CHAPTER V. 



TREES AND THE GARDEN. 



SECTION XXIX. THE PLANTING AND CARE OF THE 

 ORCHARD. 



By PROF. C. P. HALLIGAN, 

 Department of Horticulture, Michigan State Agricultural College. 



Every Farmer should have an Orchard. Fruits 

 are grown with success in nearly all parts of the United 

 States. Although there are certain districts which, 

 because of certain favorable conditions of soil and cli- 

 mate, are better adapted for fruit growing than others, 

 there is no reason why every farmer should not pos- 

 sess an orchard of sufficient size at least to supply the 

 home. As food fruits are both pleasant and health- 

 ful, and as a farm crop they are one of the most wide- 

 spread. Although oftentimes they apparently succeed 

 in quite adverse conditions, larger crops of better fruits 

 will be produced if they are given the proper care and 

 attention. 



Selection of a Site. One of the first considerations 

 in the growing of fruits is the selection of a proper 

 site. Fruits cannot thrive with " wet feet." In the 

 low wet places, for instance, apple trees grow with 

 twisted trunks. This simply shows that these trees 

 are sick with " wet feet " and that the soil needs drain- 

 age. In considering the drainage, the air drainage 

 of the site needs attention. Cold air being heavier 

 than warm air settles in the low spots first. Fruits 

 planted in such places are not only more subject to 

 the late frosts in the spring while they are in blos- 

 som but, owing to the poor circulation of air here, they 



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