S, Lawrence, Douglas county: I have lived in Kansas
forty-three years; have an apple orchard planted from two to forty
years. I planted my first orchard in 1858, and, not knowing anything
about what sorts would be suitable for Kansas, I had to rely entirely on
what the Missouri nurserymen recommended. Among the sorts planted which
proved failures were Yellow Bellflower, Fulton Strawberry, White Winter
Pearmain, Baldwin, the Russets and some others. Winesap, Rawle's Janet,
Dominie and White Bellflower all did fairly well. Of all the sorts the
Winesap has been the most profitable. If I had planted that first
orchard chiefly to Winesaps, the cash receipts would have been more than
double. My later experience and observations prove that the Missouri
Pippin is the most profitable apple to grow for the market, the Winesap
and Ben Davis following next in order. For a family orchard, I prefer
Early Harvest, Maiden's Blush, Jonathan, and Winesap. I prefer second
bottom, with a rich soil and a porous subsoil. I prefer two-year-old,
vigorous trees, set in rows two rods apart. Use a potato hook.

I consider the best plan of planting is to throw two furrows together,
and plant on this double thickness of surface soil; the roots will
luxuriate in this bed of fertile soil and with proper care the tree will
make a vigorous growth. Plant early in the spring, before the buds
start. I cultivate my orchard with a disc harrow followed by a common
harrow, until they begin to bear; plant corn, potatoes or other hoed
crop in a young orchard. Seed the bearing orchard to clover. Windbreaks
are not essential in eastern Kansas. For rabbits I wrap the young trees;
dig borers out. Pruning should be done at the time of planting. After
that give the tree all the top it can grow. Never fear but the roots
will keep pace with the top. Remember that every time you cut out a
large limb you threaten the life of the tree. Give the tree plenty of
room, so that the roots will not overreach each other. The moisture in
the soil is only sufficient for one set of roots. About two rods apart
is the proper distance. I prune with a knife to keep the limbs from
crossing. I do not thin the fruit while on the trees, they usually thin
themselves. My Ben Davis and Missouri Pippins are in mixed planting. I
fertilize my orchard with stable litter; I think it beneficial, and
would advise its use on all soils after the trees begin to bear. I
pasture my orchard in the fall afte