REPORTS OF LOCAL SOCIETIES. 363 



afraid of overstocking the market. Thouglit he must use all hi.s means in 

 clearing up a farm, but now lie fuids his fruit and not liis farm lii.s greatest 

 source of profit. 



Cliarlcs Gibson said he commenced fruitgrowing by letting otlicrs, tree-sellers, 

 tell him how many and what kinds lie wanted. Found that a great mi^5take. 

 Then he followed that by setting out an orcliard of seedling peaches ; tlien 

 waited too long before .setting out good kinds. Had also lost a good deal by 

 using too wet lands. All of these mistakes were the result of not knowing 

 enough about the business. 



The meeting brought out the fact that several of the members had commit- 

 ted almost the same ei'rors, by not having the experience of others to teach 

 them, or failing to profit by it. Many tried to do too much. Several i)lanted 

 wrong varieties, and on land not thoroughly prepared and drained. All pres- 

 ent tliought this telling our mistakes of great benefit to us. Owing to the 

 importance of the subject, and the interest manifested, it was decided to con- 

 tinue it for another week, to be followed, if there is anytime, by the other side, 

 — "The most important success that each member has had while in the 

 business." 



Monday Everting, May 7 . 



The Society came to order with N. Phillips acting as president. As this So- 

 ciety has the fixing the date of the June meeting of the State Society to be 

 held here, that nnitter was considered for a little time. On motion of Geo. L. 

 Seaver the matter was left to a committee of three, the Secretary to act as 

 chairman, the balance of the committee to he announced at the iiext meeting. 



Geo. L. Seaver began the real talk of the evening by saying that his first 

 effort toward fruit growing was to prepare now land upon which to put trees. 

 It would have proved more profitable to have bought less and had it ready to 

 plant, lie would not again make the mistake of waiting till late in the season 

 before buying his trees, as then often neither the variety or quality desired can 

 be obtained. He thought he had injured the trees around his house by giving 

 too good care, keeping clean and working among them too late in the season. 



T. T. Lyon stated that he had planted a large orchard in which there were a 

 great many varieties. Did not expect large profit, but did it to test the fruit. 

 He succeeded well, but he believes his error was in thinking others who profited 

 by his efforts would give him credit for what he had done, but they did not. 

 He began by heading trees high, about six feet, but now usually started the 

 head less than two. The trees are less liable to blow over. The trunks are not 

 troubled Avith the borer, and in cherries it entirely prevented the cracking of 

 the bark. 



Henry Chatfield, like several others, thought it necessary to keep the groiind 

 clean the whole year, and so cultivated the whole year, injuring the trees. He 

 thinks his greatest error was in not beginning sooner and more extensively. 



One of the younger members thought his greatest error was in beginning at 

 all. But nearly all the other members present regretted they had not began 

 sooner. 



J. Lannin began by planting 400 apples, but not knowing good from inferior 

 trees, planted the latter, and as a result lost nearly all. He began again with 

 pears, and has planted several hundred since of pear and peach, most of which 

 have done well. They are not yet old enough to give much return, so cannot 

 speak of the profit. 



