112 THE KANSAS APRICOT. 



two to four inches deeper than they grew in the nursery. In sandy soil I set 

 from four to eight inches deeper than they grew in the nursery. I always cut 

 the trees back when setting, and use a good rammer ; it is easier and better than 

 tramping with your feet; if the soil is dry pour two or three gallons of water in 

 the hole when half filled with earth, and when the water has settled away fill up 

 and tramp slightly. I do not plant trees of one variety in blocks ; I plant a row 

 of one kind, and then a row of a different kind, and so on, being careful to plant 

 sorts that bloom at the same date. I submit the following as a partial guide, 

 according to my observations : Early Golden and Moorpark, first bloom appears 

 April 11; in full bloom April 15; have fallen by May 22, 



J. R. Duiikin, Sharon, Barber county. — The apricot is one of the most 

 loved of fruits that is grown in the orchards and is relished either off of the tree, 

 raw, or served on the table; take them dried or canned, and they are sought 

 after, but are tricky, being so often killed in the bloom, or even after the fruit is 

 set. The tree does n't seem hardy enough to be profitable, and is easy to kill above 

 the ground and below the forks. I have lost over fifty per cent, of my trees that 

 way; the bark, or inner bark or sap-wood, dies from the limbs to the ground, 

 while the tree holds its foliage green for some time, but the sap-wood is dead, 

 black and rotten to the ground. They usually sprout up again, but are of little 

 value. I have almost become discouraged with them and about discarded them. 

 The fruit finds a ready sale, as a rule, at a good price, but I can't say I favor 

 planting them for profit. The varieties generally grown here are Alexis, Alex- 

 ander, Budd, Moor Park, and Early Golden. There will be a good crop this 

 year, but there are too many failures to recommend planting more than a few 

 trees for variety. 



A. S. HufT, Enon, Barber county. — Apricots are shy bearers in this valley. 

 I had good crops for nine years. It is a fine, rich fruit, and commands an extra 

 good price; we cannot raise enough, I know of no other fruit that is as ready 

 sale as the apricot. It seems that there are more people that will buy the fruit 

 than any other kind that grows. 



E. T. Daniels, Kiowa, Barber county. — I have one Moorpark apricot tree 

 which bears about every other year and it is never troubled with insects ; I would 

 advise new beginners to plant this variety; would plant it for both home and 

 market. 



W. G. Osborne, Medicine Lodge, Barber county. — I have eleven large, pro- 

 lific apricot trees, the fruit of which is not sweet; they are in scattered plantings; 

 they get frosted half the time ; we use the fruit in the family ; it is in demand, 

 and I think pays. No insect troubles them. I would advise a new beginner to 

 set out an orchard of them and cultivate well. 



Georg-e T. Elliott, Great Bend, Barton county. — I have fifteen large, sweet, 

 bearing apricot trees; they are prolific in favorable seasons ; they are Ealry Golden 

 and Russian varieties. They are planted in a row in my orchard ; they often get 

 frosted in the spring. Sell the fruit to my neighbors; it is in demand, but does 

 not pay. Insects do not trouble them much. Would advise a new beginner to 

 plant only for family use, as they get frosted so often. April 10, 1900, our trees 

 were in full bloom, when we had a snow-storm, and we will have no fruit this 

 season. 



