The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1904-07-15

| trees up to bearing size. Trees not
having been cultivated may be of the
| fruiting age and not be large enough
to bear a peck while the cultivated
tree of the same age will have the
capacity to bear barrel of fruit
| The finest, most perfect and best
paying crops of apples we have been
able to grow were from an orchard
that was cultivated from start to finish
except two years while in red clover.
We generally used breaking pillow in
preparing the ground between the trees
for corn and many roots were broken.
The corn was cultivated in the usual
manner and the tree rows kept clean
by use of double shovel pillow and hoe.
About once in three years we gave
top dressing of stable manure and
some wood ashes scattered broadcast
and cultivated in. At the end OF twenty
years this orchard had net $500 per
acre. The best crop sold at $500 per
acre, and the average was $40 per acre
per annum for the entire period OF
twenty years from time of planting.
During the same time we were grow
ing a few acres of budded peaches,
which we gave continuous and clean
cultivation from planting up to old
-
down. This orchard resisted the cold
and produced crops of fine fruit be-
yond any of the orchards, of same
varieties, in the same locality, that
were not cultivated. The fruit was
larger and better and sold for much
higher prices, the best crop netting
$500 per acre.
In support of my own practice, l
desire to submit the experience of 9TH
ers Last year a reliable and large
buyer of apples, from one of our east
ern states, told me that in the pursuit
of his business in his native state,
some years ago, he went to farmer
whom he knew had commercial or
chard of twenty-five acres, trees thir-
teen years old When he inquired what
he wanted for his apples the farmer
replied in angry tones: Apples the
mischief, hain't got any; blamed or
chard is no account, never bore and
never will. The peslxy tree agents had
better never come about me again with
any of their fine spun lingo about
money in apples. I tell you, sir, it is
all stuff and humbug. I am going to
cut my orchard down and clean up
the ground for crops that will pay"
When at last for much-needed supply
of wind he closed his billingsgate OF
abuse against the tree-vender, the
nurseryman and the apple-industry,
the apple-buyer coolly inquired what
he would be willing to take for lease
of five years on the orchard "spot
cash" -Four hundred and fifty dol
lars" Gail right" said the apple
buyer, and the deal was closed and the
money paid.
Now, this orchard was on fairly good
hill land, had been cultivated while
young to give it start, and then, like
many others, was sown to grass and
left to make it's own way as best it
could The apple merchant broke UP
the sod pruned the trees, sprayed
once before blooming and three times
after blooming. continued to cultivate
and care for the orchard and keep it
in first-class condition from year to
year, and now for the result: He sold
the first crop for $4,000: the second
crop for $4,000; the third crop for
LOO; total amount for the three
crops $6,100i and two years to report
on. My informant requested me not
to give the names of parties to this
contract. "For." said he. eff that
farmer ever finds out just what I really
made out of his orchard it would kill
him stone dead"
A1ooo =, Tho aorIv n in ioc q friend