HINTS ON FRUIT GROWltJG. 4O9 



True, we have in nearly every community some enthusiastic 

 horticulturist who is not only interested but makes a study of the 

 work and with him instructions are not necessary. These people 

 are not only successful in fruit culture but are an inspiration to their 

 neighbors. I may say here that our people owe those horticulturists, 

 as well as the upright tree agents who are working for an honorable, 

 businesslike nursery firm, a debt of gratutude. If it were not for 

 them a great many of our now beautiful country as well as our city 

 homes would not have the attractiveness of the fine orchards and 

 evergreen groves which add so much to their beauty and adornment, 

 to say nothing of the luxuries and profits enjoyed by those who raise 

 a part, if not all, of their own fruit. The dishonest nurseryman is 

 continually doing his best to retard their advancement and leaves 

 nothing but disappointment and blighted hopes wherever he sells 

 his stock. 



Fourth, the majority of people do not interest themselves enough 

 in the care of nursery stock to study its requirements. They buy 

 and set out but do not seem to realize that a tree or plant needs as 

 much cultivation as a hill of corn or potatoes. A good location 

 must be selected on well cultivated land, and if not already rich it 

 must be made so by a liberal supply of fertilizer. When setting the 

 trees out the roots should be all pruned with a sharp knife and the 

 tops should also be cut back. This done, they should be set in a 

 good, large hole, four to six inches deeper than when they came 

 out of the nursery, and the dirt should be packed firmly about the 

 roots by continual tramping during the time the hole is being filled. 

 If a tree or plant can be pulled up by one man without breaking it 

 ofl^, it is not properly set — in other words, set your trees as firmly as 

 posts. After the stock is set, we must not forget to cultivate, as the 

 ground should be kept loose and free from weeds during the whole 

 summer. Not only should this be done during the first year, but it 

 should be kept up year after year. 



About Dec. ist each year we should prepare for winter. Our 

 apple trees should be wrapped with either veneering, building paper 

 or newspaper, arid after this is done a liberal supply of some coarse 

 litter should be placed around each tree to prevent alternate freez- 

 ing and thawing of the ground around the tree, and thereby prevent 

 root-killing. Our strawberry plants should be mulched with dry 

 straw, free from foul seeds and to the depth of two or three inches, 

 when the ground is frozen hard enough to hold up a team. 



Raspberries and blackberries should be covered with a plow each 

 fall before the ground freezes, and this can be done very easily if 

 the following plan is pursued : Take a 2x10 piece of oak 8 feet long 



