14 



FKUIT GROWING FOR HOME USE IN THE GREAT PLAINS. 



plements that have been found most satisfactory in any given section 

 may also be used in cultivating the fruit plantation, with a single 

 exception. In plowing the orchard and in the use of other imple- 

 ments of tillage, care must be taken not to work the soil so deep that 

 the roots are injured. If the trees are set deep when they are planted, 

 there will be little danger in this respect. A well-cultivated apple 

 orchard located near Plainview, Tex., is shown in figure 2. The 

 surface has been maintained in good condition for conserving moisture. 

 The maintenance of soil fertility by frequently renewing the supply 

 of humus is essential to continued success. Nothing is better for this 

 than stable or barnyard manure. The turning under of some green- 



Fig. 2.— Apple orchard six years old grown ■without irrigation at Tlainview, Tex. Tlie tops are rather too 

 dense, but fonned at a desirable height from the ground. A good soil mulch has been maintained. 



manure crop, however, makes an efficient substitute. A good supply 

 of humus is also of the greatest importance in connection with the 

 supply of moisture and its conservation. 



IRRIGATION. 



The possibility has been mentioned of resorting to irrigation in 

 order to tide over the trees or other fruit-prodiicing plants in times 

 of severe drought. Figure 3 shows a small earth reservoir used for 

 retaining a supply of water for this purpose. There are many of 

 them in this region. One may be constructed on almost any ranch 

 and in most yards where there is a good well of water and a windmill. 



[Cir. 51] 



