he Kansas Horticultural Society, by W. D.
CELLAR, of Edwardsville, Kan.

A wide difference of opinion prevails as to the proper distance apart
for apple trees, some growers maintaining that forty feet is close
enough, while others plant as close as fifteen feet. With varieties that
come into bearing early, planting close in the row north and south, with
the intention of cutting out every other tree when they are large enough
to crowd, may be good husbandry. Two or three crops might be secured
before it would be necessary to cut out the extra trees. The objections
are, that the orchard cannot be so thoroughly cultivated, and the drain
necessary to grow the extra trees might so debilitate the soil as to
seriously affect succeeding crops. One grower says: "I am satisfied it
will pay in the short run, but it remains to be seen whether it will pay
in the long run." In this section, where we have so much wind and
sunshine, twenty-five to thirty feet seems to be the proper distance for
apple trees, fifteen feet for plums, and fifteen by twenty feet for
peach and cherry, and twenty feet for pear trees. Upland is thought
better than river bottom for orchards, and a north or east slope is
chosen for apples.

A difference in location is required for different varieties of apples.
A vigorous-growing variety will do well on the thin soil of the hills,
while a variety deficient in root vigor, which might be profitable in
deep soil, would not thrive on the hilltops. I gathered this year from
eight-year-old Missouri Pippin trees, planted in the deep soil of a
creek bottom, five bushels of apples to the tree, while Missouri Pippins
in the same orchard, on the hilltops, planted at the same time and
having the same treatment, yielded scarcely a bushel to the tree. In the
same orchard Jonathans yielded about as well on the hill as in the
valley. I would not choose an exposed north or northwest slope for
peaches or cherries. Better an east, or even a south slope. Professor
Whitten, of the Missouri State Agricultural College, has recommended
whitening peach trees in winter by spraying with lime to prevent
premature swelling of the buds.

In my locality the best varieties of apples, from a commercial
standpoint, are Ben Davis, Jonathan, and Missouri Pippin. More Kieffer
and Duchess pears are planted than any other kind. The leading peaches
are Elberta, Old Mixon Free, Stump, Champion, Smock, and Salway. The
most profitable plum is the