498 Teaksactioxs of the American Institute. 



Apples for the Pkaikie States. 

 Mr. R. P. Spear, Cedar Hills, Iowa. — Frequently the remark has 

 been made by members of the club and others, to whom farmers look 

 for information, that old orchar.ds are dying, or that younger orchards 

 of apple trees do not grow or bear as they did formerly, except in 

 certain sections of the different States. We will admit that the 

 remark is true. But the apple is the most valuable of all fruits, and 

 why is so little being done by horticulturists to ascertain the causes of 

 decline in orchards in the older States ? Fifteen years ago we had 

 the general cry in Iowa, "Wisconsin, and other parts of the west, that 

 apples could not be grown on our bleak prairies. Our first orchards 

 failed, because such yarieties as Rhode Island Greening, Baldwin. 

 Rambo, etc., were planted. But our most persevering nurserymen 

 and farmers did not despair. When a variety failed they threw it 

 aside and tried* others. And now we can plant an orchard on open 

 prairies, and know that with proper cultivation and care we will have 

 plenty of fruit in the future. Our nurserymen cannot boast that 

 they have 200 or 300 varieties of the apple, but they can say 

 that they have one dozen varieties that are adapted to our soil and 

 climate. These do well without timber for a protection against 

 winds, but do better with it. We know from experience that some 

 varieties require a stiff clay subsoil, wliile other varieties are at 

 home on our deep prairie loam. Many years ago a large part 

 of the eastern, middle and Kew England States was covered 

 with timber ; the soil was new and rich. Canker worms, borers, &c., 

 were scarce. But now the reverse is true. Then many kinds of 

 apple trees flourished ; now, in the changed condition of the country, 

 a reasonable man would expect very few to do well. Before plant- 

 ing orchards, farmers should determine what varieties of trees are 

 adapted to their soil, their climate, and that will thrive without the 

 protection of the vast forests that existed in former years. Then all 

 who wish to be rewarded early for their labor, should strike from the 

 list yarieties that are not early and profuse bearers. But a variety 

 that lacks the quality of early bearing, may prove to be most valua- 

 ble in the end. A northern slope is best for an orchard, but the first 

 requisite is ground thoroughly drained. Except on the point of 

 oTOund and tender limbs, trees first show the effects of a severe win- 

 ter immediately above the collar. To protect the roots and lower 

 part of the trunk from the effects of sudden changes in the weather, 

 or water standing Jiear a tree, throw up a small mound of earrti or 



