The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1909-02-27

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and then lands began selling at 40 to
60 dollars per acre. About four years
ago it became generally known that
fruit could be grown profitably. The
result was land values began to ad-
vance. Two, three and four hundred
dollars per acre are illustrations OF
orchard values during the past few
years. This is clearly shown by the
orchard l now own. In 1902 it sold
for $4,000 per acre and was broadly
advertised as being very high figure,
In 1904 it sold for 100000 per acre
and again the cry went up about the
high prices. In 1906 bought it at the
price of $4,000 per acre. In 1908 l
could have sold it for 100000 per
acre.
have in my mind other orchards
under this project that have advanc-
ed fully as much. Raw lands suitable
for fruit culture under this project
has done likewise, doubled, trebbled
and then some.
l have told you why my first ex-
perience in fruit culture was a fail
ure and will now endeavor to tell you
why my second attempt has proven
successful.
There are fourteen very essential
points in apple culture, namely:
Land and it's preparation.
Exposure of land.
Drainage.
Varieties.
Trees.
Setting or planting.
Pruning.
Irrigation.
Cultivation
Spraying.
Thinning.
Sorting.
Packing.
The orchard site should be chosen
with much care. A site with north
or east exposure is much preferable.
Such exposures do not warm up as
early in the spring as south or west
exposures, hence have a slower bud
growth and are more immune from
late spring frosts.
II the site has been cropped for a
few years, especially in alfalfa, 1t is
preferable by many to new land.
personally consider our new lands
especially adapted to orchard culture.
Drainage is one of the most import
ant features of fruit tree culture. A
fruit tree cannot possibly produce it's
best results If permitted to have wet
fet or stand in wet or Doggy soil. The
drainage should be ample to lower the
water level If necessary, several feet
below the surface. More danger
arises when water is available to fruit
trees by excessive watering than
many growers realize. Many growers
imagine the orchard from May to
November should have water all the
time. This is a serious mistake. Over
watering produces many bad results.
Last year my orchard was never flood
ed, was clean cultivated and given
water once in twenty days, in small
bitches and not longer than "a hours
at time. The nature of the soil
should regulate this water supply.
Different soils require different treat
ment, but most orchards get too much
water. Very few should have water
after September list, If bearing.
The commercial orchard should not
have over three fall and winter va
rieties. Would suggest those we have
proven to be the best sellers, namely;
Jonathan, Rome Beauty and Winesaps
which grow to perfection here. The
H
ting, make large holes, no less than
two feet across and not less than IS
inches deep. Trim the roots and set
at least two inches deeper than when
in the nursery and cut the tree back
to bud about Is inches from the
ground.
Young trees require water much Of
tener than producing orchards.
The pests our apples are afflicted
with can and is being controlled ad-
mirably well. A study of the in
structions given with the lime and
sulphur solution for scale and the
arsenate of lead for moth-of which
most growers are familiar-will con-
troll both these pests.
Thinning the fruit about June goth
is very important feature. In my
experience get ideal results by thin
ming to inch space between apples.
This at the time looks big and re-
quires nerve to cut off so to 200 per
cent of the fruit, but it pays big. The
crop you get WILL in pounds, equal |
the tree not thinned, and be superior
in color and size and will give the /
tree an opportunity to form fruit buds
for the following year.
Picking the fruit is another feature |
much abused by many. Careless pick
ing destroys many fruit buds to say |
nothing about the injury to the ap-
pies.
Sorting for the market is import
ant. l approve making not less than
three grades. Fancy, firsts, and
The culls will make three
grades-hotel, family, and vinegar,
hereby practically working up the
entire product
Follow this grading with careful,
lp-to-date packing and your orchard
eturns will be on the right side of
he ledger, instead of in the red.
All the speakers were listened to
nth the closest attention notwith-
landing that their subjects were ra-
her prosy to the average city resi-