Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1870-03-03
FRUIT CULTURE In IOWA.
by D, Y, BRUNER,

It is no small task, even for the best
experienced Horticulturist, to give an
essay on fruit raising, that comes to
perfection. Therefore, do not claim
this essay clear from error. Yet, the
experience of those who are actually
engaged in fruit raising, in our county,
is worth more than many suppose, to
the inexperienced beginner.
Certainly, there is no branch Of in
dustry in this county of more impor-
tance than fruit raising. Yet, ] know
of no branch of industry that is 20 i'm
perfectly understood by many, and
treated with more downright negli-
gence.
Need ask the cause of this negli-
gence? Could we plant orchards and
fruit gardens and in six months from
the time OF planting, realize full crop
of luscious fruits of different varieties,
what enterprising citizen would not
inquire Immediately how we managed
to succeed SO well, and who would not
go to work, next Spring, and plant
trees sufficient, at least, for his family
supply? 1t is true, you cannot always
rely on your neighbor's experience, as
your soil and situation may be vast
ly different Therefore, to succeed
well, in any undertaking, one needs to
read, to increase his stock of useful
and practical ideas, and, by close
thinking, he may turn them to his ad-
vantage in arriving at perfect success.
In the first place, let it be under.
stood that in fruit raising or growing,
as in other things, we must adapt our
selves to the conditions and provisions
OF nature. 1t the kinds of fruit, and
care, and mode of cultiyating and
pruning trees, will not answer here, as
at other places, 1t is our duty to learn
what kinds Of fruit and mode Of treat
ment will be successful. We, of Ia
ma county, have just now arrived at a
period when fruit raising, by many Of
our intelligent farmers and gardeners,
is no more considered thing impos-
sible, although we yet, occasionally,
hear the croaking, "You cant raise
fruit in Iowa." 1T is not a fruit coun-
try at do MT pay to raise fruit in
Iowa"
When | first came to this State, Is
years ago last tall, Iheard the same croak'
ing in relation to wheat raising in
Iowa, "You can't raise good wheat"
and "that it did not pay to raise wheat
in Iowa"
Well, some seasons, it did not pay
very well, especially last season. But
ask how much cheaper would our
bread be, and how much more compe-
tent would our farmers be TO raise
wheat, if years ago we had stopped
raising wheat in Iowa, and depended
on having our bread stuff imported.
Hundreds and thousands of dollars are
annually sent from Iowa east for
fruit, when every farmer that has
home should, in two or three years.
have small fruit enough and in six
years have apples, pears and cherries
in abundance. Friends, and lovers OF
fruit and home ornaments, think Of it,
are YOU willing and ready to make
Tama county ono of the best fruit
counties in the State. BE assured, we
have the foundation; all that is requir-
auired is to know how to build, and
then build. Select your highest and
driest situation (unless too sandy for
an orchard or fruit garden. 1T not
dry enough for corn in wet season,
drain it thoroubgly. 1t the ground is
infested with Gophcrs, kill every one
of them by poisoning, shooting and
trapping, which latter mode is far the
best. -.
In the fall, previous to planting your
trees, plow your ground as deep as
possible. In the Spring, just before
planting, plow your ground again; after
blowing, harrow thoroughly. II your
ground thus treated Is not in the best
condition for corn, roll it well, and
then plow and harrow as before. 1t is
important that the ground for an or
chard or fruit garden is thoroughly
pulve:ized, otherwise your trees may
suffer and die from drought in the
first Summer months after planting.
Ground thus prepared is ready for
all kinds of fruit trees. Plant apple
trees about 20 feet apart each way; l
should rather have them closer than
farther apart; dig the holes for your
trees wide and deep; fill in some Of
the best top soil; after having all man.
gled and bruised roots cut off smooth
as far as damaged, set your tree about
8 inches deeper than it stood in the
nursery, leaning it to the southwest
some or 4 inches; after having all
the roots spread in their natural posi-
tion, fill in with fine soil, and see that
no vacant space is left under the roots.
When you have filled the hole to the
level of the top Of the ground, tread
the ground firmly around the tree as
far as the hole extends. If, after the