242 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



I vvouldllke very much to know something about Smith's Cider. I have 15, 4-year-olds, 

 In my orchard of some 'iOO trees. They are on high, white-oak land, and they are the best 

 growors of all or any trees I have ever seen; they made over a feet growth all round where 

 but few others made more than 1 foot, and we have had the dryest season for many years. 

 Wlnesap and I.anslngburg Pippin made the best growth. 



I would like to ask if, from whatlyou know of the Smith's Cider, will It pay to plant It 

 largely? Jonathan Is the clearest of worms of any apple we have. Gilpin has paid best of 

 any In my old orchard. The apple crop Is much better here than reports make It, and they 

 are bringing quite a good sum of money into the country, and they haven't eat any corn, 

 either. We have got from 40 to .■)0 cents per bushel for apples, and I think that Is a pretty 

 fair price, and If we had more flrstclass apples i think we would have got more, but there 

 was not enough good apples to hold the best buyers. 



I think I have hit on a plan to beat the root-borers; that is, to put enough fine sand 

 around the trees so there will never be any crack around the trees nor any weeds and grass, 

 and you will have but few. If any, borers. Any Information al)out .Smith's Cider apple will 

 be thankfully received. Hoping to be able to meet you at Trenton, I remain yours truly, 



G T. Odor. 



Answer — It is very doubtful about the Smith's Cider being a prof- 

 itable apple for commercial use. The tree is liable to blight; the apple 

 is not a very good keeper, and while the quality is good, yet there is 

 not enough money in it. The tree is not adapted to all localities like 

 the Ben Davis. 



LETTERS. 



Oregox, Oct. 17, 1894. 



I am of the opinion that what we want most of all is not more, but less varieties. 



I would prefer to have the Society discuss and decide which Is the best three kinds of 

 apples to plant, taking the whole State Into consideration. At the fair at St. Louis, It 

 seems that 280 varieties were shown tliere, and the probaljlllty Is, if each producer that 

 presented the 280 kinds was called upon to write descriptions of the apples they raised that 

 they could do so; but let an individual liave the list, from which to select same for his own 

 planting, he would be staggered and so confused that lie would he at a loss to know what to 

 plant. 



And the same thing holds good with the strawberry, and of all the other fruits. 



I am aware that climate and soil, with otiier things, have their influence upon results, 

 but It does seem to me that the Society could not do better than to spend some portion of 

 Its time in gathering information from all over the State, anl recommend a few varieties 

 that will not l)e likely to blast the hopes of tlae future planters all over this State. 



Please give this subject some attention, and thus add thousands to the future planters 

 of this beautiful State, remembering that "no man llveth to himself." Had I known 29 

 years ago wliat I now know, my orchard would have been worth to me five times more than 

 It now Is or ever can be. In an orchard of 1000 trees I must have 75 or more varieties, many 

 of which I have not received Ave bushels of apples from In all that time. 



Yours truly, 



Stephen- Blanch ard. 



P. S. For a,commerclal orchard of winter apples of 1000 trees, the writer would now 

 put out 700 of Ben Davis and the remainder in Home Beauty and Wlnesaps. 



Zeitonia, Mo., Xov. 27, 1894. 

 Mr. L. A. Goon.MAX, Secretary Missouri State Horticultural Society, Westport, Mo.: 



Respected Sir — Since my father's death the surroundings are no longer congenial to 

 me, and I desire to make a change if I can find an agreeable place where honest, Intelligent 

 labor Is appreciated. I attended the Agricultural College two years, and have made agri- 

 culture and horticulture a special study for several years; also, have several years' practi- 

 cal experience. Would prefer to continue In the fruit business, as I have a special liking 

 for It. 



Refer to Levi Chubljuck and Stark Bros., with whom I liave some personal acquaint- 

 ance, and who know of our orchards here ; also, have a large mercantile and general 

 business experience. Do not pretend to have a monopoly on all knowledge pertaining to 



