74 THE APPLE 



ductiveness of trees on the various exposures, while in exposed 

 places this difference is very marked. 



Wind-breaks. A free circulation of air is very desirable in 

 an orchard, and full exposure is better than shutting in too closely, 

 yet in a full exposure is not found the best condition for a success- 

 ful orchard. It should be surrounded with wind-breaks on the ex- 

 posed sides, sufficient to somewhat break the force of the wind, 

 but not heavy enough to prevent a good circulation of air through 

 the orchard at any time. It is much ;more important to have a 

 wind-break on the southland west sides of an orchard, than on the 

 north or east, for it is from the former directions that come the 

 most injurious winds. 



The Liand Best Adapted to the Growth of Apples in 

 this section is what might be called a deep, open, clayey loam, 

 that is well drained, either naturally or artificially, and does not 

 suffer severely from drouth or excess of water. But the apple 

 may be grown successfully on almost any soil, even on that which 

 is dry and gravelly ; but the orchard requires more careful manage- 

 ment in severe situations than in those that are favorable. 



The land must be retentive and rich in plant food, for it is im- 

 possible to raise good fruit on poor soil. Sufficient moisture can 

 generally be secured by heavy mulching, and the newer soils of 

 this section are generally rich enough for apples without manur- 

 ing ; indeed, heavy, black prairie loam is generally so rich in plant 

 food that it stimulates in most varieties of apples a late growth, 

 especially when the autumn is warm and moist, and only the 

 hard'est kinds, isuch as do not make a late growth in autumn, 

 should be planted in such locations. 



If the sub-soil is such very hard clay that the roots can scarce- 

 ly penetrate, if at all, very deep plowing should be resorted to ; 

 but as this cannot go deep enough to give the roots much of a 

 chance in very hard, dry clays, the holes should be dug very deep. 

 A better way than digging holes into such hard pan is to explode a 

 medium charge of dynamite in it, which will so loosen it that 

 the roots can penetrate. In some locations such treatment will 

 make all the difference between success and failure. 



Trees should be selected that are vigorous and healthy, with 

 plenty of strong roots (Fig. 50). It is really of little importance 

 as to the size or form of the top of a tree, providing it has good 

 roots, and is healthy and free from blemishes ; for if vigorous the 

 form of the top may be readily changed. The best trees are those 

 not over four years old, that have made moderate and not a rapid 

 growth in the nursery. Three-year-old trees, of most varieties, 

 are generally the best to set. Two-year-old trees do very well, 

 and are often as good as any. Those one year old are too small to 

 conveniently cultivate around in the field, and are better off in the 

 nursery for another year. 



Seedlings. Apple seed grows readily and generally forms 

 plants about twelve i inches high, with a tap-root of about the 



