Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-02-12

1
them. In truth. it will be quite likely
to lead them to set out trees which will
never attain sufficient size to produce a
crop or which will not mature their
fruit. No tree is so dependent on pecu-
liarities of the soil and climate az the
apple tree.
The first settlers of every portion of
the western states commenced orchards
by setting out trees of the varieties they
had been accustomed to raise in their
old homes. With very rare exceptions
they were unsuccessful 10 their at
tempts. In many cases the trees died
shortly after they were planted. Even
varieties that were the most hardy IN
the Atlantic states proved tender here.
The few trees that lived were generally
unproductive.
The present success of apple-raisins
IN the west is almost entirely due to
the experiments and investigations of
the men who planted the first orchards.
They Iabored not only for their own
good, but for the good of posterity.
They ascertained at the expenditure of
much time and money what kind of
trees We're hardy in this climate and
what varieties were productive when
they had attained the size for bearing.
Inc present genera ton owe debt of
gratitude to the pioneer horticultural
lists who rendered the production of
apples comparatively easy. By con-
sulting the list of varieties approved by
the horticultural societies of the sew
eral western states a person may be
tolerably certain of the kinds that will
succeed best In given locality. Gen
orally the nearest nurseryman will
have full stock Of the trees that have
been tested in the immediate vicinity.
If he has, it will be the best of wis
dom to patronize him. It would also
be we'll to consult him in regard to the
location of the orchard, the position of
the trees, the manner of setting them
out, the proper method of pruning
them, the crops to raise on the ground
between the trees while they are small,
ana ON all other matters pertaining to
tn welfare of the young orchard.
Ii halt the money annually spent on
fruit trees were paid to a person COM
petent to look after them and to direct
their proper care and cultivation there
would be fewer disappointments IN re-
gard to the orchards and much larger
yield OF fruit. Most farmers would be
gamers if they employed an expert not
only to set out their trees but to take
care OF them till they had attained
size to produce crop Of fruit. There
is very great advantage in having one
person prune the trees of an orchard
from the time they are set out till they
come into bearing. A nurseryman will
be certain to have the proper tools fo
doing the work and will know how to
use them to the best advantage. If a
nurseryman Is employed TO transplant
the trees he raises and to have the gen
eral care of them afterWard, he will
lake a professional pride in the work,
and DO 1t IN the best manner possible. |
He will do all the work required Of an
expert IN a day, once each year, if the
Is only designed to supply the
wants of family. While pruning the
.rees he can give directions to the
owner about keeping them clear OF
insects and in relation to manuring,
nulching, and cultivation.
From present appearances fruit trees
may be set out very early the present |
season. Many farmers may engage the |
services of a nurserymen or other ex-
pert for the work of transplanting trees
before trade fairly opens in the spring.
Those who design to set out and care
or their own trees should obtain re-
liable information on the subject of Or
from the best sources They |
should obtain, if they can, the transac-
ions of the horticultural society of the
state where they live. They should |
ilso procure some ofthe standard works
IN Embarrassing, such as Warder's |
American Pomology," Downing's |
Fruit Trees of America" and ]. J. |
Thomas american Fruit Culturist."
More knowledge and less trees will be
likely to produce finer orchard and |
more fruit, than many trees planted and |
ended as they often are.
HE Black Hills Pioneers exordium TO |
column of rhansOdv over q lean-year |