CORNELL READING-COURSE supplement to 



RE ADING-LESSO NT 

 NO. 15. 



FOR FARMERS. 



Issued by College of Agriculture, Cornell UniwrsUy, 

 Ithaca, N. T., in the months of November, December, 

 January, February and March. 



Entered at the post-office at Ithaca, N. Y., as second class 

 matter under act of July, ISOU. 



APRIL, 1901. 



BY JOHN CRAIG. 



Dea?' Reader : 



c 



I am writing this letter, which I liope jou will accept as a per- 

 sonal one, to give jou a word of greeting at the close of the Read- 

 ing season and also to tell you of a disappointment just experienced. 



The orcharding series. — But before we speak of disappointments, 

 let US talk of the good work we have accomplished during the 

 winter. In writing the series of lessons on Orcharding it was 

 keenly felt that the subject could be considered only in the most 

 general way ; that to the experienced fruit-grower the Lessons 

 could only be regarded as superficial reviews wdiile the specialist 

 might get little or nothing from them. JS^evertheless, I hope, and 

 in fact have reason to believe, that some light has been thrown on 

 the principles of fruit-growing, that a fairly definite knowledge of 

 the needs of a fruit tree may be gained by a study of these Lessons, 

 and that an intelligent view of the orchard as a farm crop, demand- 

 ing careful attention each year, has been given. There is health, 

 enjoyment and moderate remuneration in fruit growling, but, like 

 general agriculture, the enjoyment and financial returns are gener- 

 ally proportionate to the amount of study, thought and general 

 attention put into the work. Few men fail if they bring to bear on 

 the work these essentials and if they give it diligent attention. 



The neglected orchard. — I am wondering if these lessons gave us 

 any new notions. Do any of ns own neglected orchards ? Shall we 

 prune, and are we planning to spray, cultivate and fertilize these old 

 trees ? In their present condition they are unprofitable cumberers of 

 the ground. We do not like to chop them down, but they occupy 

 good land. Give them another trial. Ask for suggestions. You have 

 capital invested in these trees and should secure an annual return. 



Perhaps you are considering the question of setting out a new 



427 



