litter. I pasture my orchard when the trees are vigorous and the soil
not wet, with calves and pigs; I believe it pays if done with
moderation. I spray after the petals fall, using Paris green for
codling-moth, and believe I have reduced them. For borers I use a knife
and wire. I pick by hand in half-bushel baskets and sort into three
classes: perfect, medium size, and culls. We sort from bins in a light,
airy shed, and pack carefully by hand into standard barrels, marked
firsts and seconds, and haul to market on springs. I sell my second
grade fruit to western wagoners; we feed culls to hogs and cows. We do
best in our home market. For winter we store in bins in the cellar, and
are usually successful. Prices have ranged from fifty cents to one
dollar. For help I employ only my three sons, and give them an interest
in the proceeds.

* * * * *

THOMAS ARBUTHNOT, Cuba, Republic county: Have been in Kansas thirty
years. Have 6000 apple trees nine years old. I prefer two-year-old
trees, five to six feet tall, planted after a lister run as deep as
possible. I cultivate with the plow and disc, growing corn in the
orchard for six or seven years; after that nothing. I believe in
windbreaks. I prune a little. Never thin the fruit. Do not use any
fertilizer on the ground, and never pasture the orchard. I do not spray,
but use a torch every evening to burn the insects; one torch will draw
the insects about 300 feet, and we think this better than spraying.
[Such lights are liable to destroy as many beneficial as noxious
insects.] I sell to wagons, as there is sufficient demand here from the
western counties to take in that way all that I have to spare. Have
never dried any, nor stored any for winter. I do not irrigate. Prices
have been, twenty-five cents for culls, and forty to fifty cents per
bushel for everything else. My orchard is only commencing to bear fruit
on all the trees.

* * * * *

ELBRIDGE CHASE, Padonia, Brown county: Have lived in Kansas thirty-nine
years. Have 2800 apple trees thirteen years old, running from five to
eight inches in diameter, made up of equal numbers of Ben Davis,
Jonathan, Winesap, and Rawle's Janet. I would discard the latter. I
prefer hilltop with deep vegetable or sandy loam. My trees are doing
best on an eastern slope. I plant thrifty four-year-olds. I believe in
cultivation with the plow and disc harrow until the trees shade t