48 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



GROWING APPLES FOR PROFIT. 

 By D. J. Bkiggs, of Turner. 



In order to produce the best results, it will be necessaiy to begin 

 at the foundation. Seed should be selected with care. Who would 

 think of producing a good crop of corn or grain from imperfect seed ? 

 The formation of a large tree from a minute seed is one of the most 

 interesting and wonderful occurrence in nature. It is important 

 that the fruit culturist should so understand the process as to know 

 what will hasten it on one hand or retard it on the other. By under- 

 standing these principles the necessary rules will be greatl}' simpli- 

 fied and directions rendered more clear and obvious. 



The first movement of the seed towards forming a new plant is 

 germination. After the plant is formed and its growth is carried on 

 through the agencj' of its leaves, the process is vegetation. To 

 produce germination, seeds require heat, moisture and air, but not 

 light. As a general rule seeds germinate and grow most readily 

 when buried to a depth of from three to five times their diameter, in 

 soil of ordinary moisture. The germination of apple seeds and 

 some others will be hastened b}' subjecting them to freezing and 

 thawing, to admit air and moisture. 



The great cause of failure in growing trees in the nursery is in 

 the preparation of the soil. Let it be remembered that the soil for 

 a nursery should be as good and well worked as that of a well culti- 

 vated kitchen garden. Young trees must be well guarded against 

 the depredations of cattle, as all farm stock are fond of the young 

 shoots of fruit trees. After the trees have been started and well 

 cared for in the nursery until they are of proper size for transplant- 

 ing, say three or four jears old. they should be earefull}- lifted and 

 planted in orchard rows. In taking up trees, care should be used in 

 preserving as many of the fibrous roots as possible. 



Good soils vary in many particulars, but as a general rule one 

 which is dry, firm, mellow and fertile is well suited to the purpose 

 of growing apples. It should be deep, to allow the extention of 

 the roots ; quite dr}- or else well drained, to prevent injury from 

 stagnant water below the surface. I would prefer a gentle inclina- 

 tion to the westward as a site for an orchard. Before setting the 

 trees the soil should be well and deeph' tilled, and few soils exist in 

 this part of the country which would not be much benefited for all 



