16 BIGGIE ORCHARD BOOK 



I earnestly advise all intending tree planters to 

 visit the nearest reliable nursery and personally select 

 the trees wanted. Pick out straight, healthy, properly- 

 branched, thrifty trees. Medium-size trees are usually 

 best. Of course they should be fumigated and 

 guaranteed free from scale, crown gall, etc. (The tops 

 should be dipped at home in the lime-sulphur mixture, 

 to make scale assurance doubly sure.) 



But perhaps 'you may prefer to grow your own 

 trees, instead of buying them already grown. If so, 

 you will find directions for seed sowing, budding and ; 

 grafting, in the next chapter. 



At last we have come to the matter of "right 

 varieties." And this is a very important matter, 

 indeed. So important, in fact, that if it requires aj 

 year of preliminary study and inquiry to decide the 

 matter rightly, it will be time profitably spent. 



Study the various fruit chapters in this book, /' 

 wherein I have endeavored to give desirable lists of 

 varieties for different localities. Write to your state 

 experiment station, mentioning the nature of your*' 

 soil, and ask for special advice as to the best varieties 

 for you to plant ; and be sure to state whether your-' 

 orchard is wanted for market or family purposes. 

 Talk with practical fruit-growers in your locality. 

 Consult with your market buyers (if you are to have 

 a commercial orchard) , or with your family's taste (if 

 it's to be a home orchard) . 



Also, before buying or planning an orchard 01 

 ordering trees, study these facts about pollination oi 

 blossoms: Much of the unsatisfactory fruiting of 

 orchards all over the country is due to self-sterility. 

 A tree is self-sterile if it can not set fruit unless 

 planted near other varieties. The main cause of 



