rchard I would plant Ben Davis,
Winesap and Missouri Pippin; for family use, add Jonathan and Maiden's
Blush. Have tried and discarded Keswick Codlin; tree is tender. I prefer
hilltop, north and west or northeast slope, black loam with a yellowish
clay subsoil. I plant thirty feet apart, using one- and two-year-old,
low-headed trees. Have tried root grafts; had good success. I cultivate
until the trees are six or seven years old with the plow and cultivator.
I grow corn in a young orchard, and clover in a bearing orchard; cease
cropping when six or seven years old. Windbreaks are beneficial on the
south and west; they should be made of quick-growing trees. I wrap the
trees with paper to protect against rabbits. I prune but little to thin
top; am doubtful if it pays. Never thin apples on trees. I fertilize the
land with well-rotted manure, but not close the trees; I would advise
its use on all soils; I think it beneficial; I sometimes pasture my
orchard with hogs; do not think it advisable; pays only in getting rid
of wormy fruit. My trees are troubled with leaf-roller, and my apples
with codling-moth. Do not spray. Gather my apples by hand, and sort into
two classes, first, second and culls.

* * * * *

ISAAC E. WOLF, Longford, Clay county: Have been in Kansas twenty-one
years; have 200 apple trees nineteen years old, and 100 apple trees six
years old. Prefer Ben Davis, Winesap and Missouri Pippin for market, and
Maiden's Blush, Duchess of Oldenburg and Smith Cider for family orchard.
The Red Astrachan and Early Harvest are shy bearers. My orchard is on
sandy soil with clay subsoil; the trees look healthy. I prefer
two-year-old trees, and lay the ground off in squares, making large
holes. In young orchard I plant corn for ten years, cultivating both
ways; after that I grow nothing, but cultivate with the disc as long as
I can get through it. Am cultivating my old orchard. I think windbreaks
are a necessity on the south, west, and north, and would make them of
walnut and box-elder. For rabbits I rub on strong grease. I prune with
shears such limbs as rub one another, and am sure it pays. I don't think
it pays to thin fruit on the trees. I believe in fertilizing the ground,
but not too close to the trees; it won't hurt any soil. Allow no stock
in the orchard. The twig-borer is the worst insect in my orchard. I
tried spraying on some trees, and some I did not, and my apples were all
alike. I