DECEMBEIi WEETJXG. 207 



and tlie first visited was that of L. Chubl), a young orcliard of 125 trees, the 

 second year set, and one rod apart each way. This, like nearly all the other young 

 peach orchards at tin's place, had apple trees alternating with ])eaches, in every 

 other row, to have an a})ple orcliard when the i)eaclies fail. The trees are 

 headed about three feet high, and all alive and growing well. He had 100 

 Barnard, 10 each of Early 13eatrice and Louise, and five Alexander. Several 

 of the latter varieties bore one or more peaches the present year. The soil is a 

 sand and limestone gravel for sotnc deplh. The orchard is 125 feet above the 

 lake, about half a mile from the shore, and has a gradual slope toward it; and. 

 although so high above the water, is in a valley between high hills on the north 

 and south. It is all inter-planted with raspberries and strawberries in hills, all 

 growing well. The trees were in a thrifty condition, but were headed too high, a 

 fault that all the committee condemned. Mr. Chubb gives clean cultivation 

 till the first of August, lie would plant nearly all Hale's and Barnard, as 

 later varieties seem to be shy bearers. He had this orchard nearly all Bar- 

 jKirds, as he had an older one largely Hale's, which bore a good crop in 1875,. 

 after the cold winter. 



C. A. Sessions had 100 trees entered 4 years old, 25 each of Hale's and Craw- 

 ford's Early and 50 Mountain Hose, set one rod apart with apples alternating. 

 The soil — sand and gravel, with some red clay in the subsoil. This orchard 

 had been neglected both in cultivation and trimminaf. Some of the trees arc 

 badly crotched and others out of shape, and although old enough to bear some, 

 we were unable to find fruit enough to identify varieties. Had a crop of buck- 

 wheat on the ground at time of our visit. It will probably have better care in 

 the future, as it is now in tlie hands of a man interested in the business. 



We next looked at two orchards of bearing trees, the first that of Charles W. 

 Gay, nearly 20 acres, largely Early Crawford, with some Hale's and Barnard, 

 all six years old. The trees had borne but little fruit, and had on only a small 

 crop this year. The trees were healthy, but had been trimmed very little. 

 His general cultivation was to plow twice each year. The orchard had a very 

 favorable location, and if it ever bears good crops must prove very valuable to 

 the owner. The other orchard belonged to G. H. Sammons, situated on the 

 lake shore, 60 feet above and sloping toward it. There are 00 Early Craw- 

 ford, 25 Hale's, and 10 Late Crawford. The latter seldom ripen. The soil is 

 sandy for some depth. The trees never had much care, yet are in fair shape 

 and headed low. He has usually grown crops among the trees, — potatoes this 

 year. They had a good crop, in 1875 the Hale's alone yielding 1110 worth of 

 fruit. This orchard presented the best ajipearance of any one we saw at this 

 point. He had a young orchard alongside of 700 trees, all Hale's and Barnards, 

 also looking well. 



We found all the orchards at this place in the hands of men that intend to 

 do the best they can with them, and any mistakes or neglect in the care was due 

 to the lack of knowledge rather than inattention. The trees in all the orchards 

 looked healthy and were very free from insects, but the error of heading too 

 high and planting too close was observed in nearly all. As to the inter-plant- 

 ing of apples, the committee think location would have much to do with decid- 

 ing that matter. 



Having no other entries of peaches on the lake shore until we reached South 

 Haven, our next stop was at that place to examine six entries, — four of young 

 trees and two bearing orchards. D. M. Shoemaker had 300 trees second years 

 set, and 20 feet apart each way. The varieties were about 50 each of Early 



