Dynamite Prevents the Big First Year Loss 



According to those who have used dynamite for tree planting, the 

 loss from death of trees planted in that way is considerably lower than 

 when trees are planted in spade-dug holes. 



Mr. J. H. Baird, Superintendent of the famous Hale Georgia 

 Orchard, of Fort Valley, Ga., one of the most experienced and highly 

 trained orchardists in the United States, says that Mr. Rale's loss of 

 trees planted with dynamite does not exceed 2 per cent., whereas 

 the trees planted on their Georgia properties in the old-fashioned way 

 have suffered losses of around 50 per cent. 



Dynamite Saves New Settings, Although Ground Had 

 Never Been Plowed 



PARKERSBURG, W. VA., July 8, 1911. 



Gentlemen. Our first experience with dynamite in orchard work was during 

 the spring of 1911. The season in this locality has been extremely unfavorable for 

 starting a young orchard. The soil has been unusually dry ever since the trees 

 were planted. 



As we considered the use of dynamite in the orchard work in the nature of an 

 experiment, we left a number of checks for comparison. We used dynamite for 

 digging holes for planting of apples, pears, quinces, cherries and plums. In all 

 these, the trees were planted in sod, and the ground was not broken except with 

 dynamite. In other portions of our orchard the same kinds of trees were planted 

 in ground that was carefully plowed and has been since cultivated several times. 

 There is no decided difference in the trees planted by the two methods. Where 

 the trees were planted in sod, however, without the use of dynamite, from sixty 

 to seventy-fire per cent, arc dead. Whereas, where the dynamite was used, the 

 loss will not exceed two or three per cent., and in the cases where the loss 

 occurs, the cause is foreign to natural conditions. 



In addition to the large fruits above mentioned, we have just recently culti- 

 vated a vineyard by putting in small shots one-third of a stick each, every eight 

 feet in the row. We were led to do this after seeing what we believe to be decided 

 benefits in its use for planting and cultivating apples and other fruits. 



In addition to this, we used dynamite for cultivating, in a limited way, an old 

 orchard. The trees in this orchard are from twenty to thirty years of age. Up to 

 the present season the orchard has been badly neglected. We used one-third of a 

 stick directly under the trunk of the tree, about three and one-half feet deep. The 

 explosion did not disrupt the surface but evidently broke up the subsoil and 

 destroyed the old formation which bound the roots of the trees. This was used 

 early in the season before the trees were in bloom. These trees at this time show a 

 decided advantage over trees in the same orchard under like conditions, which 

 were not so treated. The growth has been at least twenty-five per cent, greater, 

 they are loaded more heavily ivith fruit than- the other trees, the fruit is larger 

 in size, and the leaves and general appearance of the trees indicate a more vigorous 

 thrifty condition. We consider the use of dynamite in the cultivation of an orchard, 

 as above described, one of the most beneficial purposes to which its use is adapted. 



Our experience, up to this time, indicates a more extensive use of dynamite in 

 the future. Its use is both expeditious and economical. Its benefits are peculiarly 

 apparent in a dry season like this. By its use the roots of the trees are permitted 

 a greater penetration than would be possible by any other method, thus to a certain 

 extent making the tree independent of surface conditions. 



IV e used, approximately, a ton of dynamite this season, without the slightest 

 accident. The men become familiar with its use and do not consider the labor 

 hazardous. 



ROSEMAR ORCHARD COMPANY. 



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