226 State Horticultural Society. 



taller than necessary to make a perfect tree. If the above-men- 

 tioned conditions, as to location, quality of soil, cultivation and 

 pruning (which should be kept up each year) , have been complied 

 v/ith, we may safely calculate upon a crop of apples three years out 

 of four in this section of Missouri, as soon as the trees get old 

 enough to bear, and the trees should bear profitable crops for 40 or 

 50 years. 



Now, there is one more item in this connection which I con- 

 sider an important one: This year has proved that an abundant 

 crop may be produced, and still with but little profit. The many in- 

 sects and forms of fungi, which infest the orchards of today, may 

 render the fruit comparatively worthless. Now, I don't intend to 

 say a word about spraying or to discuss the different modes and 

 formulas. On this point, I look to others for information, as I 

 have had little experience myself. But I am most thoroughly 

 convinced that, while proper cultivation and pruning will work 

 wonders for an orchard in preparing it to produce, still, horticultur- 

 ists must resort to the spray, or something else not yet discovered, 

 to be able to present to their families, friends and customers perfect 

 specimens of the luscious apple. 



I have not thought it necessary in this paper to say any- 

 thing about what varieties should be planted, as that is a matter 

 to be determined by the market to be supplied. If you are growing 

 for a home market, several early varieties may be planted with 

 profit, which will not bear shipment. If you are growing fruit for 

 a distant market and expect to ship in car lots, I would plant varie- 

 ties that would follow each other through the season, so as not to be 

 over-rushed through the picking season. However, in regard to 

 varieties, I am- happy to say this : The public is being educated and 

 becoming more discriminating than formerly. Of the dozens of 

 customers who have been at our place for apples the past season, 

 only one man has asked for Ben Davis, while numbers have asked 

 for other varieties — Gano, Rome Beauty, Grimes Golden, Winesap, 

 Jonathan, Jeneton, etc., etc. Another thing connected with the dis- 

 posal of the fruit after production is intimately connected with the 

 profits of the orchard. It is this : The manner and method of con- 

 ducting your business. I hold that if I have dealings with a cus- 

 tomer, male or female, consumer or dealer, and he or she is not more 

 a friend after the transaction than before, I have made a mistake. 

 All representations in regard to the fruit should be frank and 

 truthful. Then treat your customer liberally and justly; and wait 

 on your customer as though you considered it a favor to have the 



