68 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



few iuto the field at a time. Of course this will take more time, but 

 time that 30U will get well paid for. 



When read}' to plant, take a man with 3'ou and measure the dis- 

 tance you wish to plant ; thirty or thirty-five feet each way is none 

 too far. It may look some distance for so small trees, but later on 

 you will find it none too far. 



Dig the holes a little deeper than the trees grew in the nursery 

 and larger over than roots will extend. Do not leave the bottom of 

 the hole ha^d, but pulverize somewhat deeper than you will set the 

 trees. Set the tree in the hole, straighten out the roots, don't bend 

 any of them, — cut them off sooner. Work the fine soil all around 

 the roots with the hands. After nearly filled up, commence to 

 trample down and fill, so that the tree will set a little deeper than 

 when growing in the nursery. Do not hurry, but do this work 

 thoroughly. 



I kuow of a man who set an orchard, or hired it done. He en- 

 gaged a man to do it for him, and he set out thirty trees the first 

 day, and he was not satisfied with the amount of work done, and 

 discharged him and engaged a man who could, and did, set one hun- 

 dred ; and was well pleased with this man ; but that was his mistake. 

 The thirty trees set by the first man all lived and grew finely, and 

 over one-half of the trees set by the last man died. 



Do not think that your work is done now that your trees are all 

 set out. Thorough cultivation is very necessary. Beans or pota- 

 toes are a good crop to grow in the orchard, or most any crop that 

 requires good cultivation. 



This should be kept up for a few years, or until the trees get a 

 good start and commence to bear quite well, after which I prefer 

 grass, with top dressing every year or two. When top dressing, do 

 not pile up close to the trees, but spread out as far as the limbs reach, 

 or all over the ground is better. |,Watch close for caterpillars, canker 

 worms, bark lice and borers. 



All pruning is best done while the tender growth can be pinched 

 or rubbed off with the hand, but keep a sharp knife with you, and 

 when you see a limb that should come off, take it off. Avoid the 

 saw as much as possible. 



My paper is already too long, but I wish to say, don't be discour- 

 aged at the low prices that apples are selling for at the present time, 

 for there is profit in<apple-orowing at the prices they are now bring- 

 ing. Just compare with the other crops you grow, and see if there 



