502 WISCONSIN FRUIT-GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
ORCHARD PLANTING AND CULTURE, 
WITH DESCRIPTIVE NOTES OF VARIOUS FRUITS. 
BY JOHN TINKER. M. D., OF CLINTON, WISCONSIN. 
My experience lias been, that good fruits can, and will be 
raised in Wisconsin in sufficient quantities to supply our own 
people, at least. True, many of the first attempts to grow or¬ 
chards here, proved failures, and will again under like circum¬ 
stances. It is not reasonable to presume that the same varie¬ 
ties, and the same modes of cultivation, that succeed on Long 
Island, should succeed here, where all external nature is differ¬ 
ent. 
In setting out an orchard, the first thing to be considered, is 
a suitable location, which beyond all dispute, is the highest and 
dryest ground the farm affords. I am well aware that in taking 
this side of the question, I shall frighten a certain class of peo¬ 
ple, who have been in the habit of setting trees in sloughs and 
mud holes, at the bottom of ravines, for the sake of shelter and 
protection. Such low places are colder in winter and warmer 
in summer, and more subject to sudden changes, generally, than 
higher ground. But what is worse than all, the sub-soil of low 
places is necessarily wet, unless thoroughly underdrained.— 
The same tree will withstand 20 degrees more of cold when its 
roots are in dry soil, than when in wet. Elevated rolling lands 
and bluffs will underdrain themselves, and, besides, trees, like 
animate nature, have a physiological system which requires about 
the same conditions of air, light, heat and electricity. Yes, 
set your trees up in the world! Give them a chance to battle 
with the elements of nature, and gain strength and stamina 
thereby. Also a northern slope has less sudden changes than 
a southern one. A southern slope is best for small fruits, pro¬ 
vided you cover tender vines up in the winter. 
