Smyrna times., 1904-01-27
SMYRNA GIVES PENINSULA
TIP ON GROWING GRAPES
J. E. GARTER MAKES AN ADDRESS BEFORE
THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Three'Day Session the Most Largely Attended
in Recent Years anu Progressive Fruit
Growers Exchange Some Opinions.


Growers Exchange Some Opinions.
Mr.. j. E. Carter, of this town, who
is recognized throughout the PENN
sula as an excellent authority on the
growing and cultivation of grapes.
attended the seventeenth annual ses-
sion of the Peninsula Horticultural
Society at Cambridge, Nd, last Tues
day, Wednesday and Thursday. Mr..
Carter made a favorable impression
before the largely attended meeting
on his lecture "Profits from the Vine
yard, paper full of practical ideas,
which was listened to with decided
interest. Mr.. Walter L. Massey of
Smyrna also attended the session and
was active in drawing out discussion
on important topics. Clear, cold weather
greeted the sessions of the Horticultur-
al Society and representative farmers
were present from all parts of the
Peninsula In fact the territory en-
braced in the purview of the Society is
one of the most extensive fruitgr
ing sections in the eastern portion of
the United States, and the annual
convention of those who plant and
nourish, the far-famed products of
the peninsula are important not only
to themselves, but to all the consum-
ers, shippers and dealers whom the
luscious yield of tree and vine, profit
and refresh. A fine display of fruits
and vegetables, together with spray
ing outfits of all kinds with which to
fight the destructive pests that prey
upon the trees was shown at the con-
vention.
Growing and Shipping Of Peaches.
During the session some interesting
addresses were made. Peach culture
and the preparing and shipping of
fruit took up more or less discussion.
The subject was introduced by State
Senator Charles Wright, of Seaford,
who dwelt especially on the varieties
to be planted for profit, and the man
ner of marketing the crop. He stated
that the commission merchants all
want peninsula peaches.in FIVE eighth
baskets, but it is to the advantage of
the grower to send the fruit to market
in carriers in good condition like
California peaches, so that they will
bring high prices. The question of
heading peach trees was discussed by
a number of the members, the general
drift being that whether heading is
profitable or not depends largely upon
the character of the soil and climatic
conditions. The question as to the
comparative value of sulphate or potash
and muriate of potash was discussed
by DIR. B. Vonheriff of New York.
He said that the results of experiments
were not sufficient to warrant one in
giving a positive answer, but he favor
ed the sulphate because he knows of
some things to which the muriate is
injurious, although he does not know
that it is injurious to peaches.
George H. Mckay, of Philadelphia,
delivered an address ou fruits in cold
storage He said, "The question for
the fruit grower is to put his fruit on
the market when the prices are high
est. In order to do this it is necessary
to use cold storage. The manipulation
OF the cold storage should be, very
careful so that the flavor will be pre-
served. The average temperature
should be about 81 degrees F. The
fruit should be put in honest pack
ages, and if they are apples they
should be pressed in hard. On ac-
count of its superior quality and
flavor, the Peninsula apple is taking
the place of the New York apple in
the New York and Philadelphia mar
kets. J. Spencer Lapham, of Colds
boro, Nd, read a paper on "Small
Fruits" that was full of information.
Othar Subjects Discussed by Growers.
Other subjects before the society
were the "Report on Vegetables" of
which Mr.. w. F. Allen of Salisbury,
was chairman. Mr.. Allen gave a
comprehensive and valuable treatise.
S. H. Derby's address on "Apples,
and Capt. McIlvaine's talk on ''Toad
Stools'' were highly interesting and
instructive. The members came away
with better understanding of fruit
culture and declared it one of the best
sessions yet held.
The officers of the society for the
year are: Hon. Charles Wright, Sea-
ford, Del, president; Jerome A.
Davis, Goldsboro, Md, vice-presi-
dent; Wesley Webb, Dover, Del,
secretary and treasurer. The presi-
dent, vice-president W. G. Dawson,
DIR. A. t. Neal and Orlando Harrison
are the executive committee. The