FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 105 



Mr. Clark : I have noticed that quite a number of peach growers make 

 the mistake of heading the trees too far from the ground; I am satisfied 

 that cutting off 20 inches from the ground makes a better orchard. 



I would like to inquire of someone who has had experience, whether or 

 no crimson clover is a good fertilizer for orchards. It is only an annual 

 and it will kill out itself, of course, except the roots, and I have some 

 hope that it may prove a fertilizer and a producer of moisture for our 

 peach orchards, and if so that will supply a great need among the fruit 

 orchards, where we are obliged to purchase commercial fertilizers. 



Prof. Taft: I would say in reply that I believe it is desirable to at 

 least try crimson clover. It is not an entire success, from the fact that it 

 has to be sown in the summer time, and frequently it is a long time in 

 starting; it is also likely to be killed in the winter; but last season, even 

 sowing it along in the early part of August, a rain gave it a fair catch, 

 and we have now a fair stand of clover. 



I believe that this light crop, even though it is winter killed, will be of 

 enough benefit to pay for the cost, and if it does hold over the winter, it 

 will be best of course to turn it under early in the spring; but for the best 

 success, sow early in July, if possible, or the last of July, and the chances 

 are you will get a fair catch. I believe it is profitable, even if it does win- 

 ter kill. 



Mr. Wm. Ball : All men cannot raise fruit. All farmers have not the 

 ability, land or location. I apprehend that many who are going into the 

 fruit business will fail. They do not give it the attention necessary. The 

 same thing applies to grain raising. We cannot all be grain, fruit, or 

 stock raisers — in this locality, fruit raising is undoubtedly the best busi- 

 ness to engage in, but I wish to say by way of warning, that those men 

 who are going into fruit growing must be energetic and determined to 

 succeed, and must use every possible means to succeed, or they will fail, 

 just as many grain farmers have. 



Mr. Kellogg: Don't get scared about fruit growing in western Michi- 

 gan. Don't let the grain growers scare you off. I have been spending a 

 week among the agricultural students, and I took particular pains to 

 inquire what they were going to do about fruit growing ; and a little over 

 a year ago I was all through Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio, and every- 

 where they agreed that the peaches are to be grown in Michigan, and I 

 don't think you can ever grow quite enough. 



Q: How far apart is the proper distance to plant peach trees? 



Mr. Morrill : 20 by 20 feet. 

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