fty cents per day for preparing the
evaporated apples.
* * * * *
C. G. WICKERSHAM, Parsons, Labette county: I have lived in Kansas
twenty-six years. Have an apple orchard, the oldest of which are
twenty-seven years. For all purposes I prefer Jonathan, Grimes's Golden
Pippin, and Winesap. I prefer hilltop, with the very best of black soil,
having a north or northwest slope. I prefer two- or three-year-old
medium-sized trees, set in holes dug for them. I cultivate my orchard to
potatoes, using a common cultivator, and cease cropping after ten or
fifteen years; nothing should be planted in a bearing orchard.
Windbreaks are essential; would make them of three to six rows of elms.
We destroy all the rabbits we can. I prune the trees when first set out
to shorten in the limbs; then keep it up every year; it pays big. I do
not thin the fruit on the trees; the wind does it for me; it pays to not
have the trees too full. Makes no material difference whether the trees
are in block of one variety or mixed plantings. I fertilize my orchard
with slightly rotted stable litter, and think it pays, and is
beneficial. I would advise its use on all soils, but not as extensively
on rich soils. I pasture my orchard with chickens only; they are a
benefit and pay well. My apples are troubled with codling-moth,
curculio, and bud moth. I spray with London purple, Paris green, and
Bordeaux mixture. I pick my apples by hand, sort in from three to six
grades, and put them on hay in the shade. Pack in one- and
one-and-a-half-bushel packages. I wholesale, retail and peddle a very
little. Give the culls to neighbors who have no apples. Have tried
distant markets, but it did not pay. Home market is best. I do not dry
any. I store some in a frost-proof house. Have to repack stored apples.
I water my orchard frequently.
* * * * *
O. W. HECKETHORN, McPherson, McPherson county: I have resided in Kansas
twenty-four years; have an apple orchard of 350 trees; 180 of them are
twelve years old; the balance are younger. For market I prefer Missouri
Pippin and Maiden's Blush; for family use, Maiden's Blush. I prefer a
sandy loam with an east or northeast aspect. I prefer two-year-old,
low-headed trees, planted in rows thirty feet apart. I cultivate my
orchard as long as the weeds grow, and plant a young orchard to corn,
using a small cultivator and disc. Cease cropping after eight or nine
yea
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