272 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ing crop. Blue grass is as fine as anywhere, and takes the place of 

 the wild growth in timber land. 



In fruits the apple takes the lead. There are many orchards of 

 from 5 to 20 acres, and their number is steadily increasing. In 1890 

 several hundred thousand barrels of choice apples have been shipped 

 from this county in all directions, but mainly west and north, over the 

 line, where fruit-raising is no more a success. Denver, Lincoln, Omaha, 

 Sioux City, St. Paul and Minneapolis are the principal receiving points;: 

 a great deal is brought by wagon-loads to St. Joseph. Bayers from 

 New York were surprised by the high quality of our apples. Ben 

 Davis, Jonathan, Winesap, Stark'and Willow Twig are mostly planted, 

 with a good many other kinds. They succeed in every locality, but a 

 northern or eastern slope is preferred. The distance they are planted 

 is commonly 30 feet ; some plant nearer, some further apart. The price 

 of trees is 7 to 10 cents and cost of planting; if the owner uses hired 

 labor, about the same. The land is well plowed before planting, and 

 the holes dug, if possible, in the fall previous to spring planting. The 

 first year after planting corn is grown between the trees ; meanwhile 

 the trees are protected against borers, mice and rabbits by washing 

 and enveloping with corn-stalks or other material in winter, and the 

 soil round the stems kept clean from weeds; later on clover is sown 

 between the trees and the hogs allowed to graze it, when these at 

 the same time will devour all wormy or prematurely falling apples. 



Peaches are not a sure crop, but from time to time they yield well 

 and pay then quite well. 



Pears do well if a judicious selection of kinds is made in regard 

 to blight. 



Cherries and plums m numberless varieties are sure and paying;, 

 strawberries very fine and are almost all consumed in the neighbor- 

 hood. 



There are many and large patches of blackberries, mostly Snider, 

 which are sold near and far. 



Raspberries, gooseberries and currants succeed well, but are not 

 so extensively raised as they could and should be. 



The grape is a success and is raised to some extent, sometimes 

 onl.v a few vines up to a 13-acre vineyard. The grapes find ready sale 

 in the home market ; part of them are converted into wine of good 

 quality. 



The market facilities are excellent. The city of St. Joseph with 

 75,000 people consumes a large part of our products. There are four 

 railroads traversing the county going out from St. Joseph to north and 

 northeast, with 16 freight depots in the county and three just out of it, 



