36 i STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



hundred and fifty. He accounted for their death by the fact that when the 

 very deep snow melted, before the ground was thawed enough to let tlie water 

 through, it collected about the trees and froze solid. The fruit buds were green 

 three weeks ago. Hereafter he would fix the surface of the ground so as to run 

 the water oif. 



Mr. J. Pierce said he had found several limbs of his peach trees, from which 

 he had cut samples of buds and showed to the Society a few weeks ago oa 

 account of their remarkable vigor, were now dying. What was the cause? 

 [Might not the pruning when frozen have done the mischief? — Sec] He 

 finds few curculios. 



Mr. A. S. Dyckman remarked that there seemed to be certain local causes 

 which made peach trees subject to be killed by extreme cold, such as a lack of 

 vitalitv from some cause, a forced, extraordinary groiuth, and too much water 

 about the roots. 



Mr. E. M. Cook said his observations sustained Mr. Dyckman's theory. 



Mr. Dyckman stated that Prof. Cook was preparing a document on insects 

 injurious to the strawberry, and desired any items we could furnish. Any one 

 having observed the works of such insects will please report at next meeting. 



H. E. Bidwell offered the following, which was adopted : 



Resolved, That the South Haven Pomological Society adopt a full peck for a basket of 

 peaches, and a full quart for a box of berries. 



We trust that any of the distant readers of our reports who have not placed 

 full confidence in the statements made therein in regard to our local advan- 

 tages because they have been so uniformly flattering, will henceforth, after read- 

 ing this report, give us credit for candor, seeing that unpleasant stubborn facts 

 are sqarely met and acknowledged. The dying of a number of trees in the 

 vicinity, while it is a vexatious loss to individuals, is only a small fraction of 

 all the trees unhurt and full of peaches. We think the cause is apparent in the 

 clauses which we have underscored. The peach tree is sensitive, and will only 

 thrive first-rate in dry warm soil that is yet moist. Experience shows that the 

 following conditions will be fatal to them : Stagnant water about the roots 

 only for a few days ; extreme heat and drouth ; extreme freezinq; or a less 

 degree of freezing after the trees have been stimulated to a late growth or forced 

 to an undue groiuth by excessive cultivation ; or on ground highly manured, or 

 filled with much decaying vegetable ^natter; or where the water will collect and 

 freeze about the trees; when the vitality is diminished by borers, excessive bear- 

 ing, e7itire neglect of cultivation, or any cause; or where the trees have become 

 so large as to completely shade the ground they may not mature so as to resist 

 the extreme cold. 



The above conditions avoided, we think a peach orchard in this vicinity is a 

 good thing yet. It is noteworthy that trees winter-killed generally are killed 

 ■ outright, or partially, from the top down; while about all killed here this 

 season die gradually after starting in the spring, and some after coming into 

 nearly full leaf, and setting full of peaches, the bark of which was green a fevf 

 days since clear down to the roots. 



South Haven, June 28, 1873. 



Insects injurious to strawberries, was the subject for consideration, and after- 

 wards miscellaneous matters. • 



