LAYIKG OUT THE PLUM ORCHARD. 173 



second year after planting. This experiment has taught me that the 

 plum tree finds most of its nourishment in the surface soil and roots 

 best in loose soil. For this reason I am in favor of shallow planting. 

 Another important matter regarding the handling of young 

 trees is that the roots and branches should be cut back, which should, 

 however, be done before the tree is set in its permanent place, there- 

 by insuring better roots and a stouter tree. A yearling tree should 

 be dug up, the roots and branches trimmed and again set in nursery 

 row ; the second year after again slightly cut back, and then set 

 in its permanent place. There is some labor connected with 

 handling the trees in this fashion, but it will well repay us. I know 

 of no plant, shrub or tree that is so thankful for good and kind 

 treatment as a plum tree. 



Our native plum in many ways surpasses the imported plum, 

 and we should ascertain the best methods in order that the general 

 run of plums sold on our markets may be of the same size as the 

 beautiful samples exhibited at the state fair. Good plums are very 

 much sought for as an article of food. If we do not make greater 

 efforts to secure a large stock of good trees, they will be very scarce 

 yet for a good many years. The wild plums which twenty years ago 

 flooded the market are gradually disappearing, but our selected kinds 

 do not come in fast enough to take their place. In my opinion, the 

 best stock of good trees is to be secured by raising them from sprouts 

 of our selected seedlings. 



It is quite an undertaking for me to discuss this subject, but 

 from my long experience in raising trees from sprouts and on the 

 lines above indicated, I feel satisfied that with the necessary care and 

 attention our plum orchards will be more regular in their bounty, 

 and afford us an ever increasing source of pleasure as well as of 

 profit. 



LAYING OUT THE COMMERCIAL SMALL FRUIT FARM 

 AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES INVOLVED. 



THOS. E. CASHMAN, OWATONNA. 



In treating this subject I find there are a great many principles 

 involved to insure success, and to give a thorough treatise of all would 

 require more time than is allotted to me, so I will begin on the most 

 essential feature, which is the market. We must have a good mar- 

 ket to insure success. It must be a city of some size and not already 

 overloaded by producers of fruit. Those selecting locations near a 

 large city must take into consideration the kinds of fruit that have 

 the greatest demand and which pay best for the amount of labor it 

 takes to produce a crop. The quantity of each kind to plant also de- 



