Summer Meeting. 145 



grow peaches of the very best quality, and this can only be done 

 on the proper soil and elevation. 



We find these ideal conditions all along the bluffs of the Mis- 

 souri river, and I hope to see the day when the eyes of the up-to- 

 date fruit growers will be opened to the advantages of this section 

 for the production of all kinds of fruit, queen of all being the 

 peach. 



PEACH DISCUSSION. 



Col. Evans — There is only one way to thin peaches right, and 

 that is to pick off by hand. Take off all defective ones and space 

 the fruit four to six inches. 



Secretary Goodman — We should distribute the fruit along the 

 branch and should not fail to thin. You will get more peaches and 

 fruit will bring more money than if all the fruit were left on. 

 The 10th to 15th of June is tim.e to begin; then as fast as can. 

 You will find lots of difference if fruit is scattered along limb or 

 left in one place. It pays to thin apples same as peaches. It does 

 not cost one-quarter as much to thin as to pick them at gathering 

 time. 



G. T. Tippin asked attention for a few moments relative to 

 fruit exhibit at the State Fair at Sedalia, and urged that a good ex- 

 hibit be made. 



Col. Evans — I am sorry there are not a whole lot of young men 

 here to hear this paper who are just starting in the fruit busi- 

 ness. 



Secretary Goodman — In planting a tree, always leave the cen- 

 ter or main stem at least 2 feet above the side branches. This 

 strong leader prevents forks. Keep your mind off of the trees 

 the first year. It does not matter where a sprout comes the first 

 year. The idea is to get all the leaf surface possible to strengthen 

 the root. Next year you can take off the sprouts, and at end of 

 second year begin shaping the iree, and you will be astonished 

 at the rapid growth. The first year is the most important one. 

 It is worth much to get a good growth the first year. 



Question — Is blight on apple trees same as pear blight? 



Dr. Whitten — Yes, sir. The same germ will also take apples 

 and quince. We never had so many inquiries at the Station as to 

 this getting into the orchards as this year. It doesn't live over win- 

 ter in the apple to any great extent. So far as seen in the State, it 

 winters over in pears, and usually starts from some diseased pear 

 trees near by. If I had such, I would cut out the blight, or if trees 



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