22 BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. 



washing off of the varnish or protecting substance of the 

 bud scales, and the drying out of the moisture of the bud in 

 very severe windy weather, led to the suggestion that this 

 might be prevented by applying some solution which would 

 harden over the buds, thus protecting them, and to the 

 application last fall of a thin solution of paste made of 

 wheat flour and a thin solution of common glue. This was 

 applied early in December, but with the same results as the 

 other experiments. 



This fall, to make a more thorough test of the matter, we 

 have used other materials. First, the thin glue solution ; 

 second, turpentine; third, linseed oil; fouilh, turpentine 

 and linseed oil ; fifth, turpentine and hard oil finish ; sixth, 

 benzine and rosin ; seventh, benzine and oil ; eighth, shellac, 

 a thin solution. These were applied with a hand-pump 

 with a fine spray nozzle. It was found that one quart of 

 the mixture was sufficient to cover trees with trunks four 

 inches in diameter. 



The past year or two has developed the fact that the 

 white-ficshed varieties are more hai-dy and Avithstand our 

 cold winters better than the yellow-fleshed kinds ; l)ut it has 

 also developed the fact, that except upon very favorable soil 

 and location, they are much more liable to rot upon the 

 tree. They are also clingstones, which is a great objection. 



It is very difficult to decide from our own limited experi- 

 ence what are the best varieties to grow. Alexander, 

 Amsden, Waterloo and Early Canada are so nearly alike 

 that it matters little which we plant. Coolidge Favorite, 

 Mountain Rose and Old Mixon I would add to the list of 

 white peaches. Of the yellow-fleshed peaches the early 

 and late Crawford are perhaps among the best, and the 

 self-perpetuating kinds, like the Pratt, Excelsior and A^^ager 

 should be tlioroughly tested. 



The Plum. 



1875. No. of trees, 3,950 ; yield, 1,769 bush. ; value, $3,481. 

 1885. " " 67,590; " 5,940 " " 12,381. 



The rapid increase in the importance of this crop is evi- 

 dence that its fine qualities and ease of production are 

 appreciated. It i.s perfectly hardy and only under condi- 



