I'jG STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



foliage had a slightly sickly appearance and began to drop prematurely. 

 The wood growth was not quite so good and thrifty as those in the 

 corn and peas. This clover was spring-sown, and, of course, very 

 tender. 



Those that were in the oats without any cultivation were almost a 

 complete failure. These trees were sickly and wormy, with but little 

 growth. I begin cultivating when I am preparing for my crop in the 

 spring, and quit when the crops are laid by. I use double shovels, but 

 I believe a pick or mattock would produce better results. 



After setting I generally cut to a whip, cut frequently, leaving a 

 few prominent buds to shape the trees. The second and third years I 

 cut from one-third to one-half, always having in mind the shape of the 

 tree. j 



Now, Mr. President, as I am very much pressed for time, I hope 

 your Association will overlook all irregularities in these few scattering 

 thoughts. Having so little experience in growing peaches, and less in 

 telling what "I know" about it, I felt a hesitancy in saying anything. 

 So I tried to worm out of it, but your worthy Secretary, cruel as he 

 is threw a lasso around my neck and drew me up to the slaughter. 



This reminds me of a little experience I had down the road a few 

 years ago. I had just concluded reading " Mulberry Sellers, '' when a 

 man came along and easily induced me to purchase one-half interest 

 in a nursery establishment. Of course, the first thing was to let the 

 people know that I was there for the purpose of making things "hum." 

 A card was struck off — "C. Howard, of , has purchased one-half in- 

 terest in ; 21 years' experience as a nurseryman and orchardist." 



In fact, I did not know aWild Goose plum from a black-jack. Ten days 

 later a prominent attorney met me, handed me one of my cards, and 

 stated that his orchards of various fruits had not been properly pruned 

 for three years, and that he wanted it done properly, regardless of cost. 

 After making all excuses possible, to no effect, I said to myself, "He's 

 nobody but a lawyer, any way." So f promised to be on hand the next 

 day. Just imagine my surprise, on arrival, to find a class of female 

 botany students, from a near-by college, waiting for the "professional" 

 to come to get some points, as pruning was their next lesson. 



I charged that fellow 60 cems each for every tree I pruned, and 

 still have his note drawing eight per cent. 



