153 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



5. The want of sufficient moisture during our severe seasons of 

 drouth, which leaves the tree in such a feeble condition that if the 

 drouth is followed by a severe winter, the tree often succumbs, as do 

 the half-starved cattle on our western plains, under winter's icy blasts. 



In short, it is the enfeebled, or exhausted condition into which the 

 tree is forced which causes it to die prematurely. 



There are secondary causes of delay, e. g., such which result from 

 the injury done by borers, rabbits, mice, cattle and sheep, the plow- 

 share and doubletrees, heavy pruning, and the sowing of grain among 

 young trees. These, however, are only so-called "accidents," due 

 either to carelessness or lack of horticultural knowledge. 



In order to give our trees a longer lease on life, we must hold the- 

 following points in view : 



1. A rich, deep, well-drained soil. 



2. A strong constitution. 



3. Prevent severe drains upon the constitution from overbearing^ 



4. Proper and sufficient nourishment. 



5. Anticipate the enfeebling effects of our severe drouths. 



I will try to explain the five propositions just enumerated, taking 

 them up in the order named : 



First point. — Regarding the effect of rich, deep soil, I will give my 

 experience with an orchard on our old homestead in Hermann, Mo. 

 On it my father planted in 1847 and 1848 some fifty acres to orchard, 

 mostly apple trees. About one-third of this orchard was planted on 

 the flattened ridge of a hill, one-third on the eastern side of it, and the 

 other third on a lower level at the foot of the hill. In from twenty to 

 twenty five years the trees on the side of the hill gradually died off, 

 those on the ridge soon following, but those on the lower ground stood 

 for years after the others were gone. The reason for this is obvious. 

 While the trees on the hillside and ridge were being deprived of the 

 rich layer of top soil, by rains and melting snows, the trees on the lower 

 ground not only retained most of the original soil, but received valua- 

 ble additions. I will add that some of the same varieties which stood 

 on the lower ground were also distributed on the side and ridge. 

 Similar examples can be seen in almost every large orchard in hilly 

 sections. It is a serious mistake to plaiit apple trees on poor soil, ye.t 

 I have frequently h^ard men say they would plant trees on a certain 

 piece of ground because it was fit for nothing else. I^or should it be 

 so steep that the best soil is soon washed away. An apple tree re- 

 quires generous fare, because the large crops of fruit it produces are 

 a heavy drain upon its system, besides this, it deserves good^fare, be- 

 cause it brings large returns on the investment. 



