WINTER MEETING AT CARTHA.GE. 16] 



Distance to plant— Remember the above described number. If the object is 

 to have the standard apple trees 32 by dl, plant each way in a diamond form, in- 

 stead of 30 feet in a square. In planting, say in a row running north and south, 

 opposite each 30 feet or standard tree, is to be cut when their room is needed. 

 Fifty trees on an acre 32 by 32 each way, set in a diamond form and left after the 

 middle tree is cut out, would be inconvenient for culture. 



P'ive years ago I planted an apple orchard (rows running north and south), 

 trees 15 feet apart, and east and west 30 feet. Next year I aim to girdle the middle 

 trees, which causes them to bear younger and thus exhaust by young bearing, so by 

 the time the standard trees need the room, to be cut out. 



I planted only three varieties for commercial purpose : Jonathan, which ripen 

 and will do to ship before the Ben Davis ripen, Ben Davis for middle market, Red 

 Romanite for late or spring market. Of 1162 trees planted, only two died. I give 

 them the best of care and they have made a very tine growth. I am trying to make 

 this the finest orchard in the State. I planted and cultivated to castor beans only 

 (which has not paid the last two seasons.) 



Of the 337 apple varieties named in the last American Pomological Society, 

 only a small number succeed or are profitable for a commercial orchard in South- 

 west Missouri. Ben Davis has proven the most profitable for market. 



People are getting more interested in fruit-growing, judging by the letters 

 received, inquiring what to plant and how to cultivate, Let me say in regard to 

 culture : apples and peaches the first few years are much like corn— one hill for 

 profit is too much if no care is given. I often advise young men who talk of going 

 west to buy ten acres of yet cheap land, and plant an apple orchard. If well cared 

 for, in eight years it would make a good living for them. No safer investment can 

 be made, as the demand for apples is growing faster than the product ; and blessed 

 is the income. Jacob Faith. 



Vernon County, Missouri. 



PLANTING AND CARING FOR TREES. 



3I}\ President and Members of the Missouri Horticultural Society : 



The subject, or rather subjects, assigned to me by our worthy Secretary for 

 this paper are, "Age of Trees," "Time to ;Plant," "Pruning the Trees," and 

 ' 'Planting " They cover a vast field for information, and are of great importance 

 to every orchardist and fruit-grower, whether he be growing it for commercial 

 purposes or for home use. They cover ample ground for three or four papers, all of 

 which deserve to come from the more able pens of more experienced persons, with 

 a broader and more comprehensive talent than your humble servant possesses. 



THE AGE OF TREES. 



With my limited experience and observation with the apple, I would choose a 

 well-grown two-year-old tree. 



A good tree of this kind is stocky enough to withstand the wind and uphold 

 an upright position without being whipped around and bent to the ground, and 

 the roots have not become so large but what they can be taken up easily without 

 cutting or breaking, and when properly planted will hold the tree firm and it will 

 not be turned out of the ground. This applies more particularly to commercial 

 orchards. 



H— 11 



