It may be of interest to many of your readers to learn how my peach orchard came through the last winter - the fourth winter under cover. Small one year old trees when set are now very large of their age, though laid down every winter. The prospect of a large crop per tree is good, the trees are in fine condition and full of bloom almost i open, and if late frost does not interfere will load to their utmost capacity to bear. The fact is demonstrated that peach culture is a success in Minnesota. But the question is asked, will it pay ? The same question was asked us when we first began grape culture here by laying down and covering. It paid, not only in dollars and cents, but in the added home luxuries.

Just what my process of peach culture is has been published in various journals, but as this may reach many who have not seen the account I will here repeat. I prefer small one year old trees with whole roots. Dig the hole the proper size and depth, a little deeper than for ordinary planting; then make a cone of solid earth across the middle of the hole, in line with the row, or in the direction the tree is to be laid down. Then divide the roots into two equal parts or as near as can be, each division as compact as possible, and saddle them over the cone of dirt; then fill up and pack the dirt as in other planting. In the fall when you wish to lay them down, dig on the side to which you want the tree to turn and it will lop over as if on a hinge. Place a little hay or leaves under to keep the small branches off the naked ground," fill in the dirt around the roots, over which put leaves or some other litter, and over that litter and the entire tree put about six inches of hay or its equivalent in straw or corn stalks.

And in the spring remove the covering and the dirt, lift the tree and replace the dirt around the roots.

To avoid mice, I use strychnine bait under cover of the tree. To keep the bait dry I use two pieces of boards, one on top of the other on that I put about a spoonful of dry corn meal, and over it dust the strychnine made fine as dust, and over all put two boards nailed edges together to form a roof, and the trees are safe. - Peter M. Gideon, Excelsior, Minn.