The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-02-27
Selecting Trees for an Orchard

Persons who contemplate setting out
orchards in the spring should determine
soon what their selections shall be. This
is a matter of too great importance TO
be neglected or carelcssly attended TO.
A mistake here is so far reaching in it,
results that no man can afford TO make
one. Should a mistake be made in the
selection Of seed corn total or partial
loss of the crop is the result, but the evil
may be corrected the next year; but ii
mistake is made i'm the selection of an
orchard, and trees are chosen that prove
TO be shy bearers, or bear comparatively
worthless fruit, il takes so long to de-
eide this matter and then so much long
err to correct the mistake by planting
other trees that good part of a man's
lifetime will have passed before he will
have such supply of fruit as he needs
and should have. Except the selection
of the farm itself there is nothing thai
requires more intelligent care and attcn
ton than the selection of an orchard. A
few hints on this subject may prove OF
service 10 those who contemplate plant
ing an orchard. Trees are often chosen
because the individual has known them
in distant places where they either die
well or the zest of youth gave them al
excellence which they did not possess.
Such is very poor reason for selcctine
any kind. The fact that some varieiic.
did well in some far off Eastern State l.
no evidence that they will succeed in
the soil and climate of the West. Nor
is ii very likely that the taste of the bo,
would prove reliable standard for tht
judgment of the man. The E.commcn-
dations Of the nursery and pomologisls
should be followed with caution, espec-
tally if they live at great distanc,
from where the trees are to be planted.
The opinions of such persons can be in
telligently formed, and honestly given.
but their adaptation TO the particular
locality they are 10 occupy will be a
matter of great uncertainty. The advice
of travelling tree agents is still more I'M
reliable they may know what they are
talking about and they may be honest
in recommending the best, but the his
tory of the past goes 10 show that the
chances are against such n fortunate re-
linz - Of nv
erts certSiu influence on the health.
vigor and productiveDess of the differ
cnt kinds of fruit, so tina; ii is only by |
actual trial that il can be determined |
how any kind Of fruit will succeed in
any given locality. The better way TO
determine what to plant is TO consult |
home authorities. First, the list rec
commended by the State Horticultural
Society should be consulted; next the 1
lists of the county or local society near
where the planting is to be done /; next,
orchards in the same neighborhood
should be examined. and neighbors
who have had experience in the vicinity
should be consulted as TO their success
or failure with the various kinds tried.
The list Of varieties is SO great that
there is no difficulty in selecting an as
sortment of varieties to meet all neces-
sary requirements of an orchard with
out planting ANYTHING that is either too
tender or unprolific. This, Of course, is
not intended to apply to the extreme
northwest, where nothing but iron-clad
will endure the rigor Of the climate, but
10 the more temperate central region of :
the country. The assortment to be Sc
ccted win depend on the principal pur-
posc for which the orchard is planted, Z
4 different selection Is to be mado for {
! fam H. sra,rt sn 1 . make: orchard, s
10 for Q near or rem0te maxkets-
RAgshsef Auvfakas0 Il