No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 503 



The replies to the question "Do you consider a peach orchard 

 a profitable investment?" are very interesting. Seventeen report 

 the business profitable. The large vote is really surprising, con- 

 sidering the unfavorable seasonal conditions in many sections of 

 the State during the past few years. Not a few of the affirmative 

 replies, however, are accompanied by "ifs," as if the yellows does 

 not kill the trees; if the trees are not winter killed; if the buds are 

 not destroyed by cold weather or frost. These "ifs" are not con- 

 trollable. Eighteen correspondents say "no" as to the profits, and 

 a York county grower emphasizes his views by replying "no, no, no." 

 Dr. J. H. Funk is the most enthusiastic so far as profits are con- 

 cerned, stating that the business is "extremely profitable." 



PLUMS. 



The 1904 plum crop was a signal success. Quite a number of 

 growers report the crop as enormous, immense and the largest ever 

 known. Ten growers report a very heavy yield; eleven a good crop; 

 only eight a light crop and no total failures are mentioned. The 

 1904 conditions were generally most favorable. The severe winter 

 weather interfered in a very few places and some complained of 

 much fruit being destroyed by rot. 



In the plum orchard as well as on the battle field the "Japs" are 

 winning. The Japanese varieties easily take first place for profit. 

 Twenty-four growers report them the most profitable; seven favor 

 the Domestic or European and five the American class. Abundance 

 leads in popularity, receiving ten votes; Burbank eight; Red June 

 six and Wickson two. No other variety of any class is mentioned 

 more than once. 



QUINCES. 



There are thirty negative replies to the question "Are quinces 

 grown in your county with success?" and about half this number of 

 affirmative answers. Blight and borers are the most potent causes 

 of failure. There are very few trees planted for commercial pur- 

 poses. The demand for the fruit is also greatly limited. 



CHERRIES. 



The 1904 cherry crop was above the average. A dozen corres- 

 pondents reported a heavy or very heavy yield, thirty a good yield 

 and only a few reported light crops. Early Richmond leads as the 

 most profitable variety, receiving eighteen votes. Gov. Wood comes 

 in next with ten votes. English Morello six; Black Tartarian six; 

 Large Montmorency five; Dyehouse four; Napoleon four; Yellow 

 Spanish two; May Duke two; Conestoga two; Montmorency Or- 

 dinaire two. 



GRAPES. 



The 1904 grape crop was quite satisfactory in most counties. 

 Seven correspondents report a heavy yield, thirty-one good and nine 

 light. Codcof4 I& In the lead ag usual, being placed in the list of 



