CHAPTER XVI 



THE HOME ORCHARD— APPLE, PEAR, QUINCE 



A good home orchard is an attraction and material asset to any 

 home, whether in the village or in the open country. We should 

 think of the orchard as including the tree fruits, such as apple, 

 pear, quince, peach, cherry, plum, etc. The last three are con- 

 sidered in the next chapter. In Florida and southern California 

 we would include in the home orchard the grape fruit, lemon and 

 orange. A study of the maps in this and the following chapters 

 will be of interest (Fig. 99 and 100). 



APPLE 



Location and Exposure of the Apple Orchard. — The grower 

 should not be discouraged if he has not the best location for the 

 apple orchard. The exposure should not be toward the westerly 

 winds if that can be avoided. A north or north-east slope is better. 

 This will keep the soil cool in the spring and prevent the warm 

 days from forcing the trees into blossom so early as those on a 

 southern slope. The earliest blossoms are in greatest danger from 

 late spring frosts. 



One of the most important considerations in the location of the 

 apple orchard is the finding of a slope and putting the orchard 

 near the top of it. This will give air drainage, which is the best 

 protection against damage from late spring frosts. When frosty 

 nights occur the cold air settles in the low places, and blossoms 

 are often damaged here when those at the top of the hill are 

 uninjured. 



If possible, locate the apple orchard near enough the farm 

 buildings so that it can be easily watched. Not only does the 

 orchard need protection from human marauders at fruiting time, 

 but it should be under the eye of the owner so that he will give it 

 better protection against insect enemies and plant diseases. Fruit 

 trees along the roads may satisfy those who would otherwise enter 

 the orchard. They may also supply some fruit for home use. 



Apple Soils. — In well settled regions the experience of the 

 older residents will tell whether the soil is suited to the growth of 

 apple trees. If trees have made a vigorous growth their size taken 



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