160 STATE HORTICULTURALSOCIETY. 



FRUIT-GROWING IN BARRY COUNTY. 



Seligman, Mo , October 31, 1892, 

 L. A. Goodman, Secretary State Horticultural Society : 



Dear Sir — I promised I would write an article on fruit-growing in Southwest 

 Missouri. I don't know as I can do so in a more interesting way than to give a 

 little of our experience in growing fruit in Barry county. After spending several 

 months in looliing for a location in different parts of different states, we concluded 

 to locate in the southern part of Barry county on account of its healthful climate, 

 mild winters, plentifulness of timber, pure water, and adaptability to all kinds of 

 fruit growing, especially peach. 



We purchased 120 acres of land. ( When I say we, I mean Mr. H. J. Kelsey, 

 of St. Joseph and myself.) We planted 80 acres to fruit : we planted 5000 peach, 

 2600 apple, 1100 pear, 150 cherry, and about 10 acres of small fruits, such as 

 blackberry, raspberry and strawberry. We have not had a full crop of peach 

 since we planted on our own trees, so are not prepared to say what varieties will 

 succeed best with us. We can grow peach hereabout three years out of five. We 

 think from what experience we have had with peach that the Lamar Cling, Craw- 

 ford's Late, Heath's Cling, Elberta, Mt. Hose and Smock's Free will be among the 

 leading varieties. 



For apples, the Ben Davis is mostly planted, and seems to be the favorite 

 with both grower and shipper. Trees grow quick, and come into bearing about 

 the third or fourth year fiom setting. 



This part of Barry county seems to be the home of the pear, especially the 

 Keifler, which grows strong, bears young and shows no signs of blight. 1 never 

 knew a pear tree to blight in tiis part of Barry county. 



As to cherry, I think the Richmond does best; it grows quick, strong, and 

 bears every year. The May Duke is not a success with us. Planted on the same 

 kind of ground and the same cultivation, it has not grown a crop, where the Rich- 

 mond has matured two good crops in succession. The May Duke shows signs of 

 decay, while the Richmond is healthy and promising. 



As to blackberries, the Snyder takes the preference, bears heavy, is a good 

 shipper and free from rust. We tried the Ancient Briton ; they took the rust, and 

 we plowed them out. 



For raspberries, the Hopkins is preferred on account of its hardiness to stand 

 the winters and its shipping qualities. 



The Crescent and Downing strawberry are mostly grown here on account of 

 their size, beauty, color, and solidity in shipping. 



All kinds of fruit and vegetables will grow well in Barry county. The soil is 

 mostly of sandy and clay loam, with now and then a rocky spot. Taking into con- 

 sideration the healthfulness of the climate, pure water, mild winters, and its 

 adaptability to all kinds of fruit-growing, there is no reason why Barry county 

 should not be the banner fruit county in the State. 



H. C. Fitch. 



