an orchard without one, and would use Osage orange, ash,
Russian mulberry, or box-elder, planted in several rows on south and
west.

I wrap my trees with corn-stalks to protect from rabbits, and wash them
with strong soapsuds, for borers, in May and June. I prune a great deal
to let the sun, light and air in; I think it beneficial and that it
pays. I never thin; but think it would be beneficial when the apples are
large enough to tell the good ones from the bad. I think it advisable to
use fertilizers on poor land. I never pasture my orchard under any
circumstances whatever: do not think it advisable. My trees are bothered
with borers. Some worm troubles my apples. I do not spray.

I pick into a sack over the shoulder, as for sowing wheat. I sort into
two classes as I pick, to avoid handling again, putting the sound,
hand-picked in one pile and the windfalls in another; cover them with
hay and let them stay out as long as I dare, then put them in the
cellar; but the cellar is too warm; think an outdoor cellar or cave
would be better; would like to put them in cold storage, which is far
the best. I sell my apples in the orchard, or any way I can get the most
for them; generally take them to town and sell them. I sell my second
and third grades at home; feed the culls to the hogs. My best markets
are Washington and Greenleaf. I have never tried distant markets. Never
dry any. I store some apples in boxes, barrels, and bulk; am not very
successful. I find that Winesap and Rawle's Janet keep best. I do not
irrigate. Prices have been from fifty to seventy-five cents per bushel.
There is not much sale for dried apples. We do most of our own work.

* * * * *

EDWIN TAYLOR, Delaware township, Wyandotte county: I have lived in
Kansas twenty-seven years. Have about 5000 apple trees aged from eight
to twelve years. The best varieties of apples for commercial orchards
are not many. No one variety could be named which would be best for all
locations or conditions. The Ben Davis is most largely planted in the
West. Jonathan, Missouri Pippin, Willow Twig, Park's Keeper, are all
valuable sorts. There are others. A family orchard is the most important
orchard a farmer plants. It should contain a small number of trees and a
large number of varieties. Two of a kind are a plenty. There should be
at least twenty kinds. That will allow for a new variety to ripen in its
season every two weeks or less in summ