The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-16
V|RC|N|A's FRUIT CROP
IS VERY SATISFACTORY
Apples viii Make Average Of 80 Per
Cent, While Peaches VIII Reach
so Per Cent Average.
WALTER wHArELY's FORECAST
State Horticultural Society Meets at
University of Virginia, Hears Re-
ports and Listens to Discussions of
Up-tO-Datc Methods.
Especial to The Times Dispatch.


Charlottesville. Va. July 15.-Thc
summer meeting of tho Virginia State
horticultural Society was held to-day
at the University of Virginia. in con-
junction with the Rural Life Confer
rncc of the summer school T. ~
Thompson. OF HarrisonburE. president
OF the society. made the opening ad-
dress. and q welcome WAS extended the
members Of the society by Professor
Charles g. Maphs director OF the sum
MGR uchool.
In speaking of the crop outlook in
Virginia, Walter Whatcly. Of Crozct.
secretary of the society, said: Not
withstandiug the severe drought we
suffered for two months at the most
critical ncriod of our growing season,
both apples ana peaches are in fine
condition, with Il large crop of each
have no reason for changing my csti-
mate made early in June Of an aver
age of 20 per cent Of apples for the
states. and about so per cent of peaches
in the commercial areas. Many or
chards have as much or more fruit
than the trees can bear of apples. and
such trees should be Ihinncd out with
out delay. as with Il large crop
throughout the country only first class
apples should be put on the market
The fruit crop report issued by the
government. giving conditions Of the
apple crop up to July !. shows Il gem
eral decline in prospects since June !
Of > per cent in Virginia and % for
tho United states. This may be ac-
counted for in part. said Mr.. Whateiy.
by the Juno drought. 1t also shows
that the crop in Virginia Is practically
. per cent less than it WAS two years
ago, and of the whole country nearly
per cent less than at that time.
Cnnat rs Record Crop.
Canada has the hest crop of apples
in her history. said Mr.. Whatoly.
Abn0rmally late frosts have come near
cleaning out the Europcon apple crops.
which would indicate What there will
he a heavy demand for export apples.
The peach crop is very short In the
New England States. Texas and Ten
nessec, and almost q total failure in
Canada, said Mr.. Whatcly. There arc
good crops in several States. however.
making the average for the country
OF Gil, as against a tcn-ycar average
or So.
Other speakers at the morning ses-
sion wcrc two representatives, of the
United States Department of Agricul-
turc-E. Is Bl2kcslec. OF the Bureau of
Entomology, who told OF important APP
Pile insects, and G. l.. Bassctt, OF the
Office of markets, who told his hearers
how to market the apple crop.
AT the afternoon session there was n
round table discussion, led by Dr.. :
w. Fletcher. of Fishcrsviilc. until re-
Gently director of the experiment sta
ton at BiackshurG, Va.
Some Of the Questions.
Is summer pruning in Virginia prac
ticahlc, under what conditions does ii
pay To thin apples" Does the prescn,
outlook for peach growing Justify in
creased planting in Virginia? Why
Was the bordeaux apparently ineWcc-
/ tive against bitter rot in some places
last season? Can the grower Of York
! Imperial and other scmired varictie!
afford to pack under the Sulzcr law oi
account of It's limitation as regard!
color? What has been the experience
! with mechanical apple sorters? Wha'
is the best way to secure and hold AZ
| adequate force Of men for the apple
harvest? and do the prices that huv,
been received for Virginia apples il
boxes during the past few years. a.
compared with barrels, Justify the OK
tension OF box packing? were some o
the questions discussed by the grow
crs present
| Professor c. c. Starchcr. of Blacks
burg, assistant horticulturiSt. delivered
an address on peach growing, packinl
and marketing.
Governor stuart, who was prevented
! from attending the meeting, sent as hi:
representative Captain w. w. Baker
Of Chesterfield County, commissions
for Virginia at the Panama Exposition