tilize my orchard
with anything of a coarse nature that is not easily disturbed; I would
advise its use on all soils, unless very rich, deep clay soil; in such
soil perhaps clean cultivation would be all that is necessary. I would
add that my observations and experiences have taught me that the people
of Kansas have lost millions of dollars from and through lack of knowing
what we should have known. I think that the State Horticultural Society
is doing a great and good work with _limited_ appropriations. I have
never seen any one yet who read the reports from the horticultural
department but what was in full sympathy with your labors, but wondered
why more reports were not sent out. I think our legislators should be
more wise; consequently, more liberal in their appropriations for the
work and distribution of the same, not only to the farmers, but to
people in towns and cities; their needs are in proportion as great as
the farmers'.

As to the fruit business: On the southeast quarter of section 26,
township 4, range 1, is one of the _best_ orchards I know of in Republic
county (not the largest). It consists of about 450 apple trees, also
peaches, cherries, pears, and grapes. Myself, little girls and wife
planted it. I wish to tell you how every one of the different fruits
have abundantly paid for labor and all cost, and left their owners a
fair profit. The soil of this successful orchard is a black loam, upland
prairie, clay subsoil; loam eighteen inches to two feet deep, previously
cultivated in corn and potatoes, plowed, not listed. Lay of land: Two
slight ridges; a wide draw; slope east and west. Trees more vigorous and
bear as well in draw as on upland. Varieties: Ben Davis, Missouri
Pippin, Jonathan, Winesap, Rawle's Janet, Maiden's Blush, mostly the
first four. Planting: Distance, thirty by thirty feet, furrowed out with
a fourteen-inch plow, running two furrows across each way. Cleaned out
all loose dirt to make room for all roots to spread without turning up.
The little girls held the trees, tops leaning to the southwest about
five degrees. I covered the roots well, tramped firmly, and filled with
loose earth. Leave furrows so as to hold water on upper side of tree.
After all trees were out I gave each one a slight mulch of sorghum
refuse. Cultivation: Crop always corn; rows running east and west. Rows
far enough from trees so horses or singletrees would not touch them.
Cultivate shallow, with one horse, and lig