SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VIII. 889 



add protection and shade. While it does not show the drives and wallas, 

 yet they may be located as necessity demands,and in arranging them the 

 same rules, as apply to home grounds, must be adhered to. Avoid as 

 far as possible planting in a straight line and the same applies not only 

 to tree planting but to walks and drives as well. 



A SMALL FRUIT GARDEN. 



PROF. E. E. LITTLE, before Boone County Farmers' Institute. 



On every farm in Iowa there should be a small fruit garden. At one 

 time it was thought that in some parts of the state fruit would not 

 succeed owing to the severity of the climate and the strong winds of a 

 prairie sate. It has become an established fact that where the fruits are 

 selected and given proper attention they will succeed in any part of the 

 state, and bear good crops. 



An approximate value of the farm fruit garden in the state is twenty 

 millions of dollars. This shows that a large majority of the farmers 

 doubtless are already growing some fruit. Every farmer is well aware 

 that fresh fruit is essential in the diet of every individual, and it can be 

 supplied better from a small garden in a fresh condition than from any 

 other source. 



Every year there are many thousands of dollars invested in plants, 

 and it is a well known fact, that a large part of the fruit planted does- 

 not succeed. This is probably due to several reasons; lack of judgment of 

 varieties selected, the age, size and where purchased. In buying plants tt 

 io very important to make a careful selection. Any farmer who wishes 

 to buy a good animal takes great pains in the selection of a particular 

 kind, having certain essential points. In the buying of plants one should 

 have in mind as far as possible the variety, the age, size, and then ask 

 your nurserymen to furnish these plants if possible. Varieties that have 

 succeeded in your neighborhood should be planted. 



During the past year there has been in parts of the state agents 

 selling varieties of apples which are tender and not adapted to the 

 conditions here. Most of the varieties offered were of eastern origin and 

 only succeed in the east and are of no value in Iowa. This suggests the 

 idea "Should a person in this state buy nursery stock from eastern 

 nurserymen?" There are likely to be many varieties that will not succeed 

 and be worthless. 



To be sure you are getting varieties adapted to Iowa conditions, buy 

 your stock from some local nurseryman and not from those outside the 

 state. In this state, within twenty-five miles of any locality, will be a 

 good nursery where nursery stock can be purchased. There are nearly 

 one hundred and fifteen nurseries in Iowa. If the stock is bought near 

 home the cost of transportation is much lessened, and it will reach its 



