THE DRY FARMING CONGRESS. 



339 



planted in the eastern and middle states. No farmer would expect to 

 raise a crop of corn, if he simply carefully planted and then neglected it. 



Tree Planting. 



While the commercial orchardrsts in our districts prepare a north- 

 easterly slope, the family orchard should be near the house, without refer- 

 ence to islope; in other words, do not put a family orchard on a remote cor- 

 ner of the farm, simply to take advantage of a northeasterly slope. The 

 writer has orchards planted on all slopes as well as uplands and bottom- 

 lands, and usually orchards do well in all locations. 



The location as to slope, is not as important as the care the orchard 

 receives after planting. We thoroughly believe in wind breaks to the 

 south, west and north of the orchard. The wind break on the south and 

 west, lessens the aridity of dry winds in summer, and a row of lofty grow- 

 ing trees on the east, prevents the rays of the sun from raising the tem- 

 perature too quickly after a frosty night. 



Soil Preparation. 



Since the average farmer has more than he can possibly handle, he 

 should utilize his team as far as possible in preparing ground for planting. 



After having thoroughly plowed the ground, and done all that can 

 be done by plowing, pulverizing and harrowing, part of the hand labor of 

 digging holes can be saved by cross-marking and then running the lister 

 to the utmost depth possible to attain, then planting trees at the inter- 

 section lof the croiss -marking. In semi-arid regions, it is well to plant 

 fruit tree six to eight inches deeper than they stood in the nursery row. 

 Our habit is to plant without the use of water, until the earth has been 

 filled in three inches over the roots and thoroughly tramped. Leave a 

 basin surrounding the tree. If the soil is not sufficiently moist, add two 

 pails of water to the tree. After this water has soaked away, cover this 

 wet surface with three or four inches of earth, leaving the surface loose. 

 Never tamp the wet soil. Plow and cultivate the ground in such manner 

 that the slope of the ground is toward -the tree, then heavy dashing 

 showers throw an increased percentage of water to the tree. After cul- 

 tivation, ultimately and gradually allow the ground to become level. 



Soil IVIulcli. 



Cultivation gives the best mulch of all. If you can give perfect cul- 

 tivatiton, you have the best possible mulch. If circumstances are such that 

 you cannot, or will not, do this, then mulch with stable litter or any ma- 

 terial that wall retain moisture. 



Treatment of Trees. 



Bundles should be properly opened and the roots soaked in water. 

 While waiting to plant, it is well to buy the trees and plant in the ground, 

 temporarily, in such a manner that the moist mellow dirt will come in 

 contact with all the roots and trunks and thoroughly protect them from 

 the air. 



