Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-11-22

consin?"
Those who have exhibited Wisconsin
tree fruits at our state and county
fairs have often heard this question
or one OF like import, asked by interest
ed viewers. Sometimes an affirmative
answer is received with manifest in
credulity. Unfortunately, many resi-
dents of our state have formed the con
clusion that the tree fruits cannot be
successfully grown in Wisconsin, and
much contrary evidence is needed to
shake this conclusion.
1t would be folly to attempt to dis
guise the fact that our climate is a
most trying one for the tree fruits. 1t
certainly is. But it is by no means
true that the culture of tree fruits is
impossible in all parts of our state, and
the sooner our people accept this truth
the better it will be for all concerned.
DOubters need to be reminded that ex-
tensive collections of Wisconsin apples
are shown every year at our state and
local fairs; that exhibits Of our apples
have been made from time to time at
the largest exhibitions and expositions
ever held in this country, and have
never failed to attract favorable COM
ment and to receive more or less
numerous awards for merit, and that
as many as Is carloads of apples have
been shipped from certain Wisconsin
rural railway stations in a single sea-
son. Other tree fruits are also grown,
but to less extent than the apple.
The truth about it is this: Where
trees of properly selected varieties are
planted on carefully chosen sites and
reasonably well cared for, the apple,
the Morello class of cherries, and the
native plums may be successfully
grown over large part of Wisconsin.
Of these fruits, the native plums are
probably most reliable, if properly
cared for, and the apple next, but the
hardest varieties Of the Morello cher
ries are proving highly profitable as
market fruits in some localities. The
pear is only partially successful any
where in Wisconsin, and is only to be
recommended for the amateur The
European and Japanese plums are
fairly successful in the milder parts OF
our state.
Should Farmers Plant Fruit Trees?
If, after reading this bulletin, you
find that you have site that is favor
able for the tree fruits, by all means,
Yes-at least in sufficient numbers for
home use. Hundreds of Wisconsin
farms tbat now vin15 M troo fr,,itc
would yield abundance for home use if
only given opportunity. Bearing fruit
trees improve the value and attractive
ness of the farm; they are a source of
health and comfort to the family and
they tend to make the young more
contented. The cost Of the fruit trees
necessary to supply the family is IN
significant if they are purchased in the
right way. Whether or not fruit trees
should be planted with the view OF
the product as a source CT
profit is a more personal and local
question. Unless the locality is es-
pecially adapted to some particular
decided taste for fruit growing, and the
market facilities are good, the answer
would generally be NO
Best Sites.
reference to elevation, to exposure,
i. e., the direction toward which the
land slopes, and to the amount of pro-
lection it receives from objects in the
vicinity as forests, hills, etc.
Abundant experience has shown that
a somewhat elevated site is best for
the tree fruits. The reasons are that
such sites usually have good drainage,
both of air and water, and are less sub
ject to extremes of temperature than
lower sites. By air drainage we mean
the tendency Of cold air to seek the
lower levels. 1t is well known that
frosts are less disastrous on rather
high lands than in low places. This
is because the cool air flows down into
the depressions. This alone is a very
strong argument in favor of eleva
lions for fruit growing. The same
causes that make high land less subject
to frosts in the growing season tend to
still winter weather. High lands are
also more exposed to winds in summer
which tend to mitigate extreme heat,
and to prevent the bighting of apple
and pear trees. The rains and dews
dry off from foliage sooner on the
higher ground and this tends to pre-
vent the scabbing of apples and pears.
A moderate elevation is often as eff
fectual in comforting these benefits as
a much higher one.
With reference to slope, it is gen
orally conceded that north or east
slope is preferable to south or west
one, because it is less subject to ex-
tremes of heat. A slope that is just
sufficient to promote good drainage is
preferable to sleeper one, and it is
not important that the land should
slope at all.
Protection is probably of less i'm
portance than elevation or exposure. A
forest is not always the best neighbor
for an orchard, because it tends to dry
the soil and is often breeding place
for destructive insects. Neither is the
shelter of higher land important for it
often promotes downward currents OF
cold air A row of trees about the
orchard to answer as a wind break, is
generally desirable, provided it is not
too dense, and is not too close to the
fruit trees.
Soil