THE ORCHARD. 



The average Colorado soil will do for the orchard and garden, but if 

 one has a choice in this particular, preference should be given to rich, 

 deep sandy loam, with a clayey, sandy sub-soil ; and if there is an oppor- 

 tunity for a choice in exposure, select a north or northeast slope for the 

 orchard. 



It is useless, however, here in the West, to insist on either of these 

 preferences, as the " lay of the land " is, in so many cases, nearly level 

 over wide stretches, and the ideal soil is not always to be found. Any 

 land that will produce good general farm crops can usually be relied on to 

 grow good trees, and while a northern slope tends to protect against the 

 action of a hot sun and to avoid premature growth in the early spring, 

 still, with care and good culture, natural obstacles or disadvantages may 

 be greatly modified, if not overcome. 



Upon the subject of soil adaptation, I quote from Mr. P. Barry, a 

 recognized authority : " For an orchard of apples or pears, a dry, deep, 

 substantial soil, between sandy and clayey loam, and possessing among its 

 inorganic parts a considerable portion of lime, is, according to all experi- 

 ence, the best. On such soils we find the greatest "and most enduring 

 vigor and fertility, the healthiest and hardiest trees, and the finest and 

 best flavored fruits. The plum succeeds best, as a general thing, on a 

 clayey loam, rather stiff. * ; * " -' : * The cherry, peach, apricot, 

 nectarine, and almond, require a light, dry and warm soil." He further 

 says: "There are two points to be observed, under all circumstances, in 

 regard to soils. They must possess the inorganic substances, such as lime, 

 potash, etc., that constitute a large portion of the wood and bark of fruit 

 trees, when burned, and a sufficient amount of organic matter vegetable 

 mould, which dissolves and furnishes materials for the formation and 

 growth of new parts/' 



If the land chosen has not been cultivated, a good plan is to grow a 

 potato or corn crop the season before setting the trees. This tends to 

 subdue the soil, and make it of better texture for planting. In any event, 

 it is desirable to break the land the season previous to setting. If this is 



