320 State Horticultural Society. 



The speaker said no one could tell another how to manage his soil; 

 this must be figured out for each particular case. Yet he believed that, 

 as a rule, the farmers of the Middle West do not appreciate the value of 

 humus in the soil. Humus will make the soil spongy and enable it to 

 hold more water, yet in a wet season it will dry out much more readily 

 than soil deficient in humus. Commercial fertilizers can sometimes be 

 used to advantage, and attention was called to the work which has been 

 done in Illinois. In parts of that state, where crops had been very poor, 

 lime was used to correct the acidity of the soil, and later phosphates 

 were added. As a result of this treatment, the yield of wheat, on one 

 especially poor spot, had been increased from six bushels per acre to 

 twenty-six bushels per acre. One should experiment with the soil, if 

 results are not entirely satisfactory, and in this way only can one know 

 what is needed. 



Mr. Goodman said that in much of the Ozark country humus is 

 needed in the soil, and for this reason weed growth in the orchards dur- 

 ing the hot summer will be better than clean cultivation. 



Prof. Beach said he would not allow the weeds to grow unre- 

 strained, but would mow the orchard two or three times during the sea- 

 son, if this treatment should be decided upon. But, as a general propo- 

 sition, lie believes that cultivation should be kept up until about July i ; 

 then a cover crop can be grown, which will add humus to the soil. 



Asked if he would let the weeds grow in seasons of excessive rain- 

 fall, to take up the excessive moisture, Prof. Beach said he would not ; 

 he would prefer to cultivate, to let the air into the soil, and this would 

 take care of the excess of moisture by providing drainage. 



Mr. Huston said that as a rule we have been treating our trees in 

 such a way as will tend to increase wood growth, while we are neglect- 

 ing the elements which go to make fruit. It w^ill be well to study our 

 soils, to see if they do not need potash and phosphoric acid, elements 

 which are needed for fruit production. — Fruit Grower. 



DISCUSSION ON CULTIVATION. 



The trial of the Ben Davis apple, with ]Mr. Erb as prosecutor and 

 Mayor Neff as defendant (of his former statements), was unique. The 

 audience, as the jury, when they saw the greater portion of that barrel 

 of apples disappearing into the depths of the pockets of the mayor, 

 gave a verdict of complete vindication ol Old Ben. 



Mr. Van Houten — Speaking of exporting apples, I have seen the 

 other side, and the Ben Davis makes more money than any other. 



Mr. Tippin — The Society is to be congratulated on this speech of 

 Prof. Beach's. It indicates the foundation of success. 



