my own family does the work.

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E. F. REEVE, Greensburg, Kiowa county: I have lived in Kansas twenty
years; I prefer Missouri Pippins for a commercial orchard. I like a
sandy bottom with a north slope. I prefer two- or three-year-old trees
having bright bark; plant them by throwing out a deep furrow, and then
making large holes in the furrow. I cultivate my orchard with a
one-horse cultivator, planting no crop, and keep the orchard clean,
never stopping cultivation. Windbreaks are essential; I would make them
of Russian mulberry or Osage orange, on the north, west and south sides
of the orchard, especially on the south. I do not prune my trees, nor
thin my apples. I do not fertilize my orchard, and would not advise it
in this section. I do not pasture my orchard. My trees are troubled with
tent-caterpillar. Have not sprayed. Sort my apples into one class, cut
out the rot, and make into apple dumplings [?]. Never sell apples in the
orchard; keep them all for home use; my best market is at home. I do not
dry any for market; they sometimes dry on the trees, the effect of hot
winds. This is not very satisfactory, and does not pay. I do not store
any for market. I do not irrigate. Prices have been from seventy-five
cents to one dollar per bushel; dried apples, eight and one-third cents
per pound.

* * * * *

G. W. HOLLENBACK, Coldwater, Comanche county: I have resided in the
state thirty-seven years; have an apple orchard of 200 trees from six to
nine years old, four to eight inches in diameter. For market I prefer
Missouri Pippin, Ben Davis, and Winesap, and for family orchard Maiden's
Blush, Smith's Cider, and Grimes's Golden Pippin. Have tried and
discarded Rawle's Janet on account of poor quality, and Willow Twig on
account of shy bearing. I prefer a northeast slope, with sandy loam and
clay subsoil; bottom causes the trees to grow too rank. I prefer two-
or three-year-old trees with low, well-balanced tops, set thirty feet
each way. I give my orchard thorough cultivation, on account of lack of
moisture; I will continue indefinitely using a plow and corn cultivator,
and plant nothing. Windbreaks are essential; I would make them of double
row of peach trees on south side, to keep the trees in shape. I prune to
give form; I think it pays, as they would become too dense if not
pruned. I do not thin the fruit while on the trees, but think some
variet