Annual Meeting at St. Josejih. 97 



more important even than the aspect." What is here said of the 

 pear is equally trne in culture of the apple for pleasure and profit ; 

 terms synonymous with most men ; a good profit afEording great 

 pleasure. 



The prevailing southwest winds of spring and summer which 

 incline so many orchards to the northeast are broken of their force. 

 Less bearing is required to secure erect trunks. 



Trees erect are less affected by the hot rays of the long July 

 and August afternoon sun, and sun-scald on southwest side of trees 

 less liable, avoiding the happy home of tlie flat head borer, which 

 never works on green work. 



On south and southwest slopes, unless young trees are strongly 

 staked for several years, or well protected by natural or artificial 

 wind brakes the inclination to northeast is almost certain, exposing 

 the trunk to the almost perpendicular rays of the sun from three 

 to five P. M. producing sun-scald, decay, flat head borer and death. 



On northeast slopes with erect trunks the sun's rays during 

 these hours strike the trees more obliquely and with less power. 

 My experience corroborates these statements : my observation in 

 old and young orchards confirms them ; the testimony of a number 

 of others have established me in this belief. They are fully sus- 

 tained by Mr. Berry in his "Fruit Garden," and while Mr. Down- 

 ing recommends in strong terms a southwestern exposure, he makes 

 exceptions favoring the foregoing views. 



On the northeast there is a more gradual warming of the soil 

 in spring time and slower opening of bloom. 



As in all deep, narrow valleys a cold, damp atmosphere settles, 

 producing late frost, no upple should be planted below the upper 

 line of this cold cloud. 



But all cannot have these desii'ed conditions : Shall they not 

 plant? Don't misunderstand me : The American people will 

 plant fruit trees — from a one-fourth acre suburban lot to a thousand 

 acre commercial orchard, all will plant — no matter what the loca- 

 tion. Fruit the people must and will have ; and how much more 

 delicious is that grown by one's own labor and care. 



It is the duty of this Society to aid all it can by experience. 

 How shall it be done? By studying to learn the adaptahility of 

 varieties to given localities. When this has been done — when as 

 much attention has been given to determining the varieties of ap- 

 ples adapted to a given condition of soil and location, as has been 

 given to the propagation and sale of new and untried varieties : or, 

 as has been given to determine what is best for peaches, pears. 



