42 THE APPLE-TREE 



flower-bud requires more energy than the making of a 

 plain leaf-bud; if this is true, there may not be energy 

 enough to carry a flower-cluster and to make a new 

 flower-bud at the same time. But if the tree is in proper 

 vigor, is well fed, protected from noxious organisms, not 

 allowed to overbear, it should have sufficient energy to 

 make a crop every year, frosts and accidents excepted. 

 It is assumed, of course, that self-sterile varieties have 

 good pollinizing varieties near them; it is always well 

 to plant two or more kinds near together. Whether the 

 continuity of bearing is exhibited on the same fruit-spurs 

 or whether there may be an alternation in the spurs on 

 the same tree, is of no moment in this discussion. It is 

 enough to say that there is no reason in the nature of the 

 case why an apple-tree should bear only every other 

 year ; it is probably a question of nutrition. 



The first essential to continued health and vigor is to 

 start with a strong unblemished tree. It is to be planted 

 before its vitality is lessened by exposure and hard usage. 

 The more \lirect the transfer from nursery to orchard, the 

 better. It is to be placed in good ground, well drained 

 and deeply spaded or plowed. The apple-tree thrives on 

 many kinds of land, but light sand, hard clay, and muck 

 are equally to be avoided. "Good corn land" is com- 

 monly considered to be good apple land. Certain soils 

 and regions are particularly adaptable to commercial 

 apple-growing, but the amateur may plant quite inde- 

 pendently of this fact. The observant man notes the 

 many conditions under which the apple-tree may be 

 grown with satisfaction. 



If the land is not uniformly prepared, then the hole 

 dug for the tree should be larger than demanded by 



