Other Phases of Orchard Management 213 



well worked in, and the following year the fruit was as 

 good as when the trees first came into bearing. 



Comparatively few fruit-growers in irrigated sections 

 are located where manure can be bought, and if their 

 trees need this kind of food, animals must be kept to 

 produce it. The kind of stock to raise or to feed will 

 depend on the cost of feed and the area of land not in 

 trees that adjoins the orchards. 



Horses 



On some fruit-farms it is practicable to use brood mares 

 to do all work requiring horse-power. Then colts may 

 be raised. Heavy draft-horses are easiest to raise and 

 the most profitable when the grower keeps only a few 

 and does not make a business of horse-raising. Every 

 extra pound above 1600 pounds weight is worth fifty 

 cents, and every pound above 1800 pounds weight is 

 worth one dollar in a well-built, sound horse, having good 

 action. 



The fruit-grower should select mares of good draft 

 type weighing 1200 to 1800 pounds each, according to 

 the work he has to do, choosing the breed he prefers. 

 Regular hard work, if slow and steady, is beneficial to 

 mares in foal. Care should be taken to use wide shafts 

 and single-trees, and the pregnant mare should not be 

 driven fast nor turned quickly. At least half the hay 

 should be alfalfa in order to develop the unborn colt. 

 Native hay may comprise the remainder, or oat straw or 

 corn-fodder. Oats is the best grain, but when working 

 hard, the mare may be fed corn or rolled barley. 



The colt should be halter-broken when a week old, 



