WINTER MEETING, 1SS0. 21 



to me that these sorts would have their characters more indelibly stamped. 

 In other words, I would breed from " thorough-breds." 



Prof. Beal. — I think the gentleman is correct in this. Mr. Hathaway in 

 Cass county has a kind of corn which has been grown for a long time on his 

 farm, and by selection be has secured a corn that is good to breed from. I 

 have been using it for this purpose. 



Question. — Do you think there is any way out of the yellows difficulty in 

 peaches through the breeding of a more healthy kind of peaches. 



Prof. Beal. — I believe the most promising way out of this scourge is through 

 the growing of seedlings and selection therefrom. 



This discussion was cut short to give place to the topic. 



HOW TO GEOW APPLES FOR PROFIT. 



by J. Webster Childs of Ypsilanti. 



We think the time has arrived when no one, in Michigan, at least, need fail 

 to make a handsome profit in raising apples for the market. So much infor- 

 mation upon this department of farm production has within the past few years 

 been disseminated, both through the press, which has gathered up and given 

 to the reading public the views of our most experienced as well as our most 

 scientific pomologists, and also by the exhibitions of fruit at our county, dis- 

 trict and state fairs, where the results of skill and good culture are so beauti- 

 fully displayed, encouraging effort and exciting emulation in the beholder, 

 and more especially through the very able and practical discussions of our 

 local and State Pomological Societies and their published reports, that even 

 the inexperienced need make no very great mistakes, either in the selection of 

 varieties or in the manner of cultivating them. 



In growing an orchard for profit simply, the first thing to be considered is, 

 what and how many varieties to plant. 



The answer to the first question will depend somewhat upon the soil and 

 the locality, as some of our most approved and popular varieties seem to be 

 better adapted to some kinds of soil, and to flourish better in certain localities 

 than in others. Valuable information upon this point may be readily obtained 

 from the best fruit-growers in the vicinity where it is proposed to plant an 

 orchard. From a list of perhaps a dozen of the very best market varieties we 

 would then select not to exceed four or five, having reference in the selection 

 to the natural characteristics of the tree for vigorous growth, hardiness, and 

 prolific bearing, and to the popularity of the apples in the market in which 

 they would be the most likely to be offered for sale. Planting those of the 

 same variety in contiguous rows will not only add much to the symmetry and 

 beauty of the orchard (as they can be easily trained to look very much alike), 

 but will also add somewhat to the convenience of gathering and preparing for 

 market. 



For the first ten years, at least, after planting, as vigorous and rapid growth 

 should be obtained as will be consistent with the health of the tree. In order 

 to accomplish this, none but the most perfect and healthy trees are desirable 

 for planting. 



The ground where it is proposed to plant an orchard should, in all cases, be 

 heavily manured from the barnyard, and plowed as deeply as possible for a year 

 or two before setting the trees; and also under-drained, if necessary. 



The spring is, I think, the preferable time for setting the trees, and I would 

 put them not less than thirty-six feet apart each way, except Wageners, which 



