PROCEEDINGS OP THE ANNUAL MEETING. 325 



If you have observed carefully you have noticed that these orchards 

 have had absolutely clean, level culture; but one help they have had that 

 you could not see, and that is, liberal dressings of wood ashes and bone. 

 I have talked to you entirely on pruning, but I hope no man will carry 

 the idea away with hira that pruning is alone responsible for the fine 

 specimens I have shown you, as it is really only one of several details of 

 care that are needed, as a whole, to grow a really first-class orchard. 



I have given you exact measurements in several instances, for two 

 purposes: (1) to demonstrate that pruning, on the lines laid down, stocks 

 and strengthens a tree; and (2) to give you an opportunity to measure 

 what you consider good trees of the same age, for comparison. 



My excuse for offering you this lecture is that I firmly believe that in 

 view of the enormous planting of peach trees making in all the peach 

 regions of the United States, the brutal law of survival of the fittest must 

 soon be put into operation, when I would like to see our own Michigan 

 €ome up smiling with model orchards and men who understand the care 

 and handling of fine peaches so well that they can still find profits even 

 after their less intelligent or less industrious neighbors are swept out 

 of competition by their own negligence or the hand of providence. 



Now let me sum up what I think are the essential requirements for 

 successful peach culture, 



1. Proper soil and location. 



2. Thorough culture, with very little cropping with other crops. 



3. Liberal fertilization with proper fertilizers, viz.: phosphoric acid and 

 potash, 



i. Careful pruning as detailed, always done when growth is dormant. 



5. Careful thinning when crop sets too heavily. 



6. A man who is intelligent, industrious, and progressive; an honest 

 man, who has the moral courage to follow the golden rule during peach 

 harvest. 



Of such material must the winner be. 



