286 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Dec. 



FRUIT GROWING FOR PROFIT. 



BY S. A. GUTSHALF, Nfw Germantown. 



READ AT BLAIN INSTITUTE, PERRY CO., FEB. 1, 1901. 



Wben God had finislied tbe creation of the Heavens and the earth, 

 he planted a garden, in which were all kinds of fruits. After the 

 flood, Xoah planted a vineyard. Christ tells us of the fruitful and 

 unfruitful tree. From this we learn that fruit growing is as old as 

 creation, and was from the beginning. 



With most farmers fruit growing is sadly neglected, they give their 

 personal attention to all other work, but the orchard must look out 

 for itself. 



Among fruits, I place the apple first in importance, the wide ex- 

 tent of country over which they can be grown, its general usefulness, 

 long keeping qualities, place it first among fruits. To start an 

 apple orchard, do not plant too many varieties. In an orchard of 

 fifty trees I would plant five early, ten fall, balance medium and late 

 winter varieties. Plant onlv such varieties as have been tried and 

 are known to succeed in your locality. 



SOIL. 



Any deep, well drained soil will grow apples, if properly 

 cared for. At planting, prune off all side branches and cut back in 

 most cases to a stub, in this way you will start a new head, and 

 you can grow the top of your tree any shape you may want it. 



Fertilize your ground and cultivate thoroughly. On this depends 

 the life and growth of your tree. One of the worst enemies of the 

 apple is the borer. Dig around your trees at least twice each year, 

 and hunt them out with a knife and crooked wire. Do not depend on 

 washes to kill borers. A wash that will kill the borer will kill the 

 tree. Prune so your tree has an open head and will not grow forks 

 to split and destroy your tree. If you wish to train your tree low, 

 this can be done by pruning. If you want them up out of reach of 

 stock, and to work under, careful pruning will shape them into what 

 you want. 



The peach unlike the apple, can be raised on thin, dry soil,. by using 

 plenty of fertilizer. Have known thrifty peach trees grow where 

 there was not over three inches of loose soil on top of solid slate rock. 

 At planting, cut back to stubs and force growth of new wood. One- 

 half of each gear's growth should be cut back, thus insuring new 

 wood. On this depends the next year's crop. The borer in the 



