ANNUAL MEETING AT NEVADA. 319 



blessed God-given fragrant fruit of Paradise ; I say where nothing hind- 

 ers except the supreme laziness of man. 



It is a painful fact that peach-growing, by the settlers of this most fa- 

 vored region, is but a sad mockery, for they know of nothing and plant 

 nothing but seeds of the most inferior kind, and such a thing as a large, 

 melting, delicious, wealth-bringing, beautiful peach these growers never 

 beheld; hence the newspaper report of thousands of bushels of peaches 

 rotting in Howell county this year, were not peaches but seeds ; and 

 they are there yet, and will measure as much and bring as much in the 

 market to-day as in their season. 



It is clearly evident, from years of experience and observation, 

 that orchard land requires close and prompt attention in Missouri as well 

 as in California or elsewhere, and that in small or extensive operations 

 thorough cultivation as well as manures, such as barn-yard, wood-ashes, 

 green manures, and to a certain extent some of the commercial class, 

 are required to maintain the vigor of tree and quality of fruit. The 

 true system of culture is old, but the mode of doing the work is con- 

 stantly changing with the introduction of new and improved implements, 

 and with the ease and rapidity with which the work can be performed, 

 leaves no excuse for neglect. This subject naturally suggests location, 

 preparation of soil, distance between trees, varieties to plant and treat- 

 ment. 



Location should be such as not to disappoint the hopes of the 

 planter ; he wants peaches not every third, fourth or fifth year, but every 

 year. Viewed in this light, location is of the first importance. Not 

 every spot, even in this favored location, is desirable for a peach or- 

 chard. Low lands are especially to be avoided. Frosty places are of 

 very doubtful propriety, for while the trees may grow well, the fruit 

 buds are more liable to be injured in spring after the bloom opens. Ele- 

 vated lands are therefore most valuable and desirable for peach growing. 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 



We clear our land in the summer after the terminal bud of the 

 timber growth has been formed, and the hot weather sours the sap which 

 prevents the stumps from sprouting, and causes them to decay much 

 sooner. I like the plan adopted by some, of staking off the rows while 

 clearing, and piling the brush where each tree is to stand. When the 

 brush gets well dried, we burn. There is no better fertilizer for the 

 growth of trees than wood-ashes, and the burning destroys all vegetable 



