The Grit-advocate., 1900-10-12
MATTERS or INTEREST TO
AGRlCULTURISTS
some up-to-Date Hints About CuItiva-
ton OF the Soil and Yield. thereof
Horticulture, yiticulturs and FIorcul-
tur~.
som. Appl.-Gro~Inx In in K.n...

him to greater endeavor. The man who
scores a success in his particular line
OF legitimate undertaking contributes
materially to the general prosperity of
his community and Is working ele-
ment in the welfare OF the world. The
development of that section of the
United States so Indefinitely character
lied as the West" has furnished many
worthy examples of surmounting great
obstacles, overcoming discouragements.
and of the final triumph of the sturdy,
persevering pioneer. Many are the
experiences related, showing the mar
velous possibilities Of the countr.
when backed by level judgment and
willing muscle. One mans require
ments often happily combining with
snother's ability work great advantage
to both. Such circumstance effected
the beginning of the success OF Fred
Wellhouse, OF Kansas, the most exten-
sive commercial orchardist in the
United States. He is widely known
as the apple king Of Kansas. and
the story OF his eminently successful
career in orcharding should be an in
spiration to all who read it. Some
thing Of it is related here by Mr.. F. D.
Coburn. secretary o. the Kansas board
OF agriculture.
The year 1875 found Mr.. Wellhouse
without money, but with definite
knowledge Of tree-growing and or
charding in Kansas acquired by years
OF close observation combined with
practica, experience, and full of faith
in the possibilities OF the state for fruit
growing. L. B. Wheat, a lawyer, of
-eavenworth, owned three tracts OF
437 acres OF land which was not profit
able. Mr.. Wellhouse closed a contract
with Wheat to plant this. 100 acres
near Fairmount and III acres near
Gienwood. with apple trees. These
provements about $4,000 and coulo
be rented for perhaps 81 per acre. He
furnished the land fenced it lbreaking
that part of it not previously in cul
ttvation, erected buildings for ten
ants. dug wells, etc. Wellhouse & Son
planted, cultivated and took care OF
them until they came into bearing.
getting all grain grown On unoccupied
land between the trees, and paid taxes
FOR the first five years. After that Mr..
Wheat paid taxes AMI each party was
each receive one-half of the income
until Wel.house & Son should receive
10 bushels per tree, or so long as the
trees might bear. The Glenwood Or
chard was planted in the spring of
1878; the Miami county tract in 1878.
and the Fairmount orchard in 1879,
with varieties as follows:
Glenwood tract OH acres): Ben
Davis, co acres; Winesap. l6 acres;
Missouri Pippn, Al acres.
Miami county tract Q60 acres) Ben
Davis 20 acres; Missouri Pippin, AZ
,cres; Haiden's Blush, s acres; Coop
or's EARLY, acres; Winesap, % acres
Fairnlount tract Q6o acres) Ben
Davis. so acres; Jonathan, 40 acres;
cooper's Early, acres; Maiden's
Blush. 8 acres; Winesap, "a acres
The years Of usefulness of these or.
.hards were from 1880 to 1895 during
which time they produced total O,
il0.417 bushels. giving a net income OF
100000 or $4,000 as a result of the
'enture to each party during the fifteen
ears active life of the orchards. The
.ccount practically closed with the
ear 1895.