FRUIT TREES. 67 



succeeded best in the locality. Such a plan as this will 

 save much expense and disappointment. If the object 

 be to grow fruit for market, then select the fewest num- 

 ber of varieties possible, you will often do better with 

 only one than with a dozen. There are very few local- 

 ities in this country, where the fruit crop is so certain as 

 to justify one in depending on it alone for a support and 

 to make money. Watch the trees at all seasons, during 

 fall and winter ; cut off all dead and broken branches and 

 awkward limbs ; cut off all water sprouts from the body 

 and branches of the tree ; dig up all sprouts around the 

 roots and wash the tree -down twice a year at least, with 

 lye soft soap, and scrape off all rough bark that might 

 harbor insect enemies of the tree. The following is an 

 excellent wash for fruit trees, which is easily and cheaply 

 made : 



Twelve quarts of soft soap ; twelve gallons of water. 

 Bring to a boil, then add one gallon of kerosene oil, and 

 stir in thoroughly. Wash the trees down with this twice 

 a year (spring and fall), and sprinkle the mixture over 

 the tops of the trees also. 



