188 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



REPORT FROM RICHARDSON COUNTY. 



G. A. SLAYTON. 



The year 1895 was not a very favorable one for the fruit-growers 

 of Richardson county. The crop was far below an average one, both 

 in quantity and quality, for nearly all kinds of fruits. The excep- 

 tions to the rule were in plums and peaches. The planting of plums 

 has never been very extensive, but tliose who were fortunate enough 

 to have trees of bearing age in 1895 received a good reward for their 

 previous efforts in this direction, as the fruit was abundant and of 

 good quality. 



There are no extensive peach orchards in our county, and most of 

 the trees we have are seedlings, only a very few of the better budded 

 sorts having been planted; but trees of all varieties were loaded to the 

 breaking down point, and the quality of the fruit was good, consider- 

 ing the varieties and health fulness, or rather unhealthfulness, of the 

 trees. Many of the trees were old and nearly ready to fall down 

 from age and decay. Moi'e interest is being taken in peaches by our 

 fruit raisers, and we believe the indications are that the planting of 

 peach orchards on a more extended scale is a feature of the near 

 future. 



The cherry crop was a light one, a few varieties in favored localities 

 only producing a full crop. 



The lack of rainfall and consequent lack of moisture in the soil for 

 three successive years has had very disastrous effect upon the small 

 fruit plantings. Many patches of strawberries and raspberries have 

 died out and the new plantings have been few and not very successfid. 

 The one good rain of May 30 caused excellent fruit on such straw- 

 berry vines as were in good condition, but the supply of fruit was 

 meager, owing to scarcity of vines. Raspberries, blackberries, dew- 

 berries, and currants all suffered from drouth, and the crop was light. 



Our grape crop was the nearest to a failure we have experienced in 

 many years. Very little good fruit produced. 



Our greatest disappointment in the fruit line was our apple crop. 



