3G0 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY . 



The varieties mostly inquired for are Ben Davis, Willow Twig and 

 Jonathan. These inquiries came from points in Iowa, Nebraska, Mon- 

 tana, New Mexico, Texas and Colorado. 



The Ben Davis, Willow Twig and Jonathan grow to perfection 

 on the tops of our divides, and for a large commercial orchard I would 

 not plant anything else extensively, although many other varieties do 

 well and should be planted in the family orchard. I have sold our 

 apples at points in Iowa along side of apples from New York and 

 the East, and was surprised to see our apples so much better than the 

 Eastern apples, and have always been able to out-sell them. If I mis- 

 take not the signs of the times, there will be a great many commer- 

 cial orchards planted in the near future. 



When we take into consideration the low prices of other farm 

 products, when we see a bushel of apples selling for twice as much as 

 a bushel of corn or potatoes, and three times as much as a bushel of 

 oats, and a demand for good apples that can't be supplied and an in- 

 creasing demand that will out-grow the supply, the young man in Mis- 

 souri that don't begin to plant apple trees can't see afar off. 



Yes, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska and Iowa,, 

 are looking to Missouri for their apples. It is easy for anyone to see 

 that apple-growing is the important thing for the Missouri farmer. A 

 great deal depends on the location for an orchard. The first lesson 

 to be learned is the old adage that " an apple tree can't stand wet 

 feet." Give the orchard the highest land on the farm. If you can't 

 get trees at a home nursery, grow them yourself from grafts ; you don't 

 need budded apple trees. Give agents and tree peddlers a wide birth- 

 Prepare your ground well before planting ; if in a hurry, this may be 

 done by breaking strips four feet wide, pulverized well. A single fur- 

 row with a large plow for the cross-rows will run deep enough if 

 2-year trees are to be planted. Plant shallow and hill high, add to 

 the hill several times during spring and summer. This hilling or mound- 

 ing acts as a mulch, steadies the tree to its place and is the cheapest 

 preventive against the borer that I know of. With the mounding the 

 cultivation of the crop in the young orchard is sufficient cultivation 

 for the trees. I have quit washing with soap and lye as the trees will 

 grow fast enough in our deep, rich soil, and will be hardier. 



I find from observations taken from all over the county, that the 

 orchards that were seeded to clover, at about five years old, are giv- 

 ing the best satisfaction. Don't head lower than four feet. My low- 

 topped trees are going to pieces, and sun-scald the same as high trees- 

 Keep the top thinned to the proper number of branches during the 



