64 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUIIE. 



the spring by shallow cultivation. The rye and crimson clover are 

 usually left in the spring too late, robbing the trees of moisture, and 

 leaving the ground, where plowed under, in a loose, undesirable condi- 

 tion. 



After attending many meetings, and reading a number of fruit 

 publications, I do not recall a single instance, verbal or w^ritten, 

 where an orchard, or any sort of fruit plantation, has given satisfactory 

 results, for a term of years, which has stood in grass, without cultiva- 

 tion, trimming, fertilization, or spraying. I have certainly never seen 

 any figures to demonstrate their success. 



On the other hand, in every sort of fruit-raising, and in every part of 

 our country regarded favorably by natural or climatic conditions, there 

 are numerous examples of success, giving cost and income, where up- 

 to-date methods are practiced. It is easy to believe this must be 

 the case, as such treatment comes under the well-nigh universal rule 

 that success comes in any business or calling from careful attention 

 to details. For years it has been demonstrated that all kinds of fruits 

 respond to good care throughout the years. With an increase of dis- 

 eases and insects this care becomes the more necessary, and whoever 

 is not willing to do his best should refrain from setting an orchard. 



As showing what a single tree may do, I ask attention to one men- 

 tioned by Mr. S. D. Willard of New York, at a farmers' club meeting, 

 January,' 1899. The tree was a Gravenstein on the farm of a Nova Scotia 

 grower, with wiioniMr. Willard said he was w^ell acquainted. The 

 record is as follows: 



Barrels. 



1878. 

 1880. 

 1884. 

 1886. 

 1888. 

 1890. 

 1892. 

 1894. 



This gives 184 barrels for eight crops, an average of 23 barrels, or 

 an average of lli/o barrels for the 16 years. It is stated that the tree 

 is about 40 years old, 18 m<^es in diameter, and has had extra care. 



Having called attention to the single tree, I will mention the orchard 

 of Mr. F. Wellhouse of Kansas, who is said to have the largest orchard 

 in the United States, if not in the world, having now about 1,600 acres. 

 His orchard began bearing in 1880, and is as follows: 



Bushels. 



1880 1 '59^ 



1 QQ1 3,887 



lio::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;:::::::: 2,027 



1883 H?'S^ 



1884. 



11.72fi 



1 aaf; 15,373 



IROfi • 34,909 



li?::::::::::::::;::::::::::::::::::::;:::::: 37,790 



1888. 

 1889. 



20,044 

 11,9.52 



1«90 ^9,1^0 



1891 ^ ^^C98 



18f,2 Failure 



1893 



. Failure 



1894 'i''^"-* 



The largest profit during any one year, as stated by Mr. Wellhouse 

 himself, was the crop of 1890, of nearly 80,000 bushels. The actual ex- 

 penses that year were a trifle more than |13,000, and the gross receipts 



