CHAPTER I. 



STARTING AN ORCHARD; jPfc&l 



If a man doesn't start, he will . neve f*<e\ any-A>here.\ 



The first thing to do about starting an orchard is 

 to plan for it. Put on your thinking-cap, study into 

 the matter, and do not 

 jump in the dark. A 

 slow start is much better 

 than a poor start. Har- 

 riet says that an orchard 

 set in the right place, 

 at the right time and of 

 the right varieties, is PLANNING THE ORCHARD 

 worth just ''eleven times" more than a hit-or-miss 

 orchard. (Where she secured the data for such exact 

 figures, I do not know; but I am willing to admit 

 that she is about right in this statement.) 



To begin, suppose we consider the question of 

 "right place. " The ideal spot for a proposed orchard 

 is gently sloping and high. This doesn't mean that 

 it must be on top of a mountain. No. It means only 

 comparative height. The spot should be somewhat 

 higher than its surroundings. That is the idea. Then 

 when a frost comes or a deluge it quickly runs off 

 on to the lower lands. Proper frost drainage is just 

 as important as good water drainage. More so. Why ? 

 Because water can be tiled away ; frost can not. Some 

 growers prefer a north or some other slope ; but 

 (11) 



