210 TRANSACTIONS OF THE HORTICULTUKAL 



gravelly sub-soil, avouIcI be all right. The level bottom lands of our 

 streams, with free surface drainage and soils which seldom hold a 

 surplus of water, should not be compared with the low flat lands of 

 our rich prairies, which naturally have a clay sub-soil that is slow to 

 part with its excess of moisture, and whose surface drainage is tardy 

 and incomplete. I certainly should not recommend any one to plant 

 on the last-named situation without very thorough drainage, and at 

 present I am not fully convinced that such locations ara desirable 

 even Avith thorough drainage. No soil that is liable to be saturated 

 with water for any length of time is suitable to plant trees or any 

 kind of fruit on. 



Formerly most western writers recommended twenty-five feet as 

 the proper distance to plant the apple, some even advising closer 

 planting. Lately we see many writers advocating thirty to forty feet, 

 attributing much of the decline and unfruitfulness of our orchards 

 to the close planting and lack of nutriment for the trees in the soil. 

 Evidently the idea is gaining ground that we cannot look for pay- 

 ing results from our apple orchards for more than twenty to thirty 

 years after planting. That most orchards at that age are more or 

 less in a decline. The fruit is usually not as fine as on younger 

 trees, and the cost of gathering is much greater; To sum up the 

 matter, it is more profitable to plant a new orchard every twenty or 

 twenty-five years than to renew and care for the old one. If this is 

 the course to be pursued, twenty-five feet is ample distance for the 

 upright-growing varieties, such as Ben Davis, Jonathan, Maiden's 

 Blush, Astrachan, etc. Willow Twig. Minkler, and other spreading 

 growers on strong soils will need more room. 



The selection of varieties to plant is one of the most important, 

 as well as difficult tasks, the planter has to perform. If there are 

 any successful orchardists in his vicinity, consult them. Get 3^our 

 trees of the nearest reliable nurseryman and get his advice. 



I will give a list that are good in my own locality but may not 

 be the best for all: 



SunniiP)' — Red Astrachan, Duchess, Sweet June, Dyer. 



Aiituiiin — Maiden's Blush, Ramsdeirs Sweet, Bailey Sweet, 

 Wealthy, Snow. 



Walter — Jonathan, Ben Davis. Willow, Domine, Pulton. 

 Wagener, Broadwell. 



There are many other varieties that are fully ecpial to these; 

 many, in some respects, better, but it is usually not best to plant too 

 many varieties, especially of winter apples. It is difficult to keep 

 them separate, and mixed lots neither keep or sell as well as all of 

 one variety. I will not name a list for market, though if I were to 

 name any, they are all included in the above list. Any one intend- 

 ing to plant a commercial orchard should learn what his market is 

 likely to call for and plant accordingly. 



