196 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



his climate and soil: therein lies the profit. There are many soils 

 in every district so entirely unsuited in the condition we find them, 

 that it would be folly to plant any variety; but in very many in- 

 stances the objectionable features may be entirely removed, or 

 changed. Compactness, may be overcome by mechanical means 

 by the application of humus, exposure to the elements; missing ele- 

 ments may be supplied; excessive moisture may be removed by 

 ridgeing, or by underdrainiug, thus carrying off all surplus. 



Soils that are porous, permitting the surplus vvater to penetrate, 

 are most suitable for orchard planting. These may be designated 

 as gravelly, sandy, or sand loam. Others are more compact, made 

 up of finer material, clay, which permits the water to penetrate 

 very slowly, and requires very ditfercnt treatment. By back farrow- 

 ing, throwing up a ridge upon which to plant, or by underdrainiug 

 and turning- under plenty of material to make humus, this soil be- 

 comes more porous and becomes peculiarly adapted to the pro- 

 duction of certain varieties of apples, as certain apples do much bet- 

 ter upon clay or clay loam; others upon limestone, granite, etc. One 

 variety may give abundant crops of the choicest fruit upon a granite 

 formation, and be utterly worthless upon a shale, or sandstone 

 formation. Therein lies the value of understanding the individu- 

 ality of the dilferent varieties. 



Preparation. — This should ordinarily be begun the season pre- 

 vious. If the soil is lacking in humus, which is the foundation of 

 fertility', it should be well covered with good stable manure, thor- 

 oughly and deeply plowed, and planted to some hoed crop, corn or 

 potatoes, the latter being the better. Apply complete fertilizer 

 of high grade, at least 1,000 pounds per acre. As soon as the pota- 

 toes are removed, sow to cov/ peas, or some other quick growing 

 crop; this may be turned under late in fall, or left as a winter 

 mulch on top and turned under early in spring, plowing not less 

 than 10 or 12 inches deep, harrow thoroughly and roll, which places 

 it in excellent condition for planting. 



Selection of Stock: What Age'! — If peach, never take a tree over 

 one year from the bud, but good, strong, healthy stock, 4 to 6 feet 

 high, with clean bark, clean roots, free from root galls. 



If apple or pear^ select one year old in preference, if you can get 

 strong 4 to 6 feet whips. The reason for this choice is, when you 

 get trees of this size at one year old, you have trees of strong, 

 robust habit, strong individuality, the very cream of the nursery. 

 "They can be dug with less injury to the roots; you can form the top 

 at any height you desire; you can form a head any shape you wish, 

 having no forks, which should be avoided, as they are apt to split 

 when they are heavy laden with fruit. It is almost impossible to 

 get trees with heads formed in the nursery that will suit the or- 

 chardist who understands his business. 



If you cannot get one year old trees as described, take smooth, 

 thrifty two-year old trees, that have low, well formed heads. It is 

 advisable to place your order early with some reliable nurseryman, 

 or dealer, before his stock is reduced, as too many will substitute 

 rather than lose the order, and substitution is what you wish to 

 avoid, for if you have made a careful selection of just what you want, 

 you want that order filled to take the letter, and do not wish to have 

 some worthless variety, which the nurseryman says is just as good, 



