416 MANUAL OF GARDENING 
Apples thrive over a wider range of territory and under more varied 
conditions than any other tree fruit. This means that they are easy 
to grow. In fact they are so easy to grow that they are usually neg- 
lected. 
Apples do best on a strong, sandy loam soil, or a light clay loam. 
While a soil very rich in organic matter is not desirable, good results 
cannot be secured unless it contains a fair amount of vegetable matter. 
A clover sod is particularly desirable for this as well as for other fruits. 
For a commercial orchard, most varieties should be from 35 to 40 
feet apart; but the slow-growing and long-lived sorts may be at 40 
feet, and, halfway between in both directions, some of the short- 
lived, early-bearing varieties may be placed, to be removed after they 
begin to crowd. In home grounds the trees may be placed some- 
what closer than 35 to 40 feet, especially if they are planted on the 
boundaries, so that the limbs may project frecly in one direction. 
It is ordinarily advisable, especially in the humid climates east of 
the Great Lakes, to have the body of the tree 3} to 43 feet long. 
The limbs should be trimmed up to this point when the tree is set. 
From three to five main branches may be left to form the framework 
of the top. These should be shortened back one-fourth or one-half 
when the treeisset. (Figs. 142-145) Subsequent pruning should keep 
the top of the tree open and maintain it in more or less symmetrical 
form. West of the Great Lakes, particularly on the plains and in the 
semi-arid regions, the top may be started much nearer the ground. 
In orchard conditions, the trees should be kept in clean culture, 
especially for the first few years; but this is not always possible in home 
yards. In lieu of tillage, the sward may be mulched each fall with 
stable manure, and commercial fertilizer may be applied each fall or 
spring. If fruit is wanted rather than foliage and shade, care should 
be taken not to make ground too rich, but to keep it in such condition 
that the tree is making a fairly vigorous growth, with good strong foli- 
age, but is not overgrowing. An apple tree in full bearing is usually 
in good condition if the twigs grow 10 to 18 inches each season. 
Apple trees should begin to bear when three to five years planted, 
and at ten years should be bearing good crops. With good treatment, 
they should continue to bear for thirty or more years in the northeast- 
ern states. 
