STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 12 



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Mr. H. C. Clark, writing from Brighton, 'after giving in the usual 

 testimony in respect to the damaging effects of the extremes of weather, 

 says: 



"Second — I do not believe that surrounding groves or belts of timber are any 

 advantage to orchards, only in case of heavy wind storms or tornados. As far as my 

 observation goes, the orchards on the prairies, without any wind-breaks, bear better and 

 finer fruit than those surrounded by wind-breaks ; they have the advantage through the 

 growing and fruiting season of more light and air than those fenced in with groves. I 

 think that is the reason they produce finer and better flavored fruit. 



" Third — In the cultivation of orchards I would recommend the free use of the 

 plow for the first four or five years. You may raise corn, potatoes and many other veg- 

 etables without any particular damage to the trees; then sow to clover and turn in hogs, 

 poultry, young calves and any kind of stock that will not hurt the trees. Some would 

 object to the hog's snout, but if lie is reasonable in his work, all right; I want some root- 

 • ing done; but if he should be too industrious, apply the ring to the nose. I have kept 

 hogs in my orchards for five years with very satisfactory results ; they are sure to con- 

 sume all the windfall or wormy fruit as fast as it falls from the trees, and I believe a 

 sufficient quantity of hogs in an orchard to consume the waste fruit will do more to 

 destroy the insects that prey on our fruit than all the modes of warfare the entomologist 

 can devise ; besides there is economy in it, as the hog will grow and fatten on the waste 

 fruit; you will seldom if ever find hogs, that run in an orchard, with any disease. 



" Fourth — In regard to planting Apple trees, I would plant thirty-two feet apart ; 

 nothing less; would dig holes large enough to receive the roots without cramping or 

 breaking them ; would ])Iant early in the spring; but if planted in the fall would be 

 sure to mulch well to protect from the severe frost. I do not believe in trimming much ; 

 when setting it may be necessary sometimes to thin the top a little, but never cut back, 

 as in so doing you increase the foliage ten-fold. 



" Varieties. — This is a hard question to solve, as some varieties will do well some 

 years, and then not so well. For instance, at one time the Red June was considered 

 worthless; it is now one among the best of all our early varieties — probably the most 

 ]5rofitable of any. The Large Romanite (Peiinock) was once discarded from the nur- 

 series; it now stands next to the Yellow Bellflower in the market as a selling Apple, 

 and is much more profitable than the Bellflower, as it is a better bearer. 1 believe the 

 Winesap stands at the head of our list as a winter Apple ; the Janet bears well, the Roman 

 Stem, Pennsylvania Red Streak, Rambo, and Fall Wine do well; Smith's Cider is a 

 good Apple, and the tree a good bearer. The Little Red Romanite is always on hand — 

 a pretty good Apple after the others are gone. There are a number of other varieties 

 that do well some seasons, but'these mentioned are probably the most profitable. 



" As far as Pears are concerned, they have never been found to be very profitable ; 

 so subject to blight, that people feel a delicacy in setting them ; an occasional Pear tree 

 pays well. 



" The majority of our Peach orchards are gone by the lioard, and there does not seeni 

 much disposition to set new ones; but I believe it would lie a good idea to set now. 

 We have had f|uite a number of good crops of Peaches in this neighborhood. 



^'■Gatherin^^ and Keeping Apples. — Gather and pile on the ground in the orchard, 

 and cover with straw ; leave them there as long as it is safe on account of frost ; a slight 

 frost will not hurt them if not handled while frozen. Then barrel in tight barrels, and 

 place in a dark, cool cellar." 



MADISON COUNTY. 



" In pursuance of my duties as correspondent for the county of Madison, I respect- 

 fully report that my opportunities of seeing many parts of the county this year have been 

 limited, and that I report frf>m what I have seen without quite knowing that what I have 

 observed can be corroborated by the observations of others. You will your.self be able 



