(16 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



I fortunately found an opportunity to see the " Clark Cutaway Har- 

 row" at work, and forthwith ordered one. I think it is the best thing 

 out for cultivating orchards, as it will do good and rapid work in any 

 ground but sod or high weeds, far better than the Acme or Disc harrows. 



I forgot to mention in the proper place that cherries are an entire 

 failure with us this year — the first time remembered. The cause, I 

 think, was a heavy sleet about the 25th of March, or the cold ac- 

 companying it, when the buds were considerably expanded. 



REPORT OF HENRY SPEER OF BUTLER. 



To the Officers and Membei's of the Missouri State HorticiiltJiral So- 

 ciety : 



As a member of the committee on orchards I submit the following 

 report: 



The prospect for a crop of apples at the present time is very good, 

 most orchards and most varieties having set a full crop of fruit. Some 

 trees that tried to carry too big a crop last year failed to bloom this 

 spring and some unhealthy trees with vitality weakened have shed their 

 fruit; but we can not reasonably expect all trees and all varieties to bear 

 in any one year. 



The condition of the orchards this spring is generally good. Some 

 of the trees that were damaged by the severe winter are still lingering 

 along and dying by degrees, but they are pretty well weeded out and a 

 large majority of the trees are showing a rich, healthy foliage. 



I notice some damage to young trees two years set. Some of them 

 leaved out this spring but withered soon after. I find the body sound 

 and comparitively green but the roots are dead and rotten. Did they 

 die out last fall and perish, or was it the winter.? Who can answer.? 



There have been some large orchards planted here this spring but 

 I hardly think there has been the usual amount of small lots set. 



The peach is again a total failure, but the trees are in fair condition 

 and some eight hundred trees in bearing condition. I failed to find a 

 single bloom, so complete was the destruction of the fruit buds. 



The pear crop will be light, as it in many cases failed to set its 

 fruit. The same is true of the cherry. 



