56 State Horticultural Society. 



tree. In one orchard 1,175 apple trees, when three years old, not 

 one was missing. Peach trees (1,500) all lived; only lost eighteen 

 in three years. I expect to plant trees and vines as long as health 

 permits me to make the world better by my being here. Teach 

 and encourage the rising generation how to grow and eat fruit 

 and thus increase health and lessen cruelty and crime. 



THE DEWBERRY. 



(M. L. Bonham, Clinton, Mo.) 



In writing a short article on the dewberry, I shall confine my- 

 self to my method of culture, as every one that sees my plants 

 and my way of growing them is invariably impressed with the 

 appearance of my culture. I have observed the wild dewberry, 

 and find that you seldom find plants on level ground, but always 

 find them on ridges such as are thrown up on our railroads or on 

 steep hillsides or abrupt banks. From that observation I conceived 

 the idea of throwing up ridges similar to a sweet potato ridge, 

 only about twice as large, as they will settle and wash down some 

 before the vines get a hold on the soil. I make the ridges about 6 1/2 

 feet from center to center, allowing about 2 feet between them to 

 walk and cultivate. I plant about 15 inches apart on top of ridge. I 

 split the ground with a light spade and place the roots fan-shaped 

 and straight down and deep enough, so the bud will be only about 

 1 inch under the ground. After the plants are about 8 to 12 inches 

 high I tip them, as we call it, or pinch out the center. They will 

 then branch and form a bush-like plant. After those laterals are a 

 foot or more long, I again tip them, so that they spread out and 

 make a perfect carpet all over the ridge, and seldom run much 

 below the ridge. They are much more productive grown that way, 

 as it is more natural for them and is easier to pick, as a boy 12 

 or 15 years old can stand erect, except only on lower edge of row. 

 I grow mostly the Austin and Lucretia. I much prefer the Austin. 

 It is a fine, large, round berry, about 10 days earlier than the 

 Lucretia. It also stands a little more frost and is more free against 

 the attacks of the Anthracnose. It grows so dense that after it 

 is once established it keeps down all weeds, except a few coarse 

 sorts that can be easily pulled out. I would be pleased to show 

 anyone through my field that is now, June 1st, a ridge 4 feet 

 across and about 3 feet high, nothing but a mass of green. I have 



