102 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



taking a little dirt from under the longer roots, bend the tree toward 

 the hole. Some will be laid down easily and others quite hard, de- 

 pending on the shape of the roots which are in the ground. It is 

 not necessary to lay them flat, but only so far as to be easily covered 

 with straw or refuse hay, which must also be fastened so as not 

 blow off. 



I would not try to set thein up in the spring till frost is out of the 

 ground and the weather settled. Take off all the covering, remove 

 some of the dirt near Ihe roots and set up stright and pack the 

 earth firmly around the roots. A rigid cutting back is now neces- 

 essary; take off from one-half to two-thirds of the last year's growth 

 and any large limbs that are not wanted. It is desirable to keep 

 the tree in rather a bushy form, as it is more easily handled and 

 protected. 



This ground has not been highly manured but was occupied with 

 red raspberries for several years. The trees all appear to be healthy 

 and remarkably vigorous, and while I do not care to discuss com- 

 mercial peach growing in Minnesota, I shall plant enough to furnish 

 an abundant supply foi the family with as much confidence and as- 

 surance as I would plant blackberries, which are considered a sure 

 crop here, though subject to the same conditions of winter care. 



Mr. J. S. Harris: I think the gentleman is here who raised 

 the peaches which are on exhibition. I would like to have him 

 give us a history of how he raised them. 



Mr. G. P. Platin: I have prepared no paper on the subject, 

 but I will try to answer any question that I can. 



Mr. G. J. Kellogg, (Wisconsin): How do you plant? 



Mr. Platin: The plants were all raised here; they were 

 raised from the seed. 



Mr. C. Wedge: How old are your trees? 



Mr. Platin: Seven years old. 



Mr. Wedge: When did they come into bearing? 



Mr. Platin: They were four years old when they came into 

 bearing. 



Mr. M. C. Bunnell: What kind of peaches are they? 



Mr. Platin: Those I got the seed from were Michigan 

 peaches. 



Mr. Wedge: How do you protect them? 



Mr. Platin: I lay them down in the winter. 



Mr. A. H. Brackett: How many peaches did you raise? 



Mr. Platin: I raised about five bushels this year. 



Mr. Brackett: On how many trees was that? 



Mr. Platin: On six trees. 



Mr. Kellogg: How do you lay them down? 



Mr. Platin: I lay them down the same way this paper told 

 you. 



