158 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Will whitewashing prevent the working of the flat-headed borer? 

 I don't think it will, but washing the trunks of the trees with any 

 alkaline substance is good ; a mild solution of concentrated lye ap- 

 plied at the end of May and in July and August is excellent. 



What are the most successful fruits to grow in western Kansas? 

 First, cherries; second, plums; third, apples. The Missouri Pippin 

 and Winesap come into bearing the soonest of winter varieties. 



[We have had the pleasure of visiting Mr. Allen's orchards at 

 Hays City many times during the past five years and his cherry trees 

 were a sight to behold ; they were so loaded with fruit that they 

 looked more like a red ball of fire than a fruit tree ; last year 3,200 

 quarts of cherries were marketed, which realized the owner the snug 

 sum of $320 ; Mr. Allen also harvested ten bushels of cultivated 

 plums, and about 100 bushels of apples; he refused $500 for his fruit 

 crop before he began to gather it. This fruit result was obtained only 

 fifty miles northeast of Ness City, in a county no better watered than 

 ours, and we hope to see Ness county do as well when we get as many 

 acres of sod under cultivation as Ellis county has. — Secretary.] 



Is this country too dry for the strawberry? Rather dry, but have 

 had fair success. 



Will blackberries and grapes flourish? Blackberries will not; the 

 Concord grape does quite well. 



How about the apricot? It is some hardier than the peach. 



Will the pear do well? It has been grown with some success. 



What is the best way to set out and take care of fruit trees? Have 

 the ground deeply and thoroughly prepared ; plant a trifle deeper than 

 the tree grew in the nursery ; do not hill up but keep the ground 

 level ; very much depends on after culture ; mulching has many dis- 

 advantages — persistent cultivation is much better ; dry dust constantly 

 stirred through a long drouth is the best form of mulching that can 

 be given ; the reason is simple : the earth is full of minute pores 

 through which the rainfall filters downward ; the same pores are also 

 in use on dry days for the moisture to evaporate out of and frequent 

 stirring of the soil fills these little pores so that the moisture is re- 

 tained in the ground where it is needed to support plant life. 



How deeply should land be cultivated about growing crops ? Shal- 

 low cultivation and plenty of it is the best. 



What is the best way to keep gophers from burrowing in under 



