GBOWING PEACHES ON THE PRAIRIE. 377 



I have grown a few seedlings from pits of fruit grown on my 

 own trees, hoping in this way to gain a point by environment and 

 probably in hardiness. My trees have always had a slight protec- 

 tion in winter except the one which I have already mentioned. 



The time has not yet arrived when Minnesota can grow peaches 

 commercially, but I see no reason why any one wdio wishes to 

 grow a few peaches cannot have them much easier than grapes in 

 the prairie regions. Given the same care that grapes require, you 

 will get some fruit for your labor. The largest returns I ever got 

 from grapes on the prairie was disappointment. A common mis- 

 take with many who have tried peach trees and failed is in keep- 

 ing the trees covered until late in the spring for the purpose of 

 avoiding late frosts. In this w^ay you may raise peach trees but very 

 little fruit. There is nothing to fear from spring frosts. It is 

 only the extreme cold in winter that has to be guarded against. 

 The peach buds must have light and air whenever they begin to 

 swell, otherwise they will not set fruit, or if they do they will be 

 abortive. 



In this state the peach is grown at a disadvantage compared 

 with the apple, yet it has qualities that the apple does not possess. 

 Put on a two-year-old plum root, it will fruit at twO' years old, on 

 any other kind of root usually at three years, and when the fruit is 

 properly set nothing short of a cyclone will shake it from the tree. 

 During the last two years we had a number of terrific wind storms 

 that scattered apples and plums in every direction, yet the peach 

 trees never lost a fruit. I am aware of the fact that a great many 

 persons are of the opinion that this delicate fruit cannot be raised 

 in ^Minnesota and may have an idea that this is booming the peach 

 for the purpose of selling a few trees. For the benefit of all doubt- 

 ins: Thomases I will sav that I have not anv to sell. 



Nice Mixed Flower Beds that are pretty must be judiciously managed. 

 Plant tall flowers at the back and slope them gradually down to small flowers. 

 By doing this and j adiciously matching the colors you can have many nice 

 flowers and an exquisite bed. 



Quai,iTy Sehs the Goods. — There is no secret in possessing a good 

 market for anything. Grow the best, put it up in the best manner, give good 

 weight and measure every time. Use clean packages, and then be sure that , 

 people know what you have to sell. The markets are rarely ever glutted with 

 the best. The man who tries to see how little he can give for the money or 

 how much inferior stuff he can work into the baskets is the one complaining 

 of poor markets and poor prices. 



