222 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. Gano — The peach branches very easily. A 1-year peach will 

 branch at every bud. I would not cut the terminal bud unless it is too 

 high. If you cut the center bud five, to seven branches of equal size 

 will come out, and your tree will split down in course of time. 



Mr. Gilbert — At our last meeting the low top peach was advocated ; 

 if we do not take out the terminal bud how can we have a low-top tree? 

 I have a 1-year peach tree over nine and a half feet high. It made over 

 250 feet growth. If it grows that way for six or seven years, how will 

 we get the fruit? 



Prof. Specking — A two-story step ladder would be necessary to 

 get the fruit. If we kept growing for 400 or 500 years, how would we 

 get our hats on our heads % 



Henry Speer — I believe that clover is an injury to every orchard. 

 My experience has led me to believe that clover is the worst thing I 

 ever sowed in the orchard. The roots of our trees do not perhaps 

 penetrate any deeper than the roots of the clover. If this be true, in 

 dry seasons the clover may rob the trees of the moisture. 



Mr. Kirchgraber — One of our most successful orchardists sows 

 clover in his orchard. He is Mr. Scholten; you need not fear that the 

 clover will rob the trees. 



J. G. Kinder — Some trees have no terminal bud. The Early Har- 

 vest has no central shoot. 



DISCUSSION OF VARIETIES. 



Mr. Kirchgraber — I would plant the Clayton largely in Greene 

 county; it produces to perfection ; it bears young ; it keeps as long as 

 the Ben Davis. 



C. C. Bell — I found some Claytons last fall, and I like them so well 

 that I would pay an extra price for them. I do not like the tree ; it is 

 very erect, somewhat like the X. Spy. I would pay more for the Clay- 

 ton than for the Ben Davis. The trees on which I got the fruit were 

 planted very close tegether, and that may have caused their very erect 

 growth. 



Mr. Kirchgraber — -They grow similar to the Willow Twig with me. 

 The twigs are limber ; it is a prolific and regular bearer. The apples 

 were injured this year by a severe hail-storm, so I have none to show. 



C. C. Bell — Mr. Monsecs is the man of whom I bought the Clayton. 

 He told me only last week that its erect habit of growth was his only 

 objection to the variety. 



Mr. Durkees — It grows very erect with me. 



Mr. Wild — I believe that Mr. Bell has the right view. The tree is 

 a very upright grower and lives long ; it is a stiff grower. 



