TWENTY FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 187 



things you do not have to spray. I believe it is the same with all fruits. 

 If you expect to raise nice plums, apples, or pears, that will bring the 

 highest price in the market, you can enhance the crop and increase its 

 value by proper pruning. 



Mr. Keid : The point to which Mr. Stearns refers here is this : That, 

 inasmuch as the pollen of blossoms is the vital, life-giving principle 

 thereof, all the strength and resources of the tree are exerted in its pro- 

 duction, and if there is an excessive amount of blossoms on the tree these 

 blossoms lose potency, either because they did not have as much pollen 

 as they should, or some may have no pollen whatever; and he is 

 unquestionably right in that. It is a principle which runs through both 

 the vegetable and animal kingdoms and there are frequent illustrations 

 of it. But That is the point he makes, and which Mr. Kellogg has 

 brought out prominently in his ''Cultivation of Small Fruits," and Mr. 

 Kellogg has been very successful. 



Mr. Morrill: There is only one remedy then, to trim. 



Mr. Reid: Yes, except that this potency may be increased by better 

 fertilization. If the plant is strong, it is more potent; if weakened, less 

 so, and he urges both of these considerations as means to the end. 



Mr. Morrill : Mr. Stearns is a believer in the heading-in, shortening, of 

 other fruit as well as pears. I have discussed that matter with him, 

 and know he thinks it best. I think I saw this same article that he refers 

 to, and I think it would be an excellent thing to do. Many of our 

 orchards are so closely set that the limbs lap, and it is almost impossible 

 to get through. I have such an orchard, and my trees are thirty five feet 

 apart, but if I were to set now, I would not set closer than fifty feet. 



Mr. Reid : I have heard Mr. Stearns aver that he had twice as many 

 trees and plants upon a given acreage, as he should have; and he cited, 

 as instances, how much more fruitful his outer rows of blackberries and 

 gooseberries were, as well as the outer rows of trees, which adjoined 

 cultivated ground. That was what first attracted his attention, the fact 

 that the outer rows in his gooseberry field would yield twice as much 

 fruit as the inner. It resulted in his taking out every other row of goose- 

 berries ; and if he were planting orchards anew today, I am very sure he 

 would double the distance between trees. 



Mr. Morrill : And his orchards are not closer than ordinary, either. 



Mr. Thos. Beal: People in this county are quite generally becoming 

 interested in peach-growing, and if there are any questions we would be 

 glad to hear from all. 



Mr. Weston B. Porter: I would like to have some one who has had 

 experience, give the names of the best varieties of peach for market, for 

 early, medium, and late crops. 



Mr. M. E. Williams: As to varieties of peach, we have been quite con- 

 servative, sticking to the old varieties, and we have set largely in the past 

 few years. 



Perhaps we have been so extremely conservative that most orchardists 

 would consider us rather old fogies, but with all the criticism of that old 

 variety, the Chili, we have set four hundred of it, and from our experience 

 in the past we think very much of it. We hope by water and fertilizing 

 to make a good peach of it. When properly grown it is a fair peach, and 

 certainly one of the most productive varieties that can be grown. 



