LOCATING THE ORCHARD 17 



slopes are more inclined to "wash" than are 

 those of the north and east. The reason for 

 this is that the early afternoon sun, even in 

 winter, will often thaw the surface to the point 

 where it will begin to slip. This softening of 

 the exterior, followed by warm rains, causes 

 greater surface loss on the south and west 

 slopes than on the others. 



In locating the orchard do not forget that 

 you will need water to spray your trees. A 

 high hill is often a mighty attractive place for 

 fruit, but don't become too enthusiastic until 

 you are sure that water will be available. 

 High hills have a way of becoming dry in 

 summer and what may be called a "livm* 

 spring" in the showery month of April, may 

 be as dry as the Volstead Act by July. A 

 dependable water supply is absolutely essen- 

 tial to an orchard and the older the trees be- 

 come the greater will be the need. You have no 

 idea how much dope it takes to spray even a 

 ten-year-old orchard — but you will if you are 

 patient enough to follow me through this 

 volume. 



Do not plant an orchard too far from a good 

 market. Our railroad freight rates are high 

 and they may go higher. Concentrated pro- 

 duction will be a thing to avoid in the future 

 whether the product be apples or manufactured 

 articles. During the past year apples rotted in 



