79 



preceeding acre except that cherry trees were used in place 

 of dwarf apples — partly because I had not had time to see 

 just what the latter would do and partly because I wanted 

 to learn by experiment, just what the cherry trees would 

 come to. In the fall I harvested another good crop of fruit. 



In 1911, the eighth year, I continued giving the closest 

 attention to all the fruit planted. On the 4th and 5th acres 

 vegetables and garden truck were raised between the trees. 

 Two thousand more currant bushes were planted, filling in 

 the peach and pear orchards first planted. A large crop of 

 fruit was gathered although it was somewhat affected by 

 hail from the storm of June 20th. 



In 1912, the ninth year, I did not cultivate the three 

 acres first planted. I believe in it, but I could not use a 

 horse between the rows. Some day, not far distant, I hope, 

 there will be put on the market a new machine, motor-driv- 

 en, which will work in 3-foot rows and will neither smash 

 the limbs of the trees nor destroy fruit like a horse. Al- 

 though I did not cultivate these acres I kept all weeds out 

 and mulched heavily with manure and green rye straw. I 

 gathered a good crop of fruit, the currants harvesting the 

 largest crop to date. 



In 1913, the tenth year, the eighth after planting the 

 first three acres, seventh after planting the fourth acre and 

 the third after planting the fifth acre has proved the banner 

 year in general fruit production. 



PLANTING 



April, I have found to be the best month for planting, 

 for all stock planted thus early has a chance to start its root 

 connections with the soil before the summer drouths arrive. 

 Thorough planting is very necessary. "Work the soil into 

 the roots; press it in all around the root system and tramp 

 firmly into the hole. Use the top soil for this. Do not use 

 soil dug from the bottom of holes except on the extreme top. 

 Do not tramp this in. 



CULTIVATION 



Cultivation is very important in the early life of trees 

 and plants. I begin cultivating as soon as the trees and 

 bushes are planted and continue twice weekly until August 

 1. I stop cultivating then in order to eliminate further 



