30fi State I/orticiilliiral Society. 



the fruit grower wants to know. Pupils 'of grades 7 and 8 should visit 

 a nursery and see the Httle trees and plants "growing in rows like corn 

 rows. It is well to learn the names of such apples as grow in the neigh- 

 borhood where you live. This is an apple tree just one year old. It has 

 been budded or grafted and is small and straight. It remains in the row 

 usually two years longer before it has good roots and a well shaped top. 

 When three years old they are ready to transplant where they can grow 

 large and bear fruit. The nurseryman digs or plows them out in such a 

 way as not to destroy the roots or injure the tops and will sell }ou trees 

 of any age or variety you desire to plant. 



This tree is three years old from the seed. See the little roots or 

 rootlets. They nuist be kept moist until set in the ground again. See ' 

 the well balanced top. The nurseryman allows no forks to grow in the 

 trunk, for the weight of the fruit will split the fork, and thus injure 

 the tree. 



If you set these trees out in rows so the trees are about twenty-five 

 feet apart, they will grow into large trees with strong roots and tops. A 

 cluster or grove of these trees is called an apple orchard. If you plant 

 the right varieties you can have ripe apples for summer, fall and winter 

 use. 



Avoid a south or southwest slope in setting out an apple orchard, 

 because the hot sun in the afternoon in Missouri will injure the trees. 

 Any of the other slopes are better. TItc branches should be started low, 

 as shown by this sample tree ; and, in this way, the trunk is kept shaded 

 and the apples kept within easy reach. 



If you set out a large orchard intending to sell or ship the fruit, it 

 is called a commercial orchard. It usually has such varieties as ship and 

 keep well. We live in the apple belt. Apple trees do not do well in ex- 

 tremely cold or hot countries. We must raise apples to sell to the people 

 who raise oranges, pine apples and bananas for us. 



A good apple orchard adds value and beauty to the State. It fur 

 nishcs the best of food and is a source of profit. No spot on the farm 

 will be remembered so long or so well as the orchard with its rosy cheeked 

 apples. 



Suggestions: At this recitation have ap[)le trees, one, two and three 

 years old. The little roots and branches should be left on for pupils to 

 examine. Explain "low branches," "varieties," "fork," "balanced top," 

 by examples. In connection with all these lessons read and discuss bits 

 of literature in prose and verse on the orchard, apple blossoms, cider 

 making, bird helpers, insect pests, etc. This literature should be found 

 in the school or teacher's library. 



