SUMxMER xMEETING AT ORECJON. 97 



SHALL WE GIVE UP THE PEACH ? 



BY G. SEGESSMAN, OF AMAZONIA, MO. 



During the current decade we have had but one nearly full crop of 

 peaches, i. e. in 1882, a partial crop in 1887. For the intermediate years 

 there was almost nothing, when in former times an entire failure was a 

 rare occurrence, and when it happened it was commonly from late spring 

 frosts, while now the damage is done in mid-winter. And not only the 

 fruit buds are killed but at a temperature of 20 or more degrees below 

 zero, twigs, branches and whole trees succumb and what is left presents 

 a sickly aspect. When we inquire into the causes of atmospheric ex- 

 tremes that have befallen the West year after year, of late, the answer 

 is not quite definite. There are periods of certain duration, says one, of 

 a higher average of temperature followed by periods of prevailing cold. 

 This might give hope for a change ; but how soon.^ How long are these 

 periods.? According to the opinion of others it is the consequence of the 

 cutting down of fine forests in the North, seconded by thinning out of 

 the woods in our sections. A rational antidote to this would be to stop 

 at once the destruction of the northern forests and to establish artificial 

 shelter belts in planting large strips running east and west with quick 

 growing timber on the public domain and other unoccupied land. But 

 this is Uncle Sam's business. By the way, it would be a good thing for 

 every county or township to own a tract of land, say 20 or 40 acres, to 

 plant it with forest trees, the bulk consisting of walnut, catalpa, white 

 oak, the balance of any kind of native trees that can be found. I think 

 it is not necessary to point out the many benefits that could be derived 

 therefrom. But conception as well as action is slow in this direction and 

 even should it be done it would not- be much for this generation to enjoy 

 the results. We have to look elsewhere for advice if we will secure the 

 pleasure of having the luscious peach. It was hinted to lay down the 

 branches in winter close to the earth's surface, the protection against 

 frost is much greater than up in the crown of the tree. Observation 



II. R.— 7. 



