Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-01-17
FRUITS IN DELAWARE.



Horticultural Society at Dovor-The
Report on Peaches.
Special Correspondence Of Gazette and Journal
DOVER, Jan. l0-The eighth annual
meeting OF the Peninsula Horticultural
Society convened here yesterday. Owing
to the Indictment weather the attendance
was not very large.
The opening session was held in the
court room at , o'clock, with the follow
ing well-known fruit growers of the
Peninsula present: j. W. Kerr, Denton;
United States pomologist; Professor i. d.
Chester, Professor NJ. ii. Beckwith, Della
ware College, George I. Powell Client, N.
Y; s. II. Derby, Viola; II. Il. Van Deman,
Washington; Il. H. Bancroft, Camden;
Pennel Emerson, Wyoming; A. w. Stay
maker, ]. w. Killen, Charles Wright, @.
G. Brown and Others.
James 5. Harris, president of the asso-
citation, delivered his annual address,
which was well received.
The following reports were very interest
ing and caused considerable discussion
Fruits in General. by J. ]. Black, NJ. D.;
propagation of Fruit Trees" by j. W.
Kerr: Apples" by G. G. Brown.
IL. Il. Van Deman gave very interest
ing talk on "A Family Apple Orchard
He spoke of it as necessity and said
every family Of this section should have
apples the entire year.
The evening session began at clock.
The report of w. S. Maxwell, NJ. D., on
Pears was read by the secretary, Prof.
Wesley Webb.
Prof. ii. B. Heigis, United States po-
mologist, gave very interesting talk on
spraying Trees"
The report of w. Irving Walker on
Peaches" was as follows:
With the exception of few orchards
along the water courses the peach crop of
1894 was the usual off year failure, but
believe this failure, following the heavy
crop and low prices Of 1893, has produced
good results, BY causing growers who were
holding on to trees of inferior fruit, to
pull all such trees out which. in case of a
good crop in this year, should relieve the
market of the grade of peaches so de-
moralizing to the trade.
The peach belt is not moving south as
rapidly along the Chesapeake side OF the
Peninsula as 1t is along the line of the
Delaware division of the F., W. & b. rail-
road, there having been comparatively no
| unhealthy trees removed south of the
Chester river during the past year.
The Maryland ami Delaware Peninsula
| is the peach section of the States, and ever
will be so far as quality of the fruit is con-
| cerned, but 1t rests with the grower to put
| his fruit. carefully assorted, in con-
venient and attractive package, to sell on
the market by the side of that marketed
| by the progressive fruit marketer of Cali
| fornia.
Two principal reasons for low prices to
| the Peninsula grower are:
First-fhe lack of systematic distribu-
| ton of the crop.
Second-The careless attention given by
the majority OF growers to the assortment
and packing of the fruit.
This year promises big crop, which
Will bring paying prices, providing dis
tribution can be properly made and care is
| given as to package. | would suggest that
a committee of five be appointed by the
| president to formulate plan for market.
ing 1895 peach crop providing there is q
crop the plan to be submitted to the
| growers in such manner as the commit
tee may think advisable.
W. IRVING WALKER.
DOVER, Jan. LITTLE second day session
| of the Horticultural Society was more in
teresting than the first day and the attend
| ance was much larger.
The first thing on the programme wa:
Spraying Lessons" by L. II. Bailey Of
New York. He recommended the thorough
spraying of apples. pears and peaches. He
| said that an orchard that was 25 years old
and had been neglected, spraying alont
would not do the work, but that the
foundation should first be looked after
Then spray thoroughly to prevent fungus
growth and insects.
Fruit Growing in New England and
Georgia." by J. II. Hale of Connecticut
was very interesting and caused considera
BILE discussion. He advised heading in OIL
shortening the branches of young trees
and thorough pruning. He said that ht
had orchards that had been pruned 81
much that they were probably the ugliest
in the United States. but they had beer
about the most profitable.
A. W. Slaynaker read a paper or
Small Fruits" which was very interest
ing. Although the past year had beer
one of depression and very trying OF
farmers those who had small fruits, such
as strawberries, raspberries and black
berries, found them very profitable; il
fact they brought more money TO thu
farmer than any other crop.
DIR. l. II. Bailey discussed the "Botani
cal History Of PlamS." L. o. Howard
United States entomolosist, spoke OF
Orchard Pests" and said the time haC
come when it was necessary for quaran
tine TO keep the pests out Of orchards. a.
also said that all growers when buying
new stock should get guarantee that TIN
stock was free from pests.
]. II. Hale spoke about the necessity oil
conducting farm on business principles
He said no manufacturer would build {
factory unless he knew he could get hell
and buy the raw material. 1t is quite diff
ferent with many farmers, said he. The,
plant an orchard without any idea how
they would purchase the raw material
phosphate. &G.). They then gather tn,
fruit and sell it to parties without mucl
ceremony. He said a farmer should pre-
pare every product Of the farm in an at
tractive manner and seek the best marke
by advertising his goods. He said if h
had a business that would pay to sdver
tise. he would advertise il for sale.
John w. killen of FELTON,, had a fin
specimen of watermelon on exhibition
which was perfectly preserved in il
natural state and looked very tempting
Ii xuaa lrnnt in q cnllar