There is no level ground on my place, so we have had to devise means 
of holding rainfall near where it fell. There is so little that we cannot 
afford to let any run off; so we have constructed a series of contour 
ditches, or terraces to hold water where it belongs on hillsides. Some 
idea of this system is shown by illustration; also note the low heading of 
trees. No long shanked, sunscalded trees here; but the business parts 
down where least affected by winds, and are most easily sprayed, pruned 
and picked; besides coming into bearing earlier, and living longer. 
Many orchards and garden places might be improved greatly by the 
construction of one or more dams or ditches for holding runoff water. 
One makes a success with growing things about in proportion to the de¬ 
gree of liking, knowledge, and effort that he puts into the work. I write 
this by way of helping others get ideas of best methods. We are not 
simply trying to sell nursery stock, but wish eash customer to have it 
become one of his best investments in later years. 
You can get a measure of help through joining your State Horti¬ 
cultural Society. North and South Dakota are now combined in issuing 
a monthly magazine full of helpful articles that goes to each member; 
and besides this you are entitled to a selection from a goodly list of 
choice plants, including fruits, flowers, and vegetables. Send one dollar, 
the annual fee to R. W. Vance, Pierre, S. D. 
I write this as a general personal message. I write many letters 
during the year in reply to those asking information; but in many in¬ 
stances it is impossible to write as fully as I wish doing. We are still in¬ 
terested in the welfare and behavior of our plants after they leave our 
hands, so I am always very pleased to hear from those who have pur¬ 
chased from us in years past, saying how they have succeeded. 
VARIETIES TO PLANT 
For the family orchard there should be a few early apples as well as 
some of the later ripening sorts;-but it is usually a mistake to plant many 
of the early kinds. There should be a variety in crabs, as most in this 
line are hardy and do well. Plant more Wealthy trees than any other apple 
sort. 
Plums, and small fruits such as currants and gooseberries, are easily 
grown and come into bearing early. 
I like having the customer make his own selections as much as pos¬ 
sible when ordering; but in case of his being undecided we are always 
pleased to make selections for him. In such cases simply tell us some¬ 
thing about your soil and location; and if you have some fruits planted 
already, tell us as near as you can what they are so we will not duplicate 
in these too much. 
I advise choosing one and two year old stock for general planting. 
Exception to this rule is alright where few trees are being set. Small, 
stock costs less, is easily planted, makes quick recovery in starting new 
growth, and is easily trained in starting a head at any desired height. 
PLANTING 
Early spring is the best time to plant in the dry northwest. Apple 
trees should be planted not less than 30 feet apart each way, so as to al¬ 
low for spread of roots in search of moisture as the tree grows larger, 
without coming into competition wiith the roots of other trees. Plums do 
not require so much space, but should have near 20 feet each way. Smaller 
fruits and shrubbery do not need so much space between, but it is always 
wise to allow plenty. A good general guide is to have in mind that the 
roots of a plant always reach as far in ail directions as the plant may 
grow to in height, so allow enough space that each may still do well after 
reaching a mature age and size. In the beginning of an orchard, one row 
of small fruits may be set midway between each two rows of apple trees. 
