116 ANNUAL REPORT. 



Finally we stopped short and seriously considered the situation. Wc soon saw the 

 little knowledge we brought west about growing an orchard was only a damage to 

 us. This we demonstrated most thoroughly as soon as we went over the country 

 comparing and examining the orchards and trees as we found them on all kinds 

 of soils, slopes and in all conditions. Every tree bearing evidence of the most 

 potent character, showing by its own conditions that there were certain conditions 

 which would invariably bring about certain results, the conditions of different trees 

 of the same kinds being almost invariably the same under the same surroundings. 

 In short, certain combinations with similar surroundings almost invariably pro- 

 duced like results. Thorough and numerous examinations soon convinced us that 

 what we had not learned about growing an orchard in the Northwest would fill a 

 large book. Our first and most important discovery was finding many orchards on 

 the bleak prairies on northern slopes, entirely unprotected or cared fer by those 

 who had but little knowledge and less experience in orcharding, doing fifty per 

 cent better than those under opposite conditions. This soon convinced us of the 

 truth and falsity of many theories we had formed while toiling in our orchards at 

 home. What we had been so long guessing at we soon demonstrated. Our false 

 theories went like brush to the bonfire, and our proved ones like choice wood to 

 the wood house for future usefulness. 



We would say first to the amateur, go and bury every idea or thought you have 

 brought here from other climates about growing an orchard. This done, you have 

 taken the first and best step on the road to success. Failing to do this, your blun 

 ders and failures will be endless. Second, secure your trees from reliable nursery- 

 men who would much sooner lose the sale of their trees than their reputation for 

 honest dealing. Unknown agents have swindled the Northwest out of millions of 

 dollars, and as a rule those who have been the most successful have left with us 

 the most worthless trash. Third, our first choice for a tree to set is one with 

 extremely hardy stem, one grade more hardy than the Duchess, and grown on its 

 own roots, top- worked three feet from the root with the best kinds which are as 

 hardy, or nearly so, as the Duchess would be grown on its own roots. This will 

 add full twenty per cent toward securing better quality than can be grown in any 

 other known way. Fourth, our second choice is to have trees started on a two-inch 

 root and a six-inch hardy cion, having the principal roots grown from the cion. 

 We protest against two common plans: one, having our trees, grown mainly on 

 indiscriminate roots; the other budding into common stock grown from seed brought 

 from Michigan, Ohio and New York. Either of these plans should be sternly 

 rebuked, and will be by honest nurserymen. Fifth, give us neither wet nor dry 

 soil. The advice so commonly given by writers to select a rich, warm, dry soil, 

 often leads to bad results. Good corn land is all right, but extra good corn soil 

 seldom fails to ruin an orchard sooner or later. Sixth, the best slope is northeast; 

 worst, southwest; north is better than south; elevated lands better than low. 

 Seventh, no protection on either side except south. Eighth, make your orchard 

 self-protecting first by setting each tree in the second row south about two feet to 

 the west of the one nearly opposite in north row, so as to have the south tree's 

 shadow strike the north tree at half past one. The shadow of trees being much 

 longer in Winter than in Summer, they will when thus set, shade and protect each 

 other at the exact time and place they most need protection from the steady direct 



