300 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



which we will allude later on. I have grown other small fruits and 

 low hoed crops ever since. 



My next was a quince orchard of about six hundred trees; in 

 this I have grown mostly strawberries, potatoes, and once or twice 

 cabbage. I might here state that I grow strawberries in matted 

 rows, thinning them out to allow each plant about three inches 

 space. The last or third year, I let all the runners grow. After 

 the crop is gathered I turn them under; when I think it advisable I 

 sow crimson clover, and when this gets into bloom turn it under. 

 I want all the vegetable matter I possibly can get without souring 

 my soil. When I see it has all it will bear for the time being, I put 

 in potatoes or cabbage with good results, and after this is taken off 

 my soil is in a condition for another planting of strawberries. I 

 cover all my strawberry plants in the fall with stable manure; in 

 the spring rake it off in between the rows. In this manner my 

 ground is frequently worked. The quince roots will not remain on 

 the surface, but striking downwards, making growth of from three 

 to five feet in a season; and as to fruit — well, when men like P. J. 

 Berckman, Ex-president of the American Pomological Association, 

 are astonished to see such large and perfect fruit, wanting some sent 

 to his home in Augusta, Georgia, should be convincing that small 

 fruit is no detriment to a quince orchard, when properly managed. 



Since then I set out about twelve hundred apple trees, and about 

 three hundred plum trees. The plum orchard I work very similar 

 to the pear and quince orchard; for my apple orchard I take four- 

 year-old trees; in this I set seedling apples, pears, plums, etc., 

 growing nursery stock. I keep away far enough that the digging 

 will not injure the roots of the young orchard trees. By thus plant- 

 ing I save labor, time and expense, and my orchards receive frequent 

 stirring of the soil, clean culture, with strong, thrifty trees. I be- 

 lieve in taking as much from one acre as I can. I do not believe 

 in working two acres when the same, or better results can be had 

 from one. I do not believe in killing weeds a foot or more in height; 

 but I do believe in stirring the soil that weeds do not get a start. 

 Sometimes, in a wet season, it is difficult to keep weeds down. I 

 find it pays to hire extra help to keep weeds under control, to the 

 benefit of the trees or crop grown. 



The question may be asked: "By growing two crops at the same 

 time, it must impoverish the soil?" to which I say, it does not. With 

 me nothing goes on the brush pile to be burned, even the trimmings 

 of nursery stock is put on a big pile and just as soon as it becomes 

 brittle enough to be worked is plowed under. Formerly I used 

 about fifty tons of stable manure to the acre. I use very little now; 

 the crimson clover takes the nitrogen from the air, while pliosphoric 

 acid and potash T apply in chemical form. My soil is better and 



