VOL. XXXI.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND., DEO. 12, 1896.
NO. 50*
INDIANA   STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Thirty-Sixth Annnal _ffeeting---Good
Attendance   and   Interesting Papers and Discussions.
Tbe Best Meeting for Several Tears.
One of the most successful meetings
the Society has ever held was that of last
week. The attendance, though by no
means what it should have been, was
larger than the average of 10 or more
years past, and the papers and discussions were more than usually interesting
and valuable. The presence of the venerable, well-known and popular fruit
grower of Geneva, N. Y.,Hon. S. D. Willard, Prof. W.J. Green, of the Ohio Fx-
perlment Station, and late U. S. Pomolo-
gist H. E. Yandeman added greatly to
the interest of the occasion. These well
informed gentlemen, who are also entertaining speakers, were frequently called
upon the floor, and never failed to respond in a manner both entertaining and
instructive.
The reports of the Secretary and Treasurer showed the finances of the Society
to be in a healthy condition. The membership fees since last meeting amounted
to $118, and a large number of new mem-
ierS~faS Slsdod. at.tl-—t.nt..Hnpr^	
ses.C M. Hobbs in his annual address
spoke of the frnit crop of the past summer
aB the largest ever produced in the State.
Even apricots had perfected fruit In some
localities, a thing never known before,
and the peach crop was the best for decades. The effect of such remarkable
crops was discouragingly low prices, but
he confidently expected better times.
There were three conditions that oper.
ated in causing low prices for fruit this
year, that do not usually obtain. First,
all kinds of fruit bore liberally, one class
overlapping another in constant succession throughout the season, giving us
more fruit than we could consume, from
early strawberries to winter apples.
Another important factor in cheapening our fruits this year, was that spring
opened simultaneously over a wide range
of latitude, causing the fruits of a wide
area to appear in the markets at' the
same time. When southern Indiana and
Illinois began shipping strawberries to
Chicago, they found Michigan already in
the market. This condition of things
kept up throughout the season.
Then there was still another cause that
operated to produce low prices, that of
the general financial depression. Although
fruits and other eatables were never
cheaper, there were many unemployed
who were compelled to live with the least
possible expenditure. As before said,
these three important factors in cheapening prices this year, do not usually obtain.
He referred to the advantages of cold
storage, the increasing exports of fruit to
Europe,. the growing observance of arbor day, etc..
He endorsed the American Fruitgrowers Union, as worthy the Society's consideration.
Joe A. Burton, of Orleans, read a paper
on The coming apple. He said the United
States produced more and better apples
than any other country. The crop the present year was estimated at 65,000,000 barrels. The average price was about $1E0,
making a total of nearly $100,000,000. He
thought that it was possible to combine
a large variety of good qualities in one
kind of fruit. His paper was full of valuable suggestions on the subject of improving fruits, the apple in particular.
Prof. Van Deman endorsed the thoughts
of the paper, and believed that great improvements would yet be made in even
our best apples. He instanced the Stay-
man as a great advance upon its parent
the Winesap. We must continue to work
towards the ideal apple, the grape and
other fruits. It is proper work for the
experiment stations.
Prof. Green spoke npon the subject
also, agreeing with Mr. Burton and Mr.
Van Deman. The low prices of fruit the
present season he charged mainly to poor
quality, rather than over-production. The
list of apples that succeed well in Ohio at
present is quite limited, and better varieties must be secured. He is experimenting largely with seedling varieties In the
hope of finding the right apple, or something that is much better than anything
we now have.
Mr. Willard of New York also agreed
with the paper, .and believed that the
work can be best done at the experiment
stations. They have over 400 varieties in
the experiment station in New York and
are trying to find the ideal apple. The
work can't be done by individuals. We
must rely hereafter for market on the
foreign demand. The medium size apples, sound and perfeot, are best for the
foreign trade. The Baldwin has seen its
best days. He preferred even the Ben
Davis.   It has better style.
Mr. Van Deman said the Ben D. was
the business apple of America. It is the
apple that sells. He "didn't care what
the color of the apple is, but it must be
red."
'   Mr. Sedgwick said the work should by
all means be attempted at the experiment
stations and he' thought it' might not r
quire a very  long   time   to produce the
ideal apple.
Mr. Ragan spoke of the tendency to de-
terrioation among fruits and vegetables
We must continue to propagate new and
improved varieties.
Mr. Howland had more faith in fertilization and proper oare than in experimentation, to improve fruit.
Mr. Devilbiss wanted to know what lo
plant for a new orchard.
Mr. Hobbs recommended the Wealthy
as one of the best summer and fall apples
hardy and a good bearer.
Mr. W. H. Ragan's paper on the red
cedar and our apple orchards, showed
the serious injury done to our apples by
the orange rust that prevails in so many
orchards. He attributes the partial exemption of the rust in 1895 and '06 to the
comparative dryness of the seasons that
checked the growth of the fungus on tbe
cedar. The cedar apples, so-called, were
seldom seen in these two seasons. He
thought it would be necessary to destroy
the cedar trees in order to prevent the
spread of this destructive fungus.
Prof. Green said that the apple scab
fungus was responsible, to a large extent, for the damage to the apple crop
This disease attacks the leaves as welkas
,the fruit.
'"" Prof. Quick, related an instance in his
own experience where apple trees, near
which cedar trees grew, lost their
leaves and fruit, while those at a
distance were healthy and bore
well. He now believes that the
cedar fungus is the explanation. Mr.
Sedgwick somewhat doubted the statement that the cedar ball was the cause of
rust on apples. He had known trees that
bore full of sound apples that were surrounded by cedar trees on which these
balls were abundant.
Prof. Quick, Mr. Hobbs and Mr. Willard thought the exemption in the case
mentioned was due to the more hardy
character of the tree?, or their more
rougher foliage.
Mr. W. W. Stevens read a valuable paper on orchards. He said that unceasing
care is necessary for the best results in
fruit-growing. Avoid lands either too
poor or very rich. At least half the fruit
should be within reach from the ground.
The ground should be plowed thoroughly
and deep. The object is to furnish plant
food and plenty of moisture. Cultivate
hoed crops, as corn or  potatoes, the first
year or two. After bearing begins let no
other crop be grown in the orchard. He
liked the umbrella shape for fruit trees.
Do not let the trees bear too early. Feed
the orchard before fertility begins to be
exhausted. Phosphorlo acid, potash and
nitrogen must be supplied to keep up fertility. Many of our orchards are starved
to death.
Potash is the principal Ingredient in ap.
pies and peaches, while nitrogen predominates in pears. The orchardist must
bear such facts as these in mind when
fertilizing his orchards.
He impressed the importance of thinning the frnit, not only to produce the
best fruit but to prolong the life and
vigor of the trees.
Mr. Willard was greatly pleased with
the paper, saying it was true, every
word.
This paper ought to be read by all who
are intending to plant orchards, or who
have them to cultivate.
Mr. Thomas said that he had trees 72
years old that bear well, and he exhibited
someof the fruit. They are Vanderver
and White pippins.- The trees are well
fertilized year after year.
Mr Quick said the Germans do not allow grass to grow in their orchards. They
fertilize with commercial fertilizers, and
apply it more liberally than is recommended in this country.
At the evening session Mrs. W. A Stevens read an admirable paper on,
"o^-he 'Suburban Home-^jnd its --*?*-
' roundings, to a deeply interested
audience. Many of her thoughts
and suggestions were equally applicable to farm homes generally, for
they related to the trees and shrubbery
best adopted for large lawns and yards.
The discussion of Mrs. Stevens' paper
was followed by an interesting paper upon the Chrysanthemum and its development, by Miss Sarah Hill, of Richmond,
which was read by Mrs. Sedgwick of
same city.
At the opening of the morning session
on Wednesday a number of questions regarding certain apples were presented
and answered, by different members.
Regarding the English Russet it was said
that it is a good bearer, holds its fruit
well, but the tree is rather tender. Jonathan succeeds well in this latitude
Stark is large and fine, but is subjeot to
scab and rots upon the tree. Mann was
recommended by one member. Mr.
Thomas has had five successive crops of
it. He kept some till May 25th. It ls a
good selling apple, but of GO bushels there
was not one bushel of defective ones.
His land is high and dry. On low land it
would not do so well. York Imperial
bears well and is fine in quality, but is
not an every year bearer.
Pear growing in northern Indiana, by
H. H. S walm, of South Bend, was the first
paper read at this session. He spoke of
the great injury from pear blight years
ago, saying that it does not prevail to
any great extent at present.
The most important requisite to pear
culture is good, well drained soil. Plant
standards 28 feet apart. No grain crop
should be planted among the trees. Most
varieties should be picked early, even before they are fully ripened. Ripen
them in a cool, dark room. Plant only
first class trees. Give good cultivation.
Train carefully while young.'
The best varieties with him are Bartlett
and Seckel. He knows none better
among the new varieties. Keiffer is of
inferior quality.
Discussion —Mr. Benoy said he had
found that salt applied at the root of the
trees checked the blight.
Mr. Hale had used the remedy with
success. Mr. Little gave similar testimony.
Mr. Swalm said that the cost of cold
storage was25c per barrel per month, but
It might be done for much less he
thought.   By holding his fruit for a few
months he made $3 50 on each barrel.
B. F. Stinger read a very interesting
paper on the Strawberry. Poor land
gives small berries. The soil should be
rich and deep. Set the plants as early in
the spring as possible. Plants should be
strong and fresh, taken from thrifty beds.
Cultivate till late in the summer. Straw
is the best mulch. His favorite varieties:
Warfield has more good qualities than
any other he knows. Haverland comes
next. Bubach next. Then Crescent*
Timbrell, Greenville. These are all pis-
tlllates. Michel's early and Cumberland
are good staminate varieties for pollen-
lzers.
Discussion.
Mr. Beony said the' Timbrell was
worthless with him.
Mr. Henby said his plants are so thick
that he expects only small berries next
summer.
Mr. Thomas mixes staminate varieties
with pistillates ln the row, and finds it
an improvement on the usual method of
setting one row of the former to three or
four of the latter. He recommended the
Gandy as a very profitable variety.
D. A. William?, of this city, a commission merchant, gave some valuable suggestions regarding the packing and handling fruit for the market. The grower
should brand his fruit with his own
name. When once the grower has established a reputation for good, well selected, carefully packed frnit his business ls secure;   .-* '.. ..        >..••   :?• .
Fruit should be.graded. __« good(
neat appearing packages.   It pays.
In the discussion Mr,. Willard endorsed
the suggestions of the speaker. A trade
mark, he said, is the proper thing. He
gave an instance to illustrate, showing
that honest pickers and packers, do
sometimes get fair and honest treatment
from their commission dealers, -and good
profits for good fruit.
Small fruits for Northern Indiana, a paper by J. C. Grossman, LaGrange county,
was read by Secretary Troop. He prefers
a rich sandy loam. Applies 20 loads of
stable manure to the acre. Sets plants in
the spring.
Varieties.—Haverland is the most productive variety; Wolverton is large and
good quality. Bubach soft, but large;
Warfield ranks first as a shipper and can-
ner; Bederwood is a good fertilizer and
productive; Greenville, good in quality;
Parker Earle requires very rich soil and
plenty of water; Marshall good, but shy
bearer; last and best is the Brunette,rich
red and the sweetest berry he ever tried.
He places lt ahead of all others. Those
who tried it last year ordered it exclusively for planting next year—a strong
and healthy grower.
Nemaha is a strong grower and one of
the best black raspberries. Shaffers Colossal is the best for canning. Golden
Queen is better than Cuthbert.
Blackberries: Snyder succeeds best
with him.
Mr. Van Deman said the Brunette excelled all others in his opinion. It is of
best quality and a good bearer.
Mr. Sedgwick recommended the Eureka raspberry as one of the very most
satisfactory kinds, large and productive.
Mr. Newton was not pleased with the
Lowden. It is not better than Cuthbert.
Mr. Benoy differs, saying that it was
solid and fine in quality. Mr. Johnson •
agreed with Mr. Newton in his opinion.
Mr. Willard thinks Lowden a promising
variety, one of the largest and best
Mr. VanDeman said the treatment or
manuring had much to do in affecting
the quality of the fruit, as to its solidity
especially.
Mr. Butler thought that in speaking of
success or failure with fruits the quality
of the soil should always be mentioned.
Mr. Fletcher, gave his testimony upon the
suggestion.   Out of 140 varieties of straw-
:'-•>
Concluded on Oth page.