The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1883-03-22
for the farmer.
HoW FAR APART TO PLANT FRUIT
TREES

This subject is creating some discussion in
Southern Illinois. Our practice has been to
plant 20 feet apart, aud after 30 years exper-
fence we wonld not plant closer. A writer in
the Farmer and frBif GrorT says that he has
found by talking with peach growers in this vi
cinity, that ii is pretty generally conceded that
20 feet is near enough, and close planting is not
profitable; not few of the most successful advo-
cate p feet on good, strong ground. The peach
growers on the Lower Hudson, Jersey, Delaware
and Maryland plant close, We admit, and are in
a measure successful, but cannot attribute
their success TO their mode of planting, but rath-
er To their climatic Influences, thorough cultiVa-
ton and manner of trimming. They do not get
such large growth in orchard OF nursery we
do. Not few of the Eastern growers contend
that by giving the trees more room, they raise
better peaches and of course obtain better prices,
especially in seasons of protracted drOuth. This
also is the experience of most all the Western
growers that have written on this subject, some
Of them men Of % years experience in the West.
who are fully as capable of forming an opinion
as A. VI. Purdy, After observing closely the suc
cesses and failures of others in this vicinity for
% wears, ! cannot say one word in favor Of
close planting, although engaged in rails
ing and selling trees. ! have seen more than
one crop of peaches on the prairies, when
drOuth has visited Us in August, shTiyeled and
nearly worthless, planted II or Is feet distant:
at the same time, from trees Is to 20 feet distant,
of the same varieties, same kind of soil, peaches
were better natured, better colored. aud would
pack 10 or 50 peaches TO third bushel box.
A few years ago, spring Of ls50, | had planted
20 acres to peaches, on prairie mound, deep
yellowish soil a northwestern exposure and
western slope. then consulted several of the
oldest and most successful peach growers in the
counties of Clinton and Marion in regard 10 the
best distance. No one advised planting nearer
than 20 feet and two OF three advised good
ground TO plant p to 81 feet and all admitted
close planting was a mistake. This was in ac-
eordance with my own experience and 0bserva-
tiOn. therefore settled upon ~ feet aS a good
distance, and do not expect to regret planting
that distance. / am fully satisfied in my own
mind, that close planting will produce oar
prairie soil, long, stag-hOrn, naked bean pole
branches, spite of all the cultivation aud
heading back. The tendency is to draw them
up toward the sunlight, and wider planting has
a tendency toward spreading them ont. Having
a large space 10 draw their supplies from, bet.
ter opportunity is offered to head low and let in
sunlight and air. They are then affected less
with drOnth, and IL is more convenient TO get
around with a wagon TO gather up fruit and
take ont brush. Close planting may do well
enough on poor barren hills, where ground is in
clined to wash away, but for the large staple
market peach, that ripens in August and Sep
temheT, room for sunlight and air is necessary
TO success. have seen this demonstrated the
past season. The same fact holds good with APP
pies Too many trees are often crowded on the
ground. The first three weeks Of dry weather
the starved trees show signs of shriveled, half
cooked fruit, which soon falls prematurely To
the ground. We need revival among fruit
growers. Too many engaged in il have no love
for fruit but for the few dollars and cents they
can get out of it. We need men to engage in il
that have brains, and are willing to use them.
and cooperate 20 fight weeds, root-aphis, cod
ling moth, borers, and the multitude of enemies
| that beset us. OF what is il for me to
fight weeds insects, etc, if my neiShhnrs on all
sides of me neglect the whole thing, and are con-
tent to raise and ship poor aud worthless fruit!
There is more need than before for men
with heads, not empty heads, nor pumpkin
heads, but heads full of determination and prac-
teal knowledge, and who are unseltsh enough
TO he willing TO impart to others. We need men
of this kind in the orchard, garden and nursery,
to help to do our work. But how is it, Not
one in % that we can hire will take any interest
in our work only TO get our money.