132 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



DISTANCE APART IN THE ORCHARD 



was a signal for another difference of views. D. W. Wiley years ago thought 

 trees should be not less than twenty feet apart. Now he believes he can do 

 better at not more than one rod. Trees seldom crowd, even at that distance. 

 If they do, it is better to remove some, they meanwhile having been a source 

 of profit. They are thinned much by disease, storms, etc., and some varieties 

 require less room than others. 



S. G. Sheffer had tried 14, 16;} and 20 feet, and got best results from the 

 latter. 



J. F. Taylor: "One objection to IG-^ feet is the upright growth of the 

 trees. The fruit on the under limbs then lacks color and flavor and that 

 above is too high for convenience in harvesting." Twenty by twenty is his 

 preference, and to this others agreed. 



LOCATION AND SOIL 



Induced J. H. Wetmore, of Allegan, to remark that the first requisite is 

 good soil, the second drainage, the third altitude. Wet roots kill more trees 

 than any other cause. Ilis orchard is on strong soil and much cultivation 

 induces too much growth. 



Eeplying to a question, W. A. Brown said in Berrien county yellows killed 

 equally on high and dry, low and wet soil. 



A. Adams, of Shelby: High, dry and rich soil is desirable. He had always 

 believed that elevation was the first requisite, had acted upon that thought, 

 and entertains it still; yet many locations that a few years ago were not 

 thought desirable are now raising peaches. He preferred, in light soils, a 

 northern slope, as southern slopes are likely to start growth too early, mak- 

 ing the trees endangered to frost. 



Clark Sheffer: This question is of slight account to us, as nearly all the 

 available land between these two rivers (Black and Kalamazoo) is already 

 occupied. There are cases near South Haven in wnich trees on western 

 slopes bore fully, while those close by on eastern slopes, had no fruit. Most 

 damage comes from eastern storms, the lake influence at such times not 

 reaching eastern slopes. 



S. M. Hamlin: A high ridge is best, as cold air settles into the valley. Get 

 the highest ridge you can and as near to the lake as possible. 



Thursday Afternoon Session. 



The session opened with a very large attendance, the first number of the 

 programme being the follosving paper by W. A. Smith, of Benton Harbor, 

 on 



FRUIT EXCHANGES. 



Nearly every industry in the land has its special organization for the purpose 

 of concentrating its efforts and labors in behalf of its peculiar interests and 



