92 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



territory north of Grand Rapids. That wonld not be if only the three 

 nurseries north of Grand Rapids were growing trees, and they have 

 nearly all peach trees. For myself, I like to have trees grown near 

 home because if they are injured or anything of the kind I don't hes- 

 itate to go to their home. It is largely a matter from the tluv? of dig- 

 ging until the trees are put in. There is no chance of injury from fu- 

 migation. I might say right here that some prefer to dip their trees 

 into an insecticide solution rather than to fumigate, but some times 

 this is not as good as the other, but proper fumigation will kill the 

 scale and will not injure the trees. 



THE SITE AND SOIL FOR AN ORCHARD. 



(O. K. WHITE^ FIELD AGENT IN HORTICULTURE FOR INI. A. C.) 



The success and profitableness of an orchard depends so largely upon 

 the site and soil that it behooves the prospective fruit grower to give 

 these features careful consideration before he ventures into the busi- 

 ness. 



The site for an orchard should not be low or level, but should be 

 more or less rolling and have an elevation somewhat higher than is 

 common to the vicinity or section. Such a site supplies good air drain- 

 age. Cold air is heavier than warm air and always sinks to lower 

 levels, hence low grounds are more subject to frosts and severe winter 

 freezing. Such disastrous results as occurred at the time of the last Feb- 

 ruary freeze of 1899 and the October freeze 190G, are still fresh in the 

 minds of many Michigan fruit growers Avho had orchards on low, level 

 lands. Many of the orchards, which had until these times been very 

 successful, were practically destroyed. Even on higher lands, pocket- 

 ets must be avoided because cold air settles in them and cannot get out. 

 It is not necessary that a site be e:xtreinely hilly or that the orchard be 

 loeated upon high hill to})s. In many cases it would be better to avoid 

 hill tops on account of their exposure to winds and their tendency to 

 severe soil washing. Abrupt hillsides should also be avoided because 

 of the difficulties encountered in spraying, tillage and harvesting. 



The slope and exposure of a site has some bearing upon its desira- 

 bility for the planting of an orchard. Generally south slope has a light- 

 er soil and warms earlier in the spring than a northern or eastern ex- 

 posure. This induces earliuess in blossoming and ripening of fruit, 

 Avhich is somelinies desirable. On, the otlier hand, trees on a southern 

 exposure are more subject to winter killing and sun scald. Generally, 

 northern or eastern exposures are i)referred by fruit growers because 

 they usually have strong soils, are more retentive of moisture and are 

 not so susceptible to winter injury or late spring frosts. 



It must be understood that some fruits are hardier than others. The 

 apricot is so tender that it seldom does Avell in Michigan. As long as 

 winters are mild it may do fairly well, but it is almost certain to be 

 killed by the first severe winter, even though ])lanted on the most favor- 

 able location. The peach is nearly as tender, while the plum follows 



