The Globe-republican., 1896-04-23
| discussed b. c. A. Sessions Of Shelby

discussed BY c. A. Sessions Of Shelby
and others.
The Growing of Peaches IN Central
Michigan" was the subject Of the paper
Of II. p. GLADDEN. of the Agricultural
College. While peach culture Is not
successful upon the low lands. there are
many ridges throughout the central and
southern part Of the state where they
have been grown for years nearly as
profitably as in the famed peach belt
itself. While an occasional crop was
lost in part. there had not been an en-
tire failure for years where the or
chards were in favorable locations and
were properly cared for. It is desirable
to have ravines lead down the slopes.
as these will aid in drawing the cold air
to the lower levels. AS rule the north
or northwest slopes were preferable as
on a south slope the buds are Likely to
start early and be killed by spring
frosts, while an east slope is not desir-
able. as the morning sun does harm by
quickly tkawing out the buds after q
severe cold snap. II located near
small village or city the fruit could be
marketed without expense for trans
portation at somewhat higher price
than could be obtained for fruit brought
from a distance. Although the prices
might not run as high as in large cities.
they would not go as low.
Prof. W. B. Barrows of the Agricul-
tural College. who was to have talked
upon Bees and Horticulture" was un-
able to be present and the question
was opened by J. A. Pearce Of Grand
Rapids. a successful fruit grower and
apiarist He spoke of the value Of bees
in fertilizing the flowers Of our fruit
trees. as without them many Of the va
rieties Of apples. pears and plums would
be unfruitful. He claimed that 1t had
been demonstrated that bees cannot
puncture fruit. although they feed upon
specimens OF which the skin has been
broken by means Of hornets or birds.
In reply t0.a question, Prof. Taft stated
that it would not pay to use a mulch
about peach trees to retard blooming
and save from spring frosts. as al
though It might have a slight effect 1t
had been demonstrated that the flower
would open while the ground was still
frozen. II the weather was sufficiently
warm.
The afternoon session was opened
by ]. w. Stearns of Kalamazoo who
spoke upon "Currants and G0oseber-
ries." He favored distance Of six by
five or six by six feet, the liberal use Of
stable manure, frequent shallow Guilt
walton up to the first of August and
the use of Paris green for the currant
worm, applied when they first hatch.
Four ounces is sufficient for fifty gal
Ions, and this can be used in Bordeaux
mixture which is effective against the
mildew and Headlight disease. Goose
berries should remain until ripe upon
the bushes.
The Victoria currant and Downing
guoeeberries are productive varieties
and are particularly desirable on ac-
count of freedom from the attack Of
borers.
The subject of strawberry Culture"
was treated by r. NJ. Kellogg of 1onia,
who ascribed many Of the failures with
this fruit to the use Of plants from old,
run out plantations. They should al
ways be taken from plants set the pre-
vious year and before they have borne
fruit.
Prepare the land by blowing deep,
and subsoiling if there is hard pan
near the surface. Light land should be
rolled, after it has been thoroughly har-
rowed, in order that the moisture may
be brought up to supply the newly set
plsnts. Then loosen the surface with
some shallow-working harrow in order
that the evaporation into the air from
the surface may be checked.
After the plants are set start the cul-
tiyatjon at once. using a weeder,
and keep II up once a week and
oftener in dry weather through the
season. using Planet. Jr.. or similar
.cultivator after the runners start. Cut
of all blossoms as soon as they appear
the first year, and remove many of the
runners SO that If in rows the plants
will make a thin mat not over a foot
wide.