WESTERN HORTICULTURE. 167 



about the trunk. Veneers are especially manufactured for this 

 purpose and cost but little. Trimming the branches back is of 

 greater importance in western than in eastern Nebraska. 



After this has been done if any trees fail to bud out within two 

 weeks it is necessary to resort to a peculiar method. Construct 

 an upright box which will enclose the trunk of the tree up to 

 the lower branches, Fill this box with soil and keep it moist. 

 This will not only prevent evaporation of sap, but wiU enable 

 the bark to reabsorb moisture. Trees so treated will almost 

 invariably leaf out within ten days. This treatment is of par- 

 ticular value to large sized fruit or shade trees. Those who 

 wish to do extra well by their trees can leave this box of soil 

 about the trunk all summer, moistening the earth once in thirty 

 days. In winter however the soil should be kept dry. 



Cultivation in western Nebraska differs very little from that 

 in the eastern part of the state. The great aim is to conserve 

 as much moisture as possible by frequent shallow culture. 

 Three irrigations are sufficient for the first season, and should 

 be given previous to the first of August. During the months 

 of August, September and October the trees should be allowed 

 to ripen their wood. November first the ground should be 

 thoroughly irrigated so that the soil may freeze up wet. Until 

 the trees come into bearing as much dependence should be 

 placed on cultivation as on irrigation. When the trees begin to 

 bear however, each variety of fruit as it matures should have an 

 abundance of water so that the fruit may grow to large size and 

 have the best possible flavor. 



It is a peculiar fact that western orchards planted at an ele- 

 vation of three-thousand to five-thousand feet, with bright sun- 

 light and rapid evaporation, set fruit buds earlier and therefore 

 commence bearing younger than in eastern Nebraska. 



MARKETS. 



The facilities for marketing fruit brighten the outlook for 

 commercial orcharding in western Nebraska. That part of the 

 state will itself absorb large quantities of fruit upon which the 

 orchardists will have no freight to pay. When those markets 

 are over supplied, we are nearer the central markets of the 



