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APPLES. 



W. S. WIDMOYKR, DRESBACH. 



My experience having' been very limited in this branch of horti- 

 culture, I made it a point to talk with all whom I knew were raising" 

 apples, whenever I had the opportunity. I also wrote several per- 

 sonal letters, hoping thereby to find something of interest to report 

 at this meeting, but the results were very discouraging. 



Apple trees here came through the past winter (1892-93) in seem- 

 ingly good condition, but very few trees blossomed, and the crop 

 was almost an entire failure. 



Only one tree in my orchard showed any signs of blight, and that 

 was a Transcendent. 



Trees set last spring made a fair growth, considering the season. 

 The leaves of all trees fell off unusually earlj^ this fall, which I con- 

 sider a good indication for a crop next year, as there are plentj' of 

 well developed fruit buds on all trees of bearing age. I think too 

 much cannot be said about mulching trees in the fall. Mj^ oldest trees 

 are all in grass now,(mostly clover land I think they do full as well as 

 when cultivated by giving a good mulch of very coarse barnyard 

 manure every other fall, just before winter sets in, spreading- it well 

 out from the trees as far as the branches reach, and thick enough to 

 keep down grass and weeds. I like to cultivate young trees four or 

 five years after setting in orchard, giving the last cultivation about 

 Jul}^ loth; and mulch in the fall to keep frost in the ground as 

 late as possible in the spring. 



In regard to trimming, trim any time during the season that you 

 see a branch or shoot that should come off; except in case of large 

 branches, which should be cut out early in the spring of the fruit- 

 ing year (generallj^ ever}^ second year), which will help thin the 

 fruit considerably. 



The Duchess for cooking and dr3-ing, Wealthy for fall and winter 

 eating, and the Red Astrachati for early fall eating and canning, 

 are about all I have bearing at present. The Astrachan has a ver)" 

 peculiar, rich flavor and color when canned. I am watching the 

 horticultural reports for a good, reliable, late-keeping, winter apple 

 for this part of the state, and when I am satisfied that it is founds 

 will plant a good-sized orchard of them. In the meantime I will ex- 

 periment in a small way with some of the most promising Russians, 

 in hopes of getting something satisfactor}^ in that direction. 



