- THE FARMERS’ FRUITS AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 417 
then set upright, but take the precaution when the trees begin to 
get size to protect them on the south with board or lath to prevent 
sunscald, which is so common in this climate. The reason for set- 
ting thick in the row is that they may protect one another when they 
have attained corfsiderable growth. I would recommend cultivating 
hoed crops between the rows and mulching heavily the entire 
length of the rows for a width of twelve to fourteen feet with straw 
or strawy manure. Let this mulch be deep enough to prevent all 
growth of weeds for the first part of the season, at least. Some claim 
that this will induce blight, and I am not prepared to say it will not, 
but with us that will make no difference, for except for purposes of 
experiment I would not recommend any that were not practically 
exempt from blight. One of the first questions I now ask when a 
new variety is recommended is, does it blight? and if the answer is 
in the affirmative that settles it for me, though I have many that are 
blighting badly, purchased before I realized the importance of that 
fact. 
I wish to urge on all the setting out of fruit, but if you neglect all 
others do not neglect the plums and apples. Do not rob your chil- 
dren of that possible heritage of looking back with pleasure to the 
hours and hours of happiness spent running to and sitting under 
the cherished tree, partaking of its health giving fruit. 
THE INFLUENCE OF HORTICULTURE ON CHARACTER. 
JONATHAN FREEMAN, AUSTIN. 
Many of you are doubtless thinking and may consistently ask, 
what does Freeman know of horticulture ina practical way, as he 
has presented no forcible illustrations of the same at his Minnesota 
home? This is true, as a result of illness, and other surrounding 
circumstances. Yet, by reading and cbservation, with a previous 
extended practical experience, he has been enabled in some slight 
degree to keep in touch with the enobling art. 
Knowing the practical horticultural experiences of the authors of 
the instructive address on “My Father’s New England Orchard,” 
and the able paper on “Planting the School Grounds,” given in the 
past, you will doubtless excuse the temerity of the present speaker 
in presenting a few facts and some of his crude ideas for your con- 
sideration. To further indicate his slight acquaintance with horti- 
culture permit him to indulge in a few personal reminiscencies 
which may indicate to you that he is somewhat like the darkey boy. 
Two dusky small boys were quarreling: one was pouring forth a 
torrent of vituperative epithets, while the other leaned againsta 
fence and*calmly contemplated him. When the flow of language 
was exhausted he said: “Are you troo?” “Yes.” “You ain’t got 
nuffin more to say?” “No.” “Well, alldem tings what you called 
me, youis.” Now, some of “dem t’ings” that you experienced horti- 
culturists call yourselves, “I is.” 
Well do I remember in my early childhood that magnificent apple, 
given me from his splendid orchard by my reverend grandfather; 
a few days before his death; also on my father’s farm, those beauti- 
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