STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 83 



safeguard against the damages from severe cold, I observed that where small fruits were 

 near hedge fences they ])roiliiced a much larger crop and better fruit, and evei7where 

 near this place where there was protection, good results followed. Timber belts and 

 hedges of evergreens should be planted on the north and west of orchards on the prairie, 

 and the ground about the trees mulched deep and well, and especially on clay soil, the 

 mulch to be put on after the ground freezes. If the subjects of soil, situation and protec- 

 tion of orchards and vineyards were more carefully studied, and better understood, 

 better results would follow the ]ilanting of orchards and vineyards ; especially is this 

 subject brought to notice in trying certain varieties of Apples on soil not adapted to 

 their growth and fruiting. The Belltlower and Northern Spy have been often 

 denounced for refusing to ' come to time ' on prairie soil, while on clay lands they do 

 much better, and timber orchards cannot afford to be without them. At Pana, 111., I 

 noted an orchard situated so as to enclose the north and south slopes of a hill. At the 

 time I saw it the trees on the north side were loaded with fruit, and those on the south 

 side had scarcely any at all ; so it is not always in favor of ^southern slopes^ as we read 

 in the books. As a general thing little or no attention is given as to where orchards are 

 planted ; a place close by the house and as little in the way as possible, enclosing a good 

 place for calves and pigs, ' so that the groimd will not be lost,^ is the popular orchard 

 spot. 



"As to cultivation : the different modes are good, bad, indifferent, and ftone at all. 

 The past summer has tested the practice of many, and some who plead for clean culture 

 failed to ' show their faith by their works,' for some orchards offer splendid inducements 

 to rabbits and a fine site for a Jire. The best rule is, good cultivation for young orchards, 

 with ground planted in potatoes or some hoed crop, (and not in ' pigs and calves,' as 

 found too often to be the case.) 



"As to ' suggestions in regard to planting,' etc. : The preference and practice, I 

 believe, is generally for spring planting, (another mistake, I am inclined to think.) Fall 

 planting has the advantage of better condition of the soil, less danger from drought the 

 summer following. Less trees die from transplanting in fall, and a better growth is 

 obtained ; but doctors differ, and people are divided, and nurserymen are often consid- 

 ered as an interested party. The different results following the different times of plant- 

 ing are owing to the differences of the seasons, more than merely spring or fall, and after 

 all nine- tenths of the trees that die are badly handled, poorly planted, and sadly neg- 

 lected. 



" In regard to varieties : It is a subject of prime importance, but has been hereto- 

 fore overlooked. In planting family orchards, too many early and fall varieties have 

 been planted, and some took for granted that one A])])le was as good as another, and 

 tree peddlers have accommodated their stock accordingly. I saw one orchard of forty 

 trees, all Milams. A conmiercial orchard near here has the Milam, Rawles' Janet, Ben 

 Davis, Willow, Winesap, and other leading kinds entirely left out, but has a great abun- 

 dance of Russets (small kinds at that), plenty of summer and largely of fall varieties. It 

 is generally thought, too, that an orchard of a hundred trees should embrace not less 

 than fifty kinds. When we come to consider projierly, location, soil, etc., come first ; 

 then varieties. If timber land, clay soil, then make selections to suit, including the 

 Bellflower and Northern Spy; plant from two-thirds to three-fourths winter varieties, 

 not less than from five to ten of a kind, in proportion to size of the orchard. Eveiy 

 tree should be carefully root pruned before planting; the ground to be in good order. 

 If in fall, raise mound about the tree eight or ten inches high ; if in s]iring, the ground 

 should be carefully handled to prevent packing, and every tree well mulched at time ol 

 planting, with well rotted straw just a little below the surface, and soil put on top ; in 

 all cases follow with good cultivation. Splendid orchards may be grown on ' prairie 

 lands ; ' you don't need to go to the woods, as was once thought, to raise fruit, but the 

 eternal fitness of things must not be overlooked or neglected in the selection of varieties, 

 yet 'circumstances alter cases.' Plant young healthy trees from nearest reliable nurse- 

 ryman. 



" But I will not extend this paper, as there is nothing new to members of your 

 Society, and the masses do not read the reports ; and this is a free country, and every 



