LIGHT FROM THE SOCIETIES. 



Frost questions the profit in field irrigation, but for green- 

 houses and hotbeds some provision for watering is 

 essential. Mr. Corey thought field irrigation unneces- 

 sary. More damage comes from too much moisture 

 than from too little. Melons do better in a continuous 

 ■dry year. The roots go deep into the soil in a dry time ; 

 if rain follows, the moisture drowns out the roots, the 

 vines die and the immature fruit spots with rot. W. H. 

 Allen said that if water cannot be had from the public 

 service, a private plant is indispensable for hotbed and 

 .greenhouse culture. It pays to water early cabbage and 

 celery. He irrigates by plowing a furrow along the side 

 •of these crops and allowing the water to run therein. 

 Mr. Rawson said his plant cost $6,000 and he got that 

 sum all back by improvement of crops in field irrigation 



Cultivation of Native Fruits. — We have slighted our 

 native fruits. In the old world a class of fruits have 

 been developed which for thousands of years have been 

 adapting themselves to soil and climate. We have sought 

 to reap at once the benefit of that long process of im- 

 provement, by removing these fruits to our land and its 

 widely different conditions, with many failures. The 

 foreign grape we have abandoned. In its stead have 

 sprung up a multitude of improved native grapes. Our 

 raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and gooseberries 

 of native stock are fast superceding foreign varieties. 

 The best authorities now agree that American trees are 

 the best for America. In every case the best improved 

 native varieties of any tree or fruit surpass the best im- 

 ported ones. — A. M. Ten Eyck, before the Jl'iseonsin 

 Hoi-ticuUural Society. 



The Transportation Problem. — The first essential is 

 organization. Not for war but to prevent it. Fruit- 

 growers should organize that they may deal with lines of 

 transportation and be dealt with. Organization is the 

 one instrument generally recognized and made use of in 

 successful business affairs. The importance of each 

 fruit-grower taking a personal interest in this matter can- 

 not be too strongly urged. The benefits gained by the 

 Fennville Fruit-Shippers' Association are recognized. 

 There is not a fruit-shipper in the vicinity, no matter 

 whether he favors the action taken by the shippers or 

 not, who has not gamed financially on account of the 

 work accomplished through this organization. Very few 

 of us, indeed, would like to see it suspended. — West 

 Michigan Fruit-CrOLvers' Society. 



A Fine Hardy Lawn Plant.— I want to recommend 

 the high-bush cranberry. It is a bright object on the 

 lawn in winter. If you have a screen of evergreens and 

 •will plant some high-bush cranberries in front of it, they 

 will form the most striking and pleasing objects on the 

 lawn, for the fruit hangs on all winter. — J/r. H'atroMS, 

 before the lovja State Horticultural Society. 



Pecan-Growing at the South. — The secret of suc- 

 cess is found in planting the best varieties of pecans in 

 good soil and in the thorough cultivation of the trees 

 until they come into bearing. While the trees are 

 young they will not interfere with the growth of any 



crop it is desired to cultivate The pecan thrives best in 

 a generous soil, and unless this is rich, add muck, mulch 

 or fertilizer. Attention bestowed on young trees will be 

 richly repaid in rapid and vigorous growth. Transplant 

 the pecan at the age of one or two years. Avoid older 

 trees, for they are not apt to do so well unless they have 

 been highly cultivated and well cared for in the nur- 

 sery. One-year-old trees are most desirable. Pecan-cul- 

 ture is in its infancy and will make rapid advancement. 

 There is no danger of overdoing the business, for the 

 demand will keep pace with production ; the man who 

 plants now will reap his reward and leave a rich legacy 

 to those who succeed him. We have record of one wild 

 pecan tree which has produced more than 1,000 pounds 

 of nuts in one season. Please estimate the value of that 

 tree, had it been of the choice varieties. Hence, plant 

 the best ; it will repay you many fold. My interest in- 

 creases with each year. I am now in the seventy-second 

 year of my age, and as an evidence of my faith I 

 will state that I have just finished clearing up a piece of 

 new ground in which I shall plant a young grove this 

 year. — Co/. W. R. Stuart, before the Mississippi Hor- 

 ticultural Society. 



Planting Forests for Profit.— The soil of exhausted 

 hillsides is best renewed by a growth of trees and a 

 deposit of leaf-mold. A young forest thickly planted 

 must be a constant source of profit, after the first eight 

 or ten years, through cutting to thin out and give room 

 for proper development of tops. Lands once planted in 

 valuable forest trees will soon be of greater value than 

 an equal area of tilled soil. As the amount of the 

 available timber supply diminishes, the value will in- 

 crease. Now is the time to turn attention to trees as a 

 farm product for profit. Farmers who are wise now 

 will reap a rich reward. Trees need no cultivation, and 

 require but little protection or labor compared with 

 other crops. Western New York may well lead the way 

 in systematic forest-culture. The lumber market is un- 

 failing and the demand is great, with supply constantly 

 decreasing — Genesee J'alley /'orestry . I ssociiition . 



Always Pick the most Favorable Location.— When 

 commercial peach-growing is to be made a specialty, the 

 selection of a suitable location is of the highest impor- 

 tance. Comparatively small belts or tracts of country 

 have special advantages in this direction that make 

 them of superior value. Location includes climate. 

 Extremes of heat and cold during winter are often the 

 cause of failure. Frosts cause failure in many places 

 otherwise favorable. — fas. F. Taylor, before the MicJi- 

 iffan Horticultural Society. 



Stock and Scion. — Considering the influence of stock 

 upon scion, or vice I'ersa, G. C. Caston had noticed that 

 the King apple was more productive and of a better 

 quality when top-worked on the Talman Sweet. In fact 

 he knows of no better stock for all sorts than this one. 

 The Baldwin grafted on Early Harvest ripens before the 

 proper time, as it also does on the Talman Sweet, while 

 in the same orchard on winter sorts it ripens at the usual 

 season . — Ontario Fruit- Gro zcers ' .4 ssociation . 



