my orchard
all the time with a plow and harrow; it is too dry in this climate to
let weeds grow. Do not plant any crop. Windbreaks are essential; would
make them of African tamarix, set in three or four rows around the
orchard. For rabbits I grease lightly in the fall and wash off in the
spring. I prune my young orchard with a knife, to balance the tree
properly. I think it pays. Never have thinned the fruit while on the
trees. My trees are in mixed plantings. I fertilize my orchard with
barn-yard litter. I think it has been beneficial, and would advise its
use on all clay soils. I do not pasture my orchard. My trees are
troubled with tent-caterpillar and roundhead borer, and my apples with
worms. I spray when in bloom, and again after blooming, with London
purple. Do not think I have reduced the codling-moth any. I pick my
apples by hand, and sort into two classes--family apples and hog apples.
Am successful in storing apples for winter use in boxes in a cellar. I
find Ben Davis and Rawle's Janet keep best. I irrigate my orchard, using
a windmill and pump with a four-inch cylinder. Prices have been from
fifty cents to one dollar per bushel.

* * * * *

Dr. JAMES MYERS, Hutchinson, Reno county: Have lived in Kansas
thirty-nine years. Have about 3000 apple trees eight years old, six to
eight inches in diameter; fine, large trees. For market I prefer
Winesap, Missouri Pippin, and Ben Davis; for home use, Early Harvest,
Northern Spy, and Maiden's Blush. Most other varieties that are a
success in the East are a failure here. I am satisfied with a few of the
best varieties. In this county lowland is the best. I prefer a sandy
land, on a clay subsoil, and a north slope, every time. I plant two- and
three-year-old, clean, thrifty trees. I mark the ground in squares of
one rod and plant in every other crossing, mismatching to make the trees
zigzag. I will cultivate the orchard for forty years in this county if
they live so long. I would grow corn amongst them for the first three or
four years; after that, nothing; the less crop the better. I believe
windbreaks are essential in small orchards, but in large orchards the
trees will protect each other. For windbreaks I would plant maple or
mulberry, at least two rods away from the apple trees. For protection
against rabbits and borers, take lime and Portland cement, equal parts,
mix with sweet milk to the consistency of paint; add one tablespoonful