DISCUSSIONS AT SOUTH HAVEN. 3oD 



grown by J. 0. Eobinson, of Hartford, in Van Buren county, convinced all 

 present by their size, eleven and one-half inches in circumference, that he too, 

 believed in thorough cultivation. They were pronounced King of Tompkins 

 County, a very valuable variety, but not an excellent keeper, and inclined to 

 windfall, 



Mr. M. H. Bixby showed a basket of fourteen varieties of apples which he 

 had collected at Fayetteville, Vermont, carefully selecting the largest and fairest 

 of those he saw. They gave us a correct idea that an unfavorable climate for 

 fruit, compared to Michigan, produced greater inferiority than neglected prun- 

 ing and cultivation. The relative size of the apples were but one-half the size 

 of our average; the Svvaars and Jonathans, from their scaly appearance, could 

 hardly be distinguished; the dull color of the Baldwins made them almost 

 doubtful, while the Greenings and Eoxbury Russets, though the fairest in 

 external appearance, were very deficient in flavor. We were, however, well 

 pleased with a new apple in the collection called the Murphy, similar in 

 appearance and flavor to King of Tompkins County, but evidently a better 

 keeper, which on that account must prove a valuable acquisition. The largest 

 specimen measured ten and one-fourth inches in circumference, while the 

 largest other apple, a Greening, measured eight inches. The Murphy grown 

 here would undoubtedly measure over thirteen inches — by the way, an inch 

 on an apple over twelve inches is a great deal. Unquestionably Michigan can 

 beat the world on apples, as she does on peaches. All we lack in apple culture 

 is the good pruning and cultivation we give our peaches. 



Mr. Bixby stated that the best success he had in cultivation was with a plow, 

 plowing deep early in the spring, and more shallow later in the season. Prune 

 apples and pears in June, peaches at any time, — soil a sand and gravel loam. 



Mr. Lathrop believes in thorough cultivation. Has tried seeding a portion 

 of his peach orchard ; found that the portion cultivated gained one year's 

 growth in two. Uses a double shovel plow; plows in spring, and cultivates 

 not later than August 15, — soil a sandy loam. Thinks pears and quinces can- 

 not be too highly fertilized nor too thoroughly cultivated. Grapes are an 

 exception. Prefers a poor soil and constant cultivation. Prunes peaches at 

 any time, cutting back one-half of the new growth to increase the stockiness 

 of the trees ; prunes pears in the spring. 



Mr. Voorhees said his experience in growing pears and quinces is not good, 

 having manured too highly; soil a clay loam; would late fall plow to the 

 trees, back plow in the spring, and cultivate once in two weeks. 



Mr. Beers, from Indiana, has never known blight in wet seasons ; thinks 

 cultivation decreases the liability of blight; seeds apples once in three years. 

 Thinks this the most favorable point he has seen for fruit. 



Mr. Bailey has cultivated his pear orchard seventeen years and manures 

 highly ; has lost but one tree ; gfows corn one year and potatoes next ; soil a 

 sand and gravel loam. 



Mr. D. B. Williams manured pears heavily ; soil, gravel loam; was soft ground 

 since. 



Mr. Shoemaker asked if it would be advisable to prune now, leaving a stub 

 and removing the stub in June. The President thought it would. 



