194 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



REPORT ON ORCHARDS. 



BY W. G. GANG, OLDEN. 



In making this, my report on Orchards, I will confine myself to the 

 south and southeast portion of the state, which is principally new, and 

 but little progress has, as yet been made in horticulture, and especially 

 in a commercial point of view, the principal part of the planting being 

 for family use. 



I have corresponded with twenty-six counties in said southern part 

 of the state, asking the following questions: 



The condition of orchards, and the causes for being good or bad ? 



Fruit crops and in what condition .-' 



Any effort being made to destroy the insect enemy of fruit .■* 



Is commercial orchard planting on the increase ? 



The per cent, of fruit trees planted that make a thrifty and profit- 

 able orchard .-' 



The varieties that succeed best in your locality, and anything that 

 you have observed that would be of general interest in orchard growing.'' 



From these twenty-six counties I have received replies from seven, 

 and to encourage these, I will make a report from each county that re- 

 sponded, separately. 



OREGON COUNTY. 



Reports planting for family use only. Over one-half of the fruit 

 destroyed by insects, and more than one-half the trees planted never 

 live to bear fruit. 



With proper care all kinds of fruit do well. 



Complains of apples rotting on the trees ; gave his reason for the 

 causes, which I shall notice further on in this report. 



CHRISTIAN COUNTY. 



Orchards in good condition ; some commercial orchards being 

 planted ; 100,000 apple, and 20,000 peach and plum trees planted this 

 last year ; pears blight badly ; have a new insect that destroys the ap- 

 ple bloom. 



