178 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



fine trees, just in the prime of bearing, in one year, and 300 the next, and 

 so on down to five, and in the last three years I have liad not a single tree 

 affected in 2,500; and, as I have remarked before, if I could be one mile 

 from other 6rchards I would have no fear of yellows. The growers in 

 our vicinity are being very thorough in this matter, so we hear but little 

 of this disease now. * 



I can not help feeling it most important to urge upon planters of peach 

 orchards in our state the determination to grow only the best fruit and 

 put it upon the market in the best possible shape. 



There will be an immense number of peach trees planted next spring, 

 but I should have no fear of the favorable result when they come into 

 bearing if each one would only plant what he could properly care for, and 

 then only put the best on the market. But I saw so much fruit brought 

 to market the past season, that evidently had not been thinned, and in 

 consequence had no quality, that it made me fear for the reputation of 

 Michigan peaches. This will prove much more disastrous to the trees in 

 such a season as the last, as it was so very dry. It taxes the trees severely, 

 leaving them no vitality to produce fruit of good quality the next 

 season. In fact, it will require several years to bring them back to vigor, 

 even if they ever can be restored. I think most of us are too greedy in 

 obtaining large results from our orchards too soon for their permanent 

 good. 



In the older peach-growing sections they are learning what sorts to 

 plant for profit, but from the many letters I receive, inquiring what I 

 think of the list submitted, I think the tendency of most new planters 

 is to seek too much after some new, untried sorts. It is all right to try a 

 few of the newer varieties, to learn what they will do in your section. If 

 1 had known fifteen years ago, as well as I do now, what to plant for 

 profit, it would have been of great advantage to me. 



I must speak of the great mistake many of us made, some years ago, in 

 planting so many of the worthless early peaches. It has had the effect to 

 keep the good peaches from bringing what they would if these had been 

 kept out of the market. I believe the past season, if we had let every one 

 of these drop to the ground and rot there, it would have been money in 

 our pockets. I had previously dug out most of mine, and this season 

 have branded the balance to go with them. I am inclined to think, one 

 season with another, there is but little profit in anything earlier than 

 Lewis. 



