THE ORCHARD. 



139 



our pear orchard too heavily and induced too large a growth on the 

 trees. I am satisfied a pear tree to be healthy should not grow more 

 than eighteen inches in a year. 



THE ORCHAKD. 



BY JONATHAN I. SOUTHWICK. 



Bennett, Nebr., January 15, 1890. 



Secretary of the Nebraska Fruit Growers' Society and Members in 

 General : The weather being so cold it does not seem prudent for me 

 to venture out. 



I wish to give a few hints on the orchard, having had some chance 

 for observation. 



I would say to those intending to plant an orchard : 



First — Visit the nurseries you intend to procure the trees from, 

 even if it does cost you something. Observe the manner they are 

 cared for. Don't be fooled with agents that carry roots to show that 

 a tree is just as good as those that are budded a foot above ground, 

 and is better than one with roots on the graft. When I run my nur- 

 sery I had no trouble among those that were posted to get twenty 

 cents for layers as fast as they were ready, while it was slow sale for 

 budded trees. 



Second — Do not take a tree that has been pruned in summer, for 

 such trees are more liable to white (or thread rot) than those that are 

 trimmed in winter or spring. 



Third — Ascertain the way they are to be dug up and the amount 

 of roots they are to have. (I would rather have a tree two feet high 

 with a good supply of roots than one six feet high with few roots.) 



Fourth — Low tops with horizontal limbs are to be preferred ; also 

 those that the spurs are all on the stem of the tree, which (may be re- 

 moved after the tree has been set two or three years, and the body has 

 got sufficiently stiff to hold its position against our heavy southwest 

 winds. 



Fifth — Preparing the ground is of greater importance than most 

 are aware of. It should be cultivated ; it is best in corn for two 

 years, then one in oats, and then plow shallow and fine as soon as the 



