The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-05-28
ripe. l can recommend the Early

Plums. s.-Lombard is the finest
that | have succeeded in fruiting,
but it is not exactly hardy-there is
very much loss in getting the trees
established. DeSoto is an album
dant bearer and perfectly hardy.
| can recomend the DeSoto for this
part Of the state. There may be
others which do better in other parts
of the state.
Prunes-The Golden Prune. a ma
tive of California, is the only prune
| have succeeded with, and they
have fruit buds set, so I look for
ward to the raising Of some prunes
this coming summer. They are
perfectly hardy with me.
Grapes-Concord is the only
grape l can recommend, and here
with us the season is rather short or
nights rather cold, so it is rather
hard to have them mature. l have
only had two full crops in five years
| have one acre in grapes. I had
10, 900 pounds in one crop and II, 900
in another.
Pears-I have fruited the Bartlett
and Flemish Beauty, they are both
good here. Bartlett pears weighed
IA to l6 ounces last year. I am now
extending my orchard with both of
these varieties.
Peaches--L raised two bushels of
very fine peaches this last season,
but they need protection for winter.
L have now peach from Idaho. 1t
is claimed to have stood 2So :5elow
zero. 1t has stood this winter here
so far all right,
Apricots-I have not succeeded
with any of the eastern apricots,
but have one from Washington
that [ have good hopes of. It is not
in bearing yet, but is dong we'll.
Gooseberries -Houghton is the
berry for all purposes.
Currants-I have the Red Dutch,
White Grape and Fay's Prolific. l
like best the two first named.
Strawberres-I have not done
very much with them. as [ have no
irrigation when it comes dry sea-
son, but when we have rain or irri-
cation Strawberries are a big crop
here. Capt. Jack anu Crescent are
the best.
General Notes.-The causes of
failure in raising fruit are: First,
planting trees and plants not adapt
ed to your locality; second, shallow
plowing and poor cultivat ton; third,
failure OF protecting against stock
and rabbits.
Essentials to success in raising
in South Dakota are: First, get trees
adapted to your locality: get trees
as near home as possible; do not
send east for them; avoid the lake
region, as a tree adapted to that
moist region will not succeed in the
dry air OF South Dakota. with very
few EXCEPTIONS
Second, plow very deep. Mark off
your ground, then plow wide and
deep dead furrow where you want
your rows, plow several times until
you lave it as deep as you can get it.
Then dig holes and plant trees. so
that when the ground is nearly level
ed your trees will stand two inches
deeper than they were in the nurs-
cry. Then cultivate thoroughly
every year. Keep stock and rabbits
out, and you will soon have a bear
ing orchard. This dead furrow will
be the same as reservoir in storing
moisture for dry seasons,
Fruit culture in the Black Hills
In general there has been very little
interest taken in fruit, as nearly all
have believed that we could not raise
fruit in this high and dry altitude;
but many are changing their views
from the results of the last few
years. There are several small or
chards set out and where they have
had proper care they have done well.
[ fully believe that South Dakota
will be a good apple country. Not
only are we able to raise good apples
but the winter apples will be good
keepers. l have twenty five barrels
OF winter apples on hand; there is
not speck to be found on them yet,
but tneV are very hard So hpIipva