ANNUAL MEETING AT LEXINGTON 285- 



and very handsome. Fine flavor, sub acid. Season July 15 to October 

 15 ; considered one of the best. The tree is a fine grower, straight up, 

 right large at two year old. Second, the Ben Maupin, winter, resembles 

 the Ben Davis, much better flavor, better keeper and is as large ; tree 

 ironclad; the hardest winter does not hurt them; rather rough and 

 much like a wild crab ; considered by those who have tried them as 

 Ihe best of winter apples. Both of the splendid new apples are propo- 

 gated and sold by J. Bagby & Son, Kew Haven, Mo. 



There is but little interest taken in fruit in this county, so little 

 that there is not a horticultural society in the county. I have talked 

 to several about organizing a horticultural society, but they say we are 

 too young yet. There is not enough interest taken to get the people 

 to turn out. It is something that is greatly needed. 



Respectfully yours, 



J. A. TRAIL. 



Lone Tree, Mo., :Nov. 12, 1886. 



L. A. Goodman, Esqr., Westport, Mo. 



Dear Sir : As I am a new hand at the small fruit business and 

 you requested me to give what little experience I have received. 

 In the first place a man may read all papers and books, etc. on small 

 fruits, and receive other theories, but when you come to put them into 

 practice you are left. True it gives a person a better knowledge of 

 what he has got to do. Second, my experience this year is not en- 

 couraging for a new beginner. Last fall, two years ago, I set out a 

 small patch of Crescent and Captain Jack in my garden — two rods 

 square — on the hill system, eighteen inches each way. I gave them 

 extra care and cultivation. Kept all runners well trimmed and in the 

 the fore part of winter, just when freezing begun, I mulched them, cov- 

 ering the ground about one and one-half inches deep ; then, the fol- 

 lowing spring, I used liquid manure, when they were blossoming, twice 

 a week, in the evening until the fruit was nearly full size. I kept the 

 mulching around them and they av^eraged me one quart to the hill. 

 This so stimulated me to go into the business of small fruits that I 

 turned my attention that way and last fall set out one-half acre in 

 Captain Jack's and Crescent and Manchester, setting them in 

 rows two feet wide and twelve inches apart, and they made a splendid 

 growth. I mulched last fall and when spring came I began to cultivate 

 them. Then is when the fun began. I then found I had something to 

 learn. I found I had them too close to cultivate ; that for field culture 



