HOW TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN 

 AN APPLE ORCHARD 



THE APPLE is the great standard fruit and is in universal 

 demand. It is no longer a luxury, but like bread, has 

 become a necessity throughout the months in which it 

 may now be readily obtained. 



It is not only beautiful in appearance and in its many food- 

 forms luscious in taste, but it contributes much to the tone and 

 health of the body. There is no other fruit at the present time 

 that commands such widespread interest, and that is being so 

 extensively planted. 



While the apple will grow throughout a large territory and 

 in a wide diversity of soils and under differing climatic condi- 

 tions, good and high-flavored fruit may be produced only in soils 

 and at elevations that are well adapted to its requirements. 



Selection of Site 



In establishing an orchard that is to be productive (as it 

 should be), for more than a century, the elevation should be in 

 a range of from 400 feet to 2,000 feet above sea level. The land 

 should be rolling or sloping in character, while the soil should 

 be a strong deep loam of limestone formation. 



The elevation is important, for upon this is dependent the 

 health and longevity of the trees. They thrive best in a pure 

 atmosphere where there is always a good air circulation and 

 good soil drainage. On high and sloping land, good natural 

 water-drainage is assured. This is as essential to trees as is 

 pure air. 



On elevated sites, furthermore, there is less danger from 

 late spring frosts, for when the temperature runs low, cold air 

 moves down to lower levels, just as water flows from springs, 

 to brooks and streams below, which in turn run on to still lower 

 levels. A difference of fifty feet greater elevation will often 

 save blossoms from destruction by frosts. 



Good water-drainage is very important. The roots of trees 

 must have good air about them in the soil the same as do their 

 bodies above the ground. On low level land, even with artificial 



