N U K S E K Y M E N — O K C H A R D I S T S 13 



Preparing Land for Xursery Stock 



Planting seems to be next in importance after selecting the 

 varieties. It is not necessary to speak of this at length right here, 

 for the subject has been fully covered in the preceding pages : 

 however, it is of the greatest importance that the land be well 

 drained. The land may be put in good condition by plowing and 

 liarrowing in advance of setting the trees, or same can be done 

 immediately after planting ; at least that part of the land adja- 

 cent to the trees should be so treated. 



At the time of planting trees, it is a good plan to fill the hole 

 about three-fourths full of earth and then apply a pound of 

 ground raw bone, well distributed, before completing the filling of 

 the hole. Stable manure is one of the best fertilizers. A liberal 

 application of this on top of the ground about the trees will be 

 very beneficial in promoting quick gro\s'th. It should be remem- 

 bered, however, that in applying coarse manure about trees it 

 should be kept a few inches from the trunk, so that mice will not 

 nest in the manure and possibly girdle the trees. A piece of land 

 where cowpeas have been grown previous to planting is an excel- 

 lent location for a young orchard. 



Cultivation. Of course, the orchardist %vill run the harrow 

 and drag between the little trees — '"horse-sen-se" will teach this. 

 But why not plant an intercrop between the rows, and thus make 

 the land bear a part of the expenses for the first four or five 

 years? When you cultivate the crop in the early part of the sea- 

 son you are giving the trees just what they need. Cultivation 

 may cease in time to sow a cover-crop of cowi)eas and permit the 

 wood to ripen before cold weather comes. 



Frankly. I believe that the marketing of the crop of fruit is the 

 essential point in profit-making. You may f/row good fruit, but 

 if you neglect the packing, or ship it to points where there is a 

 surplus, your profits surely will be reduced. 



Fancy apples are most salable when packed in boxes or bushel 

 baskets in summer or early fall, although in some cases it may be 

 necessary to use barrels. 



The "Georgia carrier" makes the most practical and useful 

 container for peaches when they are to be shipped a considerable 

 distance. For nearby markets the Jer.sey half-bushel basket is 

 sometimes used. Many growers use the bushel basket, but we 

 prefer the "Georgia carrier" as a container for our best fruit. 



Be sure that only perfect fruit is packed — one imperfect speci- 

 men impairs the value of the basket or barrel, and, if too many 

 specimens are defective, the value of the entire shipment will be 

 lessened. 



There is no question about your success in fruit-grownng if you 

 give it the care and attention a real business deserves. We main- 

 tain a "Service Bureau." and at all times are ready to advise you 

 about varieties, care of the trees, packing and other problems, 

 and will be glad to give you the benefit of our experience. 



Pruning One- Year Apple Trees after Planting. Leave on 

 all the limbs until spring, and when growth starts, if the tree is a 

 whip, simply cut it off at the height which you desire the head to 

 be. We would prefer this to be not more than 18 inches from the 

 ground. If the tree is more or less branched and the head already 

 formed, prune the side branches with regard to the frame of the 

 future head, leaving sticks 4 to 6 inches in length and cut off the 

 top. We do not advise pruning the branches or cutting back the 

 top until spring for best success. 



