104 ANNUAL REPORT 



as jack oak corners on the northwest; the same kind of grove 40 

 rods from the north side, soft maples on the east 20 feet apart. 

 South and West wind break is to save the fruit from blowing off, 

 as the winds are more prevalent from that quarter. If I were 

 going to protect my trees, it would be on the East from the morn- 

 ing sun, and on the south. I could show you some as fine Wealthy 

 trees planted on the north side of an oak grove, and close to it, as 

 you could wish to see. Some of my best Wealthy are protected 

 on the east by soft maple, though I have some very good not pro- 

 tected. After planting cultivate a few years; and if you see* here 

 and there a bunch of June grass or redtop do not get scared — let 

 it grow, that is, if you are going to follow my plan of raising 

 apples. When I think it does not pay to cultivate longer, I let the 

 grass work in, it will soon get there. After I quit raising crops 

 among the trees I spade around them until I am ready to turn 

 hogs in, that is about the time they come into bearing After it is 

 well seeded down to grass, the pasturage I get for hogs more than 

 pays all expenses. 



I turn my hogs in in the spring as soon as the grass starts. They 

 will do well without any grain. When new corn comes haul in a 

 load, spread it on the green grass; when that is eaten up, give 

 them another load, and so on until winter. 



If this does not make it rich enough haul on manure. I have 

 followed this plan on part of the orchard for 12 years. You can- 

 not expect to get large crops of apples without manure, any more 

 than you can large crops of corn. My object in the first place was 

 to kill out the tough sod forming around the trees. But, alas! the 

 more I tried to kill it in that way the more luxuriantly it grew. 



It is not likely any of you will try the hog, but if you do, be 

 careful; do not put in too many if your orchard be small. All 

 the wormy apples are eaten; you are not bothered with mice gnaw- 

 ing the trees, and I think £he hogs rubbing around the trees help 

 keep the borers away. I do not ring the hogs; they root but very 

 little. 



As I am not raising trees* to sell I would advise planting three 

 or four year old trees; I prefer those four years old, ard never plant 

 any other size if I can get good ones of that age. 



We raised 1,100 bushels of apples this year, mainly Duchess. 

 Shipped the greater part of them to Minneapolis. Wealthy and 

 Tetofsky sell here Ship Duchess and Crabs. 



Will speak a word for the old Malinda. We have them in our 

 cellar every winter, and the children will eat them, or they will 

 sell for SI. 00 per bushel. The tree is as hardy as the Wealthy at 

 least. Wish I had more of them. 



Then for profit with me the Hyslop is still in the lead, for I can- 

 not depend on the home market. 



As you asked for a short article will close, hoping you will have 

 a pleasant and profitable meeting. 





