IDEAL ORCHARD LANDS. 



There is a certaia formation of laud met with in Missouri, which 

 lias peculiar advantages as orchard land, as the following description 

 of such a tract lying in Johnson county will illustrate. 



This land is the undulating top of a ridge, and comprises a strip 

 ^bout five hundred feet in width by one mile in length. The soil is a 

 rich, light mulatto. The subsoil is black and very porous ; and from 

 four to ten feet beneath the surface lies a solid sheet of limestone which 

 crops out along either side of the ridge. 



In the spring of the year during periods of heavy rain-fall, the 

 surplus water on this land rapidly finds a way of escape down through 

 the porous subsoil to the lime-rock, which it follows to an exhit on 

 either side of the ridge, and trickling down the slope-forms what 

 farmers call " spouty " land. Thus, perfect drainage is given the land, 

 and power of resisting drouth greater than any system of artificial drain, 

 age can supply. Theoretically, this is ideal orchard land. Practically 

 it is unexcelled. Here, in 1878, an orchard of 150 apple trees, consist- 

 ing of Ben Davis, Winesap, Willow Twig, Janet, Huntsman and Grimes 

 •Golden was planted. For eight years after planting, the orchard was 

 cultivated in hoed crops or corn. Since then it has been allowed to 

 run wild with native shrubbery, such as rose and blackberry, briers, per- 

 simmon sprouts, etc. No manure at any time has been given the land. 

 Yet notwithstanding the neglect received, the orchard has not missed 

 bearing a full crop of Ben Davis for eight years, until the present year, 

 which is about one-third crop. The other varieties did accordingly 

 about as well. The Ben Davis this year, when all other good Johnson 

 county orchards failed, matured mostly nice perfect fruit of good size 

 and superior quality. There is no doubt but the peculiarity of the land 

 had something to do with this, as the orchard was not sprayed or given 

 any attention whatever until fruit-picking season. 



There is considerable of such land in Johnson, but it is usually 

 depreciated in value by farmers, because of the spots of " spouty " land 

 previously alluded to ; and horticulturists do not seem to be aware of 

 its worth for orchards. John E. Mohler, 



Warrensburg, Mo. 



