No wonder, then that the vegetables brought into Paris over- flow the limits of even the immense market building; so that two blocks from the great covered square you will find the vegetable wagons and carts blocking the traffic, the sidewalks so covered with baskets you can scarcely pass. In the building, business is more orderly. Among other fruits were peaches from Algiers: 6 are packed in a wooden box on a bed of excelsior which also filled the extra spaces. Each peach is wrapped with tissue paper and a layer of cotton; 24 of these boxes are fastened together for shipment, by express; no wonder a peach sells for 20 to 60 cents. The water-cress bunches were packed in a deep cylinder basket, 12 dozen in a basket. One layer deep all ’round, thus leaving an opening in the center, through which air could circulate, every bunch’ be reached by the sprinkling of water, while a cover at the top shut out the light which might turn the leaves yellow. H—9 15074 State Horticultural Society. The cut flowers were handled under roof, but the plant market was a canvas covered square away from the big market, only the square was not large enough so the rows of green and flowering plants reached over to the bank of the River Seine, extended both sides of the bridge and a block or two in each direction from the end of the bridge on the other bank. AN EIGHTY-ACRE ORCHARD, IS IT ENOUGH? (Daniel Lowmiller, Parkville, Mo.) ©ur worthy secretary has assigned to me the reading of a ae paper on this subject, but before I am through with it, he will feel sorry for me and wish he had left me off the program. Is an eighty-acre orchard enough for one man? I would say yes, and more than enough. Eighty acres properly taken care of would yield much finer fruit than 160 acres neglected, not saying anything about the quality of the apple; for any of us would much rather have fine, nice, large, smooth apples hanging on our trees, that we might point to with pride—something to be proud of—than snarly, knotty. scabby, disgusting little things—the kind that is sure to. ‘grow in a neglected orchard. In planting this orchard, be sure you know what you want to do, for a mistake here would be a hard one to correct. If you do not know anything about the fruit business, you want to make a thorough study of it before you begin planting, especially as to localtion, quality of soil, subsoil and air drainage, as I think many of us make this first mistake in locating our orchards; we do not stop . ~ to think where is the best place, but just begin digging holes and setting trees at random in any old place wherever fancy suggests. - This is wrong, because a mistake made here, as I said before, can never be rectified and will be a source of regret as well as a losing game financially for time to come. And I wish to repeat with emphasis, “That when one man has looked after the pruning and trimming and spraying and cultivation — = of an eighty-acre orchard, and done it faithfully and well, he has done all that any mortal man ought to do or could do; hence if my premise is correct, which I maintain that it is, then if he has more than eighty acres, he must have necessarily left it uncared for, and has not done his work well. In earlier days when we were not bothered with the orchard pests which we have to contend with now, then perhaps we could have handled with profit a larger orchard; but with what we have to contend with now, the prudent man will cut his acres down. a We have today in the State of Missouri some very large orchards, ranging from 500 to 2,000 acres, from which I venture to say, the owners realize a very small profit for the reason as I said before, the = 3 : - ~ erm" r - we eo i = - we z ~, =3o c ote eae oy Winter Meeting. i ah - owners are unable to give the trees sufficient care. Ask the farmer ~ which he had rather have, “one” acre of corn well cultivated, or “ten” acres half cultivated, and we need not surmise at his answer; promptly and emphatically it comes, “One acre well tended.” As is the farmer, so should be the prudent fruit man. In making a success of the fruit business, much depends upon " the varieties we plant as well ‘as the market for which we are plant- —— -ing. If it is a home market, it would perhaps be incumbent upon us to plant an entirely different variety and grade than would we if we were planting for and depending upon a foreign market; all of these things must be thought of as well as a look into the future and its possible developments and requirements in the fruit line. It is not the amount of apples we grow, but it is the quality, and this we can’t get in this day and age of fruit growing without thorough cultivation, spraying, pruning and thinning. I have in mind an orchard of eighty acres, planted two years ago, in a stiff timothy sod, the owner cutting a crop of hay off of it every year since; and he came to me not long since and said to me, “Lowmiller, would you advise me to plant that other 80 of mine in fruit, too,” and I said to him, don’t do it, vou go home and plow up that sod and plant corn in your orchard and cultivate it, and you will have all you can attend to, and more too, and your fruit will be TOO per cent better. What. we want in the fruit business is men with plenty of hard common sense and a heart that never fails, even though the apple crop does. The thing to do is to hope on, push on, work on and -. never give up, though adversity stares us in the face and we fail to get a good crop of apples every year; don’t expect too much from your orchard at first, but coax it and work with it and live with it, and in the near future you will see that your close attention has made for you a fine orchard that repays you ten-fold. Then you can sit down under your own fig-tree and survey with pride the handiwork of your own hands and brain. Yes, eighty acres is enough. VARIETIES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE MERITS. ; (A. T. Nelson, Lebanon, Mo.) Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: The subject our worthy secretary has assigned to me, “Different varieties and their respective merits for South Missouri,” is one which I doubt I can do justice to. As I see before me many apple LAS rele oe State Horticultural Society. SORE SRE apse Vo growers from South Missouri who have been in the harness a great deal longer than I have, and who know more about this subject than myself. In the first place most any variety will do well in South Missouri. In taking up this subject I will speak on apples that we ~ have planted and varieties that have come under my observation during the buying and shipping season. I will commence with the summer varieties and pass quickly through them. The Early Harvest, Yellow Transparent, Red June, Red Astrachan and Lowell all do well; grown only for home use and local trade. The Lowell, however, I find is very susceptible to bitter rot; the trees are’ vigorous growers, bear young and are very prolific. I ship one to two cars every summer (except this last sum- mer.) Maiden Blush is one of the varieties we do not plant enough of. I believe a grower would derive as much, if not more, revenue from a 40-acre orchard of Maiden Blush than most any other apple he could plant; the trouble is that it would take a great deal of nerve to plant forty acres of Maiden Blush. In fall varieties, the Rambu does fairly well with us. The. Northern Spy does well for a home apple; trees very hardy and very prolific; apples grow to very large size; no shipper unless under ice. Smith Cider is a good apple while the trees are young. After the trees are 13 or 14 years old, they do © not do as well, as they overbear themselves. , We all know what the Jonathan will do. The one objection I have to it is that it matures while the weather is warm before it gets its color, and in South Missouri they have to be shipped under ice to insure their getting to market in good condition ; the trees are vigorous growers, bear young and are quite prolific. The Grimes Golden I consider a better apple for South Missouri than the Jonathan, as it will do well on soil that will not. grow Jonathans at all. The tree grows to a large size, very hardy, prolific bearer; apples hang on tree later than Jonathan; bar- rels closer and a delicious flavor, and on the market commands as high a price as-Jonathans. No one will miss it by planting Grimes Golden. The Bell Flower is a good apple, though I would not plant it on account of it being a shy bearer. I can say the same about Pa. Red Streak and Baldwin. The Flora Bell and Ortley are good apples, but cannot compare with the Grimes Golden in productiveness or prices on the market. Taking up a few of the winter varieties, will } say that the York Imperial seems to succeed in South Missouri; the fruit is irregular in shape, large in size and of a fine color and quality; the tree is a vigorous grower and grows to a large size. We planted our Yorks on deep soil where they seem to do the best. I like Mis- souri Pippin for a young bearer and a quick money maker; to use (et eas A Winter M ceting. 149 as a filler up to the age of 11 years old, then pull them up and burn them. Winesaps do very well with us until the'trees get a little old; then they run small; also you will have a good crop one year and will miss the next crop entirely, where other varieties are full. The Hunts- man is not a good apple with us; very shy as a bearer, sunburns too easily, rots badly, fair flavor. The Willow Twig is a good apple; good color, good flavor, good tree, good bearer, and if the bitter rot is within 100 miles from you the Willow Twig will be the first apple to catch it. The Jeniton is a good apple to have one tree of for home use; it is not a good commercial apple on account of its size and color. The Minkler does well; a good tree, fast grower, bears early, fine color, good size and flavor. The Rome Beauty is a grand good apple, but does not do well with us; shy bearer, drops ~badly before maturing. The Mammoth Black Twig is grown some here; a vigor- ous tree, shy bearer, nothing extra in flavor and I would rather plant a Winesap; can say -the same about Arkansas Black. The Stark apple seems to do well here; good tree, good bearer, large in size and good color.. The Ingram is a profitable apple to grow in South Mis-. souri; tree is an upright grower, very prolific, very hardy; the only fault is that unless you thin they are inclined to run small. White - Winter Pearmain, Red Winter Pearmain, Bailey Sweet, Clayton, Little Red Romanite and numerous other varieties are all grown here and seem to do well. Payne’s Late Keeper seems to be one of the coming apples. I have a few trees that have fruited one year. I do not know much about the apple, only that it has every appear- ance of being a good keeper and shipper: tree is hardy and bears well. The Nixonite I believe is going to be a good apple for South Missouri. Those who have planted it speak very highly of it; they claim the tree is long lived, vigorous grower, very productive and the apple has long keeping qualities; a very bright yellow showy apple. I planted 300 Nixonite trees in my orchard two years ago. I will now bring my paper to a close by making a few remarks about our old standbys—Ben Davis and Gano—the money makers of South Missouri. There is no need of my standing here and telling you what Ben Davis and Gano will do; you that have planted them al- ready know. If I were to plant 10,000 trees to-morrow, I would plant 4,000 Ben Davis, 4,000 Gano, and let me see, yes, I would plant 1.000 Ben Davis and 1,000 Gano more. DISCUSSION OF VARIETIBS- Mr. Todd, Howard County.—In an orchard planted about eight years ago, Ben Davis and Gano have been great money makers; -Winesaps have done very well; Huntsman has not done well: fruit is sl a = " YS ~ ee} : = Ps 150 State Horticultural Society. very imperfect; Jonathan does well and is a money maker; Grimes does well. We are planting more of them. -Maiden Blush does well. My choice of five varieties would be Jonathan, Grimes, Winesap, Gano and Ben Davis. A. T. Nelson, Laclede County.—Grimes will grow well upon black soil, while the Jonathan will not.. My choice would be Ben Davis, Gano, Grimes, Ingram and Nixonite for South Missouri. Mr. Irvine, Buchanan County. Mr. Turner, near St. Joe., would recommend Wealthy as a profitable early apple; ten to one better than the Maiden Blush; bears better, and is better in every way. He markets his stuff to retail dealers at the market house. When apples are searce he picks early and keeps on picking. Mr. Wilson, Buchanan County.—My five varieties, Wealthy, Maiden Blush, Jonathan, Ben Davis and Grimes. Perhaps York Im- perial for Ben Davis. ; Mr. Murray, Holt County.—I think Mr. Turner would drop the Maiden Biush entirely and hold on to the Wealthy. I think he recom- mends Winesap upon certain soils. Mr. Butterfield, St. Francois County—My five varieties would be, first, the Gano, the finest in the world; second, the old Jonathan ; then Grimes, Nixonite and Ben Davis. In some localities Winesap and York Imperial would have a place in the list of five best varieties. Mr. Steiman, Chariton County——I would like to know more of Payne’s Late Keeper. G. T. Tippin, Greene County.—Payne’s Late Keeper comes from Dade county, just west of Springfield. It was grown from seed brought from North Carolina at an early day. The man who grew it from seed had some trées grafted for his own use. The fruit of these trees, some eighty in number, attracted attention and led to the planting of a 240-acre orchard of the variety. The fruit is medium size, striped, subacid, one of the longest keepers we have. Where it has been grown and marketed it has brought the highest prices. The flavor is good, almost the best, almost sweet, but subacid. It is good 1o bear and good to store. C. B. Green, Pettis County.—I would name Gano, Jonathan, Winesap, York Imperial and Ben Davis. Mr. Hartman, Buchanan County.—lIor North Missouri I would say Wealthy, Gano, Ben Davis, Jonathan, Grimes. Mr. Lowmiller, Platte County.—Grimes, Jonathan, York Im- perial, Ben Davis and Winesap. S. R. Young, St. Louis——Ben Davis, Gano, Jonathan, Grimes and Winesap. Winter Meeting. 151 H. S. Wayman, Mercer County——Jonathan, Grimes, Bén Davis, Gano and Missouri Pippin: Mr. May, Macon County.—Grimes, Ben Davis, York, Missour1 Pippin and Jonathan. . Mr. Cook, Potosi. —Winesap, } Nixonite,. Rome Beauty, Gano and ‘Red Astrachan. K. B, Wilkerson.—Gano, Jonathan, York, Grimes and Ben Davis. T. G. Henley, Miller County.—Wealthy, Jonathan, Gano, York _ and Ben Davis. VALUE OF GCOVER-CROPS. - (Paul Evans, Director Experiment Station, Mountain Grove, Mo.) | As far back as historical writings lead us, scientific men have been studying the soil. Lives have been spent studying the chemical composition, physical- conditions, etc, and reporting the results of their investigations to all the world; yet the tiller of the soil is just now beginning to think. In this country particularly, where vast acres of fertile lands were laying all cleared and ready for the plow, where all that was necessary to be done to produce abundant crops was to turn the sod and plant the seed, they have not stopped to think. Why should they? Crop after crop was grown with apparently very little deteriora- - tion of the soil, and if it should give out there was an abundance of fertile virgin soil left. Why should they buy commercial fertilizer and sow cowpeas between the corn rows? Although comparatively a new country, time is beginning to tell. Good land is all taken up, and some of it is growing thin. We have cleared some of the timbered land, and are now settling up the rocky hill sides. The grand-children of the pioneer settler, instead of turn- ing the sod and planting the corn with an ax, giving it no cultivation whatever, but reaping abundant harvest, are now preparing their soil with improved machinery and planting their crops with drills and planters, which have commercial fertilizer attachments, and eagerly watching each mail for a bulletin from their experiment station re- porting the results of experiments on varieties of cow peas, to de- cide which they will use as a cover crop. ‘If there has been such a vast change in these few years of the - past, what is there ahead of us? 152 State Horticultural Society. The study of plant food and plant feeding is as important to the fruit grower as cattle feeding is to the stockman. ‘To obtain the best results it is just as necessary that a peach tree should have a balanced ration as it is for a steer to be fed in a certain way and with certain kinds of foods. In feeding pigs and calves we feed for muscle and- - bone; the dairy cow we feed for milk; the matured hog or steer we _ feed for fat. . The orchardist should feed his trees in like manner. If they are young trees, just planted, he should feed for a proper growth and development of the tree. If they are of bearing age, they must be fed for the development of fruit buds and the maturing of the fruit as well as tree growth. It is in balancing this ration that cover crops play ari important part. We find that if we keep our trees in a high state of cultivation through the entire season, that the wood and fruit buds will be toc succulent, too tender to stand the cold of winter. If we cultivate in the early part of the season, then leave the bare soil exposed to the heat of summer and the cold of winter, to the washing and leaching effect of rain and melting snow, the results will be unsatisfactory. ‘We should then induce the necessary growth in the forepart of the _ season, keeping in mind that the available plant food must not only be retained as much as possible, but that it should be increased and made ready for food supply for next year. We will say then that a cover crop is of value: Ist. By improving the condition of the soil, both physical and chemical. and. By regulating to a certain extent the food and water sup- ply. 3rd._ By bringing about the conditions necessary for the .best results at the least expense. That cover crops are of great value to the soil physically speak- ing, is apparent even to the most ignorant tiller of the soil. It may be difficult for some of us to understand the chemical changes that are going on under the surface, but it is easily apparent that if a leachy soil is not protected in some way it soon loses its fertility; that a heavy clay soil must have humus and fiber worked into it be- fore it will be productive; that a cold mucky gumbo will not produce . until it has been warmed up by turning under a few crops of vegeta- tion. The ordinary plowman may not understand all about the bac- teriological and chemical changes that take place when this vegetable matter is plowed under, but he does know by practical experience that it is effectual. ~ ' Winter Meeting. ik 153 For a soil to be enriched within itself there must be a chemical change. Certain ingredients that have hitherto been insoluble and unavailable as plant food are rendered soluble and available, and for this chemical change to take place conditions must be favorable. An important factor is the physical condition of the soil. It should be such that it will receive moisture without puddling or baking. It should retain this moisture without remaining wet too long on its surface, supplying top soil as needed. It should be sufficiently porous to allow the circulation of air. With these conditions present, the micro-organisms, so essential to the food supply of plants can receive the air, temperature and moisture necessary for their existence. Chemi- _ cal changes will take place in the organic and inorganic, rendering in- soluble substances available as plant food. The physical conditions of the soil can be regulated to a certain extent, at least, by the scientific use of cover ‘crops. The chemical study of the soil, even the chemistry of the re- lation of cover crops to the soil, is too deep, and requires too much time for the ordinary farmer to fathom its depths, but if he will acquire the fundamental principles, and will read and keep pace with what is being done by those who give it their entire time, experi- menting a little on his own account, I assure you that he will not be growing the same crop year after year on the same soil, returning nothing and reaping a smaller return each year. He should study the signs of soil debility. If the foliage is generally pale and anemic when there is a proper supply of moisture, he should know that it is the lack of nitrogen, and that leguminous crops grown on this soi! will improve it. It is not necessary that he should know all about the particular family of microbe that lives on the roots of these legumes, making the gathering of this nitrogen from the air possible, or how it is deposited there and held as available plant food. ) Aside from the nitrogen gathering power of the legumes, cover crops may be said to enrich the soil. While they really add nothing chemically speaking, yet they bring about a transformation of min- eral substances hitherto unavailable and leave this with the soil for the nutrition of other plants. This transformation is brought about by the combined chemical and physiological action of the roots of all plants. At the tip of each root there is through the physiological ac- tion of the plant an exudation of chemical substances that act on the insoluble mineral matter rendering it available as food which the same root thay take up and store in the same plant. If this plant is placed under or even remains on the soil, the latter is enriched to _ the extent of such chemical change. 154 State Horticultural Society. We have said that cover crops were of value in regulating the food and water supply. Take for an example a young peach orchard. In the growing season we cultivate and encourage the trees to avail themselves of all there is in the soil for them. By the middle of the summer they should have attained the desired growth, and must now be induced, if possible, to check their rapid growth, and mature the wood before the winter season. If cowpeas, or some such cover crop, are sown after the last cultivation, some of the available food — must be temporarily used to mature that crop. They take the food from the tree then, but give it back in the spring when it is most needed. While they will also take from the soil a large part of the moisture, they shade the soil and prevent baking. . By the proper use of cover crops we not only benefit the soil and produce the conditions most favorable to the proper growth and — development of the tree, but we are doing it at the least possible expense. It is true that we might use some crop that could be har- vested at a profit, but this would be robbing the soil. Where con- ditions will admit of it, hogs might be pastured to an advantage, but this would be advised only with caution. EXPERIMENTS WITH CROWN GALL. (By W. L. Howard, Assistant Horticulturist, Columbia, Mo.) A great deal is heard about galls on the roots of apple trees and also on raspberries, especially the reds. The galls are warty-looking excrecences, which on the apple seem most often to attack the trees at or near the crowns—hence the name “crown gall.” It is found, however, that the galls may form on any part of the main root or roots wherever there is a wound. This is why the trouble is gener- ally found at the point of union between scion and stock. The true galls are warty excrescences which are not to be con- fused with the knots and enlargements which are caused by woolly aphis or by either the stock or the scion outgrowing the other. All of these last have smooth surfaces, while the tree galls are warty and rough. Galls generally cause a tuft of fine, fibrous roots to form, but in some instances aphis may also do this, but not often. It must be remembered that crown gall is no new disease, it being so far as we know as old as orcharding, but with the rapidly increasing number of apple trees is becoming more and more prevalent and noticeable. . Winter Meeting. 155 In our experiments we have tried to answer the following ques- tions: What remedies may be used without injury to the trees? If removed and wounds treated, will the galls grow again? How may “trees be treated before planting? Can affected trees be treated while growing in the orchard? Does the kind of soil have anything to do with the occurrence of the galls? Is there any relation between rasp- berry and apple gall—that is, will one attack the other plant? And will different methods of grafting influence the occurrence of the galls? The investigation has been carried on for two years. In all _there has been nearly 3,000 trees used in the experiment and 275 different remedies and combinations employed. The following ma- terials which are known to be more or less harmful to germs of all kinds were used direct, in combinations and under different circum- stances: Copper sulphate (bluestone), iron sulphate (copperas), sodium chloride (common salt), lime, sulphur, formalin, ammonia water, bichloride of mercury (corrosive sublimate), copper carbonate, car- bolic acid, hydrocyanic acid, potassium dichromate, mercuric cyanide, acid, hydrocyanic acid, potassium dichromate, mercuric cyanide, silver nitrate, gas tar, kerosene oil, Bordeaux mixture and hot water. The remedies were used in three ways: By dipping the roots in the materials; by sprinkling the soil with the solutions until the surface was wet just as trees were being planted; and by cutting away the galls and covering over the wounds with the materials to prevent them growing again. RESULTS OF DIPPING EXPERIMENT AND SPRINKLING THE SOIL AS TREES WERE BEING SET. Formalin.—All strengths from fo per cent. down to I per cent., in- clusive, killed nearly all the trees. Galls not killed on the few trees remaining alive. Weaker solutions down to one-tenth of one per cent. injured many of the trees, but the galls were apparently unhurt. By removing the galls and applying the formalin directly to the wounds only, the trees were, in most instances, injured, but the galls grew again. Bluestone.—Dipping roots in bluestone, as well as sprinkling the soil about the trees with the material in all strengths from one pound to eight gallons of water, down to one to seventy-five gallons, killed ali of the trees. From one to 100 down to 1 to 300 injured the trees more or less. Galls on all living trees. Where the galls were cut 156 : State Horticultural S ociety. away and the solution applied to the wounds only, the one pound to eight gallons strength killed all the trees. Some few of the others were injured, but the galls continued to grow. Ammona Water.—Killed many of the trees, but was not as disas- trous as formalin or bluestone. Did not stop the growth of the galls. Treatment of the wounds with the strongest solution to be found did not prevent the galls growing again. . Corrosive Sublimate-—Caused but little injury to the trees and did not kill the galls. Ammoniacal Copper Carbonate Solution, in strengths of 1 to 100 to 1 to 250, killed most of the trees. Weaker solutions affected the trees to a slight extent. This material entirely stopped the growth of galls in some cases and in others seemed to retard it. Copperas.—Caused no serious injury to trees even where large wounds were made by removing the galls! The galls were very numerous. Carbolic Acid—Killed or injured many trees, but seemed to retard growth of galls in some instances. Hydrocyanic Acid.—Was used only to apply to wounds. It killed most of the trees treated. The galls grew again wherever trees lived. Potassium Dichromate—Was used only on wounds. Nearly all trees killed. Galls grew on uninjured ones. Mercuric Cyanide.—Killed all the trees. Material applied only to wound where galls were removed. Silver Nitrate——Applied to wounds only. Trees bady injured, but in most instances galls continued to grow. Gas Tar.—Was used to paint over the wounds. Killed all the trees. Coal Oil (Kerosene).—Killed most of the trees with strengths of I to 10 down to 1 to 100. Galls continued to grow on the live trees. The 1 to 10 and I to 25 on the wounds killed all the trees. Strengths of 1 to 50 and 1 to 100 on the wounds xilled much of the gall, but injured some of the trees. Sulphur.—Mixed in the soil around the trees in quantities of I to 8 ounces per tree. Killed over half the trees, but seemed to prevent growth of galls. Common Salt.—In quantities of 2 ounces cr more in the soil. Killed most of the trees, but where trees survived did not prevent growth of gall. Copperas, Bluestone and Lime mixed together and applied to the wounds was the best remedy of al! for preventing a new growth of galls, although this was not entirely efficacious. Several trees were ee i Winter Meeting. 157 killed, either by the treatment or as a result of the large wounds made by removing galls. . Copperas and Lime used as a wash on the wounds killed all the trees. - Sulphur and Lime used as a wash on the wounds also killed all the trees treated. Roots of trees dipped in water of a temperature of 140 degrees F. for one minute were killed. In water of temperature of from 100 to 129 degrees F., about half of the trees were killed, but no galls were formed. Treatment of trees while growing in the nursery resulted as follows. The soil was scraped away and the remedies applied to the galls: Bluestone solution of different strengths—Y to 1 pint to a tree—did not injure either trees or galls. : Copperas solution used as above, caused slight injury to the roots and also to the galls. Common salt ¥2 to 5 ounces per tree, killed all trees. Dry, air slacked lime from 2 to 8 ounces per tree, injured both the galls and roots. Dry sulphur, 1 to 4 ounces per tree, gave no beneficial results inas- much as it injured the roots wherever it did the galls. Formalin in strengths of from 2 to 20 per cent. and in quantities of one-half to one pint per tree, killed all trees treated. INOCULATION EXPERIMENTS. Galls are found on the apple, red and blackcap raspberries in Missouri and on the peach in some other states. The peach galls used were obtained from Ohio. It was desired to learn something of the contagious nature of the different galls and whether those on one species of plant would grow upon another. The different plants, apple, peach and rasp- berries, were grown in pots—some in sterilized soil and some not, and kept on beds of clean sand so that there were no chances fos outside infection. Minced galls from one species were placed in contact with the roots of all the other species. The results of these inoculations are given below: Apple trees inoculated with apple galls, 30 per cent. were affected. Apple trees inoculated with raspberry galls, 16 2-3 per cent. were affected. Apple trees inoculated with peach galls, 22 per cent. were affected. Peach trees inoculated with apple galls, none were affected. Peach trees inoculated with raspberry galls, 37 per cent. were affected. Peach trees inoculated with peach galls, none were affected. ~ ~ = 158 / State Horticultural Society. Red raspberry inoculated with apple galls, 72 per cent. were ‘affected. Red raspberry inoculated with raspberry galls, 38 1-3 per cent. were affected. Red raspberry inoculated with peach galls, 40 per cent. were affected. Blackcap raspberry inoculated with apple galls, 26 per cent. were affected. Blackeap raspberry inoculated with raspberry galls, 71 per cent. were affected. Blackcap raspberry inoculated with peach galls, 33 1-3 per cent. were affected. From the above it would seem that red raspberries, which are nearly always affected with galls, should not be planted among either peach or apple trees. LONG AND SHORT ROOT GRAFTS. ALSO EFFECTS OF SOIL. In the spring of 1903 an experiment was started to determine whether more galls are formed when the point of union between scion and root is near the surface of the ground than deep in the soil. Also if there is any difference in the extent of the gall in different soils. For the above purposes 440 grafts were used, one-half of each variety having short roots, two to three inches long, with eight-inch scions, and the other half with Jong roots, four to five inches in length, and scions three to four inches long. These were divided into lots and half of each planted ir clay soil and the remainder in loess soil on the Missouri river. The following is a record of the trees affected with galls after one season’s growth: Ben Davis, long roots, clay soil, 76 per cent. gall; loess, 33 per cent. gall. Ben Davis, short roots, clay soil, 25 per cent. gall; loess, 87 per cent. gall. Jonathan, long roots, clay soil, 22 per cent. gall; loess, 25 per cent. gall. — Jonathan, short roots, clay soil, 14 per cent. gall; loess, 37 per cent. gall. Gano, long roots, clay soil, 84 per cent. gall; loess, 20 per cent. gall. Gano, short roots, clay soil, 14 per cent. gall; loess, 16 2-3 per cent. gall. Grimes Golden, long roots, clay soil, 72 per cent. gall; loess, 29 per cent. gall. Grimes Golden, short roots, clay soil, 75 per cent. gall; loess, 85 per cent. gall. Northern Spy, long roots, clay soil, 89 per cent. gall; loess, 17 per cent. gall. Northern Spy, short roots, clay soil, 84 per cent.; loess, 17 per cent. gall. Senator, long roots, clay soil, 85 per cent. gall; loess, 50 per cent. gall. - Senator, short roots, clay soil, 71 per cent. gall; loess, 53 per cent. gall. Apple of Commerce, short roots, clay soil, no record; loess, 66 2-3 per cent. gall. Apple of Commerce, long roots, clay soil, 40 per cent. gall; loess, 50 per cent. gall. — Richardson’s Red, long roots, clay soil, 83 1-3 per cent. gall; loess, 9 per cent. gall. Richardson’s Red, short roots, clay soil, 22 per cent. gall; loess, 25 per cent. gall. The conclusions of the matter from the data at hand must be that the gall develops best where the root is long, thus causing the point of union between the scion and stock to be near the surface of +. Winter Meeting. } 159 the ground. Especially is this true of the clay soil. In the loess soil there was more gall on the short grafts. In the aggregate there was far more gall in the clay soil than in the loess. ’ HOW TO GROW BIG FRUIT FOR THE WORLD'S FAIR. (Jacob Faith, Montevallo, Mo.) I have succeeded in growing very large fruit, nearly double its - natural size. Strawberries.—Select from the large varieties the largest and ~ hest plants, cut off'the fruit stems, leaving the largest one, pinch out the blossoms and smallest berries, leaving two to four of the largest ones, and cut off all runners; cut out all plants within about 16 inches; mulch 3 to 5 inches with straw or hay half rotted; set on each side a tin can with small holes punched in the bottom; fill the cans about half full of well rotted manure; cleanings from the hen-house are best; then fill the cans full of water every day or two; thus the water leaks through the manure to the roots. All plants, vines and trees can be watered with manure liquid, water that has run through the - manure. - Raspberries and Blackberries—Select largest canes; cut off. all canes within 3 to 4 feet and have the ground mellow; mulch 3 to 5 inches thick; I use half-rotten manure. Water every three to four days; manure liquid best; cut off all new canes or shoots as soon as they come up. When in bloom or the berries are quite small, pinch off about three-fourths. Tree Fruits—Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Cherries and Oth- ers.—Select trees of healthy growth, cultivate well, have ground mel- low as far as the limbs extend; mulch and water as described for raspberries and blackberries. When the fruit is about one-third -- grown, select the limbs that have the best fruit, pick off all the fruit except two or three. Furthermore, the size can be increased by _ twisting a wire around the limbs just below the fruit. This checks the downward flow of sap, thus preserves the sap and throws the food back and the fruit appropriates it, causing an abnormal growth and a quicker growth and ripening, Committees were appointed as follows: Finance.—T. H. Todd, New Franklin; H. Schnell, Glasgow; W. T. Flournoy, Marionville. * 160 State Horticultural Society. _ Fruits.—E. J. Baxter, Nauvoo, Ill.; G. H. Powell, Washington, D. C.; W. S. Monger, Mt. Pleasant, Ia. Final Resolutions.—J. M. Irvine, St. Joseph; N. F. Murray, Ore- gon; H. S. Wayman, Princeton. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9, 2:30 P. M—ORCHARD FRUITS. THE-APPLE- ORCHARD. (M. Butterfield, Farmington, Mo.) Shall we cultivate and prune or,not? I believe that we are all united on one thing, and this is, cultivate thoroughly up to the fourth or fifth year; after that time we are not a unit. I am not going to lay down any one rule to follow, as each person has to be governed to a certain extent by his own surroundings. | remember twenty years ago in Missouri, there were fewer advocates of low heading ~ and no pruning than you could count on the fingers of one hand. Now, I believe I am safe in saying, nearly all of the large orchardists do not prune, or but little, and that with a small pruning knife while the trees are young. Cultivating is certainly the right thing to do and it must be done well at least from the first to the third or fourth year after setting, as then you are building the foundation for your orchard, and the better you cultivate the better orchard you will have in the end. Let us go back a little further and see how the young trees were cared for before they came into the hands of the planter. We usually break the ground fourteen inches in depth and then work it until it is like an onion bed, then cultivate and hoe all summer. We often work our grafts fourteen times during the summer, besides the hoeing, and | the second summer, not so much, but enough to keep all the weeds down and the ground in good Gondition. Now, if ever a young tree needs cultivation, it is the first and second seasons, and IJ do not know of a single commercia! orchard in the west that was stunted while young that ever amounted to very much. And I will state right here that corn is one of the best crops to grow in a young orchard. I do not say why. You might say that this is too exhausting on the soil, but I will say if your land is not strong enough to grow three crops of corn, you would better not plant apples on that land. I want good land for apples to start with. Plant two-year old trees on strong land, headed low (say fifteen to twenty inches), cultivate some cultivated crop well for four or five years, never prune except to take away Winter Meeting. 161 suckers or cross limbs and that do in the summer time when the sap begins to thicken and you will see how quick they heal over. I think it would be a good idea to mulch the trees with old straw, but never close to the tree; keep away from the tree at least fifteen inches with your mulching. Never plant any crop in the land that will cause the land to be disturbed in the fall, such as potatoes, as that would cause the trees to start a new growth, or at least start a second flow of sap. In apple orchards where you grow low headed trees there should be good air circulation, which cannot be had behind a growth of tim- ber or hedges. Now, I do not advocate this system for all parts of the country, as in the east, where I was raised, the fruit on the lower limbs would not color. There must be a different system and higher heads in some localities. . What I wish to say then is this, to cultivate all the time or not culti- _ vate after the orchard comes into bearing. I think a great many orchards are ruined by deep cultivation close to the trees. Breaking off roots, especially the branch roots, near the top of the ground causes the tree to blow over in a wind storm. On the other hand, in the clover and mulching system the roots are near the surface and if you adopt this system you should never plow the orchard. I am not fully decided how long to cultivate. I think that would depend somewhat on the growth the trees have made, either four or five years. Then seed down to clover and never break’ up that land again. The year vou seed down will be a big check on the growth of the tree and it will nearly always form fruit buds and bear the next season, that will be the sixth or seventh year from planting. Our custom has been to keep the weeds and clover mowed down the first summer after sowing, and the next year you have a. crop of clover hay and may also get a crop of clover seed, but after that time we usually keep the ground run over with a mowing machine, say twice a year, and leave all on the ground.- We head low and when the trees come into bearing, the branches will touch the ground, thereby shading the ground and keeping it cool. It keeps the leaves from blowing away, and you will be surprised to get down on your hands and knees and examine the land and see how loose it is and how it retains moisture. We pick three-fourths of the apples standing on the ground, and I have seen gangs of men, fourteen in a gang, that will average 75 bushels per day per man, delivered to the H—11. 162° °% 5 State Horticultural Society. packing shed. I will state that 1 know of one orchard of forty acres that was planted in 1884, and has been treated in this Way, never pruned or cultivated after seeding it down, and it has made the owner thirty-six thousand dollars. In conclusion I will say that every one who plants an orchard should think for himself, study his own conditions, study the land and surround- ings, and then do the best for his own locality. Take a little time, go and examine the trees in your own locality, and see which would be the best course for you to pursue. APPLE ORCHARDS. (J. T. Jackson, Chillicothe, Missouri.) If we would be successful with our apple orchards we must do as Nature does. Nature does not waste her energies as we do. That is why we are proceeding so slowly in our orchards. A very large part of our work has gone wrong because of badly directed energy. We may be ever so honest in our object, and be ever so industrious in action, but if we pull against Nature we are like the boatman who pulls against the stream. He makes but little headway. But change our course and go with the stream and we soon move rapidly forward. This is true in everything we undertake. How many large orchards have failed because no notice was or is taken of the forces of nature. An apple orchard is planted, then we proceed to cultivate the soil, or still worse, we plant it in corn, or sow it in oats, and do our very best to rob the soil of what little fertility has been left through many years of wasteful cropping. Now Nature does not build up her soil by keep- . ing it in cultivation until it is as bare as a desert. Neither does she raise large crops of grain and remove them in order to add to her fer- tility. But she builds up her soil by daily adding to it the leaves that fall, the weeds that grow upon her surface, and the grass that grows. The very air that passes over it, and the water that enters it are but Nature’s ways of fertilizing her soil. We have tried to raise apples with the plow—that is force. It has failed, because it was unnatural. It was a woeful waste of energy. We invested in spraying outfits, dusters, and poisoned mixtures, and neglected Nature’s method of keeping in subjection noxious insects and bugs, that too often play havoc with our trees and fruit. If cne-tenth of the funds invested in dusters and spraying outfits, had been used in stocking our orchards with chickens, ducks, and tur- — mae iw Hears ; - - Winter Meeting. 163 keys, and in common sense laws which would have protected our birds and quails from the ravages of our hunters, we would long since have rid our orchards of their pests. This would have been working with Nature and not against her. An orchard should never be cultivated. Let the weeds, grass and ciover grow. These shouid be mown once or twice each year, leaving the greater quantity around the trees until they are seven years old, when the weeds and grass should be left where they fall. No stock should be allowed in an orchard, except hogs which should be let in long enough to eat up the culls, but no longer. The borers should be looked after twice, or thrice each year, but it is not necessary to cultivate an orchard to do this.. This, I conceive, is Nature’s way to enrich her soil, and also Nature’s b) y b] way to hold in check the depredations of bugs and insects. Many signs indicate that our wise men are learning that Nature’s way is the only successful way to raise an apple orchard. DISCUSSION ON ORCHARDS. Mr. Butterfield—What objection is there to clover in a young orchard? J. C. Evans—Does the man who grows mules turn them out to grass or feed them well till they are three years old? Mr. Butterfield—We feed the trees all the time in the clover. * D, A. Robneit.—I cultivated for fifteen years with poor success. N. F. Murray.—The question is what objection to clover in.a young orchard? There is danger of fire in the dry clover and it is a harbor for ~ insects. One of my sons has had one hundred acres in orchard for five to nine years. He cuts up the clover with a cutaway disk harrow. This method promises well now. How long it will continue to do well I do not know. Mr. Baxter.—I still insist that young orchards should be cultivated ; but the older I get the less I know how to lay down an iron-clad rule. We have an orchard planted in 1895 that was cultivated in strawberries for several years. Another orchard, in bluegrass has not failed of a crop for ten years. I was the only one in my vicinity who had apples this vear. Whether it was because the trees were not cultivated I do not know. I do not believe it is wise to cultivate trees after they are full grown. Our soil is rich. In southern Missouri I certainly would cultivate and keep as good a dust mulch as possible. In northern Mis- souri I would not cultivate. 164 State Horticultural Society. - C. B. Green.—If you can get the necessary mulch I think you need very little cultivation. We must be governed by the circumstance and adopt the methods that yield the best results. W. H. Stephens.—A neighbor raised a large crop of fruit in his orchard in clover, but in a few years it was in blue grass and was scon gone. It was fifteen years old when he quit cultivating it. Mr. Steiman.—Blue grass is very different from clover. Cooper County Man.—We broke a rich grass sod and planted one year apple trees. The orchard was planted in corn with pumpkins in the tree row. The pumpkins made a fine feed for the hogs. It was also better for the trees than to have all the land in corn. I continued this~ for six years, leaving a wider space near the trees each year, till the whole ground was in pumpkins. The trees made rapid growth, but they did not bear. Judge Sam Miller suggested that I seed the orchard down to clover for a year or two, which I did. The result was-after two years of clover that it began-to bear and has not failed to bear since. I am satisfied it is good to cultivate in corn for several years, but to leave a space near the trees for pumpkins. I have since plowed up the clover, taking it from under the trees by hand culture; but I don’t see any gain _ from cultivation. ; Mr. Gladdis, Lafayette County—Several years ago they planted the whole country to apples near Mayview in my county. After two years I planted my orchard entirely in pumpkins. They left the ground in fine condition. Later I seeded it down to clover. My-orchard has done ~ better than those of my neighbors. Sentiment in the Mayview district is running to clover, after six or seven years. They have too much humus in that rich soil to continually cultivate the trees. A hail storm this year ruined the fruit. A Member.—I cut my trees off about thirty inches high making the heads eighteen or twenty inches. I use the pruning shears every year where I see a limb too close or crossing another. I thin them every spring. I continue till the trees begin to bear well; and nearly every | year since they began to bear I have pruned some, cutting out the broken limbs, at least, every spring. Mr. Luke, Wisconsin——I have about 5,000 bearing trees. I am~ told to cultivate clean without any crop. My land is strong upland soil—_ rather an ideal location for Wisconsin. The trees ate eleven years old. One man says prune, another says let it alone. I have not pruned. Clover does not last many years in Wisconsin. After clover we have solid blue grass. I would like to know what I am going to do. It isa little quandary, like being «between the devil and the deep sea. I do not Winter Meeting. 165 _ know your conditions down here. I have grown some apples and expect to grow many more. Last year I seeded to clover and I will go back home debating whether [ shall plow up the clover or let it go to blue grass. What shall I do? : Mr. Butterfield —I am working for the money I get. Mr. Murray told this morning of an orchard which produced a crop of $32,000 with good cultivation. I know an orchard of the same size that has been neither pruned nor cultivated which produced a crop worth $36,000. A. Chandler—The friends must remember that clover is a biennial crop, living only about two years. Sow again is the only way to keep ground in clover. I Believe in clover. C. H. Dutcher.—If the clover is allowed to occupy the soil for two — years it will reseed itself. . Mr. Chandler.—You must give the clover some help if you wish it to continue. Scratch the ground or work it with a cutaway harrow. Prof. Craig.—lI have been called a cover-crop crank. When we are considering the tillage and the cover crop question we are considering - fundamental questions. In New York the majority of the most success- {ul orchardists I know give clean tillage vear after year ; but we use some kind of cover crop which returns something to the soil and prevents waste of fertility in the winter. There may be cases in which orchards are mak- ing so much wood that a greater growth is not desirable. I think the danger of too much growth in New York is very slight. I would emphasize the point that we do need to cultivate. I think every tree needs tillage during the growing season. In 1898-9 I was in Iowa where thousands of trees were root killed. We are learning the evil of leaving _ the ground bare in the winter. We will have to wait longer to see what will be the final result of Mr. Hitchings’ plan of grass mulch without cultivation. His conditions are unusual. He has water near the surface, but it is not stagnant water, I am not decrying the results of Mr. Hitching’s experiment. He gives us just what he has done. They are valuable for his conditions. J. H. Hale, Connecticut.—I might almost rejoice if you Western men conclude to grow fruit with little or no cultivation. You would make less competition in the markets. Your soil_and local conditions may have something to do with the question of cultivation. I have always — found that every thing I have ever planted gave the best results where I have given the best tillage. I recommend summer pruning for too rapid growth. In the peach [I would cut away the strongest growing upright shoots, leaving the weaker, spreading shoots to bear fruit. I want to give thorough tillage in the early months of the growing sea- hieg eae ; EN te prea 166 State Horticultural Society. son, and seed down to some cover crop after the middle of the summer. I want culture every year, just when, how and how long may be a local “question; but in heaven’s name if you want success in the long future,’ don’t let your orchards go to grass. THE COST OF MARKETING—THE: GAP BETWEEN -THE GROWER AND CONSUMER. (G. T. Tippin, Nichols, Missouri.) The subject for this paper is a question of importance-to the fruit growers of the country. As the object of papers of this kind is to bring the subject before you for discussion, and in order to be brief as pos- sible, we have gone into detail on the marketing of the apple only. What is true in this case applies in marketing all our fruit crops and to a marked degree to all farm products. Within the past five years the cost of marketing a barrel of apples has increased in freights, labor and pack- age, about twenty-five cents per barrel, amounting to ten million dollars on an average crop of forty million barrels annually. In discussing a subject of this character we should keep in mind two conditions: First, that the selling price at the orchard to which all intervening expenses can be added without putting the price to the consumer beyond the reach of the masses may necessarily be so low as not to be profitable. Second, the selling price of the fruit per barrel at the orchard neces- sary to insure a profit in production to which all intervening expenses being added would make the price to the consumer above the reach of the masses, thereby destroying distribution, and would be equally as dis- astrous to the business as selling at a loss in the first instance. Starting with one dollar per barrel at the orchard for number one fruit means three dollars and fifteen cents to the consumer on all apples stored. Over one dollar per bushel for the fruit and only allowing twenty five cents per barrel profit to the men who buy and pack our apples. Cost of apples $100.00, labor and incidental expenses buying and packing, 25 cents; average freight per barrel to different markets, 50 cents; storage, 50 cents ; shrinkage, 10 per cent., 25 cents; cost of barrel, 40 cents (and they cost 50 and 60 cents in many instances, this season) 25 cents per barrel profit. This puts the price to consumer beyond the reach of the ma- jority of the people whe consume our products. The producer should and must receive a price that will give him a profit. The consumer must be able to buy within his reach or our market is gone. In view of the rapid changes of condition, we have every reason a. aid ¥ nF hota», Aa Winter Meeting. - 167 ‘ to believe that things are more unfavorable ahead of us than they have been, and what we have to say here applies to the future and not the past. If, with a crop nine million barrels short of last year, the price of barrels advanced from thirty to fifty per cent., what may we expect with a crop of sixty to seventy millions of barrels such as we have had and are liable to have any year? Is there a scarcity of timber from which cooperage is manufactured that causes the shortage in barrel stock dur- ing the packing season each year? If,so, we may as well turn at once to some other package, making up our minds that our apple crops must be handled in crates, boxes and baskets as the necessity of the case de- mands. We believe that it is going to become necessary to use what may be termed family or retail packages in order to market our large apple crops. Would not consumption be doubled if apples were put up in small packages like other fruits so the consumer could get them in the original package? If the advance in the price of barrels is due, as many think it is, to a pool or trust, “and I will say there are reasons for this belief,’”’ and there is plenty of timber, the remedy lies in the apple-growers of the country through the National Apple Growers’ Congress or some organization to put machinery in operation cutting it into cooperage. We are not assuming that there is any trust, but we notice each recurring year that barrels can be had if we pay the advance in price. It is a question, however, if we could secure barrels at 25 cents each again, whether it is the package we should use. We are of the opinion that the extended dis- tribution in a retail way necessary for the consumption of our large apple crops cannot be reached by the use of the barrel. It may be said that for storage and export trade we will have to use barrels. If only barrels are used for this it would relieve the barrel situation that much. Still would not a case holding half a bare] once in use be more satisfactory for storage and export? Mr. Geo. A. Cochrane, of Boston, in some of his writings referred to the use of a case. We think this worthy of consideration and trial. “A case of two compartments that holds exactly one-half barrel of apples. In its finished state it is 2814 inches long, 13% inches wide and deep (out- side measurements). The two end pieces as well as the middle piece should be of three-quarters of an inch wood, and the sides, bottoms and tops should consist of three pieces of half inch wood. This case is a little too heavy to throw, or to try to walk it on its ends in moving it, consequently it has to be caried or trucked which insures its having more careful handling than the barrel or the smaller case or box. The bushel basket, such as used in marketing peaches, were used quite extensively this season in Michigan. This basket has a good solid 168 © ~ State Horticultural Society. cover. We think this a very good package for use in the fall during packing season, but not desirable for storing. The bushel box, the third bushel and even the fifth bushel basket should be brought into use. It is not our purpose to call your attention to all the advantages that might come to us in the use of smaller packages, but we desire to mention that a great saving would be made in hauling material of this kind in the knock down from the railroad stations to our orchards and in the making of it up by home help during idle times and bad weather which would forever free us from coopers’ strikes. We would not antagonize organized labor nor organized capital. In all this talk about organized labor and orga- nized capital the third man who is identified with neither is usually forgotten. It seems to be assured that the interests of only those en- gaged in what is termed the “war” are of importance, whereas in reality those of the third man in the aggregate far transcend those of both parties to the conflict. This third man, the producer of the country, largely outnumbers all others. There are about 30,000,000 men in this country engaged in what the census bureau calls gainful occupations. ~ Of these 10,500,000 are engaged in agriculture. Not more than 3,000,000 belong to labor unions, and of capitalists there are not more than 300,000. All the rest are what is called average men or, as above designated, are third men. The 3,000,000 union men and the 300,000 capitalists form the upper and nether mill stones between which all the rest of the 30,- 000,000 engaged in gainful occupations and all the rest of the nearly eightly millions of people in the country are ground. We are not impugning the motives of either labor or capital, but we realize that all increases in expenses, either in wages or operating ex- penses, of those who manufacture our raw material, or those who haul - our products to the market, are paid by the producer either by the lowering of the price of the product, or by raising the freight rate on the same. We have a right, as the large majority party, to say we are _ getting tired of paying the fiddler and getting no revenue from the show. On this point some one may remark what are you going to do about it? I would simply say if we must continue to contribute all the profits of production to the manager of the show and they are not willing to meet us half way, that we take a lay off for a year and only produce what we need to live on from the orchard and farm cutting off the surplus tonage for one party to haul and manufacture and for the other party to eat and wear. While this would be an awful thing to do and would be very foolish unless forced to do for self-protection, yet it is more sensible than lots of things we are paying dearly for. (While this may seem a diversion’ in the discussion of this subject, yet the conditions ‘SuIp[Ing [eangq[NoyAo0F] UL ‘AIBA S,P[IOA\ OY} 4B PozTqraxe 06 9013 o(ddy Savok “plo Jo0F OT oad UT “g0U0d10F Un ‘sTeSpoy 20 ‘gouepuedepuy OW eq [IM TOA Jo woyjoes V Se ge es Ne SEE LOL: atl PEs ring ge eed aS eT . : a 4 = Saar Winter Meeting. 169 referred to have a good deal to do with widening the gap between _ the producer and consumer. We are not saying that freight rates are too high, but, we cannot pay them. We are not saying that cooperage peo- ple are charging too much for stock, but, we can’t pay it. We are not saying that coopers charge too much, but, we can’t pay it, and we will have to make our own cases, boxes and baskets. It does seem just to us as producers that a barrel of 160 lbs. of apples produced on one side of our farm should be hauled as cheap as a barrel of 200 lbs. of flour produced on'the other side of the farm, but the 200 Ibs. of flour is hauled for less money than 160 Ibs. of apples. The gap between the producer and the consumer must be narrowed some way so that the producer may re- ceive a little profit without putting the selling price above the reach of the masses who consume our products. This is the great work to be accomplished, and when accomplished will enure to the good of all concerned. DISCUSSION ON PACKAGES AND SHIPPING, C. B. Green.—Could we not procure a plant and manufacture our own packages? M. Butterfieid—One year when I could not get barrels I rented a room about as big as this and piled the apples in it about five feet deep. I did not loose five per cent. of them. I just poured them upon the floor. ‘This may help some one out a little sometime. Mr. Gladdis.—I do not pretend to be able to solve this question, but it is appalling the way we are wasting our lumber. There is room for economy in this direction. Just look how the barrels are destroyed, when empty! It is the same way with boxes. Some one has suggested that we might ship apples in flaring crates that could be nested and returned. The boxes I used this season cost fifteen cents. We ought to encourage the return of the boxes. Mr. Richardson.—I think fruit growers should get together and tell the railroads they want lower rates. It costs five times as much to send a load of strawberries to Kansas City as it does to send a lead of live stock. We may have to pay more for a car of strawberries than stock, but it ought not to be five times as much. DISCUSSION ON PRUNING. G. B. Lamm.—TI find in my low~headed orchard many dead and dying limbs which I have to take off. I prune out the limbs that are dying in the under part of the tree. N. F. Murray.—lt is impossible for a man to prune an apple orchard when it is young in such a way that it will not need more or less prun- <= - ’ os z ia OS oe Ne ook J ea oe Fs = ae Tat Se sae ’ : i 4 %, rs , t © 170 State H orticultural | Society. . 2 : ing when it gets older. These lower limbs should be cut out. When_ the time comes we cut them out. From a 19 year-old orchard we cut loads and loads of limbs, and that orchard is now fine and healthy. It has produced one crop of $40.00 per acre; one of $140.00, and one of © $150.00 per acre. We cut the limbs off at their union with the tree. I never leave a stub and cut it again. J. H. Hale—TI plant trees upon high land where they get fresh air. I believe trees should be properly pruned and tilled. When trees have been neglected they should not be too heavily pruned at one time. I believe in a little annual pruning of the tree. Paint the cut with a heavy coat of white lead paint. T do a certain amount of summer pruning, cutting out the stronger branches of the peach in the growing season. Iam not as familiar with the apple. My apple orchards are of more recent planting. I give my five-year-old orchard a good pruning each winter. Mr. Stewart, Rushville—I hesitate to say anything upon the sub- ject. I am what will be called a crank upon pruning. I eliminate every thing that should not be there. No man can successfully grow fruit upon a sickly, weak tree, or upon weak branches. My rule is to elimi- nate useless branches just as close to the body of the tree as they can be cut. I want to show that this can be done with practical results. I have cut off two thirds of the top of a fourteen-year-old Ben Davis tree with good results. In the summer also I remove useless limbs. In a badly infested tree-hopper orchard I cut away one-half of the wood, and the trees are now healthy and doing well. Ifa tree is healthy I can cut out one-half the wood and do it no harm. This could not be done with a sick tree. To get the best results apple trees should be kept open. My orchard treated in this way has borne five successive crops and has the promise of another crop. ORCHARD EXPERIENCE. (L. J. Slaughter, Grain Valley, Mo.) Mr. President, Ladies and’ Gentlemen.—It seems, from the task your honorable secretary has placed upon me, that he wishes you, gentlemen, who have been in the fruit business for years and thoroughly understand the spraying and caring for trees, to now take your first lesson from a man who has had but little experience and knows comparatively nothing about the fruit business. This being the case, it leaves your instructor in a very embarrassing position, vet this being my task, I will give you . ; ' Winter M eeting. ‘ slypals _ near as possible the treatment my orchard has received; believing other things are equally as essential to make a profitable orchard as spraying, I shall begin at the foundation and tell you as best I can the treatment this orchard has received to the present time. I set this orchard in the spring of ’95, the land then being in clover, this clover was left the first year, the trees hoed around for a distance of nearly three feet from the body of the trees, this space was left well. pulverized and free from weeds. The second, third and fourth years the middles were broken with a turning plow and planted in corn, check- ing the corn so the rows of trees could be plowed both ways. This was done with a one-horse cultivator, wrapping the end of the single-tree near the tree rows and using all precaution to protect the bodies of the trees. The hoeing was continued same as previous years, since that the land has been in clover, mowing it twice during the season, each time mowing with a- scythe near the trees where it could not be reached with the machine. Next the pruning. These trees have been pruned once a year from the time they were set, keeping all water sprouts out, allow no forks, and always prune to keep the tree as well balanced as possible, cut out all limbs that interfere with each other. Next to protect the bodies of the trees from rabbits:and tree borers. I use a whitewash, applying it in April and in October. To a peck of lime, I use four pounds of sulphur, one-half gallon of coal tar, and one- fourth gallow crude carbolic acid. In spring I omit coal tar and use two gallons of soft soap. This I know to be a positive remedy against these pests. Now to the spraying. [I aim to spray from four to five times during the season. First before the bloom opens, second immediately after the bloom fails and at intervals of near ten days after that, owing to the season, I use the Bordeaux mixture exclusively, using five pounds lime, four pounds of blue vitriol and five ounces of Paris green to fifty gallons of water. My method of preparing this spray, is different from any I have heard of and may be called the lazy man’s way, yet it has been tested for the last three years, and gives excellent results. Before spraying season, I get quite a number. of paper sacks, sizes to suit bulk I wish to put in them. I weigh out quite a number of them, placing five pounds of lime to a sack, four pounds of blue vitriol and five ounces of Paris green. I have my pump mounted ona fifty gallon barrel. I place two other fifty gallon barrels in my wagon; this makes up as much as we can use in a half day. I have a long strainer which I place over the opening in the top of my spray barrel. Before com- NENG OS™ ee ~~ eer - _—~ i a .— ~ ¢ = es 172 State Horticulturai Society. SORE 2 ger ee, Saae mencing to fill my spray barrel I empty one sack of vitricl in the strainer, then pour the water through this strainer, until the barrel is near half full, then remove the strainer and empty one package of lime and one | package of Paris green into the barrel, replace strainer and finish fill- ing barrel; by this time the vitriol in strainer is near two thirds dissolved. I then place the spray nozzle over the vitriol so that the liquid wiil _ pass through strainer and back into barrel, now putting the force of the spray against the vitriol soon dissolves it, and the agitator at bottom of barrel thoroughly agitates and mixes the spray. So it takes but a short time to prepare fifty gallons of spray for use. Next spring I will be compelled to make some changes in my spray- ing outfit, as I will have over six thousand trees to spray, but will pre- pare the spray as described. This last spring there were a number of orchards in this vicinity troubled with the canker-worm, some of the trees being entirely stripped of their foliage, and the fruit in these orchards was of a low grade; these orchards were not sprayed. This same trouble was in these orchards last year, while in my orchard there was no trace of the canker worm to be found. My observation has proven to me beyond a doubt that the spray- ing has enabled me to keep my orchard rid of the insects and fungus pests. A great many people seem to think that their orchard should re- ceive no attention unless they can see prospects of a paying crop in sight, then do but little until picking time, then should the fruit be of poor quality and the number of bushels less than expected they are ready to condemn the orchard business, and to show how willing they are to do their part, they will gather this fruit in the roughest manner possible, then turn in their cattle, horses and sheep to graze the orchard until another bountiful crop will be expected. This is quite a mistaken idea of the way a profitable orchard should be handled, and the men that expect to handle an orchard in this manner, I would advise them the first time they plow their orchards to place a heavy chain on their plow and see how neat a job they can make of turning their trees under. This would save much future disappointment. In conclusion would advise good cultivation, regular pruning and thorough spraying and the results will be gratifying and profitable. DISCUSSION ON SPRAYING. J. H. Hale—tThere is some lime so good, clean and pure that it slacks with no grit or sediment, and may be successfully used in the spray pump without straining; but that kind is very rare. We have had some of it from Tennessee which we used in our Georgia orchard. » ‘ alae ee ee” 4 ee Oe ~ ad wa 2 ee bie ak é Pyke e * ~ ae cen wae Beg :: fon ad® oa x tr ae ty es ‘ me ‘ ate . Winter Meeting. ~ 7 173 Mr. Steiman.—Is it best to spray little trees with the barrel sprayer! ? Sec. Goodman. Bn would use a small duster upon little trées. We add one pound of Paris green to twenty pounds of lime dust. C. H. Dutcher.—In mixing lime with the copper sulphate what proportion would you use? I have not tried to make Bordeaux dust. I have bought it in the powdered form, using one pound of Leggett’s powder to twenty pounds of lime dust at first, and later one pound to forty of lime. Mr. Chandler.—I would not slack the lime with the copper sul- phate solution. Sec. Goodman.—That would destroy the effect of the mixture. C. H. Dutcher—Lime and copper sulphate ground together in a dry powder proved effective. Mr. Johnson.—We have tried to get a dry Bordeaux in which the copper sulphate is held in suspension eu it goes to the tree. We are after information. Mr. Baxter.—Dry dust is a good insecticide, but not good fungi- cide. I say the liquid spray is the proper thing for fungus diseases. By means of it I controlled the grape rot completely for thirteen years, upon five hundred acres, never losing a crop in the thirteen years. If you try to prevent grape rot with dry dust you will fail. 1 have not tried it and I don’t want to trv it, for I know it will fail. 1 believe Mr. Moore of West Virginia claimed that he saved his grapes by dusting them, but I don’t believe it until it is proved by repeated experiment. A young man whe had worked for me leased a vineyard from a man who had lost his crop by rot for several years. He was ready to dig up his vines. The young man sprayed it care- fully and gave it good culture and had a fine crop of grapes except upon two rows which he left without spraying. These two rows had no grapes at all upon them. LETTER ON PEACHES IN NORTH MISSOURLI. St. Joseph, Mo., December 7th, 1903. J. M. Irvine, Esq., St. Joseph, Mo.: Dear Sir—Regarding peaches in Northwest Missouri, you can say that in the bluffs on the Missouri river from Boonville to the Towa line there is no better locality in the west so favorable for peach growing. There is something in our soil that is adapted to peach growing which produces the most perfect and finest flavored peach “ “3 ER Set Sa ee bee ee Ve ae re ero. wee i & : ; ee \ 174 | State Horticultural Society. iat ea grown. Like all crops they require cultivation and the more the better. From my observation as a resident of this locality since 1867, I have known of fourteen peach crops in the past thirty-two years and nearly all profitable ones. << I suppose our mutual friend, Mr. J. H. Hale, will enlighten all on the cultivation of the tree. I have followed his advice on these lines as closely as I could and his vast experience and knowledge of the business leaves but little one could say. We have planted our orchards 13x13, giving 260 trees to the acre, pruning closely, and will thin our fruit closer now than we have ever done. Our crop was light this year and as a result our peaches were as large as Ben Davis apples. We like a low head and have our trees spread out as much as possible. In this way the expense of gathering is much less, and trees set 13x13 and headed back are less liable to be broken down by heavy winds, and they form a wind break and protect each other. In planting an orchard for commercial purposes in Northwest Missouri, would plant for a successive crop Carmens (which with me have proved to be nearly the equal of Elbertas in size and as prolific} ‘Champions, Crosbys (if you will thin them) Elbertas, Chair’s Choice, Stump the World, Fox Seedling, Salway, Pickett’s Late and Heath cling. These have all done well with me and are good prolific peaches. Yours very respectfully, BP HALSEX, \ THE PEACH IN NORTH MISSOURI. - (H. W. Jenkins, Plattsburg, Mo.) North Missouri is not looked upon by fruit men generally as a peach country where it would pay to go into the business of trying to raise peaches extensively. Yet I think when the specimens that were put up this fall for the World’s Fair exhibit, grown in Platte county by Mr. Gano and others, are shown to the public it will have to be admitted that North Missouri can produce peaches even in an off year, and while the peach may not have the commercial value in North Missouri that it has in the Ozark region, yet very few fruit growers would consider their orchard complete if they did not have some peach trees growing, for when they do bear the fruit is equal if not superior both in size and color and flavor to anything that comes from the south land. Better peaches don’t grow than are grown Ree Na A ee ae ae Nee nary Tete f pel te =e Scie . - j ‘ ’ " Winter Meetin g. ; 175 along the bluffs of the Missouri river. It is true enough that failures come, sometimes several in succession; already now we have had two suc- cessive failures. But these disappointments only whet the appetites. of the consumer so that when a crop comes they taste so good and look so tempting that we simply cannot do without them, and people will continue to plant regardless of failures. But it is a singular thing that whenever it is discovered that the crop is winter killed right then and there the sale for trees that spring practically stops: and planting of peach trees does not resume its normal conditiom -until another crop is assured. Curious things us people are! But speaking of failures in North Missouri, do they not come in Souti: Missouri, in Georgia or Texas, Delaware and Michigan? Perhaps: not as often, yet they come. One peculiarity of our failures in North Missouri, they hardly ever come from spring frosts; if your buds get through the winter safe we are nearly sure of a crop. Now for a few points on the growing of a peach orchard, the varieties, etc., and: Iam through. In North Missouri, as every place else, the peach orchard should be planted on good land on an elevated location, north or eastern slope. Trees should be well cultivated each season. Of all the fruit trees the peach should be the best cultivated and kept growing, forming | new wood and kept headed back each season, keeping the tops low and within bounds. The borers are a great enemy of the peach tree and all trees: should be gone over twice each season and the borers taken out. A great help to keep away borers is to keep the ground perfectly clean of all weeds. and grass around the trunk of the tree. To meet with success in growing peaches is to be careful in the selection of varieties. Do. not plant but very few of the real early ripening varieties. Plant the bulk of your orchard in varieties that will ripen from August 15 to. October 10. The following list will cover that season and is suf- ficient for all purposes. Plant enough of each variety to do some good; if you can only plant a few trees cut out the varieties. The following have done well for the writer at Boonville: First, Champion, next Elberta, then Henderson, Stump the World, Dewey Cling, Heath Cling, Smock and Salway. For real early, Sneed, Triumph, Alexander and Foster. What will succeed best at my new home, Plattsburg, L can tell better later on. ~~ “a < ais . —o ; se S J ee # iiGes State Horticultural- S ociety. PEACHES -IN=SOUCE. MISSOURT Koshkonong, Mo., October 20, 1903. Mr. L. A. Goodman, Kansas City, Mo.: Dear Sir—Replying to your favor of the 12th instant will say J_ feel that I am not a competent enough writer to undertake to write a paper on any phase of the peach business. I am very sorry for this, because I feel a deep interest in the work of the Missouri State Horti- cultural Society, and would be pleased to be able to contribute to its usefulness. The commericai side of the question is all I know anything about. I know nothing about diseases of peach trees or remedies for diseases ; I know very little about pruning except that I have learned to do very little of it. I know how to keep the soil in condition best adapted to peach culture, but don’t know how to tell it in a paper before the society. I am sure the peach business is profitable to a man ol ordinary intelligence who has patience enough to wait for a crop. I[ am sure the peach business is very hazardous to the man who is visionary and full of figures, but who lacks patience. I deserve no ~ great credit for what success I have made in the peach business. I went into it blindly, but after getting what capital I had invested in it, 1 was forced to make some money out of it or “go broke.” If you will pay our orchards a visit they will tell of the mistakes I have made as well as the right things I have done better than I can tell it. Wishing you a successful meeting, I am Yours truly, p Np alee BEST VARIETIES OF BEACHES. (G. L. Sessen, West Plains, Mo.) To the Members of the State Horticultural Society: From a commercial standpoint, I would plant nothing but El- bertas in Howell county. It succeeds in all localities and in all kinds of soil, rich or poor, better than any other variety of peach. The markets all demand Elbertas, we get better prices for Elbertas and the yield from this variety is enormous. From Georgia to Michigan and from Texas to Colorado peach tree planting is mostly of Elberta. If we should plant St. John, Mountain Rose, Family Favorite — ‘W L “udry “MmOOolg UL pavydag I[1ddy ‘OW ‘MOTAA LTT Winter Meeting. sR: and other varieties in their season we find in the market Texas and Arkansas Elbertas to take the top prices. Then when the Salway, a fine peach in its season, comes in the market, we find that Elbertas from Colorado and Michigan are still in the lead. I find by experience that the Elberta season can be prolonged fully two weeks by cultivation, which would give it a season of nearly four weeks. Without plowing the orchard in the spring the peaches will ripen earlier, and will be of high flavor, but not so large. One good plowing in the spring will make the peaches larger and they will ripen a week later. A thorough cultivation, five or six plowings, during the season before ripening, will cause the peaches to bear two weeks later, give the tree more growth and foliage and the peaches will be very large, more juicy, but not of much color and liable to rot in wet weather. By all means plant the Elberta in the Ozarks. DISCUSSION OF THE PEACH. Mr. Atwood.—TI visited Mr. Culver not long since. He told me of getting from 27,000 trees $22,000 worth of peaches in one crop. He has now 240 acres planted to Elberta peaches. Some of his land is so stony that he has made arrangements with the ’Frisco railroad to supply them with crushed stone for ballast. In this wav he clears his land and gets paid for his labor. Mr. Gano.—I have not written a paper upon peach varieties, but in the first place I would avoid the whole Hale family in peach grow- ing. None of them are profitable. Here is the list for family use which I would plant: Early Rivers, Troth’s Early, Mt. Rose, Family Favorite, Carmen, St. John, Reeves, Early York, Champion, Capt. Eads, Elberta, Crosby, Keyport White, Pickett’s Late, Salway and Hen- rietta. Wilkin’s Cling is superior to the old Heath if you want a late white cling. J. H. Hale—Mr. Gano’s list is an excellent one. If I were to grow only one peach for home use it would be the Champion. It is extremely hardy in bud, always inclined to overbear, and hence needs thinning, and is of delicious quality. It is going to be one of the most profitable peaches in the country, I am a peach crank. That is my favorite branch of horticulture. There has been a tremendous peach craze for the last few years. There are already more than 18,000,000 peach trees in.the State of Georgia, and from 3,000,000 to 5:000,000 more will be planted before next spring. There have also been very heavy plantings in Alabama, South Carolina, Texas, Ar- H—i2 178 State [Horliculturai Society. kansas and South Missouri. If they had all chosen good market varieties ripening in succession it might not be so bad, but they are all planting Elberta and the whole thing will go to smash as soon as all these trees come into bearing. I was foolish enough to plant 60,000 Elbertas in my Georgia orchard of 300,000 trees. The most profitable varieties are the same north and south. Our old sorts were mostly of the Persian type, but they are being superseded by the North China type, of which Elberta and Chinese cling are examples. Waddell, Hiley, Carmen and Belle of Georgia are all of this class, and all profitable kinds to grow, only the. Carmen is very susceptible to-the rot. Waddell is earlier, of delicious quality and will stand up under adverse conditions. Belle of Georgia is white with red cheeks, and is very profitable. Hiley is of the same type, but smaller. Greens- boro is the best of the very early kinds. Chair’s Choice, of the Persia type, is the best to follow Elberta. Matthew’s Beauty is a poor type of Smock. Crosby and Hill’s Chili are hardy in bud, but are usually small and wooily, not handsome. They require careful culture and close trimming; under such favorable conditions a Crosby tree bore the largest peach I ever saw in my life. I grow Chair’s Choice rather than Salway, which is too late for my latitude. Triumph is too subject to the rot. Don’t plant it for profit. Mr. Baxter.—In our part of Illinois we have a peach called Chalmer’s Yellow Free, earlier than Elberta, large size and better quality. This year we had a thousand bushels of Chalmer’s to ten of Elberta. It approximately reproduces itself from seed. WEDNESDAY—8 P. M. Wednesday night’s session was one of the most interesting of the meeting. The new horticulture building was dedicated, the ad- dresses being by Prof. Craig and Mr. Hale. Dr. Jesse, president of the University of Missouri, presided, and Prof. Mumford, acting dean of the Agricultural College, introduced the speakers. Both of the visitors referred in the highest terms to the work in horticultural lines which is being done in Missouri, and the whole affair was a most pleasant dedication service. After the addresses Dr. Jesse declared the new building dedicated to horticulture and the allied sciences of botany and entomology. Winter Meeting. Wis) UNIVERSITY WORK IN HORTICULTURE AND RELATED SCIENCES: (John Craig, Professor of Horticulture, Cornell University, Ithaca.) Agriculture is the dominant force of this great empire. If agri- culture thrives, business life throbs with vitality; if agriculture lan- guishes, material life weakens and degenerates, says a prominent writer. Agriculture is the original, natural, necessary, single and universal business of mankind, says Kerrick. “®here is nothing be- fore, nothing higher, nothing beyond agriculture.” The character of agriculture of any country more nearly expresses the advancement of civilization of a country than any other means of comparison. We may further admit that horticulture is the refinement of agriculture; therefore, the development of fruit and ornamental plant culture in any country may be looked upon as an accurate indication of the culture and refinement of its people. Where does Missouri stand in the role of the great agricultural commonwealths of the Union? The twelfth census tells us that Mis- souri is the fifth State in the Union, graded upon the basis of agri- cultural wealth. The same census tells us further that, in acres of improved land, Missouri leads all but three States, having, more than twice as much improved land as all New England with New Jersey and Delaware thrown in. In the number of farms, Missouri is ex- ceeded by only one State in the Union. In fruit growing, the position held by Missouri is one of commanding importance, and if I can read aright the signs of the times, she has but made a small impression upon the vast possibilities concealed in the lap of the future. The census again tells us that in production of nursery trees, her position is eighth; in orchard products, eighth; in forcing fruits, flowers and vegetables, ninth; in number of bearing peach trees, eighth; in num- ber of bearing appple trees, first, or 200,000,000. In the face of these facts, it is not surprising that Assistant Pomologist Taylor of the United States Department of Agriculture, should prophesy that the next ten years will see the apple bin of the United States moved from the east to the west of the Alleghanies. The completion of this structure dedicated to horticultural teach- ing, horticultural science and allied sciences of botany and entomology at once places the State on record as a commonwealth appreciative of its inevitable destiny and mindful of the cultural influences of plant 180 State Horticulturai Society. studies. The day is past when men who study art and literature are considered the elite of the cultured set. The time has come when any object, however lowly, can be made a means of education; when a study of the unfolding of the apple blossom is known to possess as great pedagogic value as the critical examination of a Greek syllogism. The time is coming—perhaps here—when pigs and peaches may be regarded as no less divine than Latin and logic. The opening of this building premises a sound conception on your part of this change in pedagogic point of view. And is it not a happy metamorphosis? Why should not a State with over a quarter of a million farms, and certainly over a million people living on farms, make the fullest en- deavor to teach these people in the terms of their daily lives? And these terms are the soil, the plant, the animal. Will not this new teaching bring greater contentment than the old? Will it not raise up men and women who will advance agriculture in proportion to its importance as a producer of national wealth and a bulwark of national capital? For we know that one-third of the population of the United States work ‘the land, and the other two-thirds live by reason of this fact. The colleges are teaching how to grow crops. In the future the burden of teaching must be shifted from the crops to the man who grows them. Bailey says the voice of the school house will say: “T teach The earth and soil To them that toil The hill and fen To common men i That live just here. “The plants that grow, The winds that blow, The streams that run In rain and sun Throughout the year. “And then I lead Thro’ wood and mead, Thro’ mould and sod, Out unto God. With love and cheer I teach!’ The pedagogic point of view must be shifted from the crop to the man. The horticultural field bristles with problems; the management of plants; the treatment and control of plant diseases; the prevention of insect enemies. Our efforts in these directions are often painfully feeble, lamentably superficial and ineffective. Winter Meeting. 181 Why is one soil fertile and another barren? Most soils contain plant food enough, but do we know how to make it available to the plant? There are problems in production. Some orchards yield well, others are unproductive. The same varieties, apparently the same soil, with similar treatment. There are great problems in plant development. We need better fruits. The old varieties have been vastly improvd, but the new are not perfect. Who will give us a Ben Davis in appearance and pro- ductiveness, with a McIntosh flavor? Who will come forward with a Concord in vigor and yield a Golden Chasselas in quality? How much would a gift of this kind be worth? Who has estimated the value of Ephraim Bull’s benefaction to mankind, or Gideon’s gift of the Wealthy apple to Minnesota and other northern states? Have you, men of Missouri, given due meed of praise to the faithful and patient investigators of your own State—your Miller, Rommel, Jaeger. Zellner, your Evans, Goodman, Gano? Let us glance for a moment at the relation of plant-breeding to wealth. Professor Hays of Minnesota estimates the world’s wheat crop at 2,500,000,000 bushels, grown on 125,000,000 acres, at twenty bushels per acre. Ten years’ effort of the Minnesota Station pro- duced a variety of wheat yielding twenty-five per cent. more grain than its parent variety—the best variety grown in the state. Twenty- five per cent., or five bushels per acre, would add to the world’s sup- ply 625,000,000 bushels at eighty cents per bushel equal to $500,000,- 000 each year. If breeding will increase the yield five per cent., nay, as much as one per cent. per acre, there would be an annual increase of $100,000,000, or in ten years an increase of I,250,000,000 bushels. Plants, annual biennial and perennial, are in a constant state of mutation (change). Man, the gardener, must ever be alert to take advantage of favorable variations, and the struggle for economic im- provement constantly needs assistance. FEDERAL AND STATE ASSISTANCE. We hear much of the vast enterprises of the Federal Department of Agriculture and the great sums of money being expended to further the industry. The sums now expended in behalf of agricui- ture would make our forefathers stand aghast. But after all have they kept pace with the other expenditures? Let us look at some of the figures. In 1903, the government expenses amounted to almost $600,000,000. What share of this did agriculture, the foundation of all wealth, receive? $4,579,990. We may compare this appropriation 182 State Horticuliural Society. with those given to other departments. The United States is sup- posed to be a peaceful nation, yet the same year the War Depart- ment spent $114,657,246—about twenty-five times as much as for agriculture. The one fosters production, the other destruction. In — addition to this, the Navy Department received $68,303,025, a total for the war side of $184,960,271. Just think of $180,000,000 more for the fighting side of our national life than the peaceful side of acri- culture and kindred industries! Given a tithe of this sum for a period of years, what magnificent work might not be accomplished in agriculture! In 1900, $20,500,000,000 of ‘capital were invested in agriculture; the annual output was $1,470,000,000. Fruit growers and farmers, compare the figures for national de- fense with those for national development upon a sure foundation of a sound and stable agriculture, and well may we ask, when will agri- culture come to her own? THE PAST AND THE PRESENT. But there is abundant reason for congratulation. In the early days of scientific investigation, the individual labored alone, unaided by state or community. His theories were assailed on every side; his discoveries were met with derision. His light went out when he died. ‘There was no pupil, no institution to develop his discoveries and immortalize his name. There was no continuity of effort. How impressive is the change that has come over the face of scientific re- search! How significant the difference in the attitude of the now ex- pectant public! Notwithstanding the striking transfiguration, the conditions surrounding the investigator are not always ideal, even in this twentieth century. There are places where, instead of work- ing ‘in an atmosphere charged solely with the investigational and pedagogic spirit and freed from petty executive trammels and financial annoyances, his every step must be attuned to the key set by local or State politics. No man can do good work who is obliged to work with one eye on the plant or crucible, and the other on the politicai barometer. To do good work, the investigator must give his undi- vided attention to the problem before him, and then he must possess certain fundamentai requisites. The first essential of every investi- gator is absolute unswerving honesty. The next is scrupulous exacti- tude; and a third should be a free, open and unbiased mind. Given these three, coupled with an inborn spirit of investigation for the love of truth, backed by a generous ‘support, ‘moral and financial (for men must live), what a cheering expanse opens before the scientists. Winter Meeting. 185 We have reached a time in the history of horticulture when some of the great underlying problems must be attacked, problems which may need more than a man’s lifetime to solve—when the continuity afforded by a State institution is needed to insure their completeness. We have reached an era when patience, skill and preseverance are, more than ever, a part of the investigator’s capital; when considerate patience is expected of the fruit grower. The day of superficial ex- periment and hasty result is past; the period of slow, but sound, fruition has arrived. I would enter a plea, then, for a fuller consideration of the sub- stantial needs of horticultural science as it stands today. Give its to investigate devotees opportunity—iree untrammelled opportunity fundamental questions, expressing no impatience though five or fifteen years instead of five months are required to solve a problem. They need more than opportunity; they need more than financial support. They need your counsel, your loyal support and your en- couragement. The promise of all these is amply vouchsafed by your presence and your interest, which have made possible the erection of this building. CO-OPERATION BETWEEN FRUIT GROWERS AND EXPERIMENTERS. To bring forth the fullest fruition, this must be of the close and personal kind. Co-operation of the best type is possible when sympa- thetic relation between farmer and scientist are developed and sus- tained. The experiment stations of this country sprang into exist- ence, mushroom-like, on the passage of the Hatch act. The responsi- bility of speedily justifying their existence pressed heavily upon many of them at first, and perhaps the obligation was driven home by their farmer constituents with the result that here and there undigested bulletins were offered to an expectant and subsequently disappointed public. Fortunately, the experiment station is approaching a basis of action at once stable and satisfactory. There is, in the main, no longer the feverish desire on the part of the experimenter to rush into print, nor impatience on the part of the beneficiary for the re- — sults of loosely conducted experiments. Both fruit grower and in- vestigator alike realize that he who deals with the soil, plants and animals works in a realm fraught with exceeding great difficulties, be- cause he is studying living things. Life forces are in constant muta- tion, and the problems connected with the phenomena of life are vastly more intricate and difficult than those of the abstract sciences. For this reason, more skill and patience are required. Let us realize this. Let us live up to our knowledge. ) 184 State Horticultural Society. The dedication of this building is more than a matter for mere congratulation. It is a significant step in the progress of horticulture in this State. A great master in the arena of scientific research has said that “Laboratories and discoveries are correlative terms. Sup- press the laboratory, and the physical sciences will become the image of sterility and death. Henceforth they will be only sciences of in- struction, restricted and powerless, not sciences of progress and with a.future. Demand that they be multiplied and equipped. They are the temples of the future wealth and of well being. It is there that humanity develops, strengthens itself and grows better.” But given the most elaborate cf workshops, the most complete of libraries, some- thing yet may be lacking. This temple of science must have its high priest. The work of the laboratory must be quickened; the dry pages of the text-book must be illuminated by the man, the teacher. For behind all must be the man, the brain. He must furnish the motive, the stimulus and the inspiration. No matter how perfect the machine, how large the endowment, it is of no avail unless guided by a master spirit. In the final analysis, it is the man that must be relied upon. In America, as elsewhere, the highest product can never be things— must always be men. I venture to believe that this statement meets a responsive chord in your hearts. It is a pleasure for an outsider like myself to have an opportunity of testifying to the spirit of prog- ress and enthusiasm which is recognized as an integral and char- acteristic part of the work of the horticultural and related depart- ments of this great University. Fruit growers of Missouri, you are to be congratulated on the quality of the work given to the world by the departments of your college and experiment station which bear upon your life efforts. The publications you have received are the kind that add permanent con- tributions to the sum of our knowledge of natural science. “They have explored new fields, they have shown originality of conception and ingenuity of execution, and the findings are marked by the quality of practicability, so important to the grower. To you of these de- partments, congratulations are also due, that the completion of this imposing laboratory expresses in large measure the interest and co- operative aid of your brethren in the field. It demonstrates a unity of effort and a coherence of idea between field worker and laboratory worker, without which an institution of this character fails lamentably of accomplishing its great mission in the broad field of farm hus- bandry. This building stands for the advancement of horticultural and kindred sciences and the promotion of the teaching. You of the Departments of Horticulture, Botany and Entomology are the instru- Winter Meeting. 185 ments whereby the program of the future is to be executed. May the fullest success attend your efforts, and the fruits of your labors will assuredly bless the State. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10—9:30 A. M. After the call to order by President Robnett, the Rev. Thomas made a short talk and offered prayer. Delegates Dr. T. J. Burrill, dean of horticulture, Urbana, IIl., was introduced to the society; also Mr. R. M. Kellogg of Michigan. To Whom It May Concern: This is to certify that Hon. R. M. Kellogg of Three Rivers, Michigan, is the accredited delegate of the Michigan State Horti- cultural Society to the Forty-sixth Annual Meeting of the Missouri State Horticultural Society, held at Columbia, Missouri, Dec. 8, 9 and 10. ENGEESE : C; BE. SBASSET®, Secretary. Tae AMERICAN, POMOLOGICAL: SOCIETY. (J. M. Irvine, St. Joseph, Mo.) As your delegate to the last meeting of the American Pomological Society, held at Boston in September, 1903, it becomes my duty and pleasure to tell you something of what I saw and heard while there. I am glad we have the new president, Mr. Hale, and the new secre- tary, Mr. Craig, here with us today. I think they are here to secure votes for the next election. There were only a few western men present at the meeting. Per- haps Boston is too far away for western men to attend, but I think they lost something worth while by not attending. There was a nice show of fruit. Vhe exhibit made by the Min- nesota Horticultural Society was especially noteworthy. They are making great effort and progress in finding and producing new apples suited to their cold climates. We certainly can do some work along the same line. These seedling apples were the finest there except some from Quebec. I was surprised to find the Quebec apples of such high color. They were brilliant, while the New York apples were much lacking in color. There were many interesting papers read and discussed. 186 State Horticultural Society. The Wilder medal was given to the Hiley peach which Mr. Hale has given us in the list of most profitable peaches. There were a number of other new fruits, but the medal was not awarded to any of them. It was thought best not to give a medal to new fruits which have been grown and tested in only one locality. A wonderful new strawberry, the Cardinal from Garretsville, Ohio, was shown by Mr. M. Crawford. Prof. Waugh’s paper on judging fruits by score cards and in- cluding the plant may make a new era in fruit shows. Mr. Van Deman called attention to the fact that at the New Orleans cotton expo- sition the citrus fruits of Florida and those of California were shown at different times and hence could not be compared with each other directly. Hence the necessity of a score card. Waugh’s paper upon the subject was most excellent. One reason why it took so well was because it hit the Ben Davis apple so hard. I think Craig and Hale should be locked up in a room and made to eat a Ben Davis apple or two apicce to show them that a Missouri Ben Davis is fit to eat. Prof. Craig.—I have an engagement next week that I would not like to miss. Mr. Hale—You need not lock me up. I have been here a day or two and have not been able to get an apple of any kind to eat, although attending a meeting of the State Horticultural Society of a State that boasts of twenty million apple trees. Mr. Irvine—Mr. Waugh called attention to a score card from Ontario in which thirty points were given to quality. He thought that was too much for quality alone and not enough was given to shipping points. J. H. Hale was elected president ; John Craig, secretary, L. R. Taft, treasurer; and Col. J. C. Evans, vice-president for Missouri. A committee was appointed to recommend a score card. I think it will be adopted and will be of special value to experts so they can see the differences in their fruits. I think ultimately we will have a score card for each species of fruit and perhaps for each variety. I think the meeting will be held nearer home next year and I hope tuere will be a good attendance of western members. | J. H. Hale—I want to indorse everything Mr. Irvine said. The American Pomologica! Society is the great representative of the fruit growers’ interests of America. It rounds up the final points from all over the country. We wish we had more members from Missouri. The new catalogue of American fruits, upon which the Winter Meeting. 187 society is now engaged, will be a most thorough and valuable work. Every fruit grower should have it. Col. Bracket’s History of Horticulture in the Middle West should be in the hands of everybody. “The Ideal in Horticulture” is a little gem. One man said it alone was worth one hundred dollars to him. I am sorry to say that the society has less than fifteen members in Missouri. It is possible we will have a special meeting in connection with the World’s Fair in St. Louis next year. Prof. Craig and I are going to St. Louis to-morrow morning. If we have a meeting there next year, Missouri ought to have five hundred biennial members and at least two hundred life members. Mr. Powell.—I have something upon my mind in regard to the study of psychology. When I was in the Univesity, we learned that a man’s conscience might be alert and correct in some things and al- together callous and wrong in other things. I would like to know what kind of a conscience a man can have who is always declaiming against the Ben Davis apple and then proceeds to market the product of 300,000 Elberta peach trees in New York. Mr. Craig.—I would like to say that everything friends Irvine and Hale have said of the American Pomological Society is strictly true. That meeting in Boston was an epech making meeting. Every fruit grower in the country should have the report of it in his library. Every man who has it will have something of real value to practical horticulturists. This is especially true of the historical side. It has something of inspiration for the east, the middle west and the Pacific coast. If the St. Louis meeting is held we will have something of definite value. We shall have an opportunity to study varieties and their behavior in various localities, superior to anything we have ever had. Mr. Baxter—Senator Dunlap of Illinois, who was commissioner of horticulture at the Paris exposition, reported that at the sale of fruit at the close of the fair the Ben Davis apple brought the highest prices. Letters and invitations were read by the secretary. Washington, D. C., November 11, 1903. Mr. L. A. Goodman, No. 4ooo Warwick Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo.: Dear Friend Goodman.—I have just returned from a western trip and find yours of the 31st ultimo awaiting me. In reply I will say that 1 am having a great many calls from the different State Horti- cultural Societies for some scientist from this office to attend their meetings. I have just had a consultation with Prof. Powell, in charge 188 State Horticultural Society. of cold storage investigations and he has consented to address your meeting on the second or third day of the session. As you have one of the largest societies in the country I am making this a special favor for you. I suppose you are aware that the expenses of a scien- tist sent from the department have to be borne by the society. If these terms are satisfactory to you Prof. Powell will be on hand at the appointed tims. His subject will be along the line of Cold Storage of Fruits. Hoping you will have an interesting and profitable meeting and with my best regards, I remain Yours truly, G. B. Brackett, Pomologist. Columbia, Mo., Dec. 9. To L, A. Goodman, Secy. Mo. State Horticultural Society: I regret extremely my inability to attend your meeting. Tiease convey my compliments and wish for an interesting and profitable session. F, W. Taytor. Grand. Rapids, Mich., Nov. 3, 1903. Secy. L. A. Goodman—Y our favor at hand this morning. I did miss you at Boston, but the next best thing was your paper which came all right and helped make the evening of ideals the most attractive program ever enjoyed for a single session of the society. At least this was the tribute paid to it by the veterans. How I would like to be with you at Columbia in December, and I thank you for remembering me. The truth is, as I get older, I find it impracticable to lead quite so strenuous a life, and a lot of things have to be eliminated that I would enjoy doing. I would especially like to go to Columbia, be- cause Prof. Mumford is one of my favorite boys, and I would enjoy seeing him in his own field of work, Then there are so many old friends who will be gathered at the meeting and it would be an unalloyed pleasure again to grasp their hands. But 1 am not very strong and I have some home responsibilities which I have great anxiety about. My own mother and Mrs. Garfield’s are very aged people and very frail recently, and I shall confine my engagements to places from which I can return at night. With regrets and sincere personal regards and good wishes for your anniversary meeting, I am, Yours sincerely, Cuas. W. GARFIELD. Winter Meeting. 189 Columbia, Mo., December 10, 1903. D. A. Robnett, President Missouri State Hore nledeal Society : Dear Sir—I take pleasure in tendering to the State Horticultural Society an invitation to visit the Herald office during their session in Columbia, either individually or collectively. Very respectfully, E, W. STEPHENS. Invitation was also extended to any members of the society so desiring to visit the rooms of the State Historical Society, by F, A. Sampson, Secretary. Moberly, Mo., Dec. 8th, 1903. Mr. L. A. Goodman, Secretary State Horticultural Society, Colum- bia, Mo.: Dear Sir—It is the desire of the Moberly Commercial Club, as well as that of all the citizens of Moberly, that your society meet in Moberly in 1904. We will consider this a great honor to have vou do so and assure you that nothing will be left undone to make this your banner meeting. You will have free access to our spacious club rooms during the time and all other privileges of our little city. Kindly present this to your society, and we will thank you to do all that you can to bring the next mecting to Moberly. ety *triky, G. 1B. Cuarr, President Mi. Ca 1G. P. S—We would prefer the winter meeting. Hannibal Mo., Nov. 24, 1903. Mr. L. A. Goodman, Secy. Mo. State Hor. Society, Westport, Mo.: My Dear Sir—I enclose you a copy of the resolution passed at St. Louis and which I have sent to Secy. Wilson. I am sending this to the various states for presentation to their meetings and I hope that each society will take action on the matter. I would be glad to have you present the resolutions at your meeting in Columbia for con- sideration. It is not certain at this time that I can be with you, but I am greatly in hopes that I can. Very truly yours, T. C. WILson. Whereas, American apple growers and exporters have sustained much inconvenience and loss from the rejection of American apples by officials of the German government on account of the alleged in- fection cf the fruit with the San Jose scale, and 190 State Horticultural Society. Whereas, It is believed that this rejection is largely a subterfuge on the part of the German officials to BISCOUL ae the importation of American apples, and Whereas, It is a well established fact that there is no danger whatever from infection of orchards from fruit infested with scale, therefore be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the American Apple Grower’s Congress that our Department of Agriculture furnish some system of inspection either of the orchards or of the fruit before leaving the port, and be it further Resolved, That the department try to convince the foreign au- thorities that there is no danger of infection of orchards from fruit infected with the scale. Holt, Clay Co., Mo., October 19, 1903. Mr. L. A. Goodman, 4000 Warwick Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo.: Dear Sir—Received card announcing meeting at Columbia. J am intending to be there if able. But there is one subject that I have become much interested in, and that is blue grass sod keeping down some fungus diseases in orchards. The only apples I have seen this season clear of scab are in an orchard with very heavy sod. I have one tree standing in very heavy sod for several years; while every tree in the orchard is affected with scab this tree is entirely exempt. I have an old Willow Twig tree which has borne apples entirely worthless from rot. So this spring I bored a hole in each side of it and put in an ounce of calomel and drove pins in the holes. Result, as fine a tree of apples as one would wish to see. I got some very fine show apples off it. Question: Which did it, the holes or the calomel? Now another question, when you read from some facile pen telling some old farmer how to raise strawberries he generally begins and ends up with manure. So the old farmer gets disgusted and don’t plant; he wants his manure for his corn and hogs. Now al! this makes me very tired. Spring before last I planted some straw- berries on land that will not make ten bushels of corn with the best of cultivation. Result, the finest and best crop of berries I have ever grown; they beat anything on the place, and that isn’t all, the same vines have been having ripe berries for the past month and plenty bfg green ones, and some blooms now; they are Clydes and Haver- lands. Perfect apples, it is very hard to find them. I have some 600 bushels, but 19 out of 20 are freckled-faced, and like the freckle-faced Winter Meeting. 191 girls, while it doesn’t hurt their valve or quality, I should have said they are not fit for show purposes. I will send in two more boxes in a few days; I will donate the two boxes for the good of the fair. Wishing you success, I remain, yours truly, GAT. s@por. Baring, Mo., November 27, 1903. Hon. L. A. Goodman: Dear Sir—The program for the meeting of our State Horticultural Society received. Thanks. I anticipate one of the best meetings ever held by our great society, although any of them are always interest- ing, no matter where held. Although I may not be able to meet with you, I will be with you in heart and spirit. I have become so hard of hearing that I do not expect that I could understand the drift of the essays and the experiences given by members and others in the good work, but am always pleased to read the proceedings in the annual report which you have always sent me, for which I am ever grateful to you. I think and believe we have the best horticultural society in - this great country, of which every Missourian can and should be proud and should be thankful to its officers for their unselfish efforts to make it so. My dear Mr. Goodman, this has been rather an off year in this part of our State, so far as fruit is concerned. Trees of the different sorts were in bloom early for this part of the country, and we had a pretty wet spring. QOn the night of May Ist, we had a severe freeze, which no doubt caused the abortion of a large number of blossoms. Then it was wet and cool through most of the month of June, pre- senting the very condition favorable for an epidemic of scab, con- sequently the fruit was undersized and generally scabby. I had nothing worthy, nor did I see anything in my neighborhood worthy of saving for the World’s Fair, but there were now and then ex- ceptions on some young orchards. There are several parties in our county seat, Edina, who have gathered all fine specimens they could and are preserving them for the World’s Fair. There was also a gentleman working through here in the interest of the World’s Fair, gathering all good specimens of fruit worthy to show. He said North Missouri had finer fruit this season than South Missouri. Trees have gone into winter quarters in fine condition, and I hope next year will be a good fruit year so we can show to the world what Missouri is capable of producing and we can hold our old-time repu- tation. I believe the Louisiana Purchase celebration will be the great- est World’s Fair in history, and everybody should do what they can, 192 State Horticultural Society. be it much or little, to show to the world the capacity of our grand State. If possible I would be pleased to visit the fair. I have not seen St. Louis since the year 1858. There were no street cars then and only two steam fire engines. Wonderful changes have occurred since. With best wishes for a happy and interesting meeting, I am truly yours, : e ETER DAILING. Otterville, ‘Mo.;1Dec.! rerige3: Secretary Board of Horticulture, Columbia, Mo.: Dear Sir—There was a man at my home today selling and de- livering a liquid for vaccinating fruit trees. He claims he can vac- cinate a fruit tree against all kinds of insects the same as vaccinating man against smallpox, and he said thé board of horticulture had in- dorsed and recommended it to the people. He said he was working on a good salary, but he was waiking and he came back walking carrying a 5-gallon can on his shoulder. So I did not take it, be- cause if he was getting a good salary and working for a good com- pany he would not be walking. I write you to know if there is such liquid; if there is I would be willing to give five times his price. I believe him to be a grand fraud. He told me and showed me papers that he started from Jefferson City, Mo., and traveled over most of South Missouri; said he had sold 6,000 gallons at $1.50 per gallon. Now if he is a fraud I think he should be in prison, for he is surely getting the peoples money. He said his name was Mr. George and belonged to Odd Fellows lodge at Blackwater, Mo. I have a ’phone in my house and I ’phoned to the secretary of my lodge at Otter- ville and asked him to telegraph te secretary of Blackwater lodge if they had a man by the name of George. We received an answer there was no man by that name on their books. Now if the board has not endorsed and recommended this liquid I think they should take some steps to stop him, for he is surely deceiving the people. There is quite a snow raging and this man may stay in this section for some time, and if you need any further information, either write or telegraph me at Otterville, Mo. Respectfully yours, J..Wint SMirH. Answer: Better let him alone. There is no medicine of that kind that will ‘do what they claim. It is an impossibility and this matter has been written-up a number of times exposing these frauds. (Ie ee Es Winter Meeting. 193 THE NIXONITE APPLE, Hopewell, Mo., September 10, 1903. Rev. H. W. Cook, Potosi, Mo.: Dear Sir—Referring to the conversation we had a few days ago concerning what is known as the Nixonite apple, I will try to give you as briefly as possible what I know to be the true origin of the apple. In 1854 (I was then a boy of fifteen) my father, the late John Evens, of this place, became owner of the lands on which was a small orchard of 15 or 20 trees; a few acres of cleared land, but no house, or fences. (itis in Sec. 6, T. 36, R.,3..E. and now occupied by Mr. A. F. Nixon). Father had some men at work in the lead mines nearby and a Mr. Wm. P. Nixon was in charge. Father had a house built near this orchard and Mr. Nixon moved into it, fenced up the old field, trimmed up the apple trees, so that he controlled all the fruit. In 1856, during the time the I. M. R. R. was being built, the trees were loaded with fruit and large quantities were brought to father’s store for sale. Father called them the Nixonite simply because Mr. Nixon lived on the place and no one had a name for the apple. There were other varieties there; some of the trees bore a large red striped sweet apple which mother and the women of the neighborhood esteemed highly for apple butter. The Nixonite was considered a good cooking apple, but was too sour to eat. Capt. Fred Will of Potosi took considerable interest in fruit growing; he sent some of the Nixonite apples to Norman J. Colman and others of St. Louis. They pronounced it a seedling of little value. As to origin of the apple, Mr. Alexander Begutte, an old man of go years or over, tells me that he was married in 1837 and moved into a little log house that stood on the place; that the trees were then there _and bearing apples and were of good size. Miss Biddie Begutte, an old maiden lady living with him, says Robert Cain (of near the Clear Creek farm), an aged man who died several years ago (likely you knew him) told her that a man named Davis settled the place when he, Cain, was a small boy and that he assisted Davis in setting out the trees; that they dug them up in the different mines near by, mostly at what is known now as the Sand diggings; the land at that time belonged to the late John Perry, at one time a large land owner in this county. H—13 194 State Horticultural Society. I remember when Mr. Harvey Hutchins had his nursery near Caledonia he started it a few years before the war; he ‘was in the habit of visiting the orchards of the county and getting grafts for his nursery; he had an apple he called the Ismealite; it originated in the mines near Palmer known as Ismeal diggings; it was a fall apple of good size and fine flavor; until a few years ago I had several trees of it and the Nixonite in my orchard, both of which came from him. One of the old Nixonite trees is still standing. Mr. Begutte lived on the place until 1842 or ’43; he then settled on the farm now known as the Gersie farm ; he took some 25 or 30 little seedlings from the Nixon place and set them out and a few years ago there was a fine lot of apples grown on that place; all of one variety, all Nixonites. A Mr. Sauter, who owned the place at one time, cut them all down, as he wanted the land for a vineyard. Yours truly, Wma. H. Evens. REPORTS OF OFFICERS. Pres. Robnett—I am glad to say that I have received all I could wish or ask in the way of kind treatment from the members of this society. I have tried to impartially discharge the duty that has been laid upon me. Where I have failed I hope you will pardon me. I assure you I appreciate the honor you have done me. and the ‘kindness you have shown me. We have kad a year of harmonious ‘and successful work, and I now heartily thank you for all you have done for me. REPORT OF TREASURER, W. G. GANO, DEC. 10, 1903. July 1» Postoffice bill .......-.see sees eres eeees $9.40 iSaapress i Lid ihii.c Rielet = aletevsibcelenenteacteelo =" 1.90 Scotford Printing: Co...) 20-5 seiee ee ss 15.50 Cleaning Jars... Ge). See ERG eel isi 6.65 Ryans Orue Cols. ee) lmeins @ ine ss 1.80 Summer meeting .........0e eee ce eeeeee 30.75 TT GeASUnelss MD OME uo! s la lalevelateieiha the falln loxeters 10.00 Burnap '& (CO i. vail. . Ses ela wa ee week 4.55 ‘Mrs. Dugan 2.2.22. b 0 oe ce on ese nein 3-70 GOH!) Diteherd ine. + ee cleee. Sloe eine = 8.40 Salaries of Secy. and Typewriter for June. 86.66 Warrant (No, 53225. 6 .cce ener ee et heer $179.31 Winter Meeting. POU i, EE ciessiciMl UMA etki ee staacis a ew oe delle eles $14.95 Velephene andi telesramin 2.24 2.0 Liga ue Wtinetmectina. y ii as.: VES IMP og ssh We BE Bl. 5.50 Salaries of Secy. and Typewriter for July. 86.66 peta alta INGO GQ. oN acs ch acee sk cette oa a cane ceca Aug. 1 Expense of G. T. Tippin, Summer meeting, Bie Ev tan ein ss. (st Sudcanaye Wier ahera dual Seo Ok $13.35 Expense of G. T. Tippin, Summer meeting, LOC fc oe ate Megat ate aaa eae a 5.00 Expense D. A. Robnett to St. Louis...... 10.85 Expense D. A. Robnett to Pertle Springs NGS Up AZO UISHoINer ING RAT Ouch pas, ceaye «eel 13.30 Expense Joy An Ropmett, hetels....i2).5 1 aes 4.15 NVA INOUE AAS: ters afayacersha ts a 6.5 speue aati: PMU mOOM SCOLOE GCE LINEIMG 4.12 0/312) cia elei aise otiene oye eine $2.50 SC OtuOmelne Lime Mo eter. wy arceyerwreteian a ae cue ene 3-40 Seotiords Printing iy. us vcs seers uttaa ted Oke: a5 SalatypOl Secretary 1On AUSUSE. «as sas sce « 66.66 Salary of Typewtiter for Aueust.!0. (55.64 20.00 WAATEA MG NOMS 26rd to ecatere outenaicu na iets Oct. 26 Expenses J. M. Irvine, Am. Pomological... $90.00 Expenses, G. i. Tippin, Executive Com. 30:00 Wraianta IN@ug, 3G: + eases aol sia enclae pe eteinos Mich Om xpress SPOR TE teed od hank ben $1.85 PIPES, ces Cas te rats Wedarandat Se ga adewt .65 Beep gessi ia lita- tr vatdties ancl eecaterniy wets tise alae as .9O Salary of Sectetary, tor /Septl Peps aes.0 08 66.66 S2laGyaOn hy PEELE TOR SDE y seq no-one 20.00 NN earerartaie vINIGc R374. tee Stee Sum eee say enatudey oh change tot Oct.26 Scotford & Co., printing and post cards... $6.50 Seottond G2, Cos paper woiig.s.c5 oh xe tlenleenee 1.00 Salary of Secretary: for Ochs: sessile vee eis 66.66 Salary-on Ly pewniter for Oct. a. seater 20.00 Warrant Now 5300 oooh oa tet aety dard ale we are Woy. 23. Releprams, A9C% SOC. 2 are seth) eye en ease $0.93 REDRESS 9) 4 era antec ch esaie onal io sh teranerseatenaigyeaste : 75 Seotiord, Stam psi: cscs Gide doled eae es 75 Scotiord: eam papers crass ces re dis ce ane a 1.00 195 92.91 120.00 90.06 94:16 196 State Horticultural Society. Nov..’23.seotiord,2;000-prosrams: o7....6 see eit a & ae $13.00 Seotiord) 1, 500(Slips cieis ha eee He Ree iota 2.25 Posteottice bill scien cele epimers iia eed 30.00 Warrant UNG. 45 30.0. ees sc sie eteeucyme stints wets INOVH23 sy pewriter Tepatrs chu. <1 te om eee no as oes $1.50 D. A. Robnett, expenses to Executive Com. 13.80 C. H. Dutcher, expenses to Executive Com. 3.60 Salary of ‘Secretary/for! Now. 15.5 en. ce sie's 66.66 Salary of Typewriter for Nov............. . 20.00 Warrant ING, 540.8 coro tiaiia sieve lenin mieiatelscal Dec. 10 Expenses R. M. Kellogg of Michigan...... $23.12 - LO 5 1) S(O) Hotel bills of Kellogg, Hale, Powell, Bur- rill, Goodman and Asst., Dutcher, Tip- pin, W. S. Monger, Baxter, Murray, WNelSOH, Deuce ieie eae «since ee Gilet reset 96.50 WyacrantsINo. (5a. cern mete A Soh ae Expenses G. T. Tippin, annual meeting.... $12.45 Expenses C. H. Dutcher, annual meeting.. 7.10 Rul Bailey, StEnOoTAp MER. 4.1 wip lee iaact oe 30.00 Expenses G. B. Lamm, annual meeting.... 6.30 Expenses T. J. Burrill, annual meeting.... 22.00 Warrant Non S42 ik ce eee eee Expenses G. H. Powell from Washington.. $76.70 Expenses J. H. Hale, Glastonbury, Conn.. 80.50 Expenses J. S. Butterfield to annual meeting 7.90 Expenses A. T. Nelson and J. S. Butterfield 14.30 Warrant "NO. «54 3c/h-n sere estes + oncars oe Premiums awarded, annual meeting...... $102.85 Pencils, pens} tablets; ‘eters. a teae ete. oe 2.65 Scotiord, sprinting’ sx7hJa20e sete» eels 3.00 Horticultural papers ci24 00). aed os oes 9.00 FEPTESS Fd hans lies atisisate Worn ae ei aaetage ols ele eels 1.50 sep res. /shc,nicleus Acie tate o's ayo spay al (a ene 3-75 Expenses L. A. Goodman and assistant, an- mista) MECN aes ieee wee TO.75 Warrant INO? (544s acacia ss Oe er eeve ere 48.68 105.56 119.62 77-85 179.40 Winter Meeting. 197 Wecr2G telephones 40 ;) express,'70; 70s... bees es 1.80 RGM ctemipnincds aint aig at fees Alon itares Oe G8 1.40 Salanyor secretary tor Dect. 662) vie 66.66 Sdlary, of Uypewriter tor Deck 2: vila. oe os 20.00 Wykerira tnt IOs CAG a cai ne ata earaes a aeoses ar vache 89.86 BEG TALIA scone oheutyntecthe acs deed GRVa Tae cesibie acy, Shae $1,544.98 RECHIPES May 30 Balance on hand........ UM sy hls $450.81 June’ Memberships by W. G. Gano........ II.00 June Gash¥ fromm State treastitry 23.6! ax Ye 757.84 Nov. Gashyirom~ State: izeasuny said 2h. 4 480.29 1903 Membership by L. A. Goodman...... 34.00 Dec. meeting Membership by W. G.'Gano.... 52.00 Cl Ocal geo ity yee Note P yen. . Saat, Spice eee water eee $1,785 .94 ROE Ie MESES prospec chs oad a enwuche talons a ane 1,544.98 Pal ACE Cvae wns a ale ed he Te aed Me $240.96 Of the above amount $238.84 was paid out of the funds in the hands of the society. The society also has on deposit in the Mississippi Valley Trust ne: at St. Louis $992.62 and accrued interest. We, your Committee on Finance, have examined the report of the Treasurer together with the vouchers and bills, and find all correct as reported. (Signed) T. H. Topp, New Franklin, HeENry SCHNELL, Glasgow, W. T. Fitournoy, Marionville. Note.—The bills paid after the meeting were ordered by the Execu- tice Committee. Secretary. REPORT OF SECRETARY L. A. GOODMAN. Our society and its work are still the admiration of our State workers, and our sister States and their workers, and it has become such because of the enthusiasm of our fruit growers and their determination to make it the best that can be made; not the best that they could do, but better than they could do, namely the best that could be done by any- one. There is a great difference in doing the “best you can do” or doing 198 State Horticultural Society. the “best that can be done.’ In the first case it is the best that one man can do, while in the other, it is the best that the combined wisdom of you and your associates can do. I am glad that this society has done the latter. THE FRUIT RECORD. Up to May Ist the prospects for a crop of fruits were never better. Every tree in the land said we will do our best, but on that night the devastating blast of frost passed over the land and not only the first born buds were taken, but the whole number were blasted as by the breath of fire. Trees in their prime with all the vigor of youth, trees in their old age with all of their strength, trees in their decline, trees in their first budding, hardy fruits, tender varieties, productive trees, shy bear- ing; fruitful trees, trees which bring single fruits. Orchards on high lands, where low lands, prairie lands, timber lands, north, south, east or west slopes, on good soils or poor soils; wherever there were trees loaded with the bud promises of fruits, there the devastating death-angel,frost, passed by and left not a vestige of fruit life. From the sunny slopes of the Ozarks to the grand Missouri River hills, to the rich north land of our State, nothing was left for the husbandman, with some few excep- tions, but the blackened leaves on our trees. When we read of the destructive blast which came from Mt. Pelee and the terrible destruction of life which came in a moment, we can understand this destruction of a night to the fruit buds. We can but stand in awe of the power and forces of nature when thus shown in a moment, and wonder at them, nay stand in utter amazement at her power, but always forget the greater power, the greater force and influence, and the grand results of nature in the growth of plant, leaf, bud, blossom and fruit. Much more should we wonder at the latter than the former. The injury to the berry crop was much less than expected, and where the floods did not interfere with the marketing, good prices were realized. The peach crop was virtually a failure. Cherries, only a small nart of acrop. Plums, in a few localities, did well. The pear crop, only a shadow of itself. Grapes, in some localities, did finely for second crop. Apples were as bad a failure as was known for years. All these results from just a few hours of blighting frost. We found in a few isolated places, a few protected localities, a few specially favored situations, some peculiar elevation, some congenial subsoil or soil, or a combination of all these features have produced a fine crop of apples; and their owners have reaped a rich harvest if they have been able to reach a good market early. But these are exceptions Winter Meeting. 199 and we need not change our location, nor think we are in the poorest place in the State because of our failure to find a profit from our orchard this year. The work of the society has been a continuation along the lines of previous years, answering questions from our fruit growers, helping to settle this question of varieties, and its mixture, assisting many new comers to find homes, locating fruit growers in lands favorable for their purpose, giving planters the result of our experience in planting, as to soils, locations, varieties, age of trees, conditions for planting, etc., etc., day by day until often you wonder when will this seeking for information cease, and the answer comes, never! no, never! The growth of Missouri, in this orchard work, has been a wonder to the orchardists of our land and other lands. ‘The value of our fruit products in a full crop year will more than astonish them. The develop- ing of new locations specially devoted to fruit growing, our investi- gations along these newer ideas, the plans for marketing, the opening of a foreign market, the picking, packing and handling of fruits, the kind of packages, the transportation problem, the distribution of the crop, best plan of selling, have all come up for more or less of study and in- formation. All of these items come to us over and over again, and by the reports of this society, containing the articles written by the mem- bers of our society these facts are scattered and I am happy to be one with you in doing this work. Our report for 1902 was received with as much favor as many of our last volumes, and they are called for every day from many different states, lands and countries. These reports are valuable because of the expereience of our fruit growers given in an intelligent, practical, syste- matic way, so that any one can understand. Employing good judgment in the use of this information, is, then, the correct application of these items of experience to their own individual cases. You cannot make good fruit growers out of every one, any more than you can make a good lawyer or doctor or merchant or farmer from every person who wishes to be such. OUR WORLD’S FAIR EXHIBIT. Steps were taken about one year ago by this society to start the work. Your secretary put in an application last January for space for our exhibit, with the understanding that there would be official action taken by the commission in due time. Knowing Mr. Taylor and Mr. Stinson, we were given the promise at that time that Missouri should 200 State Horticultural Society. have a good space and all she wouid fill and keep full. Before any ac- tion was taken by the commission, we issued an appeal as early as last February for the beginning of worix for the fruit show. Preparation was what was urged upon our fruit men, by the fertilizing of our trees for their work. This little booklet was called for from nearly every State throughout the North and some through the South. It opened the way for future work and made the work easier when ready. In March another appeal was made to our fruit growers, and this call was responded to most faithfully and well by hundreds of our large orchard growers, promising their hearty co-cperation in every thing to be done. The following circular was sent out in February, 1903, before any decision was given by committee of appointment for superintendent of horticulture was made: Rules for the Care, Cultivation and Fertilizing of Fruit Plants, Vines and Trees, to Produce the Largest and Finest Fruits for Exlubition at the World’s Fair in 1904, and for a General Collection to Put up in Jars for 1903. Definite directions of where to send and when to send will undoubt- edly be sent out later, but at this time the Missouri State Horticultural Society has thought best to prepare a series of instructions to our fruit growers, helping them and advising them what to do in order to secure the best results in obtaining show fruits for our State exhibit at St. Louis. No appointment has yet been made as to who shall be in charge of this work, but it seemed to be the province of the State society to take the matter in hand and have things in readiness. If we can prepare our plants, vines and trees so as to give us the wonderful results we so much desire and at the same time secure some good practical facts and successful experiments which will be of last- ing benefit to our fruit growers, we shall, in addition to getting some grand specimen fruits, give the state some mode of treatment that would be worth many times more to our State than all the money we have to spend for the display. ist. It should be the plan, this coming summer, to produce and secure during 1903 as large a collection of varieties of the highest possible type and largest size and put them up in glass jars to use as occasion demands. 2d. All fruits that can possibly be held in cold storage should be col- lected and placed there for use as needed. 3d. A large variety show should be made so as to give the exhibit an educational feature. Mercer County. Ten Jonathan on One Twig Winter Meeting. 2u1 4th. A commercial exhibit should be kept prominent, as every exhibit for commercial fruit growing gives us the name, the honor, and the money. 5th. Exhibits should be made by counties or districts or local organi- zations or county societies so that each county may get credit for ali its display. Appeal is made to our county pride for the success of our county exhibit. 6th. Every man who contributes to the display should have due credit to himself, and to his county, for all his work. 7th. The State should pay the expense of collecting, gathering, packing, wrapping, express, processing in glass jars and cold storage on all these fruits, and yet each individual and each county get credit for all fruit furnished. Every shipment should be plainly marked with the name of county, name of grower, post-office, kind of fruit, variety and date of shipment. 8th. A small but characteristic display should be kept up at all times in the State Building as well as the large and complete display in the Horticultural Building. oth. Every county or district should be represented, so that all parts of the State may have the honors, and not a few localities only. roth. There shculd be 1,000 barrels of apples, 100 barrels of pears, quinces, and a number of bushels of native nuts of all kinds. put into cold storage in the fall of 1903. tith. As fast as fruits ripen during the year 1904 there should be the most complete exhibit made that it is possible to secure while the fruits are ripening and in their prime. And every,kind and variety of fruits and nuts, both tame and wild, which grows in Missouri, should be on the tables during the year, while each particular fruit is in its season. i2th. There should be enough fruit secured so that we could give to those people who are interested, some specimens for testing, or to take to their homes as a good advertisement for the State. Acting as host, the State will often be called upon to do the honor of the occasion by the giving of an apple to the visitor. IN GENERAL. In order to secure the best results, therefore, we must begin the preparation this spring and continue this care and preparation for not only this year, but this year and next year also. Like the stockman in the preparation of his cattle for show, it often takes not only one year, but two years and three years if he secures his ideal. Just so must the fruit grower begin his preparation now and continue his care for the 202 State Horticultural Society. whole of the two years. Ofttimes results do not show the first year. but will show the second year in increased size, color, and quality of fruit, and this is the ideal we shall try and secure above all things. We shall then appeal to you in the name of our State, for the honor of the State society, for the glory of your own county, for the reward to yourself individually, that you do your very best this year and next to grow and select the highest type of specimens that it is in your power to secure with all the knowledge you have and with the assistance and the advice and instruction given “you by the society. We appeal to vou, for your own benefit and instruction, for the grand return it will give you individually, for the increased knowledge it will give you personally, for the good opportunity it will open to you jor experiment, for the new insight it presents for the study of plant growth and plant feeding, and tor the securing of new facts in fruit growing that may be of untold value to you in your work and to our State in its development. If, in making this display, we shall discover some facts that will help to make horticulture a success, what a reward that will be. Putting aside a few vigorous, healthy, prolific, individual trees, or vines, or plants, which shall receive the proper care, and cultivation, prun- ing, girdling, thinning, spraying, covering, sheltering, protecting, fertiliz- ing, gathering, handling, packing-and shipping, you will secure a great, the greatest, lesson you have ever received, and the State the greatest show ever made by any people in the world. A blank should be furnished so that a record can be kept of the steps taken in the production of the specimens sent for display, and then these experiments will be immensely valuable to us all. Strawberries should be planted this spring in good land thoroughly subsoiled, the best of care and cultivation given during the summer (water if needed), all runners kept off so as to secure good strong crowns. The next year at blossoming time all stalks cut off, except two, or three, or four, and the berries on these thinned to three, or four, or five berries. The plants should be fertilized after blooming time with three pounds of muriate of potash and one pound of nitrate of soda per square rod, put on the ground not too close to the plant and hoed in, and you may be sure you will have some berries .that will astonish even yourself. Mulch plants well and then you can water them if necessary. For putting up in jars this next summer, we want the thinning of the plants in the row to one foot apart, and then thinning the stalks and berries the same as above. Fertilize the same as above also. Leave stem on each berry. Winter Meeting. 203 When packing to ship this year, wrap each berry, or cluster of berries, in two thicknesses of paraffine paper, each thickness separately, and pack in the usual berry bex and crate, sending at once to the place appointed for processing them and putting into jars. The raspberry, blackberry and dewberry will need careful thinning cut and short pruning of the bearing canes, and then, after the fruit is well set, take off one-half or two-thirds of the berries, and keep down the young sprouts and canes so that the strength will go to the berries. Fertilize with four pounds muriate of potash and two pounds of nitrate of soda per square rod. For next year’s fruiting, grow the canes for this especial purpose, retaining about one-fourth as many canes as usual and then treat the same as above: picking, handling, wrapping and packing the same as for the strawberry. Fine clusters and branches where they can be re- tained should be shipped as clusters after wrapping. Twisting the canes often causes them to produce larger fruit, and water is often used with I lb. muriate of potash and % Ib. nitrate of soda to twenty gallons of water to help increase the size especially if the weather is dry. Mulching is necessary and watering can then be done safely. Large paper bags put over the clusters of fruit, will cause them to ripen evenly and color up beautifully as well as keep much better after gathering. The currant and gooseberry will need the same care as the other small fruits, the bushes well thinned out and the berries or bunches re- duced to half the crop or even less. Clusters of them when ripe will be wanted both for jar exhibit in 1903, and for the fresh exhibit in 1904. Fertilize with 1% to 1-3 Ib. muriate of potash and \% to 1-6 lb. nitrate of soda per bush and keep them well mulched with old straw or hay. The grape will need special care in pruning for the crop this year and special preparation of the canes for the crop of 1904, when the grapes are to be shown fresh on the tables. Use the best canes for crop this year but not so many nor so long as usual. After the grapes are well set, tie a wire tightly around the canes below the bunches and then thin out the bunches so as to secure the largest size of bunch and berry. The very best of cultivation should be given to the vines during the whole summer and the use of fertilizer, 1-3 to 1-2 pound muriate of potash and 1-6 to 1-4 pound of nitrate of soda per vine. Summer prun- ing should be closely followed, care being taken to leave enough leaf surface to shade the fruit well. Put 2 lb. or 3 lb. paper bags on all specimen bunches before June Ist. each year. 204 State Horticultural Society. The apple, pear and quince will require about the same treatment, and these rules are to be followed with some modification, perhaps, for different soils and locations. Select a healthy tree or two of each vari- ety, which would seem to justify the experiment, because of its favor- able location, or congenial soil, or peculiar surroundings, or its previous good crops; trees which have given the largest size, richest color, and best quality of fruits, and use these individual trees for this work. Plow shallow or dig about such trees as far as the branches reach, early this spring; cultivate and hoe about them once every two weeks during the whole spring and summer, or. mulch the trees heavily, if you prefer, as far as branches extend after fertilizer is applied. Fer- tilize these trees about April Ist: 7 to 10 years, with 1 lb. of muriate of potash and % lb. nitrate of soda; 10 to 15 years, with 2 lbs. muriate of potash and 1 lb. nitrate of soda; 15 to 20 years, with 4 lbs. of muriate of potash and 2 Ibs. nitrate of soda. Before the huds start spray these trees thoroughly, if possible, with 1 lb. of blue vitriol to 10 gallons of water; or, dust them twice with 20 lbs. of air-stacked lime and 1 1b. of sulphur when the trees are wet with rain, so that the trees and ground are’ white with the lime. As soon as the blossoms fall, spray with Bordeaux and Paris green or dust with 20 ibs. lime, 1 lb. Paris green, 1 lb. sulphur. Repeat this every two weeks until they ripen. _ As soon as fruits are well set and the surplus dropped off, about June Ist, girdle the trees or branches by taking a ring of bark off en- tirely around the tree, from 1 to 4 inches, depending upon the size of the branch or tree. This girdling will not injure the trees, but only check their growth. Then at once thin out the fruits so they will not be closer than to inches. Another thinning may be advisable later if we wish to secure abnormal specimens. Putt some of these single speci- mens in paper bags, fastening with a pin and cutting the corners off of the bags so they wil! hold no water; or, cover some of the branches with mosquito netting. If fruits become very large, then place a sling under thein to hold them on the trees; make it of cloth, fastened at the corners with cords and tied to the branch above the specimen. Where a bunch of fruit is very choice and the cluster is a notable one, then save the bunch or cluster and send them to the places appointed, well wrapped and packed in cotton. If the orchard has been in clover, and is now in clover, then use the fertilizer and the girdling and thinning and other helps, especially if the trees have been giving good crops of fruit, and make a notation of which gives the best results. These fruits should be gathered when Winter M eeting. 205 well. colored and ripe, not soft, wrapped at once in two thicknesses of tissue paper and one of paraffine paper, and at once sent to the places designated, with the variety, your name and county marked plainly on the package. The peach, plum, cherry, apricot and nectarine need much the same treatment as. outlined for the apple, in-care, cultivation, pruning, thin- ning, girdling, picking and packing. The peaches should be thinned to. 8 inches, except where clusters are wanted, and then thinned to 3 inches. The plums need selecting and thinning to 4 inches, except for clusters, and in that case to 2 inches. Cherries need clusters taken off so as to make the other clusters much larger; and specimens, except clusters, need to have not more than three to five in a cluster. All these fruits need to be well wrapped the same as apples and then packed in berry boxes, peach baskets and crates or one-third bushel boxes. All clusters packed in cotton after wrapping. Cherries and plums should have their stems, ; Fertilize the peach, plum and cherry: trees from 3 to 4 years, 1 Ib. muriate of potash and ¥% Ib. nitrate of soda; 5 to 7 years, 2 lbs. muriate of potash and 1 lb. nitrate of soda; 7 to 10 years, 3 Ibs. muriate of potash and 1% lbs. nitrate of soda. Fertilizer for all the above fruits will de- pend upon the vigor of the trees or plants. If very vigorous, then leave off the nitrate of soda. EXTRA EFFORT FOR DISPLAY. ° ist. During the summer train some extra strawberry plants in pots. for pot exhibit. 2d. Raspberry, blackberry, currant, gooseberry and grape can be grown through the bottom of pots and caused to root well enough so that the next year when wanted the vines can be cut off after the fruits ripen and the bushes will be beautiful pot plants. loaded with fruits for show in 1904. 3d. The apple, pear, peach, plum, cherry and quince, even, can be taken,. and a fine fruiting branch put through the bottom of a large pot and filled with soil and kept moist with moss about the pot so that the branch will be well rooted in the pot by fall, if the branch is cut or lipped in the proper way so that it will root. After the fruits ripen the branches can be cut off and this will give beautiful little trees that will be a curiosity and an attrac- tion when filled with fruit and placed on the tables. 206 State Horticultural Society. 4th. Such apples as Ewalt, Gloria Mundi, Wolf River, Culp Mammoth, Twenty Ounce, Pewaukee, Tulpehocken, Pumpkin Sweet, can be brought to extraordinary size, as also some of the larger varieties of pears and peaches by extra care and attention to the details under apples. RULES FOR THE SELECTION OF: FRUITS FOR EXHIBITION. Apples and Pears.—Should be in their natural state. Picked when ripe, not soft, handled very carefully so as not to bruise or injure in any way, the fruit wrapped in two thicknesses of tissue paper and then in paraffine paper and at once packed for shipment closely and tightly so that they will not move in the package nor settle so as to bruise in shipment. Each specimen should be perfect ; not specked, bruised, eroded, nor wormy; should have all its parts, stem, calyx, segments, clean, well preserved; not wilted nor shriveled. The size should be large or very large. The form should be regular, except for abnormal specimens. The color and markings should be characteristic. Peaches, Plums, Cherries——Size large, regular form, ripe but firm, well colored, perfect condition, with all the characteristic markings, well handled, no bruises. wrapped as above and packed in small packages firmly so that no movement can take place. Grapes, Currants, Gooseberries—Good large bunches, fine, plump, large berry, well-colored, good bloom on the berry, perfect condition, carefully gathered, more carefully wrapped, as above, not injuring the bloom or berry, bunches packed in cotton and in single layers, in small packages, well covered with cotton so not to bruise, boxes marked “this side up.” Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries —Size of berry or bunch of first importance, perfect form, well-marked and good color, solid and firm in berry, but ripe so as to get proper color, stem and calyx ad- herent, wrapped as above and packed in berry boxes as directed for grapes. ‘ In general, then, all these perfect fruits need the most careful selec- tion, painstaking packing, prompt shipment, whether made in 1903 for putting up in the jar exhibit or for cold storage, or whether collected and sent in for the fresh fruit display during the ripening season of the year 1904. Remembering these cautions and these suggestions, fruits are sure to arrive in splendid condition and give a grand display. FERTILIZERS FOR FRUITS. No hard and fast rules can be given for fertilizing fruits, so as to secure fine specimens. The kind and the quality of fertilizer to be Winter Meeting. — 207 applied depends upon the kind and condition of soil. The following facts are important, however, in determining how to fertilize a given fruit plantation: . 1. The effects of fertilizers upon orchard trees are usually more apparent in the second year than they are during the year in which the fertilizer is applied. For that reason, if it is desired to fertilize special trees, in erder to secure fine fruit for the St. Louis Exposition, the fer- tilizers should be applied this spring to trees from which it is expected to secure fruit for 1904 as well as for 1903. 2. Nitrogen promotes wood growth, leaf growth and general vigor of the tree itself. Potash and phosphoric acid, especially the former, promote fruit production. 3. If a tree is making weak growth, if its leaves are pale and sickly and if the annual wood growth of the main limbs is less than. one foot in length, it probably needs nitrogen. On the other hand, if wood growth is strong and vigorous and the leaves are of a dark, rich green color, and especially if fruit is not forming sufficiently, potash and phosphoric acid are probably needed. Tco much nitrogen tends to cause the tree to run to wood and leaf growth at the expense of fruit. 4. A good all-round fertilizer for trees that are normal with re- spect to wood growth and to fruit is, for each mature tree above 15 years old: Nitrate of soda, 2 pounds; superphosphate, 2 pounds; fine ground bone, 3 pounds; muriate of potash, 4 pounds. Apply half this quantity to each ten-year-old tree. : 5. Where weak growth indicates that the tree needs nitrogen, apply a liberal dressing of well-rotted barn-yard manure or four pounds of nitrate of soda to each mature tree. 6. If the tree is making strong wood and leaf growth, but fruit is not satisfactory, apply either of the two following to each mature tree: (a) One peck of unleached wood ashes, or (b) 5 pounds of muriate of potash, 3 pounds of superphosphate. The above fertilizers should not be applied in a mass, at the trunk of the tree. They should be spread uniformly, from near the trunk, outward to just beyond the outer spread of the branches and worked into the soil. Old trees, even if making fair growth, usually need the complete fertilizer mentioned in No. 4, but young, vigorous trees usually require only the potash and phosphoric acid fertilizers mentioned in No. 6. Small fruits should be treated the same as the tree fruits with respect to fertilizers, using nitrogen when plant growth is weak, a com- 208 State Horticultural Society. plete fertilizer where plant growth and fruiting characteristics are nor- mal, and potash and phosphoric acid where plant and leaf growth are strong but where the plants do not fruit in satisfaetory manner. Generally speaking, potash is the most important fertilizer for fruits of all kind. For this reason wood ashes, where they can be had, are useful. lf commercial fertilizers are applied the muriate of potash should be applied in excess of the others. Where used for small fruits, about one-half of the amount men- tioned in No. 4 or No. 6 can be used per square rod of plants, care being taken to not put it on the leaves but scattered on the ground not too close to the plants and then well hoed in. SPECIAL. Select vigorous plants, vines and trees for the growing of these show fruits, so that there will be no necessity for using nitrogen or nitrate of soda for the leaf growth, but only the muriate of potash and superphosphates for the development of the fruits themselves, and results can probably be more easily obtained. CONCLUSION. Hear, then, the conclusion of this whole matter. -Serve the State and obey the instructions given you. Steiman, Dalten,Mio.; 7 warieties?..2)0)-. > sialtee oe aie wee Bo yitariman, ‘St osepin Mo. Si varietes: oc... steers ans 2.40 Henry Kirklin, Columbia, Mo., 1 variety carrots; I variety parsnips; 2. varieties celery; I jar strawhberries........ 1.75 John Mo Surtace) Kansas) City Mio..4 rvatiety 05st. -in aerdern .40 BS Wald '& Bros, Sarceaxte, Ay vanlebiess | lien iiss sa eemenete 2.00 Muss, Wheeler, ;Columbbia, Wio:, a watiety . esr pe ny, — ee Se = 3 i se Citi Oks Re RS » —— 7 ~~ Winter M eeting. | ; 255 ~ five per- cent. of the crop. That is what Digparene did for me. I throw out a word of caution here. If-you are going to use oil pumps, don’t use them at all. Prof. Stedman.—I think the trouble with the pumps was with the valve. Of course when they get out of order you must fix them. It is easy to test them by spraying into a glass jar. The kerosene will come to the top and you can see whether the proportion of oil and water is correct. _ Mr. Hale.—We fixed them forty-three times a day and still they would not work. Prof. Stedman.—Then return those pumps. Mr. Hale——They send more just like them. None of them are good and safe to use. Prof. Stedman.—You will note that in all cases of damage to trees by the kerosene or the disparene on Mr. Hale’s place that they were peach trees. I have always written and talked so much about not spraying peach trees that I took it for granted that by this time every one here knew my views on this point. I have repeatedly said that you must not spray a peach tree with kerosene or arsenical poison in any form without first testing it on a few trees during the entire season, and that you. should not spray them at all unless absolutely necessary. I would not ad- vise any one to spray a peach orchard unless it be during the winter while the trees are dormant. I have injured peach trees during the summer months by spraying when I could not determine the reasons, and I have come to the conclusion that it is an unsafe thing to do, and never advise one to spray a peach tree while in leaf with anything—not even cold water. | Dry Bordeaux.—Dr. Bird, chemist of the station gave an interest- ing talk with object illustrations on making a dry Bordeaux to use in dust sprayers. He did not recommend either dry or liquid spraying one above the other. That question must be decided by the orchard test. He said that slacking the lime with a copper sulphate solution would not make a dry Bordeaux mixture. The great heat in this process great- ly injures the compound. His process was to make the mixture in very _much the ordinary way, except more concentrated, and then pour it into a cotton flour sack and squeeze out most of the water. He said that very little was lost in this way, as only the water was strained out. This left the Bordeaux in a damp lumpy mass. This mass was broken up, and dried by mixing it with lime dust. The details of this method are given in a bulletin published by the station. Prof. Stedman.—That stuff will not kill canker worms. Dr. Bird.—It will not hurt the canker worm. It is a fungus medicine. a . ye BP ae - : A o> cP Mays se ees 7 ag t9 Bis Nee SS ie AY ‘ P ~ . 3 ’ Bnet ace eit sae) Os oa ‘ 256 State Horticultural. s ociety. Question: Can disparene be used in‘a dry powder? Prof. Stedman.—It is very difficult to dry out Disparene and make 3 a dry powder of it. It comes in paste form. There is no reason why the factory could not make dry powdered Disparene. the tree. Question: Can we use dry poisons without getting them in our eyes and noses? Secy. Goodman.—You can dust a thousand acres and not get a bit upon you. A NEW BORDEAUX POWDER—FOR SPRAYING FRUIT TREES AGAINST: FUNGI. BULLETIN NO. 60. : (R. M. Bird, Acting Chemist, Columbia, Mo.) The Department of Horticulture asked for a fine dust that might be used in place of the liquid “Bordeaux Mixture” for spraying trees against fungi. A powder which contains copper in the same chemical state that exists in properly made liquid Bordeaux mixture can. readily be prepared by following the directions given below: Materials required to make seventy pounds of a stock powder: Four pounds of copper sulphate (blue stone) ; four pounds of good quick-lime; Dr. Bird—The trouble is getting powder fine enough to stick to — iwo and a half gailons of water, in which to dissolve the copper sul-_ phate; two and a half gallons of water, which is to be added to the quick-lime; sixty pounds of air-slacked lime which has been sifted - through the fine sieve mentioned below; a box about 3x3x3 feet, into which the material is sifted; a wire sieve should have a cover. ‘The bottom should be of rather stout wire gauze having 25 or 30 meshes to the inch. This sieve fits loosely between the strips on the box and can be shaken back and fcrth over the opening without allowing much lime dust to escape. . A wooden frame which fits snugly inside the frame of the sifte and is covered with fine, strainer-wire gauze having 100 meshes to the inch. This makes a false bottom to the stoutly made sifter and is used to separate the fine dust of the air-slacked lime and for the final sifting. A wooden block to rub the material through the coarse sieve; two close-woyen, cotton flour-bags—one slipped inside the other—with which ihe blue material is filtered. Directions. 1. Brealx up into small Jumps about seventy or eighty pounds of quick-lime and spread it out so that it will become air-slacked. Winter Meeting. 257 When slacked and perfectly dry sift it through the fine sieve (100 meshes). 2. Completely dissolve four pounds of copper sulphate in two and a half gallons of water. The easiest way is to suspend the sulphate in a coarse bag just below the surface of the water until it is dissolved. 3. Pour gradually two and a half gallons of water over four pounds of good quick-lime in such a manner as to slack it to the finest powder and give a good milk of lime solution; let it cool. 4. Put sixty pounds of the sifted, air-slacked lime into a shallow box—one in which the material can be well worked with a hoe or shovel. 5. Pour the well stirred milk of lime and the copper sulphate solu- tion af thé same time into a third vessel and stir until the whole is thor- oughly mixed. It will have a deep blue color and be thick. This is so finely divided that it will remain in suspension for hours. 6. Pour this immediately into the double flour bag filter and squeeze out most of the water. 7. Empty this wet, biue material at once (do not let it dry) into the sixty pounds of air-slacked lime and work it up so that it will be well distributed. If the resulting mixture is too moist add more air- slacked lime. 8. Rub this through the coarse sieve while still somewhat damp, mix thoroughly and spread out to dry. g. When perfectly dry sift it through the fine-mesh sieve, crush- ing all lumps. All of this can be readily made to go through the fine sieve, except the small amount of sand which may be in the four pounds of quick-lime. Mix so that the blue copper compound will be perfectly evenly distributed throughout the whole mass. Store until needed; it will keep indefinitely. This powder contains about three and a third times as much copper per gallon as is contained in the liquid Bordeaux mixture. It may be diluted to suit the need with powdered lime or flour, or may be used in this condition. Where large quantities are needed use multiples of the quantities given above.” If one hundred and thirty pounds of slacked lime, or an equal volume of flour is-added to seventy pounds of the stock powder, the resulting mixture will have practically the same copper strength as the “four- four-fifty” liquid Bordeaux mixture. It makes no difference whether this added lime be partially or completely slacked, as no subsequent reaction takes place in the dry powder. Any other insecticide, as Paris green, for canker worms, may be added in the form of powder in the proper proportions. 13 —aure 258 State Horticultural Society. The usual method of preparing dust containing copper seems to have been to slack the lime with a strong solution of copper sulphate. When made on a small scale the resulting powder contains more or less of green and blue copper compounds mixed with much of a dark brown compound. The former are probably basic sulphates of copper, or of copper and calcium (lime), and the latter a hydrated copper oxide, formed by the action of the steam in the slacking process. When made cn a large scale most of the copper appears at the end in the oxide con- dition, and a not inconsiderable quantity of the mixture is too coarse grained to stick very well to the non-resisting leaves. While this oxide condition of the copper undoubtedly has some fungicidal value, the opinion of exper?menters seems to be that its value is not at all equal to the value of the copper compound contained in a properly prepared liquid Bordeaux mixture. The dry mixture here proposed is the same that exists on the leaf after the water of the liquid mixture has evaporated, except that there is present more lime relative to the copper and less calcium carbonate. As soon as the powder gets wet, calcium carbonate begins to form, of course. Whether or not this powder when applied to the leaf wet with dew or rain will prove as effective as the liquid Bordeaux mixture, only ex- periment will show. It seems to have the requisite properties, chemically speaking, namely, hydroxide condition of the copper and the necessary excess of lime to prevent injury to the leaves, at the same time ex- posing fungus spores already upon the leaf or which may fall upon it afterwards to the toxic action of the copper. It being so extremely finely divided it seems possible to cover the wet leaf surface as effectually as when water is used as a carrier of the toxic agent. The subsequent solvent action of atmospheric water and substances pro- duced by the leaves and germinating spores are very likely the same with either material. In a bulletin to be issued by the Horticultural department at the close of this season the results of practical tests with the powder will be presented. If any one tries it, we shall be obliged if he will report the results to us and tell us exactly how he prepared it, the number of pounds of blue-stone, quick-lime and slacked lime he used as well as the appearance of his mixture and how he applied it to the trees. The following remarks upon powder spraying mixtures were furnished by Professor Whitten of the department of horticulture: In the past few years a number of fruit growers in Missouri have become interested in using dry sprays instead of the liquid spraying mixtures that have formerly been popular. ‘This interest has been aroused on account of the fact that dry fungicides and in- Winter Meeting. 259 secticides are much lighter to handle and can be applied much more rapidly than those which are applied in water. Many of our fruit growers have hundreds of acres in orchards and some of them have thousands of acres. Some of our best fruit lands are on steep hillsides where an enormous amount of power is necessary to haul the heavy liquid spraying mixtures through the orchards. In other cases spraying is done when the ground is soft in spring and hauling heavy loads through the cultivated orchards becomes very burdensome and also cuts up the ground, leaving it in an undesirable condition. In many cases, on the wel! drained lands, where surface ponds cannot well be made to hold water, not enough water can be had within reasonable distance to enable the grower to use the liquid spray. It also not infrequently happens that there are not enough teams in the neighborhood to spray these enormous or- chards at the proper time if the heavy liquid sprays are used. In a number of orchards where it is not feasible to use the liquid, the fruit growers have for some years been using the fungicides and insecticides in the form of dust. In some cases fairly satisfactory results have been reported from using air-slacked lime as a fungicide and mixing Paris green with it for an insecticide. In other cases a dry copper mixture has been made by dissolving the copper sulphate in water and then using this solution to partially slack the lime, which was allowed to finish the slacking process in the air and thus become dry after the copper sulphate solution was added. One serious difficulty has been encountered, however. The lime alone has not enough fungicidal value to fully meet the needs of the grower. In adding the copper sulphate by the methods usually em- ployed by the grower its fungicidal value has been partly destroyed, thus leaving the dust less efficacious than the liquid spray. It must be added, however, that the results obtained have been more satis- factory than was expected at first. Some of the dry Bordeaux mix- tures have proven to have considerable fungicidal value and when Paris green has been used with air-slacked lime as an insecticide results have been fairly satisfactory. ; There is great need of an efficient dry Bordeaux mixture that inay be economically made by the grower himself. The powder rec- ommended in this circular has been designed by the acting chemist with the hope that it will meet the needs of the fruit growers, espe- cially those who cannot use the liquid spray. This dust spray’ will be tested practically in the orchard of the Experiment Station during the present season and it is hoped that many orchardists will apply it and report results to the station. . 260 State Horticultural Society. If it is desired te use an insecticide for canker worm or codling moth one pound of Paris green may be added to twenty pounds of the dry Bordeaux mixture. The dust sticks to the trees much better if it is applied when the dew is on the trees or while they are wet just after a rain. Machines for applying the dust may be had from the following firms: Leggett & Brother, New York city; Kansas City Dust Sprayer Co., Kansas City Mo.; J. J. Kiser, Stanberry, Mo.; Hillis Bros., Mce- Fall, Mo.; Ozark Dust Sprayer Co., Springfield, Mo.; Hazeltine Dust Spray, Springfield, Mo. STRAW BERRIES—PREPARING THE GROUND; VARIETIES, AND CARE FOR HOME USE. (H. Schnell, Glasgow, Mo.) In preparing ground for strawherries, it is best to start a year before planting. If your soil is thin, apply a liberal coating of manure and grow a crop of potatoes, cabbage or something that requires cultivation. The following spring plow it deep, the deeper the bet- ter, or if only a small spot, spade it, and pulverize the soil well. Do this early in April, but not until the soil is dry enough to crumble well. Aiter the surface has been well pulverized, set your plants either in rows, four feet apart, plants 18 or 20 inches in the row, or in rows two feet apart and 18 inches in the row, the latter plan being tor garden culture where horse cultivation is impossible. Then stretch a line to set by. We use a spade to plant with, and have a boy to hold the plants in proper position. First, open a wedge- shaped hole by moving the handle of the spade to and from you. Then, when the plant is in proper place, with the roots spread out in a fan-shape, thrust the spade in four to six inches from the plant and force the soil up to it. Use your foot to firm the earth well, then level up around the plant. If the plant is properly set, the bud is just visible. Too shallow or too deep planting are both fatal. Never set plants dry, always out of a bucket with two or three inches of water in it. No kind of plant, shrub or tree should ever be set with the roots dry. Begin cultivating and hoeing a week after setting, never letting the weeds and grass get a start, and continue through- out thersummer, every eight to twelve days up to about September toth. Keep the runners cut up to July 15th or even later; they will make plenty more after this date. Rather have your rows too thin than matted too quickly. Plants six inches apart will produce more Winter Meeting. . 261 and larger berries than where there are thirty plants to the square foot. For garden culture, where the rows are two feet apart, train the runners from two rows together, leaving a path between each two rows so treated, thus there will be, first, a strip of berries, then a path, alternately across the bed. If your soil is flat and level, see to proper drainage, by ditching and raising the bed, but never plant on ridges, always on the level. Ihe above applies to spring planting. Fail planting is often suc- cessful, but in very dry autumns often time and labor are wasted. The safest way is to buy potted plants or pot them yourself. This is easily done. Take three-inch flower pots and bury them in the ground near the parent plant and in them sect the runners nearly ready to root. Put a stake in the pot so it may be found again. In two or three weeks they will be ready to move. The pots will be root-bound and usually one watering is enough to start them well. Potted plants set in August and September, with favorable weather, will generally make a nice row, as thickly matted as they should be. lf you see your rows will be too thick, it is well to remove the sur- plus runners. As to varieties, try a few of the standard ones, discarding those that do not do well, but never discard a variety after only one year’s trial; one season is not a fair test. We would recommend Excelsior and Beder-wood for extra early; Haverland, Jessie and Bubach for imedium, and Aroma and Gandy for late. These are all standard varieties and will succeed most anywhere. There are scores of others, and a test of them may find you one that is peculiarly adapted to your soil and locality. Wood ashes are recommended by many as an excellent fertilizer for strawberries and in some soils, it is claimed, they give wonderful results. We have abandoned their use at Glasgow, as we cannot get our plants to withstand the dry weather where we have used them. It may be our soil has an abundance of potash. Try them in a limited way first and watch the results. Along in the fall, about Thanksgiving, when the ground is frozen, cover with wheat straw, if obtainable, about deep enough to hide the plants, but not too deep. Leaves and cornstalks will also do for a mulch. In the spring, about April rst, remove all the mulch into the paths between the rows to keep down the weeds, hold moist- ure and keep the fruit clean. Take up some plants each spring and set a few new rows so the old ones may be turned under after bearing two or three crops. This is where most people lose out on strawberries; they plant a bed and 262 y State Horticultural Society. expect it to bear for years, and the result is they soon have an old, worn-out bed and no berries, and lose a couple of seasons in starting over again. Plant some strawberries. Don’t say, like some farmer customers tell us, “Oh! I can buy them cheaper than raise them. It does not pay me to fool with them.” That may be true in a sense, for when they buy them, they buy a crate or two to preserve and some for the table two or three times a season, while, if they had them growing in their own garden, they could have them fresh-picked on their table daily, and plenty to eat, can, and preserve. By all means, plant straw- berries for home use and plant some every year. THE COMMERCIAL STRAWBERRY FOR NORTH MISSOURI —=MOST PROFITABLE VARIETIES, ‘CULTIVATION AND CARE FOR WINTER. (jE Mage ltaPlata. Mio) Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: In preparing a paper on the above subject I realize the fact that what I may say will only apply to a small part of the north part of our great State, as far as the best varieties are concerned, as I find certain varieties in our own county doing well, that in ‘other parts of the county, we have been obliged to discard. JI am sure that the same rule holds good as regards the planting of strawberries as for the planting of an orchard for profit. Perhaps the loss might not be as great where a mistake is made in varieties of strawberries as in planting the wrong varieties in an orchard, as the mistake will be sooner discovered in the first case and can be remedied in a couple of years. -The rule referred to is, plant only such varieties as are doing well for others in your own section, and if no one near you is growing the strawberry then select only such varieties as succeed over a wide range of territory. If you will take a number of the plant catalogues of leading plant growers you will find several varieties they all agree are profitable and that succeed over. a large part of the country, such as Warfield, Crescent, Bubach, etc. Whule these might not be the very best varieties for your section, they would be almost sure to be profitable, while some other varieties planted would only result in failure. After seven years of experience in growing strawberries for market and having tested some twenty varieties we -find Bubach, Ridgeway, Haverland, Lady Thompson and Gandy most profitable and these varieties are enough for the commercial! grower. Early Sun- Winter Meeting. 263 rise, Bismark, Sharpless, Glen Mary and many others have been dis- carded, as they failed to produce fine berries enough to be profitable. The Parker Earl is almost an entire failure with us and yet one man only a few miles west of us plants that variety almost exclusively and with good results, and for this reason I say it would be useless for me to name most profitable varieties for North Missouri, as that comprises a large territory. Another thing that must be taken into account in planting for commercial purposes is your market. If a near-by market, some varieties that are termed soft could be used, while if they were to be shipped several hundred miles they would be worthless. We get fine results with Bubach, but our market is near at hand and they carry all right, while if to go to Chicago or St. Paul they would arrive in bad condition and thus be unprofitable. As much or more depends upon the right varieties for the section where grown as cultivation, etc. We are testing a’number of the new varieties in a small way and in a year or two our list might not be as today. As to cultivation, we practice thorough level cultivation, using Iron Age 14-tooth harrow, Hallock weeder and the hoe. Unless thorough cul- tivation is given and plants restricted so as not to get too thick, or grown in what is termed the hedge or thin matted row, much of what might be profit is lost. We 4nd with the thick matted row we get too many small berries and too many buttons. Care for winter consists in having your beds clean. a good stand of plants, not too thick, and then as soon as ground freezes solid mulch with slough grass or clean straw lightly over the row, hoeing between rows. Without mulching in our part of the State the vines freeze out and what few live produce inferior berries and would be covered with sand, and thus be a failure. With proper varieties and care an acre of strawberries can be made to yield $200 to $700 worth of berries and while not all profit there will be a large margin left to pay you for your trouble, besides furnishing yourself and friends one of the best fruits grown. ! DISCUSSION ON STRAWBERRIES. Mr. Meyer.—We have some fine strawberry land in St. Louis county and we hope to have some fine berries to show you at St. Louis next year. Northern Plants vs. Home Grown.—Mr. A. Chandler: I have been growing strawberries more than fifty years. Then we had the old Hovey’s and other kids, but they are all gone. Later the Sharpless had the market. Now it is seldom seen. Perhaps these old kinds have been “run out” by poor care and cultivation. As to northern or south- 264 State Horticultural Society. ern-grown plants, I would act upon the same principle as our seeds- men. Most seeds are more vigorous grown in the north than in the south. I certainly do not believe in breeding plants from old, worn- out beds, north or south. I would very much prefer to get plants from the north rather than the south. NORTHERN GROWN STRAWBERRY PLANTS VERSUS HOME GROWN. (E. S. Katherman, Warrensburg, Mo.) To the Members of the Missouri Horticultural Society assembled at Columbia, Greeting: I have been planting northern grown plants for some years and have always had good results. Have planted 10,000 plants and got a perfect stand, but can not say that much for home grown. My first reason for using northern-grown plants is that when the spring is late and we have showers through April with sufficient rains to keep the ground too wet to plant, which is often the case, home-grown plants have made quite a growth, sometimes blooming before the ground is in good tilth to set plants. Northern-grown plants are much later, and when we have them shipped south to Missouri they arrive in a dormant condition, just right to plant. Then, if the planting is properly done, the result will be a perfect stand of plants which is very important for a profitable bed. Another advantage in Northern-grown plants is that the same varieties will ripen earlier than home grown. The berry grower that gets berries on the home market first gets the fancy prices. It is the early bird that catches the worm. When a man doesn’t set the right kind of plants and the right varieties, he is wrong as long as he l:eeps that bed or sets another. For good results plant Northern-grown plants, get them from some reliable grower, plant varieties that do well in your county, suited to your soil, and you will raise fine berries, get a good price and you will be happy. STRAW BERRIES—COMMERCIAL GROWING AND MAR- KETING. (F. H. Speakman, Neosho, Mo.) In raising strawberries for local market it’is of great importance that every detail of the work from the selection of the site for plant- ing, to the placing of the fruit within the consumers’ reach, be given Fruit farm of II. R. Wayman, Princeton, Mercer County, Mo Scene in Strawberry Patch June, 1% Winter Mecting. 265 thought and attention at the proper time, if best results are to be realized. We are, of course, all seeking these results. How to obtain them is the question. Especially in commercial production when it is neces- sary to ship in car-load lots and when our markets are from a few hundred .to probably a thousand miles removed, is the problem a hard one, and many are the solutions offere] and attempted. Probably no one of these will amount to much alone and I think we are apt to lay too much stress on one or another of them. It is easy, too, to locate the blane when results are not satis- tactory. There are so many persons or corporations interested or who have something to do with the deal. A fellow can manage to get very poor results.and yet clear himself every time. Then the weather has so much to do with the results. It rarely happens that this is just right. With the weather against us, with pickers scarce and many of them poor, with freight and express rates high, with refrigeratioi charges exorbitant and service miserable, and with commission men at the other end of the line ready and waiting to steal everything— really the outlook would seem uninviting to say the least. But how are we to account for the greatly increased numbers of fruit growers in attendance at the meetings of our associations. Surely there must be another side to this story. Yes, there is. To begin with, our possibilities are wonderful and while never realized fully, we are, of course, optimistic and hope for the best. Our neighbors hear of our successes and our real estate men do not take pains to tell those locating with us of our losses (and we don’t like to say much about them ourseives) and so there is in- spiration for all. For the experienced grower there is the satisfac- tion of knowing that conditions could not be worse than they have been (the past year for instance). And being, as I said, optimistic, we trust that the weather wili be just right and we even indulge in the hope sometimes that we will secure lower rates and better service and be able to sell our fruit on track at the loading station at big prices, or at least be fortunate enough to consign only to honst com- mission merchants who are greatly in need of our fruit. In strawberry growing, my plan is to select newly cleared timber land that is dry and gravelly; or better still, the same quality of land which has been cleared and cultivated one year; setting but few varieties, and for the past two seasons but one, the Aroma. The fewer varieties the simpler will be the work along the whole line of setting and cultivating the plants and handling their product. / 266 State Horticultural Society. In cultivating, I try to do every thing that will add to the strength and fruiting power of the plant, and while the treatment given is oftentimes a violation of all the rules laid down by authori- ties, it gives the results sought. Thinning the plants in the late summer and fall is the best in- vestment made. Who would think of sowing corn broadcast when a large crop of well developed ears is desired. Then why expect a satisfactory crop of large highly colored, well flavored berries on plants that afe crowded so thickly in the. rows that they root one over another, the late formed ones only being able to root at all in very wet weather, and then only in the air, possibly. I thin four to eight inches apart, according to size of plants and ‘am rewarded for the trouble by having larger, more highly colored and better flavored fruit and more of it than I otherwise would have had. Then, it ripens earlier and more uniformly and of course is more easily picked and grades higher. We make two grades, “A” and “B.” In the early part of the season most all the fruit will grade “A,” as a rule, and what does not is brought to the sheds by the pickers who have the faculty of doing things exactly wrong—while at the last of the season probably all the fruit will go as “B’s.” In marketing I prefer shipping on consignment to good reliable houses (there are plenty of them) in the markets that I expect to do well during a term of years—to selling on the track, when that can be done, and being compelled to consign when there are no buyers. It seems to me more business-like and satisfactory to make ar- rangements sometime before shipping season opens and know as far as possible at least what firms and markets wiil be used. Then it is desirable to make the acquaintance of the people you expect to do business with—to study with them their markets and requirements, and our home conditions as well. And, judging from the acreage to fruit the coming season and the increased plantings in prespect in Southwest Missouri, all ad- vantages to be derived from acquaintance and otherwise will be needed. I intend, in fact, to get just as near to our representatives as possible and by close co-operation I trust to be able to place fruit in the future in our markets in better shape than we have been able to do in the past. Re-icing the cars must be looked after by ourselves be placing our own people at the re-icing stations to see that this important work is properly done. In conclusion, I will say that the commercial strawberry grower of Southwest Missouri has much to be thankful for. ° Winter Meeting. 267 The “spice of life” is never lacking, for variety is always in evi- dence. The differences in the seasons ard conditions keep us con- tinually interested and guessing, and I, for one, find much satisfaction in the experiences that fall to my lot as a commercial strawberry grower. DISCUSSION. Mr. Geo. Holsinger—We want to set our strawberries early in the spring, and we can get our own earlier than plants from the north. The plants I have bought are not equal to our own home- grown plants. Mr. Speakman.—I am glad to find that the strawberry has been given a place at the winter meeting, as strawberry growers can not attend the sumer meeting. [It comes just when they are busy pick- ing and marketing their fruit. Mr. McNallie—I have not prepared a paper upon the subject as- signed me by the secretary: You know my views and practices. I am glad we have with us a distinguished strawberry man from Mich- igan. I call for R. M. Kellogg. Pres. Robnett—Mr. Kellogg will address us. Mr. Kelloge.—I ought to be glad that I am introduced as Mr. Kellogg. Some call me Strawberry Crank Kellogg. I bear the high official honor of being the ambassador of the horticulturists of the State of Michigan, to carry the greeting of the fruit growers of that State to the citizens of the land of the big red apple and of straw- berries by the train load. I ama crank and I glory in it. I want to talk to you people on strawberries and rattle your heads together tll this floor is covered with ideas which I can take back home with me to my people. There has not been a waking hour in the last twenty years in which I have not been studying, planning and trying to devise some way to grow more and better berries. I am often asked for a method af growing better berries by men who say they have no time to wait or experiment. I tell them to sit down and wait till they are not in a hurry. If you go at it right you can make more money out of a strawberry: bed than anything else I know. It has been said that the proper way to train a child is to begin with his great, great, great erand-father. You want to begin three or four generations ahead to grow strawberries. I will tell you that I am now preparing land in which to set strawberries in 1905. J am getting manure from the Chicago stock yards, 137 miles away. I will spread twenty-five tons per acre on eighty acres. This manure is from the stock pens and is pure excrement. In the spring when the ground is dry enough to 268 State Horticultural Society. work well, we will disk the land with four horses, plow it and thor- oughly work ‘and then sow two bushels of Whippoorwill cowpeas to the acre. We will turn down the peas next fall with a sixteen-inch plow, having first rolled them down with a disk harrow. It sometimes bothers the horses to walk through the peas. In the spring of 1905 we will plow it up again, roll it down with a roller made of smail wheels after thorough cultivation. I meant to say that-in the fall, after plowing down the peas, we sow three and one-half bushels of rve to the acre. The rye prevents the soil irom washing and leach- ing and keeps the winter and spring rains from beating on the soil and puddling it. This roller of which) I spoke is the heaviest pull of any implement we use. If you want to hold the moisture in the soil you must make it fine. One advantage of sowing the peas so thickly is they will shade the weeds and smother them out so they will not seed. We don’t bother about weeds I would not reject manure if ! know it was full of Canada thistle seeds. Plant early in the spring. We save the plants from starting too early by giving them a heavy covering when the ground is frozen to the greatest depth in January. Just as early in the spring as we can, without working the ground wet, we plow the land as deep as we can without turning up the raw subsoil. It packs and will make a crust and retard the growing of your plants. We wait till the frost has killed the peas before plowing in the fall. We want to get as much ripeness as possible in the peas. You must begin to spray on time. We have a barrel on a cart with three nozzles so adjusted as to spray three rows at a time. We sprayed seventy-four acres last year. When planting we had thirty men, with a man to examine the work after the planters. I some- times use a cone maker like an auger. The roots are spread over this cone and the soil trampled down upon them. After the work of plant- ing is finished loosen the surface with a cuitivator. It has been said that every step makes a compact surface which will loose a quart of water ina day. I use the Planet, jr., twelve-tooth cultivator. For this work I want a man with a small foot, who makes long steps. In passing through the row the first time I require him to walk a little to one side so that the cultivator will cover his tracks when he comes back the other way through the same space. We make our rows thirty inches apart, mostly, and set the plants from twenty-four to thirty-six inches in the row. We place the runners in the row. In this way you can make a hedge row with the plants six, eight or ten inches apart. Allow no other runners to set plants. I cut the run- ners off with a disk attached to a worn-out garden hoe. Some at- tach a sharp disk to the cultivator. I prefer the hand tool. Every Winter Meeting. 269 plant needs room enough so the sun can shine upon every leaf and furnish the plant with the force which enables it to take its food from the air, which furnishes ninety-five per cent. of the solid sub- stance in the plant. Did you ever think of the wisdom of God when he made only one part carbonic acid in twenty-five thousand parts of the air? The leaf takes this carbonic acid from the air on the under side and combines it with the soil elements to form the tissues of th= plant. The leaf is hung upon a long stem so that it is easily kept in continual motion, thus coming in contact with the largest possible amount of air. In Michigan some of us mulch our plants in the winter, but I notice there that nobody mulches along the lake shore. Question: How do they keep the dirt off them? Mr. Kelloge.—They don’t keep it off. They eat dirt and all. In the wide matted rows you allow one leaf to grow under another and the sun can’t shine on it. The plant can not do anything without sunshine. You should have the greatest possible amount of leaf sur- face exposed to the sun. The top of a narrow hedge row is hali round, thus giving fifty per cent. more surface than the same space covered with a flat top like it is in a wide row. In the summer the sun rises in the far northeast and swings around south to the far northwest, shining on every side of trees and plants. If the sun shone only on the south every tree would turn its leaves in that direction. In Michigan some men put a light cover on the plants and leave the ground bare between the rows. They cultivate between the rows in the spring, but never cultivate when in bloom. We spray the first year. We have found disparene a good thing. In using Paris green put four ounces with the lime for a barrel of spray and pour hot water upon the mixture. This prevents the Paris green from injuring the very sensitive young strawberry leaves. We have no damage from disparene, but Paris green is rank poison anil gets in its work quicker. If you should ever come to. Michigan come to our house and break bread with us. Let me thank you for your kindness and generous greeting. THREE BEST VARIETIES OF RASPBERRIES. (H. S. Wayman, Princeton, Mo.) A certain tree planter in making up his list of varieties selected one-half the number Ben Davis. After looking over the catalogue of varieties he concluded to plant one-half the remainder Ben Davis. Then after careful deliberation he decided to finish with Ben Davis. ho ~l =) State Horticultural Society. b We call this man a “crank,” yet I would be tempted to adopt a similar policy with the subject I am to treat, and plant for my Ben Davis raspberry the Kansas. It is justly entitled to its pre-eminence as a market sort, and so well known that I need not occupy your time here with its description. However, its rather early season of ripening suggests an addition of some later variety; and its lack of highest flavor, a more desirable sort for dessert. | For later market I would plant the Nemaha, a variety similar in fruit to the Mammoth Cluster, and as strong in plant and wood growth as the Cumberland. In our North Missouri latitude the Nemaha usually ripens July 5th to roth, which is a few days later than the Kansas. Just here I wish to emphasize the importance of planting some of the extreme early and extreme late varieties. Too many of us plant great fields exclusively to Kansas or some other good variety and then fall down at picking time because of insufficient help; we are compelled to fill up the market with over-ripe fruit, which lowers the price and lessens the demand. Not many years ago our strawberry picking lasted but about two weeks ; now by judicious selection of varieties, soil and location, and by proper treatment, the ripening season has been extended to full four weeks. The direct result of this has more than doubled the de- mand and enabled the grower to put his berries on the market in a better condition and at less expense. In my opinion the same condition can and should exist in rasp- berry growing. But who has given any thought or attention to this feature of the business? What do we find in the horticultural papers and reports along this line? I think there is not much of anything. In this discussion let us hear about some of the extremely early and late varieties and begin this feature of improvement. As a variety for best table use T will name the Evans, and in so doing pay a just tribute to its originator, our time-honored member, Col. Evans, for giving to the world this excellent fruit. Although with us it is only average in size and appearance and a litle too tender for extensive planting its superior flavor in comparison with other varieties is very noticeable and recommends it to every garden and commercial assortment. It was in testing this variety that I was impressed with the possi- bility of improving the quality of the raspberry as well as the quantity, size, color and such other attributes as generally occupy our exclusive time and attention. I submit this list as being the best only as the result of my own Winter Meeting. 271 very limited experience, and if I can elicit a Jiscussion that will bring out more valuable sorts, I will have accomplished at least one object of this paper and will gladly revise my list of “best varieties.” DISCUSSION: ON RASPBERRIES. Mr. C. Holsinger—I would plant Kansas and Cumberland. The jatter is later than the Kansas and far larger, and sells for from twenty-five to seventy-five cents per crate mere than the Kansas. We have some Greggs for late. Mr. Green.—I would plant Hopkins, Cumberland and Centenniai. Mr. Baxter——Kansas, Cumberland and Miller’s Red. There is most money in the Miller’s Red. We have sold them in Minneapolis as high as $3.50 per crate of twenty-four pints. Mr. Holsinger.—I put Cumberland at the head of the list. 1 find no Anthracnose on it. A. Chandler.—I plant 1, Cumberland: 2, Cumberland, and 3, Cumberland. N. F. Murray-—I plowed out the reds because they did not pay. T find the Kansas hardy and grow it. My ground seems too rich to grow the reds. I get wood, but little fruit. I tried various ways. They were not productive, were more troubie to pick and I could get no more for them than for the black. On thin land in the same vicinity they pay well. J. H. Hale.—I am surprised to hear you speak of raspberries as if blackcaps were the only kind. Paimer is very profitable in the east. It is earlier than the Kansas. Pinching back in the summer develops too much bearing wood. The old successful growers used stakes, which was too expensive. They seem to have almost revolutionized taspberry growing in Oregon. They ship them to Minneapolis, Chi- cago and New York successfully. They grow them five, six, seven, even eight feet high ona trellis of two wires. Long canes are bent over the top wire and brought down and tied to the lower wire. Mr. Murray.—The wood does not winter kill on the Pacific coast. I have tried some of the Oregon varieties here with no success. A. Chandler—I have made more money per acre from the red Thwack than any other. J. C. Evans.—I would plant no red raspberry except Thwack. The Evans for black. Mr. Kellogg.—For blacks, Kansas, Cumberland and Gregg; for reds, King and Cuthbert. ' FE, A. Riehl.—King is the best red. For black Evans and Cumber- land. . 272 State Horticultural Society. Mr. Kellogg.—The Loudon seems to be infested with root gall. Mr, Baxter—King is a good red, but Miller is earlier. Some say that the reds are too soft to ship. I send them 600 miles. Mr. Riehl.—I don’t want the Miller on my table. It is not fit to eat. Mr. Baxter—We want the money they bring. GRAPES—PROFITABLE VINEYARDING. (Henry Wallis, Wellston, Mo.) Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: To deliver to the horticulturists of Missouri in special and to the grape growers in general, a short sketch on profitable vinevarding is the task assigned to me. Having gathered a little experience in prac- tical vineyarding during the last fifteen years I will try to submit a practical paper on this important subject, as far as I am able to give it. Let me divide this article in six parts, which I believe are essential to profitable vineyarding: Virst—The proper man to perform it. Second—The selection of the proper locality. Third—The proper soil. Fourth—The selection of the most profitable varieties. Fifth—The proper cultivation and general care of the vines. Sixth—The proper marketing of grapes and wine-making. First—The practical vineyardist to make his vocation profitable must be ‘a man of energy and capability, must have love and enthu- siasm for his calling, must labor incessantly with brains and muscles to achieve the desired result, always try to improve and expand the theoretical and practical knowledge he may have gained, and with an iron-will must overcome all obstacles thrown in his path by men as well as by nature’s uncontrollable forces—otherwise, he better turn his efforts to something else; if these necessary qualifications are not present, unprofitable vineyarding, if not financial ruin, will be the final result. Second—The best locality for profitable vineyarding is in my opinion near a large town or city with a good home market in order to avoid the expenses of transportation by express companies, as well as the charges and profits made by the commission men, both curtail- ing his well-earned profits to that extent that often all “cream is gone and lost and only blue skimmed milk” is left for the poor vineyardist. He must be able to offer and sell his choicest grapes direct to the con- bo =) oo Winter Meeting. sumer for a fair price or to a dealer who is a cash buyer, and turn the culls into a wholesome, pure wine, which will in time double his income from a well-managed vineyard. Third—The proper soil must be specially adapted to the grape- vine in general, good rich clay, perhaps with some sand, rocks or slate init, soil with a porous underground, a reddish clay preferable, but no hard-pan underneath, either the rolling top of hills, or the gentle slop- ing eastern or southeastern sides, the vineyard not extending too far to the lowland and ravines between them, thus avoiding the dangerous spring forsts. While I admit that some varieties of grapes may be grown on low and level lands in certain localities, [ believe that hill- sides are preferable, and will produce the finest grapes. Fourth—In selecting the most profitable varieties for the vine- vard we must study the demand of the public as well as the climatic and soil conditions. People in different localities have different tastes; in general, black grapes are in greater demand everywhere; therefore, black or dark purple grapes are the most profitable for market pur- poses, while the finest red or white grapes can be sold for fancy prices only in limited quantities; also being located in northern, central or southern regions of the land has to guide us in the selection of varie- ties in regard to hardiness and productiveness of the grape in that lati- tude. While the number of varieties known runs into the thousands, the number of real profitable varieties for any certain locality are less than a dozen. Having grown from 50 to 60 varieties myself in East Missouri, allow me to mention those which I believe are the most profitable for Missouri. First, the old reliable Concord, the grape for the millions, though I have less than fifty vines of it growing in my six-acre vineyard, and I grow them only as specimens of comparison alongside the still better, hardier, more productive and more reliable, Hicks, the new Concord of the twentieth century—and the only grape known today destined and able to take the place of the old Concord wherever that grape is grown today. This is my honest and truthful opinion, is the result of twelve years of practical testing and most scrutinous observation, and I hope to demonstrate the veracity of my statement at the World’s Fair of 1904 in St. Louis, the Hick’s grape in competition with all other varieties rivaling for first place. Second, Moore’s Early, Campbell’s Early, Worden, Wilder, Telegraph and Norton’s Virginia: third, Niagara, Goethe and Stark Star, the latter two the latest of the season. Though a few more varieties may be profitable in some localities and under different conditions, I will not H—18 . 274 ‘State Horticultnral Society. mention them, as my selection is made according to the hardiness, productiveness, quality and quantity of variety. Fifth—About the cultivation of the vineyard I will only say: Keep the vineyard clean from grass and weeds by using such tools in proper time as are most suitable to your soil and locality, as grass and weeds curtail the crop, reduce the vigor and health of the vines, also foster insect pests and fungi diseases. To combat the latter, proper sprayings should be made in proper time, and lately the dust spraying process seems to be easier, cheaper, surer in results and therefore more profitable than the old method of using pumps and water as the carrier of the remedies. Numerous bulletins issued by many states and by the Agricultural Department at Washington, D. C., will give all vine- yardists the required information, receipts and formulas, and they can be obtained by asking for them. Another principal point in the proper care for the vineyard consists in the proper method of pruning of the different varieties in due time. About pruning alone a volume might be written, therefore I can only touch the underlying princi- ples of ‘pruning the grapevine. The annual winter pruning should begin as early in fall as possible, after the first sharp frost has de- foliated the vines, but not when the vines are frozen. This pruning should be finished very early in spring, the latest during March, before the sap will flow abundantly by pruning—the vine would lose its blood of life, and I most earnestly contradict all who say: Oh, that bleeding does not harm the vine—surely it does always and every- where. If anyone doubts let him bleed himself severely and often, and if it does no harm to him, then I believe it will not hurt the grape- vine either. The practical vineyardist must know what and how to do it; he must not only only understand the difference in the pruning of the different varieties; he must see and judge the individuality in the different vines of the same variety; must know how to prune for fruit or for new wood; must know how to correct the mischief done, either by frost or drought, or overbearing, and practical experience herein will be our best reliable guide—through many errors we come to a better understanding of nature’s unchangeable laws, and a more proper application of man’s teaching and rules. For instance, the pruning of my vineyard this year will and must be different from that of former years, on account of the severe May frost. Good bear- ing vines near the ground are scarce; the upper buds escaping the frost produced fine wood, but are too high for next year’s fruitine; the vine must be annually rejuvenated with the tendency to bring the bearing vines as low as possible, therefore I am compelled to use those at the proper heighth for tieing them to the vines wherever Winter Meeting. bo =1 ON _ 1 find them regardless of the form after pruning, which should be fan-like as much as possible. Allow me another remark about prun- ing the grapevine. Whatever method or system or style you may give individual preference matters not; in profitable vinevarding on a moderate or extensive schle I have found that from the many methods advocated the so-called fan-shape renewing process and form is the simplest and best—vines tied to a trellis of posts with three wires not finer than No. 10 or No. 8. For summer pruning | pinch the top of the young bearing shoots before blooming, one leaf- bud above the last grape bunch when the shoots are about one foot long, using the fingers only, and not a knife or shears, which are in- jurious to the vine. After blooming I pinch the secondary shoots to about two or three leaf-buds, but do not break them out altogether, as many vineyardists do, and I believe to their loss. The juice of this second growth is needed to bring the fruit to perfection; also the grape will ripen properly only in the shade of it leaves; therefore, too much pinching is more,harmful than benficial ; experience will teach us to walk the middle of the road in pruning the grapevine. Sixth and Last—In marketing erapes prokttably we should avoid all commission men and express. companies, except we are willing to throw just one-half or more of our so hard earned, profits away. I beg you, if you are not able to dispose of your grapes by yourselves direct to the consumer, or to the dealer who is a cash buyer, or by freight in car-load lots, then quit growing grapes to fatten express companies and commission men, and helping to spoil and diminish the profits of those vineyardists who avoid them. I know what I am saying and only the manifold bitter experiences compel me to make this expression without being able to go into detail and to go beyond the limit of courtesy towards fellowmen. Always sell the best grapes only, pack them well and attractively, then ask a fair price and hold on to it. be polite, but firm, and your grape growing will be profitable; of course, in some years more than in others, but the final result will be a bank account in your favor. What { have done many others’ are doing or can do; the grapevine always rewarded my care and labors, while other fruits were sometimes a total failure; profitable vineyarding has carried me over many difficulties; the grape was, is and will be my choicest fruit to grow as long as I am able to work. From the culls and latest remnants of the grape crop make a pure, healthy, unadulterated wine, or a sweet grape juice if you choose, either for home use or for your friends, and as soon as the public knows that you have the pure, clear and healthy product of the grape, it is glad to buy it from you, and willing to pay a good price for it. But wine- id 276 State Horticultural Society. making is a different topic, which also must be learned, to do it well, » so there is only one way left for many, to dispose of the culls of grapes to the winemaker for the price he is willing to pay, and also I have come to the end of my sketch about the art of profitable vineyarding. Thanks for your kind attention. : “MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE .WITH. PLUMS—MOSTLY OF “RHE. NATIVE -VARIETLES.” -_ (J: H. Karnes, St. Joseph, Mo.) Mr. Chairman and Ladies and Gentlemen: In this brief paper I shall give only my personal experience and observation in the growing of plums. There are so many varieties of all groups that it would be sheer folly (as well as a waste of time and money) for anyone to attempt to grow.but a few varieties for profit. I have already tried more than were profitable. But the tempta- tion to test some new variety is one that I seldom try to resist. So for fourteen years I have been testing some varieties of plums-—native, [uro- pean and Japanese. My residence and location is a few miles northeast of St. Joseph in the northern part of Buchanan county, Missouri. My soil is mostly a sandy loam and rolling enough to drain well. I have planted on lowland near a ravine and on the high ridge land, but the trees on the high land have usually borne the best crops and more frequently than those on the lowland. Therefore, I have concluded that it is more profitable to plant on high ground than on the lowland near the ravines. I have always cultivated my plum orchard, especially until it comes into fruiting and then at least every other year; and always keep the weeds and grasses mown down so as to give a good circulation of air. Such varieties as Wildgoose, Forest Rose, Bradshaw and some others must be headed back almost every vear until they come into bearing; Wildgoose more than any other variety unless it be Bur- bank. The Burbank is such a rampant grower and of such a spread- ing habit that I find I can make a much better tree and one that bears better fruit by cuting back severely almost every year. Now a few words about varieties and then I will close. There is a well authenticated theory that plum trees of different varieties must be planted together in order to insure perfect cross pollination. So in my orchard I have a number of varieties all mixed up together and have had but few failures of crops in that orchard. However, Wildgoose is the variety which is the surest cropper of anything I have, never * Winter Meeting. 277 having failed but one year. That year every variety failed from a peculiar cause. The weather had just been warm enough for several days to bring the buds on all varieties just to the opening point. Then came a very warm day with a very high wind. All blooms were opened in a day and all blew off of the trees. There was no polliniza- tion, neither were there any plums of any variety that year. I have Wildgoose, Wolf, Miner, Pottawattamie, Blue Damson, Golden “Mammoth, Shipper’s Pride, Abundance, Burbank, Golden Beauty znd Marianna all growing mixed up together in rows 12x14 feet apart. Now, I do not know which is the best pollinizer.. A well known au- thority on this subject says: “The Wildgoose, though capable of fertilizing almost any other variety which it reaches, is absolutely useless in fecundating its own blossoms. What is true of Wildgoose is true of almost all other plums derived from native species and of many others.’ And that probably solves the whole question of “fertilization.” One variety may not fecundate its own blossoms, but is perfectly potent to fecundate other blossoms. In another orchard Ihave Forest Rose, Spaulding, Bradshaw and Hawkeye. I get good results from Forest Rose and Spaulding, but little from Bradshaw. Hawkeye is a very slow grower and has borne but little fruit. The iollowing would be my choice of varieties to plant for market and home use in this locality: Wiuildgoose, Charles Downing, Forest Rose, Wolf, a few Pottawattamie, Newman, a few Burbank and Abundance and a large per cent. of damsons, both Blue Damson and Shropshire Damson. I am trying some varieties, but am not ready to make a re- port concerning them. I would not plant Marianna and but few Japanese of any kind. Now, Mr. Chairman, if this little article will provoke a discussion on the subject of plums or create any enthusiasm for growing plums its mission will have been accomplished. And the only regret I have is that I cannot be present to take part in any dis- cussions during your meeting. PROBITABEE JAPANESE: PLUMS: (E. L. Mason, Trenton, Mo.) In the vicinity of Grundy county only a few varieties of Japanese plums have been generally planted and of that number the Abundance and Burbank have attracted the most attention and are the most widely introduced. In looking up the history of these varieties | find as follows: “The Abundance was imported from Japan by Luther Burbank in 1884, and first sent out as Botan, re-named Abun- 278 State Horticultural Society. dance and generally distributed by J. T. Lovett in 1888." Thus mak- ing fifteen years that the plum has been on trial in this country. While the good qualities of the Abundance may fall somewhat short oi the unstinted praise given it by the introducer, it has at least main- tained a very satisfactory reputation for hardiness, strong growth, early and abundant bearing and for fruit of good size and excellent quality. Of the well-known sorts this is undoubtedly one of the most profitable Japanese plums on the list. “The Burbank was imported from Japan in 1885 by Luther Burbank; intfoduced to the trade gen- erally in 1880,” one vear later than the Abundance, consequently it has been tested fourteen years. As a profitable plum it is doubtful that any of the imported Japanese plums combine more good qualities than the Burbank. Its hardiness and vigorous growth, early and prolific bearing, of large attractive fruit, of good quality, has brought it rapidly into notice and caused it to become a general favorite. The Red June has not been so generally planted, but seems to show some promise. Specimens of the fruit exhibited at the last Grundy county fair were large and fine. Of the hybrid class of plums the America, originated by Luther Burbank, deserves special mention as a vigorous growing tree and an extra early and prolific bearer. The fruit is not equal to the Abundance or Burbank in quality, but is good size and when fully colored is very attractive. It certainly gives great promise as a market variety. ‘The Wickson, another of Mr. Burbank’s hybrids, is a fine plum, but has not shown the hardi- ness of the Abundance or Burbank. Trees planted previous to the severe winter of 1899, were mostly killed outright or badly damaged. Trees planted since that time have made good growth, but have not shown early fruiting qualities. Some of the hvbrid class of plums more recently introduced may prove to have greater value, but from what I know of Japanese plums at the present time I would choose the Abundance and Burbank for profit. EXPERIENCE IN GROWING PEARS. (J. L. Erwin, Steedman, Mo.) My experience in growing pears for market is limited to the past eight or ten years and then to but few varieties. Observation teaches me that the pear, like the oak and hickory in natural growth, finds only a few favored spots where soil and ex- posure are favorable to its best development. Like almost all others ite) Winter Alceting. 27 in planting I selected the best and richest soil that was dry and roll- ing for making my first plantings of pears. I note that when there is rapid growth there is quick decay. Two Bartletts, for instance, not more than fifty feet apart, one in a loamy moist soil, the other on a high, dry bank, both planted at the same time; the first two years ago with a full crop of fruit totally destroyed by blight, the latter making slow growth, but remaining perfectly healthy. The Garber and Kieffer have been fairly healthy with me. The Garber rather inclined to overbear. Seven years ago my son, A. T. Erwin, Prof. of Hort. Iowa Agricultural College, made a small plant- ing of pears near Steedman, Mo., on a piece of very rough stony land when we had hard work to find soil enough to cover the roots. The natural growth was black hawthorn apple and brushes of similar wood growth, one very much resembling pear in foliage and wood growth. These trees have made a very fine growth, fruiting about one bushel to the tree in t901 of most beautiful pears. I have watched their growth from year to year, as they have had very little care, and notice the clean, glossy foliage and healthfulness of the trees. I am led to believe that if we would make pear growing successful and profitable we must look fer a soil and exposure suitable to its growth, that it is very provincial in its character and that places which seemingly very uninviting for cultivation are best suited to its growth. Thinning and careful handling pays. If we could have a crate similar to the egg shipping case for handling and shipping or hauling over rough roads to market that would be a very great improvement. The crates could be returned and used again and again. THURSDAY, DECEMBER '10--8 P. M. The closing session of the forty-sixth annual meeting was held in the University auditorium and presided over by First Vice-Presi- dent G. T. Tippin. THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE: (Dr. J. C. Whitten, Columbia, Mo.) I want to talk to you for awhile not only of what the Agricultural College has done for the farmer and fruit grower, but also of what we hope to do in the near future. No institution ever reaches the limit of what it is possible for it to do. The work of the Agricultural 280 State Horticultural Society. College in the interest of the farmer is generally reckoned of two kinds: first, in teaching and instruction; and, second, investigating work at the experiment stations. ‘the teaching lays before the stu- dent what is known in regard to the various branches of agriculture, and the experimenters are trying to discover new ideas and methods. In our college there are several courses offered to students of agriculture and horticulture. The work thus done benefits mainly the students themselves, but the good does not stop with them. The man who comes here and studies is better fitted for the work of farm- ing or fruit growing, and he exercises a great influence among his friends and neighbors. I would not detract from the successful prac- tical fruit grower who has never. seen the inside of an agricultural college, but I feel confident that the same man might have won a great deal more success if he had taken such a course as we offer our stu- dents. The ability to succeeed in any calling depends upon a man’s ability to think and see things, and not alone upon his knowledge of horticulture; but also on his general college training which he wili get in connection with his practical studies. Ile will think brighter and better, and more to the purpose. A man who has no training and yet succeeds is entitled to great credit. The well-trained suc- cessful man is better qualified to influence others. We all like to look to the most successful man in our business or profession tor encouragement and inspiration to better things. Aside from the regular collegiate courses, we give here in this institution short winter courses for those who can not take a college course, but can come ‘here for a short time in the winter when farnt work is not so urgent for a short practical course. A great many who have taken these short courses have gone back to their work with new energy and interest from increased knowledge. The benefit of the college work does not stop with the students who come here. There is extension work in several ways. Instruc- tion is given through bulletins and other ways to men in their own nomes and in their own town. Another phase of our work which has done considerable good is the summer courses for the teacters in our State.. Numbers of teachers have been here from every part of our State. It has been said that the best way to teach the children is to teach the teachers how to teach. Eighty teachers came here in the summer to take this course. In the investigation work, publications go out to the people every year in increasing numbers. Nearly all of these publications have been of practical use to some in whose hands they have come. The appli- cations for these publications shows there is a growing interest on the Winter Meeting. . 281 part of fruit growers in receiving instruction. The work of the experi- ment station will result in great good to the State, in the methods of spray- ing to control insects and fungous diseases which it is working out. While the work of spraying has finally to be practically developed in the hands of the fruit grower, it starts from the station. Some times a bulletin may not, at first view, seem, to have a practical bearing upon fruit growing, but it may fall inte the-hands of a man and cause him to think and perhaps argue against it, and thus awaken him to new life and energy. He discusses and questions whether it is true and in the long run it may do him more good by causing him to think and try to dis- cover a better method. Another method of instruction is by correspondence. When I first came I received 150 letters in a year asking for information in regard to horticulture, entomology, and kindred subjects. Last year the Horticul- tural Department alone received 3,500 such letters; and I presume there were as many in the Department of Entomology. The past proves that the institution can-do something for the fruit- grower and that he is availing himself of the help we can give him. Cor- respondence is the most important source ffom which the man in the station gets information and inspiration for the work. In the growth: of the work year by year we believe that a large number of additional features can be added, and that the influence of the University on agriculture is only just beginning. J. C. Evans.—I have been asked, can. a student take a course in horticulture and receive a degree in this institution? ; J. C. Whitten——The student who takes a college course with a cer- tain amount of literary work and general culture can make his work largely horticultural and take a degree. BITRER: ROT. (ced oe burnil: wUlcbana, Tl.) I have lived long in your neighboring state of Lllinois, but it has never been my pleasure before to meet with the State Horticultural So- ciety of Missouri. I take off my hat and every thing else between my head and the sky to the fruit-growers of the State that grows more apple trees than any other state and keeps in office such an able secretary as you have. My subject is not very attractive, especially when it is too plentiful on your apples. Bitter rot is no new thing. It was as abundant fifty 282 | State Horticultural Society. years ago as now, in proportion to the quantity of fruit grown. In the past it took the fruit as badly as it does now. I do not think it causes as much damage as the apple scab fungus, a,thing we often pass by without paying any attention to it. The scab does a great deal of damage to the tree. The reason we notice the damage by the bitter rot more than that by the scab is that a tree may be loaded with fine fruit until August or September, and we begin to count the apples before they are picked, and in a few days they may all be gone. Even up to pick- ing time they may be all right and then be almost a total loss. I know a man who expected to pick 1,800 barrels. He got only seventeen— not 1,700, just seventeen barrels. 1 know of another man who had a fine crop on twelve acres. He was delighted and said, “Now I see how I can send my boy to college.’ The bitter rot struck his orchard and he did not get enough apples for his own use. In Igor the loss in one county in Illinois was more than $1,500,000 from this one disease. It occurs over the entire lower part of the apple growing country, with us mostly south of latitude thirty-nine degrees. It is the southern part of the state which suffers, not the northern part. It is due to a fungous dis- ease and not to anything wrong inside the tree. It grows and dies like other plants. It does not affect the leaves and has nothing to do with the foliage. Its circle of life can be followed just as certainly as the life of bigger things, but the eve needs to be aided by the microscope. It does not affect the foliage. In this respect it is very different from the apple scab. It was not known till last year that it affected any other part of the tree than the fruit. Sometimes it is called ripe rot; but in- correctly. It may spread considerably upon winter apples as early as July. In September with warm, damp weather it may go ahead with great rapidity. In July, 1902, it was found upon some other parts of the tree than the fruit. It was noticed that the apples first attacked on the tree had a cone-like form with the point at the top. You can not notice this later in the season. Mr. Simpson noticed dead spots upon the limbs at the point of the cone. Examination proved this to be very frequent. It was called canker upon the limbs. Perhaps it would be a preventive to cut out these cankers. JI have here some branches with cankers on them. In some cases old apples may carry the infection over to the next year; but every reason goes to show that the “mummy” apples are verv rarely the origin of the outbreak. The outbreak is caused by the cankers. It would do little good to clean up the old apples on the ground. What can be done in the way of cutting out these cankers? For the most part they are only annual. In some instances they may extend the next year, but this is rarely the case. It is practically impossible to look Winter Meeting. 283 over the trees and cut them all out. I believe it would be desirable to pick the fruit of those trees which are known to be infected, and thus to some’ extent prevent its spread. If we can find some wash to put on the tree in the winter to kill these cankers we should be able nearly to contro! it. There are very few apples in Illinois this year, and we will not be likely to have much early outbreak of this bitter rot next year. I think it pretty certain that the cankers upon the limbs are produced by the bruises made upon the tree at picking time. They are usually formed upon some injured portion of the tree. - Any little bruise is likely to admit the spores, which make the canker, If we want to keep down canker as much as possible we must see that the trees are not carelessly handled. I think one of the worst things is to let the apple buyer go into the orchard and pick the apples. He is apt to club the trees, which puts them into fine condition to admit the canker spores which make the bitter rot. It is thought that the spores may be carried by the little pomace flies, and they may be blown by the wind. This makes it more important to stop its first outbreak. Can it be controlled by spraying? Experiments show that if the fruit is actually covered with Bordeaux no bitter rot spore can get to it; but it is very difficult to keep the apples sufficiently coated. It does no good to put on the coat after the spore gets into the apple. There is no stopping it then. Early spraying for the scab and the codling moth does not seem to have much effect against the bitter rot. The spray must be put on before the spore gets on the apple; but just as little be- fore as possible. It is hard to meet all the conditions required. Whether we can make spraying absolutely successful is very doubtful. I hope it may be done. I think we will have to get up early in the morning if we succeed. If we succeed we will have accomplished something worth while in Illinois and Missouri. J. L. Erwin.—Has any effort been made to destroy the spores in these cankers? Prof. Burrill—rThat has not been successfully done, to my knowledge. Mr. Chandler.—Will early picking and destroying infested apples avail anything? Prof. Burrili—That is exceedingly desirable to keep out the very first infection. Where there are not a great mary of the cankers in the limbs their removal has proved to be a great advantage in practical work. Mr. Erwin.—I observed in 1882 that trees to the windward of a tree affected by the bitter rot were attected by the same disease. I grubbed up and burned the affected tree. I think it may be propagated upon wild crabs in the woods. 284 State Horticultural Society. Prof. Burrill—That is correct. It may grow upon wild crabs and hawthorns. It is sometimes found upon the peach. BOTANY. (Prof. B. M. Duggar, Columbia, Mo.) I think I was put upon the program that I might have an opportu- nity to meet you. Your secretary knew I had not been here long enough to say anything of much importance to you; but I am certainly glad to have this opportunity of meeting vou at this time. I do not feel like taking up your time. I will therefore be extremely brief. I have list- ened with much interest to all I have heard, and especially to the statistics given by Mr. Craig in regard to your products, the number of your trees, etc. You know all the orchards in the State are not what they should be. I want to make the orchards laboratories and hospitals. At the Agricultural College should be the principal laboratory of the State. The college can work out certain problems, and you can work out certain problems. We should make of our own orchard a supplementary labo- ratory and a supplementary hospital, to study ways of dealing with bitter rot, apple scab, aphis, crown gall, canker, fruit spot and all the other insects and.diseases you have to contend with. The great number of these things reminds me of a remark made by a salesman of Marshal Field & Co.: “We have-every thing you can think of; and what vou cannot think of we will send out and get.’’ We have more diseases than in the early times because more apples are grown. Then the diseases were more scattered, but’ they were there, somewhere. The diseases. have travelled by all sorts of methods and they form one continuous pall over the whole country. If they are not here they are on the way here, and we will have to fight them sooner or later. There are two ways of fighting therh, by spraying and by finding parasites to feed upon them. L have spent days in Western New York, but with few exceptions, I have not seen spraying as well done as it might be. There is no better time to begin than early in the spring just as the buds are opening. This one spraying will not suffice for all diseases. It will take a great many, all the season. We must also seek to discover and to develop resistant varieties. I hope to gather up all the information on this subject and make it available. Winter Meeting. 285 THE APPLE IN-COED‘STORAGE: (By G. Harold Powel!, Pomologist in Charge of Fruit Storage Investi- gations, U. S. Department of Agriculture.) {The following is an outline of an illustrated talk by Mr. Powell on the above subject. ] There has been a remarkable development in commercial apple grow- ing in the United States within the last 30 years following the opening of the interior of the country by the transcontinental railway, and by more recently completed lines. , Apple culture at the present time is no longer an infant industry, but it ranks as a highly specialized form of American agriculture. In 1900 there were more than 200,000,000 apple trees in the United States which yield from 40,000,000 to 60,000,000 bar- rels of fruit in a normal season. In the decade from 1890 to 1900 about 80,000,000 apple trees came into bearing or an average annual increase of nearly 7 per cent. during that period. Nature does not produce her crops uniformly throughout the year, and unless there is some means of equalizing its distribution through- out the season temporary gluts are bound to follow in the markets. Not long ago the apple crop had to be sold quickly after harvesting near the centers of production to prevent excessive waste from decay. The quantities received were often so great that the large markets were congested at the height of the season when enormous amounts of fruit were sacrificed for less than the cost of freight. At the same time the supply in many of the larger distant cities and most of the smaller interior towns, was unequal to the demand, while all of the markets were prac- tically barren of apples during a greater part of the year. The danger from gluts in the fruit market, as in every other industry, is reduced as we master the art.of handling the temporary oversupply by storing it and distributing it at home and abroad in time of greater need. The cold storage business has developed largely within the last 15 years, and in its broadest economic relation, is destined to equalize the distribution of fruits, and to increase the demand for them both in domestic and foreign markets. It holds the same relation to the fruit industry that the great warehouses bear to the older industries, such as grain, cotton and tobacco. Accurate statistics concerning the magnitude of the cold storage warehousing business are difficult to obtain, but it is probable that there are not less than 1,000 houses distributed throughout the country that are devoted to a greater or less degree to fruit storage. 286 State Horticultural Society. The following figures represent the number of barrels of apples held in the United States in cold storage about December Ist of each year since 1898, and give a conception of the magnitude and growth of the apple storage business as a whole: APPLES IN STORAGE ABOUT DECEMBBR 1, 1898-1902. Date Barrels in cold| Barrels in com- FP ee storage. mon storage. TSOBEI Ae ctostten nee ch tvaes seine Rae siee 800, 000 | 400, 000 1S OO Bes i ee ices caceet 1,518, 750 634, 500: TOODEE Nett ariensteee ee 1, 226, 900 | 794, 000 OO ee rtetiats fiche casele nee ne 1,771, 200 138,000 | a A 1A ce ear Pi er eee eid NS oir eae cy iia er ea cate ics 2,978, 050 1, 236, 750 There are many practical difficulties in the cold storage of apples and these difficulties arise through lack of information concerning the principles which govern the production of the fruit in the orchard and the effect of various conditions of growth and of the different commercial methods of handling the crop in the orchard and in transit, on its vital processes. This condition leads to frequent misunderstandings between the warehousemen, the fruit grower, and fruit handler which might be avoided and the condition of the fruit storage business improved if there’ was a clear understanding of the principles of fruit growing in their relation to the ultimate keeping quality of the fruit itself. The United States Department of Agriculture has been investigating many of these problems during the last two years, and I desire to present a few of the practical results that have been emphasized by our in- vestigations. INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON THE KEEPING QUALITY OF THE FRUIT. A fruit is a living organism in which the life processes go forward more slowly in low temperatures.. When the fruit naturally reaches the end of its life, it dies from old age. It may be killed prematurely by rots which lodge on the fruit before it is picked or sometime afterward. A cold temperature is designed to arrest the ripening processes and there- by to prolong its life history. It is designed also to check the develop- ment of the diseases with which the fruit is afflicted, but it cannot pre- vent the ripening of the fruit nor the slow growth of some of the dis- eases. The lower the temperature in which the fruit may be safely stored, the more nearly are the ripening processes stopped. In the in- vestigations of the department, apples have been stored in temperatures ranging from 31 to 36 degrees, and it has been found that a temperature of 31 to 32 degrees is more efficient in checking ripening than a higher temperature, and that the quality of the fruit and its other characteristics Winter Meeting. 287 are in no way injured by the lower temperature in comparison with the higher one. The low temperature also retards the development of scald, and the fruit on leaving the storage house stands up for a longer time on account of its being in a less mature condition. INFLUENCE OF DEGREE OF MATURITY OF THE FRUIT. In recent years there has been a tendency to pick the apple crop rela- tively earlier in the season than formerly. It is quite generally supposed that the longest keeping apples are not fully developed in size or ma- turity, and that the most highly colored fruit is less liable to endure the abuses that arise in picking, packing and shipping. There are many eco- nomic factors which have influenced the harvesting time of the apple crop. A large proportion of the crop is purchased in the orchard by comparatively few apple dealers, and with the growing scarcity of farm hands and other labor, it is often necessary to begin picking relatively earlier in the autumn to secure the crop before the fall storms or winter months set in. The great increase in freight traffic has overtaxed the carrying capacity of the railroads and has influenced the apple dealers to extend the shipping season over the longest possible time in order to avoid congestion and the delays in shipping the fruit. In localities where the entire crop is sometimes ruined by the bitter rot after the fruit is half grown, the picking is often begun early in the season in order to secure the largest amount of perfect fruit. The investigations indicate, however, that the immature and partly colored fruit has not always the best keeping quality. On the other hand an apple that is not over green and which has attained full size and high color, but is still hard and firm when picked, equals the less mature ruit and often surpasses it. The more mature fruit is superior in flavor and texture, and is often more attractive to the purchaser and therefore of greater money vaiue. It retains its plumpness longer and is less sub- ject to apple scald. If, however, the fruit is not picked until over ripe it is already near the end of its life history and will deteriorate rapidly unless stored soon after picking. | The experiments indicate that so far as maturity is concerned, the ideal keeping apple is one that is fully grown, highly colored, but still hard and firm when picked. Apples that are to be stored in a local cold storage house to be distributed to the markets in cooler weather may be picked much later than fruit requiring 10 days or more in transit, but the use of the refrigerator car makes later picking possible when the fruit must be in transit for considerable time in warm weather in reach- ing a distant storage house. 288 State Horticultural Society. It has been found that there is a close relation between the degree of maturity of the fruit when picked and its subsequent susceptibility to scald. Apple scald is one of the most serious difficulties with which the fruit storer has to contend. The nature of the trouble is not well under- stood, but it is supposed to be caused by a ferment called an enzyme. It is not a contagious disease and is in no way connected with the action oi parasitic organisms, such as mould or bacteria. It appears to be closely connected with the changes that occur in ripening after the fruit is picked, and is most injurious in its effects as the fruit approaches the end of its life. . The scald always appears first on the green or less mature side of anapple. The portions grown in the shade, and under-colored are there- fore most seriously affected. When the apple crop is picked before it is mature the fruit is more susceptible to scald than it would have been later in the season. ‘The relative susceptibility of immature and more mature apples is brought out in the following table: SCALD ON MATURE AND IMMATURE APPLES. Variety and locality grown. Mature, well col- Tmmatires pants ored. ly cotore Per cent. Per cent BS DIGiwirt. SNOW NOL ata seic it ciao storpete a nschers cheats eee are: ore ameraisleterclstels 3.1 29.2 Bent a visielllimoiSies berate ctor cuneye