Winter Meeting. 205 



Col. Evans — I endorse and emphasize the paper where it speaks 

 of using care in deep plowing where the orchard has been neglected, 

 for I have seen an orchard which was almost ruined by deep plow- 

 ing after three years of neglect. 



Secretary Goodman — In many parts of South Missouri contin- 

 uous cultivation burns out the soil. Methods used to advantage in 

 northern and central part of the State often cannot be used in the 

 Ozarks. Thorough and clean cultivation leaves no vitality in the 

 soil. We have had to adopt a medium course, cultivating early in 

 the spring and then allow some growth, if nothing but weeds, to 

 keep the soil from burning out. We prefer weeds, or crab grass, or 

 something from about July on through the season. Our soils lack 

 humus, and we must have some growth, like cow-peas, or something 

 to turn under and give some life to the soil. We often let weeds 

 grow and turn them under in the fall, leaving ground open and 

 broken during the winter. I know this is not the best teaching, 

 but it is the plan which has done the best for us. 



Prof. Gould — Continuous cultivation of soil anywhere will 

 finally produce the condition mentioned. In some cases much 

 quicker than in others, of course. This important subject is taken 

 up fully in the paper by Dean Waters in the paper referred to. 

 Cover crops, or vegetable growth, go hand in hand with cultivation 

 everywhere. Too close cultivation without vegetable matter is as 

 bad as too little in many cases. 



ORGANIZATIONS FOR SELLING FRUIT. 



(By J. B; Graves, Neosho, Mo ) 



J. B. Graves of Neosho was called upon to talk about "Organi- 

 zations for Selling Our Fruit." He said that he regretted that Mr. 

 Christian, who was prepared to properly present this subject, was 

 not here. Mr. Christian would have served us fine, fresh fruit, 

 while what he might say would be as cooked fruit in comparison. 

 He thought that the fruit growers should organize to grow and to 

 sell their fruit. There may be exceptions to the rule, like a very 

 capable fruit-grower, who understands thoroughly the methods of 

 growing, how to combat fungi, insects and all other enemies; un- 

 derstands how to gather, grade and pack his fruit, the best markets 

 to sell in, and if he has made a name in the market for honesty and 

 high-grade work, this kind of a man would likely do better alone ; 

 but such men are rare indeed, and, generally speaking, the growers 



