The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1907-12-01

The only way to be sure about get
ting the same kind of fruit from any
variety Is to graft or bud into some
stock that is healthy and vigorous
this is true not only of peaches but
all kinds of tree fruits. If | were
handling this peach and thought it
worth propagating, | would plant
some of the pits and then in August
would bud from the original tree. In
this way you can multiply the variety
almost indefinitely and have all fruit
alike. Every fruitgrower should learn
how to graft and bud. 1t is not a
difficult matter to learn. | have fire.
quently described the process in The
Ranch and will do so again before
long.
Mr.. Brown says he made a success
of raising grapes, corn, tomatoes and
apples on these so-called worthless"
highlands. What he says about what
he has done along these lines is GER
tainly a good record. We are glad to
have such experiences and take pleas
ure in publishing them for the bene-
fit of others. 1t is not our policy to
belittle the success of any part of the
state. Give us the facts and we will
give IHeH W IHe people.
Mr.. Schmidt, Yorktown, Wash, and
Mr.. Stonebreaker, Ellensburg, have
both asked questions about books on
fruit growing. These suggest very
timely topic. The winter evenings are
coming on when even the busy farmer
has much time in which to read. II
the fruit grower has good books and
papers to read during these long even
ings he may gather much valuble in
formation. A good deal of sport has
been made of the "book farmer" Now,
it is readily conceded if all a man
knows about farming is what he has
learned out of books he will make
poor stagger at success. But good
books suggest many good things to the
thoughtful man and start him on the
right road when he adds exper-
fence. I would, therefore, recommend
the use of good books and good papers
to the man who wants to be an up-tO-
date fruit grower.
What books and papers to secure
and where to get them is an important
matter. In first place, great deal OF
valuable reading matter can be secured
from the government without cost.
This matter will be found in the Year
books and bulletins issued by the
Department of Agriculture, Washing
ton, D. G. BY writing to the Secretary
of Agriculture at Washington list
of Farmers Bulletins will be sent for
the asking These bulletins will he
sent free to any one asking for them.
BY looking over the list the fruit grow
er can pick out a number that will be
of value to him. 1 acknowledged my
self much indebted to these bulletins
for valuable pointers on spraying, Gull
tivating grating, etc. Because these
bulletins are free some persons are apt
to think that they are practically
worthless. That is great mistake.
While they cost the farmer nothing
they cost the government much mon
ey. They are written by men devoting
their whole time to studying the mat
tiers of which they treat.
Then our State College at Pull
man is issuing some very valuable
bulletins on the various phases of fruit
growing. These are free to all who
live in the state and ask for them. The
Department of Agriculture issues each
year what is styled Yearbook. This
can be had for nothing, but the post
age, and that is equally true of the
bulletins, but to get the Yearbook
applications must be made to one of
our United States Senators or mem
Der of Congress from our state Most
of these Yearbooks are put at the dis
posal of the members of the two hous>
es and they can frank them to you
without cost.
There are a great many valuable
books on horticulture. I can name
but few of them: American Cultur-