SUMMER MEETING AT LOUISIANA. 41 



as other farm products, except peaiChes, wliicli were nearly all killed 

 by winter, ISSi and 1885. But wliat reliance to place on these 

 promises is hardly profitable to discuss at this time. 



If they should be fairly realized, we may ex})ect prices to go away 

 down, in full keeping with the universal tendency of all labor products, 

 and the question might arise whether to let part go to waste or save 

 all, and still further depress the markets with a bare chance of being- 

 paid for the immediate labor involved. The best selections seldom 

 fail to bring remunerative prices, and the medium will surely help edu- 

 cate the taste of the masses to a more liberal use of fruits, and thereby 

 •create a larger permanent demand, and have a tendency to displace 

 stronger diets and stimulants. These gluts and break-downs in the 

 markets are not so much the result of over-production — more than the 

 "world can consume — as of the ancient delusion that fruits are a luxury 

 ■which only the well-to-do can enjoy, rather -than a substitute for bacon 

 and beans with the laboring man. One-fourth of our present supply 

 would have been a harder dragg on the markets when the population 

 was half its present volume than any we are likely to see. 



The last was another test winter, 22 below repeatedly, and would 

 have killed peach buds if there had been any, but I have scarcely ob- 

 served anything winter hurt like the year before, because all were well 

 ripened before winter set in. As I expected I am not done replacing 

 apple trees killed and hurt by the previous winter, and very likely will 

 keep replacing from the same cause for several years yet. 



Respectfully, 



CHAS. PATTERSON. 



DISCUSSION. 



A visito)' — In the southern part of Pike county our prospect for 

 apples is the best we have had for a great many years, though some 

 four varieties have the scab. Belle Flower, Early Harvest and Yan- 

 dever seem more of a failure than any others. 



President — To which of the Belle Flowers do you allude "? 



AnHicer — The White. 



Mr. Lionberger — The bark of many young trees has died with us. 

 The Yellow Belle Flower does no good with us. The grape fly has 

 done much damage, but the trees are getting over it to some' extent. 



President — Have you noticed that that is confined to any partic- 

 ular locality as to elevation f 



Mr. Lionberger — I have heard of it in several low places. 



Mr. Speers of Bates — The general condition of orchards in our 



