188 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



tree was fourteen bushels, and the average production hi the eighteen 

 years was sixty-four bushels of fruit per tree. He had been very accurate 

 and kept an account of all his sales. He had realized on an average from 

 his trees $G5 per tree. Thus, taking an acre of ground, 135 pear trees, 

 we have a possibility of an acre amounting to $7,425 in eighteen years. 

 Now, another neighbor on a tree nine years old last season gathered 

 eleven bushels of pears. His trees began bearing at the age of three 

 years. On an average his trees would bring him in the six years about 

 $45 per tree, almost as much again as the German had sold, which would 

 make it run about $13,000 to the acre in the period of eleven years. 

 Now, there are possibilities; these are facts; these things are what we 

 could do under the best management. Studying the markets, doing the 

 best we could with our fruit, the possibilities for fruit growing in Indiana 

 are wonderful, and with those who have been discussing the apple, 1 

 say it depends largely upon the man. I would like to have Mr. Reed 

 give us something of the possibilities in his vicinity on a large scale. 



W. C. Reed.: Four years ago last fall I planted an orchard of twenty- 

 five acres. The yield for last year I think was 1,500 bushels, and the 

 yield three years from setting was (>0O l)ushels. One-third of the oreliard 

 was not bearing yet. This year on the orchard there was at least 2,500 

 bushels. It is a perfect sight. Had very little care; been cultivated in 

 some parts; been sprayed once every spring, very little pruning done. 



D. B. Johnson: Is the blight as bad as it has been in former years? 

 I have no blight in my trees; have not had for several years. 



Prof. Troop: Speaking of blight. Through our section there has been 

 more blight this year than I have known in years. It is about that way 

 all over the State— pear and apple blight. 



Joe A. Burton: I want to say in regard to blight. With us it is scarce 

 this season, have not seen any blight. We are entirely free of blight. 

 Last season we were seriously hurt with the blight. 



H. M. Stout: I have had more blight on the few trees I have than for 

 the past ten years. I have ahvays kept the blighted liml)s cut out. but 

 there is much blight this year. 



G. P. Campbell: That is the case in my county. There has been 

 more blight this season than we have had in many years. 



J. K. Henby: This year I have lost nearly everything in my orchard 

 except Keiffer and Dutchess. I noticed yesterday one big fine Keiffer's 

 limbs was all turning black. 



H. W. Henry: I believe that northern Indiana is as well adapted 

 to the growing of pears as any part of the State, I have quite a pear 



