FRUIT FOR THE HOME. 83 



things but each one of these reports is supposed to be complete 

 within itself. Therefore it should contain some A. B. C. of Hor- 

 ticulture as well as the more advanced information. Then one 

 would not have to read a whole series of the reports in order to 

 obtain valuable information. 



PLUMS. 



In growing the plums I would plant them about the same as 

 the cherries, about the same depth for the same reason. I be- 

 lieve in mixing the plums somewhat, but using largely the 

 American varieties. There are several reasons for mixing them. 

 It is claimed they will bear better. Also you can have plums 

 from this time of the year up until frost, by using the different 

 varieties. For the earliest I would plant the Milton or Wild 

 Goose, followed by the Wyant and Wolf. These are Americans. 

 Of the Europeans I would plant the Lombard and the Shipper's 

 Pride. Of the Japs, the Burbank and a few Abundance. I 

 will not detain you much longer. I will say a few words about 

 the Apple and mention a few varieties, then if they wish to dis- 

 cuss it farther, alright. In this part of the state I would plant 

 the apple trees about twenty-five feet apart each way. You 

 want quite a number of varieties. I should recommend at 

 least ten or twelve. I don't mean forty or fifty varieties. Have 

 them scattered along so that you have fruit from the earliest 

 ripening season until early the next spring. That can be done 

 here to perfection. Use judgement in planting. Have a wind- 

 break on the South and Southwest sides of your orchard, and 

 if not too closely hemmed in, the orchard is even benefitted by 

 a windbreak all around. Use the varieties that are best adapted 

 in your best judgement to your locality. There is some talk of 

 dividing the state up into more districts, now we have only nine 

 districts. But in the absence of that, use the varieties you 

 have in your neighborhood. Don't use the varieties that you 

 had in some state you came from, unless you are sure they have 

 been tested here, unless you want to experiment, and that is 

 very unsatisfactory on the whole. Experimenting in an or- 

 chard on the farm is very expensive. The country is too old for 

 that. You can profit by the experience of others in your part 

 of the state, and life is too short to do this experimenting over. 



