TWENTIETH ANNUAL MEETING. 309 



fill must stop its ravjjges. They are also forestalled in the St. Louis 

 market by Southern growers. He indorses Mr. Husmann's system of 

 pruning. Peach orchards are an exhaustive crop, and the ground must 

 be devoted to peaches alone. Would head his trees from four to five 

 feet high, so as to plow up to the trees, to allow better circulation of 

 air and get higher-colored fruit. 



Dr. Hull, who was very successful, endeavored to have a white 

 and yellow variety at all times on the market, so purchasers could take 

 their choice ; would also have a freestone variety at all times when pos- 

 sible; have planted largely of Smock, Heath, Stedley and Solway, all 

 late peaches. In protecting apple or peach from the borer, rabbits or 

 mice, use building paper around the trees; can't be too careful in 

 packing; box up in the orchard. The fruit must be picked at the right 

 time. 



Mr. Husmann explained some points in the essay, and repeats that 

 in this prairie country we must make low heads ; we can get plenty of 

 air, and are not troubled much with curculio, 



Mr. Ragau recommends starting tree-heads about three .and a half 

 to four feet high. 



. Mr. Husmann gave the history of the Stedley and October Beauty, 

 and warmly recommends them for late peaches. 



Mr. Brown holds up for low heads, and for the other points men- 

 liooed by Mr. Husmann in his essay. The trees thus planted and 

 trained are much less apt to split. Curculio is hardly noticeable here. 



Mr. Stark would branch trees according to location. He referred 

 to a Delaware peach, a white free-stone, named the Silver Medal, 

 which promises very well. It is a late peach, about the same date as 

 the Heath, and is of fine size. 



Mr. Ragan described two fine seedlings, ripening in October, from 

 seed of the Smock Free. He thinks them promising. He also thinks 

 the Smock a good market fruit. It is a good bearer and pays well. 



Mr. Slocum agreed with the essayist in the main, but would plant 

 much closer together, say 12 to 15 feet. Curculio bothers him con- 

 siderable, and he believes jarring the tree the best remedy. 



Mr. Colman would set peach-trees 20 feet apart. 



Mr. Brown plants 15x20, running the close way east and west. 



The Foster, President, Miller's Seedling, Early Louisa and other 

 new peaches were mentioned and discussed in an informal manner. 



Adjourned to meet at 9 a. m. 



