SUMMER MEETING, 77 



several years past. Yet some old apple-trees are showing twig-blight. 

 Tbe fruit crop is very light — nearly another fiailure — is the condition 

 that confronts the fruit-grower, making the fourth season in succession 

 of total or paitial failure of the apple-crop, the geniting alone giving 

 promise of a full crop. It is said "everything comes to him who 

 waits." But people are growing weary of waiting so long for fruity 

 and the mutterings of discontent are heard, and when confidence and 

 faith are gone, as a result we fully expect to see orchards neglected 

 and run down. But the successful orchardist of the future will be the 

 one who, while others grumble and neglect, will be found making 

 every effort possible to improve, so that when nature smiles again he 

 will be ready to receive the blessing which he he has so long waiced 

 for. 



Grapes, raspberries and blackberries give promise of a fall crop ; 

 vines and canes in good, healthy condition ; strawberry crop cut short 

 by drouth. 



Hoping you may have a successful meeting, I am yours truly, 



H. W. Jenkins. 



The Apple. 



J. H. G. Jenkins, Boonville. 



Regarding the apple as our principal fruit, I have given some at- 

 tention to its care and cultivation. I accept the commonly received 

 opinion that an elevated position, with northern or northeastern slope, 

 is the best location for an apple orchard. 



I would prefer a good clay subsoil, slightly rolling, or with proper 

 facilities for drainage. I owned a small orchard, similarly situated, 

 that never failed to bear during the 13 years I occupied that little 

 home in Cole county. Nearly all the leading varieties of summer, fall 

 and winter apples were represented in that orchard, and all fruited 

 well. Even peaches never failed there. 



Where I now live, though high, the inclination is to the south 

 rather than north, with more timber on north side, and fruit is some- 

 times killed by late frosts. Early Margaret has proved a more thrifty 

 tree and better bearer than Early Harvest or Red June. Maiden's 

 Blush has proved the hardiest and best early fall apple, having with- 

 stood the late freeze this season. Ben Davis is certainly one of the 

 thriftiest trees, and less injured by insects than most varieties ; but the 

 fruit was mostly killed here last spring, while some sorts were not hurt 

 by the late freeze. Ben Maupin, though the buds were completely 

 frozen, bloomed abundantly, and is fruiting well. Jonathan budded 



