208 TRANSACTIONS OF THK HORTICULTURAI, 



Hence the first question which confronts the orchardist in 

 Northern Illinois is. Shall I replant to till the vacancies, and if so. 

 what varieties can I trust? I would reply, yes, replant. Dig out 

 the roots of dead and badly damaged trees, put a half-wagon load of 

 good soil (not manure ) into the excavati6n, plant such varieties iis 

 have best resisted thus far all adverse climatic conditions, and cultivate 

 the orchard thoroughly with plow, harrow and corn cultivator, be- 

 ginning as soon as the trees begin t<j })ush out their leaves, and con- 

 tinuing till the middle of July. Of course the plowings should be 

 shallow so as not to break many of the feeding roots, and the use of 

 the harrow and double-cultivator often repeated during the time. If 

 the ground has been croi)ped for several previous years without ma- 

 nure, this should be applied befoi'e cultivation is commenced, cover- 

 ing the entire surface alike. Barnyard or stable manure is best. 



The varieties to be planted either in a new orchard or in filling 

 vacancies in an old one. should be few in number and confined, as 

 already stated, to such as have hitherto endured hardships well, and 

 also such as are adapted to the needs of the planter's family. The 

 planting of large orchards for commercial purposes in Northern Illi- 

 nois i^, to say the least, a branch of horticulture promising small 

 returns. Yet every land-ow'ner may and should grow apples as well 

 as small fruit sufficient for his own family. 



I will name a few of the sorts which may. I think, be planted 

 with a reasonable prospect of paying results: 



SiniiDier — Sops of Wine, Tetofskey, Duchess, Benoni, Red 

 Astrachan. 



Autmnn — Fall Winesap, Fall Swaar, Snow, Cayuga Red Streak, 

 Wealthy. 



W'niter — Roman Stern, Grimes' Golden, Golden Russett, Wil- 

 low^ Twig, Salome, Talman's Sweet, Wythe, and probabl}^ Yellow 

 Transparent and some others of Eastern or Russian origin. 



In planting new orchards young low-top trees should be selected. 

 Do not •' trim up " so as to allow a team to pass under the trees. 

 Plant wide enough apart to admit of cultivation for many years be- 

 tween the rows each way — not less than thirty feet; lean the trees 

 toward the two o'clock sun in planting: prune I'enj sparingly, if at 

 all, and only to prevent forks or crotches at time of planting, and to 

 prevent chafing of branches afterward. 



Cultivate the ground for at least five years, then seed to clover 

 — never to grass — and allow^ the clover to fall and remain upon the 

 land. Damage from mice may be avoided by throwing a few spades- 

 ful of earth around the base of each trunk in fall to be scattered in 

 early spring. 



Hunt for and destroy with knife the borers, going over the 

 orchard in July and early September. Their whereabouts can always 

 be detected by their saw-dust like excrement. Spray the trees with 

 arsenic water when in full 1)1 oom^ by use of a garden engine or force 



