286 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



We must remember that all countries and localities have draw- 

 backs sometimes and discouragements to contend with. So with this. 

 The failure of the apple crop the past two seasons in Missouri is very 

 discouraging. But we must remember that after darkness comes light, 

 after the cold and dreary winter comes the mild and gentle spring, 

 with its bright sunshine and beautiful and fragrant flowers ; after failure 

 often comes success ; so we look forward to bright and prosperous 

 times just before us. 



But since we have selected this grand old State as the general 

 location for our orchard, I will not designate which part of it, for each 

 has its peculiar advantages. If for a commercial orchard, one should 

 get convenient and easy access to the various markets. Then whether 

 on the hill or in the valley, select a location that has an open, well 

 under-drained subsoil. This is very important; any soil will do that 

 will grow a good crop of corn, if the subsoil is all right. 



Both the hills and the valleys have their advantages. The valleys 

 are more protected from the cold blasts of winter, and thereby often 

 escape winter- killing when they are killed on the hills. But then the 

 valleys are more liable to late frosts in the spring, and the fruit is 

 often killed in the bloom, while that on the high land escapes. I 

 would in this latitude prefer a northeast slope, so the buds will not 

 put out so soon in the spring. I believe that timber land, as a gen- 

 eral rule, is preferabls to the prairie, especially if the surrounding tim- 

 ber is left standing as a protection from the winds. 



Stony land can be used often to good advantage ; some of the 

 highest colored and finest flavored apples I ever saw grew on land 

 that was so stony it could not be plowed. The holes were dug with a 

 pick and crowbar, the trees planted, and nothing more done. They 

 grew slowly, about one-half as fast as trees on good mellow land, 

 and cultivated, and were loaded with apples when quite small. 



In the preparation there is not very much to do ; plow it well and 

 deep, pulverize it thoroughly; mark it off each way the distance you 

 wish to plant the trees, say about two rods each way. A lister is the 

 best plow for marking, as it opens a wide furrow and makes the center 

 of the furrow in line with your stakes. Clean out the cross with a 

 spade sufiQciently to receive the roots of your tree without cramping, 

 and deep enough so the trees will stand about one inch deeper than 

 they did in the nursery. Fill up and press down carefully among the 

 roots. The fall is the best season, as the winter rains will settle the 

 ground thoroughly around the roots, and they will be ready to start off 

 early in the spring. But you can plant in the early spring, if more con- 

 venient, and they will do well. 



