20 The Bulletin. 



different growers. Some like an open vase form of head, with hollow 

 center and diverging branches. Such a tree is obtained by removing 

 the leader bud in the little tree. Another form of tree desired by 

 some growers is the "double-decked" or "two-story" tree, gotten by 

 carefully maintaining the leader and allowing the tree to form a high 

 top. With young trees it is nearly always necessary to head back the 

 annual growth. From one- fourth to one-half the length should be cut 

 from all long shoots. This causes the tree to thicken up and the 

 branches to become thick and stocky. If heading-back pruning is not 

 given young trees they will become tall and spindling and easily broken 

 down when laden with fruit. 



VARIETIES. 



What varieties shall I plant ? is a question oftener asked than any 

 other horticultural inquiry. It is one of the most difficult questions 

 to answer, for unless one knows the district and has seen its possibili- 

 ties he can at best but make a good guess. The most exact and prac- 

 tical method of finding out what varieties do best in any section is for 

 the intending planter to hitch up his best horse and visit the orchards 

 in his vicinity. Varieties of fruit are much less selective as regards 

 locality than is generally believed. It was formerly believed that the 

 Albemarle Pippin could be grown nowhere with marked success but 

 in a certain mountain region in Virginia. This very variety is now 

 • grown to such perfection on the Pacific coast that it threatens to drive 

 the Virginia Albemarle out of the market. More of the elements of 

 successful fruit culture are in the grower than in the variety. If one 

 likes a certain variety he generally gives it the conditions that make it 

 successful. The characteristics of a good commercial apple are as 

 follows : 



1. Tree heavy bearer. 



2. Tree vigorous and healthy. 



3. Fruit of fair size and bright color. 



4. Fruit keeps and ships well. 



5. Fruit of fair to good quality. 



The thing of prime importance with commercial orchards is that 

 varieties be used that are heavy bearers. The only kind of successful 

 commercial orchard is the one that produces, fruit, fruit, FRUIT. 

 No matter what other characteristic a variety may possess, if it is not 

 a heavy producer it has no place in a commercial orchard. The com- 

 mercial apple should be showy and of fair to large size. The money- 

 making market apple is "the big red apple." With but a few notable 

 exceptions markets want red apples. It is hard to educate the mar- 

 ket ; it has its prejudices and it is willing to pay for them. The com- 

 mercial apple should be a good keeper and shipper. This assures a 

 long season of sale and an attractive appearance on arriving in mar- 



