WINTER MEETING AT LEBANON. 219 



ure determines the profit or loss of the orchard in after years. A 

 proper annual priming during these years will so shape the trees that 

 but little pruning will be necessary, except thinning out in the center, 

 for several years afterward. By this course of treatment a saw will 

 never be required in the orchard, unless to take off a broken limb. 

 Never sow wheat, oats, rye, millet or timothy in an orchard. Clover 

 is not so objectionable, especially if the first crop is used for a mulch. 

 Examine each tree carefully at the end of each season, and if it has not 

 made a satisfactory growth, try and find the reason and remedy it at 

 once if possible. Strong fertilizers should be used sparingly, and late 

 cultivation avoided in order to let the wood harden so it will not be 

 injured by freezing. 



The following were read : 



Carthage, Mo., October 26, 1889. 

 L. A. Goodman, Westport, Mo. : 



Dear Sir — I am arranging to put out 350 apple trees next spring, 

 and wish you would answer some questions for me. 



First — From your own observation as to fruiting and profitable 

 market apple, would you advise planting Clayton? Answer, yes. 



Second — Is Shannon Pippin of any value ? Answer, no. 



Third — What do you know about Shackelford 1 ? It makes an extra 

 fine looking tree, and is recommended by Wild Bros. Answer, similar 

 to Ben Davis. 



Fourth — Is Mammoth Black Twig as good a keeper as Ben Davis, 

 and would you plant it? Answer, yes, to some extent. 



Fifth— Arkansas Black, what of that? Answer, do not know 

 enough about it to say. 



The peach crop was about a fizzle s - nearly all rotting with us. 



I want an orchard for market, and want to plant something besides 

 Ben. Davis, if there is as much money in them. 



Very truly yours, 



C. A. Emry. 



Milton, Wis., December 2, 1889. 

 L. A. Goodman, Sec'y Mo. Hort. Soc'y : 



Dear Sir — I have much desired and anticipated being with you 

 at your winter meeting in that mountain town, Top o' the Ozarks. But 

 finding I cannot do so, I want to be enrolled and counted as one of 

 you from this time. 



I have not seen your program, but will take this opportunity to 

 say a few words on some points of interest to Missouri horticulturists. 



