in Kansas
twenty-three years. Have 1400 apple trees nine years planted. For
market, Ben Davis, Winesap, Red Edgar (?), Haas, and for family orchard
Ben Davis, Winesap, Maiden's Blush, and Whitney (crab) No. 20. I have
discarded the Missouri Pippin, as the tree is too short-lived. I prefer
second bottom, with sandy soil and clay subsoil; always choose north or
northeast aspect. I always plant good one-year-old trees, twenty by
thirty feet apart, putting Missouri Pippins between the wide way, to be
cut out later on. I grow and graft all my trees. Cultivate with a disc
cultivator until the trees come into full bearing; after that every
second year. I grow no crop in the orchard. I believe windbreaks are
essential on south side; I think mulberry trees best, and would plant a
double row two feet apart, in rows four feet apart, the nearest row
forty feet away from apple trees. I shoot and trap the rabbits. I only
prune enough to keep the tree well balanced. I often thin Winesaps on
the tree because I think they need it, and it pays. I believe in mixed
plantings, and therefore plant Ben Davis among all the others. I spread
stable litter among my trees after they come into bearing; sandy soil, I
think, requires the most fertilizer. I pasture in a small way, putting
my little calves in, in the spring. Am only bothered with a few
codling-moth and flat-headed borers. I do not spray, but I make way with
all the fallen fruit. I hunt borers and kill with a wire. Pick by hand
as soon as well colored; sort into two classes; the best is first, and
all sound smaller fruit second. We pack in barrels by hand, marking with
the variety and class. We sell ours all at home; usually they are
engaged before they are picked. Our second grade we keep at home; culls
are made into cider. Our apples are sold in Dodge City and Larned. Have
never shipped any; have never dried any. I store some second grade in
barrels and bulk in the cellar, and find that Missouri Pippins, Ben
Davis, and Winesaps keep the best, and I do not lose over three per
cent. Some seasons I irrigate, with windmills. Prices vary from 75 cents
to $1.25 per bushel.
* * * * *
L. G. MORGAN, Richfield, Morton county: I have lived in Kansas
forty-three years; have an apple orchard of 125 trees, medium size, ten
years old. For all purposes I prefer Missouri Pippin, Winesap, and
Maiden's Blush. I prefer black loam bottom, with clay subsoil, northern
slop
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