1872 The Westei-ti Pomologist and Gardener. 123 



Premium Pcacb Orchard.— Hoav Made. 



The Michigan State Pomological Society awarded to W. B. Mason, of Fruitport, the 

 first premium for the best three year old peach orcliard, and of which the Westeru Rural 

 says: " Mr. Mason cleaned twenty acres, and in the spring of 1808 he set out fifteen hun- 

 dred peach trees, and in the spring of 1869 he set out twelve hundred more peach trees. 

 In setting his orchard he planted the trees sixteen feet apart, setting tliem about two 

 inches deeper than when in nursery rows. The trees were one year old from the bud, 

 when he thinned them back to whips, and cut off about one-third of the main branch, 

 the first year he planted potatoes in the orchard', and cultivated sis times. The second 

 year he did as before, and raised a fine crop of potatoes. Since that time he has not put 

 in any crops, but has kept the plow and cultivator moving, so that the weeds have no 

 chance, and the trees nothing to do but grow. 



Mr. Mason has not cut his trees back as much as many of his neighbors. The second 

 year he pruned back lightly, cutting off abQut one-fifth of the first year's growth. The 

 third year he cut back one-fourth, and thinned out the branches, giving shape to the 

 tree. His aim seems to have been to direct the branches upward, and prevent their 

 spreading outward, and also to so shape them that the sunlight can freely reach the cen- 

 ter of the tree. The fourth year cut back very little, but adopted the same plan as the 

 year before in thinning out the branches and shaping the tree. He made a mistake, how- 

 ever, by cutting off too many of the small fruit-bearing branches, thus cutting short his 

 crop. The second year Mr. Mason gathered a few peaches, the third year enough for 

 himself and friends, and last year his orchard netted him a handsome profit ; now his 

 trees are full of buds, promising an abundance of Crawfords, Barnards, Hales, and 

 Smocks. The soil is sandy, and has never been enriched with manure or other fertilizers. 

 There is, however, as with all the, sandy laud in tliis locality, vast numbers of small shells 

 scattered through it. 



The Barnard predominates in Mr. Mason's orchard, and is his favorite peach for profit. 

 It has never feiled in this locality. If the tree is prevented from bearing too lieavily, and 

 receives good cultivation, the Barnard will produce fruit every year, and is but little 

 below the Crawford in appearance, and is peer in all other good qualities. 



About Roses — TVhIch are tlie Best Twelve ? 



A correspondent of the Vottacje Gardener having written to fifteen of the most distin- 

 guished rose growers of Great Britain, asking them to name thirty six roses, and out of 

 the thirty-six to name which they each considered the best twelve, has received their 

 answers. The result showed that of all the roses which were named, only three were on 

 the record named by all as worthy to be placed on the first twelve. These three roses 

 ought to be universally known, as every one who cultivates flowers wants the beat roses 

 as a matter of course. These three are : 1, Marechiiel Niel ; 2, Baroness Rothschild ; 3, 

 Marie Baumann ; after these lome in order, Charles Lefevere, Alfred Colomb, La France, 

 John Hopper, Countess of Oxford, and a host of others. It is remarked that of the roses 

 named in the list, there were one hundred and sixteen varieties altogether that were 

 deemed worthy to enter into the best thirty-six. The selection of roses thus made is wor- 

 thy of being particularly mentioned, as the rose growers who made the lists are men who 

 Jiave a very high standard of excellence, and are not at all likely to be deceived about the 

 qualities of a plant which they have made a study, and have had opportunities for observ- 

 ing that are uneqi;aled, at the rose shows of England and France. 



Dwarf Apple Trees. — A correspondent of the Ohio Farmer says he has three hun- 

 dred or more of dwarf apple trees now six years old planted out at a distance of six by six 

 feet, each year loaded with fruit from the ground upward. He says all there is of grow- 

 ing dwarf apples is to first form the tree, and then let them alone. 



The value of opium imported through the custom house at New York City, in the year 

 1871, was $1,399,091. 



