Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-01-24
Increased Interest in Orchard
Planting Words Fifty Spoken

Planting Words Fifty Spoken.
We are glad to discover that 4 mucb
larger number than usual are PLANNING to
plant out apple orchards nexs SPRING
Some who have hitherto had no faith, seem
now quite Jealous in the matter.
The remarkable fine show Of fruit, and
apples in particular, at the late State Fair,
coupled with the general fact that orchard
trees usually bore so well last season, has
undoubtedly wrought this happy change.
The present feeling is right, and il is what
we have already advised. We have known
or at least believed, for years, that the main
cause of miscarriage and failure arose from
want of knowledge and care in selecting
and planting.
Nine-tenths of the men who plant the
earlier orchards in the State knew little or
nothing as to the varieties best suited to
our climate; they either bought what they
had known most about east or south, or
more usually, what they knew nothing
about, except that they got long whip
stock Of an apple tree ofsome kind. They
usually planted just as unwisely as they
bought. Not unfrequently upon some flat,
rich, and maybe damp prairie, with hard
unloosened subsoil or maybe upon south
ern hillside, where it was supposed to be
nice and warm, great mistake, as expert
ence has at length pretty satisfactorily
taught. And what was worse still these
badly selected and planted orchards were
often left to be browsed and rubbed against
by cattle, grazed and barked by plows and
whifietrees, and most likely back-furrowed
up to until they were twice or thrice as
deeply planted as they should have Leen.
Now who does not know that all the
foregoing and much more has often been
true of Western planted orchards and be-
ing thus true, who wonders that no better
success has been attained The only trees
that have done well are those that happen
ed to be Of the right varieties, and that hap
pe,aed to have no other bad luck. But the
experience that has been gained by this
foolish mode of tree planting is perhaps
worth all that it has cost. Some of our
observant nurserymen have thoroughly
studied the subject, and confirmed their
opinions by the careful examination of hum
dreds of orchards, thus learning just what
varieties thrive,which partly fail, and which
fail entirely; also what localities are most
favorable to growth, fruitfulness and en-
durance.
This study and experience has thoroughly
established at least two facts: lst, That
there are dozen Or twenty perfectly hardy
varieties of apples that will grow and thrive
in any part of southern or central Wiscon-
sin. I'd, That elevated and northerly as
poets are by far TIE best for orchards
These two simple but important facts en-
able any farmer whose land is elevated and
dry, to grow good orchard if he will
No mistake about it, it can lie done even
here in Wisconsin.
Who then that cares anything for his
family, farm, or country, will not make the
effort? Not at some future and distant
day, but next spring. Let no more precious
time be lost if you already are, or can get
ready. The cost of 20, 100, or even 500
trees to start With, is but trihe; with any
kind of care and good luck they will double
annually in value, and much more than that
in size. And after they come into bear
ing no one could buy them you for twenty
times their cost, even though new and then
one af them does die.
Then farmers everyone Of you plan for
doing something in this line next spring,
and above all things determine not to buy
trees that you do moi know anything about,
OF of the men that sell them to you. "a Don't
order trees Of nonresident strangers and
thus repeat the folly Of all past years
Buy of parties you know, and take written
warrantees that the trees are the varieties
represented. That is the way, and the
only safe one to pursue. Don't order east
ern or southern trees either,while you can
oct better and safer at home, in almost
every county. Buy low grown trees and
no other, but be sure and buy and plant
and cultivate and grow an orchard for your
self and for posterity. How many will
begin another spring p Wisconsin Far
.11aer