From this it is apparent that in considering the question of econ- 

 omy we must go beyond first costs. Assuming that young apple trees, 

 for instance, cost 20 cents apiece, and that 1,000 are planted. If 2 per 

 cent, of them die, the loss will be 20 trees, worth $4.00. If 50 per 

 cent, die, the loss will be 500 trees, representing a money loss of 

 $100.00, which the dead trees cost. To plant 1,000 trees with dyna- 

 mite would cost for materials from $60.00 to $65.00. Leaving labor 

 out of the calculation altogether, the orchardist saves $96.00 worth of 

 trees by planting with dynamite. Charging the $65.00 blasting cost 

 against that, still leaves him $31.00 in pocket in spite of the outlay for 

 dynamite, caps and fuse. 



Dynamite Saves Time and Labor 



But that is not the only saving. It seems to be very generally ad- 

 mitted by those who have used dynamite for tree planting that the work 

 can be done much faster by that method than when the holes are pre- 

 pared with spades. The saving in labor then becomes a large item. If 

 trees are planted according to the most approved horticultural methods 

 that is, in very large holes dug out to thoroughly pulverize the soil for 

 from two or three feet in every direction from the trunk of the tree, 

 and to a depth of at least two feet a laborer can plant a tree with 

 dynamite in one-tenth the time it takes to plant it with a spade. 



One Blaster Replaces Twenty-five Tree Planters 



The following is quoted from a trade report of a Du Pont Sales- 

 man: 



" When I called on this party (Dr. J. T. Kelley, of Quicksburg, Va.) he had about 25 men 

 out digging holes and had never thought of using dynamite, although he had heard of it. After 

 talking to him a few minutes I asked him if he would take the time to go over in the field and 

 let me show him how it was done. I had the necessary explosives with me. He gave me the 

 time and I got him to thinking. He asked me to stay all night and give him a chance to think 

 it over. So I stayed and talked over the whole thing with him that night, and before we 

 retired he asked me if I would go with him up the country early in the morning to where he 

 had his men digging and show them all about it. He said if he decided to blow the holes he 

 wanted the men to understand all about it, and that they would understand better if they saw 

 it. By 7.15 we were at the farm and found 25 men working. He called them all to quit work 

 and come and see how we could blow holes. I could not look the men in the face, for I felt it 

 meant their jobs, and after I had shot a hole or two, I heard one fellow say, ' That fellow is 

 going to cut us out of our job.'. Sequel: In one hour they had all been paid off for a half 

 day's time and sent away." 



Dynamited Trees Bear Earlier 



There is also another feature that must be considered in connection 

 with the question of economy that is, the claim of experienced or- 

 chardists that trees come into bearing from one to two years earlier 

 when planted in dynamited holes. 



Gained Two Years by Planting with Dynamite 



Gentlemen: It may be a surprise to you to learn that I have been using dynamite for 

 planting trees for a number of years, and have some shade trees planted in that way eighteen 

 or twenty years ago. They are the finest trees I have ever seen grow for their age. In the 

 planting of peach trees I gained two years in six; in other words, I got as much fruit from a 

 tree planted with dynamite at four years old as we usually get at six years old. 



I not only plant them with it, but where a tree is failing and seems to be on the decline 

 I start it off to growing again by firing charges from three to ten feet apart. 



Nothing seems to tickle the earth so much as planting watermelons after explosion of dyna- 

 mite from three to four feet under ground. I plant them twenty feet apart each way. Fertilize 

 heavily and the vines bear right on until frost, the entire summer. 



W. W. STEVENS, Orchardist, Mayfield, Ga. 



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