342 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



vious reports from Mr. Katzner, who has kept our society informed 

 as to the work there for some years now, have appeared from time 

 to time in our monthly. There are in all several hundred trees in 

 these orchards of varying age, the oldest planted some fifteen years. 

 It was especially interesting to note that the three largest and finest 

 bearing trees on the grounds are Wolf River, which show every 

 appearance of absolute hardiness and are at this time loaded with a 

 growing crop. Many other varieties appear hardy, and, indeed, 

 nearly everything that Father John has planted looks well. The sub- 

 soil, while a clay, is not of the same character as that in the region 

 of our state known as the "Big Woods," but seems to be, however, 

 well adapted to this purpose. Besides apples, considerable experi- 

 ment work is being done with pears and plums, also some crossing 

 work, and there is lots of young stock and seedlings coming up in the 

 nursery that Father John hopes to live and see brought into bearing 

 — and we earnestly hope that he will too, as his work there is of 

 much value to every citizen of the Northwest. Our members may 

 expect occasional reports from this point and may rely confidently 

 on them, as they are made by one who is a careful judge and con- 

 scientiously records the exact facts. 



HOW TO GROW AN APPLE TREE. 



S. D. RICHARDSON, WINNEBAGO. 



Ground that will grow a good crop of corn will raise apple 

 trees. It should be plowed in the fall. 



As early in spring as the frost is out deep enough and the ground 

 is dry, harrow thoroughly and commence setting grafts. In the 

 spring of 1905 we had our grafts set and cultivated once in March. 

 Set them in rows four feet apart, grafts four inches apart in row,, 

 or about 32,000 to the acre. 



Stake two rows, commencing on west side of ground if the 

 rows run north and south, and on south side if rows run east and 

 west. Put the stakes eight or ten rods apart in the row and have 

 them in line, for a straight row cultivates much nicer than a crooked 

 one. Stretch a wire on the side of stakes toward the land and with 

 a spade or shovel open a trench alongside of wire deep enough for 

 your grafts, so that one or two buds will be above the surface of 

 the ground. 



If the trench should be too deep in places it is easy for the 

 person setting (who is on his knees) to shove in some dirt with his 

 hand to bring the grafts to the proper level. 



