306 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Would plow an orchard at least once a year. Let it grow in weeds, 

 in buckwheat or clover, but be sure and plow it once a year. Until it 

 gets to bearing, the best crop to grow in an orchard is corn. Plant 21 

 feet apart; plant in spring. Had some trouble from insects; keep 

 hogs in the orchard, and plow late — after the ground freezes, if possi- 

 ble. Has gradually come to the conclusion that no pruning is neces- 

 sary, except to keep the tree in shape; tops about four to five feet 

 high ; prune at any time. 



For winter market, pick early ; the early picked apples will keep 

 the longest. Do not put my fruit in barrels until wanted for sale; put 

 them direct from the orchard to the cellar, except the early picked. 

 Keep the light away from the apples as much as possible. 



Ragan considers apples the most valuable fruit we have— interests 

 more people than any other fruit. What we want is an apple with good 

 eating qualities, equal in all other respects to the Ben Davis. No easy 

 matter to introduce new varieties. Had Ben Davis in bearing twenty- 

 five years ago ; was well thought of then, but is only now coming into 

 general use. The best apples, however, have too much saccharine 

 matter to be long keepers. Would not set any Ben Davis if setting 

 2000 trees, but would plant all Clayton : that is, if confined to one 

 variety, which, however, 1 do not recommend. Clayton originated in 

 Indiana fifty years since: good size, color, flavor, and will keep until 

 July, and is in its prime in April. Gave description of original tree of 

 Clayton, and would also set Grimes Golden — good early winter apples 

 — some Northern Spy, some Baldwin, some Ben Davis. Would not 

 entirely discard the Janet; is a profitable apple, and often bears when 

 others miss. Does not agree with Pres. Evans in planting only one 

 variety. Thinks well of the Lawver and Huntsman's Favorite, but 

 has not yet fully tested them. Red apples will bear handling much 

 better than yellow ones ; will not show bruises so much. Have been 

 troubled but little with codlin moth. Cultivate my orchard until it 

 comes in bearing; then put in clover, and keep in such fix that we can 

 turn our hogs in. If the trees get checked in their growth, plow it up 

 and then seed down again ; must keep the ground up in fertility ; would 

 not put corn in orchard at any time; it exhausts the ground too much, 

 and makes harbor for rabbits, etc. The rabbits annoy me some ; tie 

 up my small trees each fall. Pick my fruit and sort and put at once 

 into barrels, headed up ; place in open shed until cold weather makes 

 it necessary to put in cellar; it makes less handling, and consequently 

 less bruises. The earlier picked the longer they keep, but the later 

 picked the better quality. Pack apples tight enough so no apples can 

 move. 



