283 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Carthage, Jasper County, Mo., Dec. 6, 1886. 

 L. A. Goodman, Wesfport, Mo.: 



Dear Sir — Haviug been requested by the Jasper County Horti- 

 cultural Spciety to write a paper on horticulture, for the benefit of the 

 State Horticultural Society. In obedience to that request I will say 

 that, as the apple is one of the oldest fruits known to man, it would 

 appear to be presumption on my part to pretend to improve upon any- 

 thing that has already been said and written on the subject of the cul- 

 ture and management of the apple orcbard. But, nev^ertheless, I will 

 give you my experience. 



In the first place the soil should be suitable to the growth of th& 

 apple tree, of which southwest Missouri has an abundance. It should 

 be high and dry rolling land, and if possible, well protected by a grove 

 of timber on the north and west from the severe and cold winds com- 

 ing from that direction. The land should be in a good state of cultiva- 

 tion before the trees are planted. They should be planted at least 30 

 feet apart each way. 



The land and trees should be well cultivated each year, corn and 

 potatoes are good crops to plant in young orchards. The trees should 

 be carefully pruned and kept in shape from the time of planting; never 

 letting a crooked or cross limb get too large before it is removed. 

 Avoid planting and raising forked trees, as they will be sure to split 

 when the tree bears a full crop of fruit. Don't plant too many varities 

 but plant the best and most profitable kinds. It is a good plan to wash 

 the trees with strong soapsuds as often as twice a yeai\ say in May 

 and then again in August ; the washing will destroy all the eggs that 

 the apple tree borer may have deposited on the bark of the trees. The 

 soapsuds gives the bark of the tree a smooth and healthy appearance. 



The past summer was a very dry one in this part of the State, and 

 the apple trees that were planted last spring made a very poor growth, 

 but trees that were planted in the spring of 1885 have grown nicely dur- 

 ing the summer, notwithstanding the long and extreme drouth. 



The apple crop of this year has been a fair one. A great many 

 apples have been shipped from here this fall. 



JOHK HOENBACK. 



