nothing now. We pick our
own fruit.

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W. D. STREET, Oberlin, Decatur county: I have resided in the state
thirty-seven years. Have an apple orchard of fifty trees seven or eight
years old, about six inches in diameter. My orchard is situated on low,
bottom land. I prefer two-year-old trees, set in plowed land and dug
holes. I plant my orchard to garden crops, corn, and potatoes. I plow
shallow, and use a harrow and weed-cutter. I plant the same crops in a
bearing orchard. Windbreaks are essential; mine are natural timber along
the creek. I prune a little with knife and saw, to preserve shape;
cannot say that it has been beneficial, or that it pays. I do not thin
the fruit while on the trees; it would probably benefit. I fertilize my
orchard some with stable litter. I think it beneficial, as the land is
heavily cropped with truck. I would not advise it on all soils. I
pasture my orchard with cattle, horses, and hogs, but do not think it
advisable. I have not sprayed yet, but intend to when my orchard is
older. I pick my apples by hand. I store apples for home use. With a dam
across a creek, I raise water into a pond, and irrigate. Seepage,
percolation and capillary attraction do the rest.

* * * * *

JAMES L. WILLIAMS, McDonald, Rawlins county: I have resided in Kansas
nineteen years. Have an apple orchard of sixty trees, planted eight
years; planted ten acres in 1895. I prefer for family orchard Jonathan,
Rambo, Senator, Rawle's Janet, and Gano. I planted my orchard on a
hillside; the small orchard is in the bottom; they have a clay subsoil,
and slope in every direction, but would prefer a northern slope. I
prefer three-year-old trees, set in holes dug four feet deep, five feet
wide, filled in the bottom with soil hauled from the creek. [?] I
cultivate my trees with a cultivator and harrow; I think the life of the
tree depends on the cultivation, and that we will have to keep it up as
long as the tree lives. I plant potatoes and turnips in a bearing
orchard. Windbreaks would be a benefit, and should be made of Russian
mulberry or red cedar, set in four or five rows around the orchard. For
rabbits I rub axle grease on the trees. I commence pruning when I set
the trees out, using a knife and saw, to keep the tops from getting too
heavy and to give shape; I think it pays. Never have thinned the fruit
while on the trees, but would if my trees should