WINTER MEETING. 287 



Orchard Land Is Abundant. 



BY CONRAD HARTZELL. 



In mo8t parts of the -United States is good fruit land when pro- 

 perly and thoroughly prepared before planting. There is some prefer- 

 ence on hill slopes in some kinds of land, and tor some kinds of fruits. 

 Latitude and longitude must be considered for best results. Proper 

 and sufficient drainage must not be neglected when and where neces- 

 sary ; in fact, there are many natural great advantages in locality for 

 tree growth and fruit development, both in soil and climate, and as 

 well in kinds for profit. 



^ne thing, however, is the leading theme of this communication, 

 and of great necessity in planting, to plant the young orchard as other 

 fruit: namely, plowing the ground whether fertile or impoverished, old 

 or new, whether level or rolling. 



All solid or compact fruit lands, in all localities, for best results, 

 should be very deeply and most thoroughly plowed before the trees 

 are planted. This part of the preparation for tree-planting has never 

 yet been overdone, but is almost invariably underdone, thus causing 

 short-lived and unprofitable orchards seen in so many places. Un- 

 healthy and sun-scalded trees are the result of improper and insuffi- 

 cient preparation of the land before planting. 



Many persons suppose that sun-scald is only seen on good-bodied 

 trees. This is a great mistake; it is the mistake which gave rise to 

 that erroneous plan of trying to grow trees without a body — simply 

 with roots and tops — which are always unprofitable and short-lived. 

 Sun-scalded or unhealthy young trees are never seen on well-prepared 

 land, if the trees were properly planted and otherwise well cared for. 

 The term is a misnomer in that sense, and has led many men into a 

 wrong belief, causing them to err in a very vital orchard [interest, so 

 universally seen on all sides : namely, trees (so-called) without a body, 

 ugly, unsightly, scraggy bunches of brush cumbering the ground by 

 tens of thousands all over Missouri and other states, planned and grown 

 quite close together, which is another mistake in the same fruitless 

 direction. Too many trees to the acre is very much like trees without 

 a body — of no account. 



In order that those who are contemplating planting orchards for 

 profit, this writing is prepared for a guide in the most important mat- 

 ter to know, and first to be considered, in growing an orchard for profit 

 anywhere. Therefore, it is advised that wherever choice is made to 



