FRUIT GROWING ON THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. 9 
from the bottom up (as shown in fig. 3) and the real bush tree, 
which has a number of main branches starting from the crown, pro- 
ducing a type of structure similar to that of a currant bush. Figure 
4 shows a crab apple of bush type ready for planting. Some varieties 
will no doubt do better when grown as central-axis trees, while others 
may perhaps be more successful when in the real bush form. 
These types of trees were grown for the purpose of making a num- 
ber of experiments, as described under the following head. 
PLANTING AND CULTURAL SYSTEMS. 
From all experimental evidence and from many observations the 
conclusion has been reached that the exposure of the individual trees 
due to high heading 
and the open system 
of planting, as illus- 
trated in figure 5, 
contributes in no 
small degree to the 
failures encountered, 
and that mutual pro- 
tection of the trees 
by themselves and the 
other trees within the 
orchard may be the 
key to a more suc- 
cessful system of 
fruit growing in this 
area. 
For the purpose of 
determining how 
much such mutual 
protection may con- 
tribute to the chances 
of success, three more Fic. 4.—An excellent crab-apple tree of bush form ready 
or less distinct meth- See pet t 
ods or systems of planting are being tested thoroughly in com- 
parison with the ordinary orchard-planting systems usually prac- 
ticed. 
In these experimental plantings the hardiest varieties are used. 
These are grown on the hardiest stocks and are trained to the 
desired form from the start in the nursery. 
The first of these systems has been designated the “self-protecting 
combination fruit patch.” The chief characteristics of this system 
are the use of bush-form trees, such as are shown in figure 6, planting 
im rows running north and south and 16 or 20 feet apart, and spacing 
