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STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



trench-plowiDg with two horses to shovel plow, not throwing subsoil out, but 

 simply making drainage. 



This orchard wa3 laid off with check-row wire with wire-marks on it every 

 twenty-five feet, thus giving me perfect rows and making the work so much easier 

 and nicer than laying land off with plow. This last preparation was much more 

 expensive than the first, but I am sure that the crop of oats and three plowings 

 have been of great value to the orchard. So you see there are expensive ways of 

 setting an orchard. Still, I think all money spent in this way will return a large 

 per cent. 



As to the cost of planting, there may be wide difference of opinion arising 

 from two principal points, namely, amount paid for trees and number of trees set 

 to an acre. 



Our preference for trees is a two-year-old tree with low head and without 

 fork. Such trees can usually be bought from a good reliable nurseryman in large 

 quantities at low rates, say six cents each, but from tree peddlers you may pay 

 even fabulous prices. 



Now our experience has been to set 70 trees per acre at six cents, making a 

 cost of $i.20 per acre : cost of digging holes and setting 70 trees $1 ; cost of pro- 

 tecting trees from borer and rabbits for five years with wire gauze is about two 

 cents per tree, or $1.40 per acre — this making a total cost of §7 85 per acre for 

 planting orchard on above land. 



First three years plant to cora or any hoed crop— planting only between rows 

 one way, leaving four feet on either side of trees, in order to continue cultivation, 

 and keep the ground loose around trees until August Ist, when all cultivation 

 must cease. The crop thus raisad will pay for above cultivation, but your trees 

 require constant care to keep them well get, for they will become loose in the 

 ground in wet weather. They must also bs hoed two or three times each year, and 

 the wire to protect from borer must be put down in May and raised again in Au- 

 gust. Your trees will also need some pruning to shape them well. This last work 

 will cost about $2 per acre each year for three years. After this give your orchard 

 one year of thorough cultivation by breaking in spring, then continue cultivation 

 with cut-away harrow and hoe until August Ist. This will cost about $6 per acre. 

 The fifth spring put land in fine shape and sow to clover between rows, leaving 

 four feet on either side of trees and cultivate with plow and hoe, making a cost of 

 $0 per acre. Next season allow clover to take over the space between rows and 

 hoe only around just under the trees. Keep trees from becoming loose in the 

 ground and continue to shape trees by light pruning. This last year's work will 

 add another cost of $2 per acre. Now ail these years you should be hauling all the 

 wood ashes you can get within 10 miles of your orchard. 



Spent lime at 25 cents a load has been used with good results. 



Now, footing up the costs aimed to be set forth in this paper, you will find : 



