Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-12-13

Special correspondence OF Gazstte and ,Iourna
SMYRNA. Dec. G-The Kent County
Farmers Institute met in the Opera House
yesterday afternoon and evening before an
appreciative number of faFmers, among
whom kenton, Cheswold, Brenford, Leip-
sic and vicinity were well represented. Tho
meeting served to promote an interest
among our horticulturists, which was
manifest by the number of questions
put to the speakers of the occasion. A. L.
Hudson oil this town was elected chairman
Of the meeting and j. Wesley Webb of
Dover secretary.
The first speaker of the afternoon was
A. w. Slaymaker, u prosperous farmer of
Dover. He took for his subject straw
berries" He spoke of the value of care
full CIVILIZATIONS; how they should have
plenty Of sunshine and water, and that a
farmer to be successful nowadays must
sell such products as are largely composed
of water. This is the case with strawber-
ries. One Of the great points of fruit
raising is to know how to handle it. Most
farmers as soon as their fruit is ready for
shipment rush it off in the heat of the
day and before it reaches the markets,
many boxes are spoiled or affected so as
to bring poor prices. At a little expense
ice could be used and in thus keeping the
fruit cool, will find ready markets and
bring good prices. Good Strawberries will
always sell. In naming over the di iferent
varieties, and their different characteristics
he gave as the most profitable variety, the
Luyett He says the Lovett, if properly
cultivated is the best berry grown, and
will out-sel the Bubach, Crescent or any
of the leading varieties.
The next speaker was II. Il, Vandeman
of Parksley, Va, formerly of the Horticul-
tural Department of Washington. His re-
marks were directed to apples and pears"
L.. al A..
rupted several times by questions which
were put TO him by his hearers. lie spoke
OF how this Peninsula was adapted to the
growth of such fruit and advised every
farmer if he had room, to grow ain
orchard of apples. In speaking of the diff
ferent varieties, he said that in most every
case the market demands red apple. He
could not tell the reason why, but II was so.
OF all the early varieties sent to market
the most profitable one was the Red Astra-
khan, and always found Il ready sale. 1t is
a good apple, of beautiful red color and
well adapted for the Peninsula. new
variety, not commonly known to the
farmers, is the Fannie. This, lie thought,
would be good to try. for AS an early apple
it could be protitably grown in this section.
He spoke very favorably OF the Red June
and the Yellow Transparent In touching
upon grating he rather preferred root to
top grating. and thought where properly
done was u great benefit to an orchard.
So much time was taken up in the dis
cusslOn of apples that he had very little
time To dwell Oh pears. Naming over a
number Of varieties. however, he said the
best variety and one which took in the
markets from choice AS well as remuner-
alive point of view, was the "kiefer"
Why this was So he said he was not able
to explain AS he thought there was no
variety talked more against than it. He
"a ,,i,n
several of the leading varieties and their
peculiar characteristics. The meeting adj
| lourned till evening.
THE EVENING SESSION.
The evening session was not so hatter-
| ing in attendance as night is a bad time to
| call the farmers out. However il WAS
interesting and those attended gained
| some profitable points. The speaker of
the evening was J. W. Kerr, prominent
fruit grower of Denton, Md. Before
entering upon the subject Of his remarks,
| "Plums," he made reference to he lack
| OF unity among the farmers to come
| together as an organization. Never in his
| tory has there been a unity among agri-
! cultllrists and il was the only occupation
in which there was a lack of interest TO
avail themselves of the benefits that such
| organizations may evolve.
| In discussing the varieties of plums he
| gave the highest praise to the Newman,
which, he said, was far ahead of the Wild
Goose or Burbank, although plum that
| the fruit growers were looking for can not
be found. lie advised the farmers to
choose the native varieties for their or
chards over the foreign. In reference to
cultivation, he said there were many
methods but after all it depended upon
the careful attention of the fruit grower.
one great trouble with him was the rot.
The cureuiio is a great enemy to plum
but the farmers are wont to lay too much
blame on this insect. In most cases the
fault lies in the lack of the puleniSation
of blossoms and It good way t. remedy
this was TO plant several varieties close to.
gether or near other fruit trees So AS the
polarization may have a better chance.
The rest of the meeting was devoted to
asking questions on different varieties and
the proper mode OF cultivation. Tie
meeting throughout was profitable one
and our enterprising farmers are hoping
for 4 more general interest toward advance
ing the proGrcs Of scientific agriculture.