384 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ceive the fall use of the land. Never sow wheat or oats among trees, 

 as they are sure to rob the orchard of more than they return the 

 owner. — George L. Perry, Michigan, in Orange Jadd Farmer. 



THE WILD PERSIMMON. 



The wild persimmon is widely distributed over the western and 

 southern states, but up to the present time has signally failed to attract 

 and receive the attention it really deserves; but this neglect does not 

 detract one iota from its healthfulness and usefulness. From present 

 indications it is slowly gaining favor with horticulturists, and at some 

 time in the near future will be a staple product of the orchard and of 

 considerable importance in the markets. A few enterprising fruit- 

 growers, Mr. Logan Martin among the number, have experimented by 

 budding, and several years ago had 300 trees growing in his nursery. 



In his report to the Department of Agriculture at Washington 

 City, he says, the trees bear annually and the fruit finds a good market 

 in Chicago and Indianapolis, at from $1 to $2 per twelve pint case, 

 shipped by express. To say the least this is very encouraging, and 

 should be a sufficient incentive for further experimentation. There are 

 several varieties and much difference in their size and time of ripening. 

 One variety is seedless. The tree is very tenacious of life, and lives 

 to a good old age. Wind-storms and the extremes of heat and cold 

 have but little influence upon them. From the above facts it appears 

 there is a wide field for experimenting. Millions upon millions of the 

 trees have been ruthlessly destroyed without a single thought of their 

 usefulness and utility. On a farm owned by one of my neighbors there 

 was a beautiful grove of them, consisting of at least 1,000 trees, where 

 his children, his fowls, his cattle and hogs resorted in fruit time and 

 feasted, fattened and fared sumptuously every day, and now there is 

 not one left. "Axman, spare that tree." — C. Glover, Ham's Prairie, Mo., 

 in Journal of Agriculture. 



DWARF PEAR TREES. 



It was the general prevalence of pear blight, and also a natural 

 desire to have pear trees come earlier into bearing, that made dwarf 

 pear trees 40 or more years ago so generally popular. The dwarfing 

 of the pear is accomplished by grafting it on the quince, not our ordi- 

 nary orange or apple quince, but a French quince that bears worthless 

 fruit but has a dwarfer habit of growth than does the common quince. 



