PEACHES IN POTS. 127 



any crop of fruit, because there is an occasional failure. I 

 expect it of any and all my crops. I never expect to get a crop 

 of everything I plant, in every year. We are not so wonder- 

 fully favored as that, and I am not sure that it would be the 

 best thing that could take place for us ; at any rate, I never 

 look for it. Of course, when I plant the seed, I expect a crop, 

 but I expect an occasional failure. We cannot tell whether 

 our buckwheat will fail or not. We may sow it early, and it 

 may blight badly. Our rye may blast or rust. We cannot tell 

 about these things ; we can only plant the seed, and hope for 

 the best. If we do not succeed in everything, I do not think it 

 is best to feel the disappointment heavily ; I do not think it is 

 best to lay it to heart, or let it bear us down, give us the blues, 

 or do anything else which shall disturb our equanimity. 



A Member. Can you give us any remedy for the difficulty 

 with peaches ? 



Mr. Clement. I do not think anybody can give any remedy, 

 by which we can save all the peaches. I remember when at 

 the exhibition, at Framingham, a year ago last autumn, I saw 

 only one plate of peaches on the table, and they were raised in 

 Middlesex County. I asked the gentleman who raised them 

 how it happened, and he said he had a tree one of the branches 

 of which lay along almost horizontal, very near the ground, and 

 in the autumn he threw a load of corn shucks all over it, and 

 hence the fruit buds were not killed. When spring came, he 

 uncovered it, and that one branch bore a fine crop of peaches. 

 I say it is possible, practicable and feasible to so train these 

 trees, by beginning early, that the branches may be protected 

 in that way during winter, and a good crop secured. 



Mr. Hyde. What do you think of cultivating them in pots, 

 and taking them in ? 



Mr. Clement. I think it is safe, but it is, of course, a little 

 more expensive. Still, it is worth trying. A peach is regarded 

 as a great luxury, and if by planting a dozen trees in tubs or 

 pots — any cheap article — so that they can be taken in in winter, 

 and placed where they shall not be injured by our severe 

 seasons, we can secure a crop, I think it would be better to 

 have them. My experience is, that a little freezing will not 

 Imrt them, but I am not sure of that. I know peaches are 

 raised in that wav. I have seen them on the tables of the 



