FRUIT GROWING ON THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS. NAL 
planting. The advantages sought by this system are similar to 
those of the first. 
The third system may be styled the “ dwarf-orchard method.” The 
trees of each fruit are propagated on dwarf stocks. They are then 
planted in a closely spaced orchard, 6 by 8 feet or shghtly farther 
apart. The trees are kept low and compact. This system should 
afford in considerable degree the same protection as the other 
methods described. 
Experimental work is now well under way to test these methods 
thoroughly. All that can be said at present is that they are being 
tested in the hope that they may overcome at least some of the 
causes of failure in 
the growth of tree 
fruits. They are di- © 
rectly in accord with 
principle in view in 
this area. Mutual 
protection has been 
the fundamental 
principle in view in 
devising these three 
general methods. 
The thick planting 
necessary for mutual 
protection is, of 
course, contrary to 
the generally accepted 
idea of thin planting 
for drought resist- 
ance. It has been the fie. 6.—a fine specimen of a crab-apple tree of bush 
endeavor to overcome form. The branches start at the ground. No danger of 
sun scald here. 
this objection as far 
as possible by providing snow-holding power, by shading the ground 
to reduce the direct evaporation from the soil, and by keeping the 
plants low and small in order to reduce the total transpiration from 
their leaf surfaces. 
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE. 
With our present information and taking into consideration the 
present-day commercial practices, the following recommendations 
can be made to those who desire to grow apples, crabs, and plums 
on the northern Great Plains: 
Buy trees of the hardiest varieties obtainable. Ask for 1-year-old 
or 2-year-old budded trees or 2-year-old grafted trees, with apples 
on Siberian crab roots and with plums on native seedling roots. The 
