202 State Horticultural Society. 



money next. One sure means is in reach by starting right. Starting 

 right is of the greatest necessity. Yes, a right start is the only sure 

 way to success. 



"Dress and keep" was the complete list of instructions given to man 

 and will not fail when followed by the orchardist. Man is like a tree 

 — planted by rivers of water — as in Missouri, God planted the first 

 orchard — then called a garden. God put the man in it to dress and 

 keep it. 



Cleanse the orchard and make it fruitful. Dress means fix up and 

 make beautiful as well as useful. Keep, is a favorite word full of 

 meaning to-day. Yes, keep the trees healthy and clean ; do that which 

 is necessary in the orchard for success. Use thought and action at the 

 proper season and in time. Let nothing prevent, but keep the motto 

 ever in memory- — do not forget to dress and keep. 



A valuable help in cleansing the orchard is the birds, and man 

 should provide shelter for his feathered friends and by the same pro- 

 vision otherwise protect the orchard, namely, by growing evergreen 

 hedges, say on section lines, for birds to winter in — and in the Ozarks 

 luild walls of rock and plant trees for the birds to dwell in safely. 



Orchards of trees are much easier kept clean than are orchards 

 of shrubs, and the fruit grown on trees is far superior to that grown 

 on shrubs, and well shaped trees are much longer lived than dwarfy, 

 uncouth shrubs. 



The most prolific source of insect production is the prevailing 

 habit of growing culls too near the ground. Nature's laws must be 

 obeyed or dire calamity comes. Good, perfect fruit is desired and is 

 only obtained by properly directing man's efforts and following nature. 

 Salt properly and sufficiently used on orchard land is sure prevention to 

 tree and twig blight. Wood ashes, lime and leaf mold are all very 

 valuable for young trees, not only for cleansing the orchard, but also 

 giving healthy growth and prolific crops of fruit on all trees of bearing 

 age. It should be remembered by all interested in fruit production 

 that clean orchards produce the best fruit. Dressing and keeping 

 clean is a vital matter. 



