12 HARRISONS’ NURSERIES, BERLIN, MD., U.S.A. 
5 eS 
Over 3000 Acres of Land in Cultivation Millions of Apples and Peach Trees. 
Succeeding with Orchards of 
Apples and Peaches 
IRST of all, let me make it perfectly clear that any man 
with “horse-sense” can succeed with a commercial orchard. 
There are no tricks in growing fruit; just simply follow the 
rules of the game. 
Selecting the varieties ig the greatest problem to be solved. 
If you are planting for home use, you want sorts that are hardy 
and good bearers. If you are planning a commercial orchard, 
you must insist on these two points and another of equal impor- 
tance—ability to stand packing and shipping. 
Experience and close observation have shown that among the 
hundreds of varieties of apples and peaches only a few are worth 
growing for market. Possibly a dozen varieties of apples, and 
not more than six kinds. of peaches, make up the list. 
Some of these varieties will be adapted to your section, and 
these should form the main orchard. In the apple section of this 
catalogue you will find a table showing the territory where the 
desirable apples succeed ; you can safely depend on this informa- 
tion. Then, too, you should note the varieties that your neigh- 
bors are growing, and find out whether the crops are regular and 
profitable. 
In the peach section we put special emphasis on the varieties 
that are used in the great peach-growing sections of the United 
States. You can depend on these for the main planting ; then use 
otber varieties to suit local markets, as your fancy may dictate. 
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 
harrowing 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 growth. 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 will run the harrow 
and drag between the little trees—‘‘horse-sense”’ 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 cowpeas and permit the 
wood to ripen before cold weather comes. 
