Semi-weekly herald., 1910-12-22

growth than upon those where The
wood growth is retarded. and In the
!. cnses where the blight germ infests
trees in the cooler climates, 1t is more
easily controlled than in those terri
| tories where the reverse conditions
prevail; therefore, We are Statistic
that we have reasonable assurance
that we can continue to grow the Bart.
lett pear in the higher attitudes, with
out serious danger OF the pear blight,
but If 1t should infest our orchards,
we can control 1t very easily. 1t may
be well to state, In connection with
this subject, that sandy soil viii
produce less wood growth than Y
Leavy clay; therefore. 1t may be well
to take advantage of this fact in plant
ing the pear orchard. in order to less
en- the liability OF pear blight, not
withstandlng many claim as ideal the
heavy soil.
My Bartletts are growing in sandy
soil They have produced crop ev-
cry year for the last ten years.
II have never seen any signs OF
lear blight in La Plata coanty, and
1t is my belief that on account of our
climatic conditions, we will never have
any serious trouble from this source.
From experience, l have no hesi-
fancy in recommending the varieties
of apples / have enumerated for plant
ing in the higher attitudes; also the
Bartlett pear under similar climatic
poses l believe them preferable to
others.
Il would recommend the pushing OF
the orchard further up the mountain
side. being careful to select such va
rieties as will attain their highest
state of perfection under existing con
citions. If this is done, 1t will be but
few years when we will see in Colo
raGo and the mountain regions con
slant and abundant harvest OF these
fruits, in places where the horticnl-
turist now deems unsuitable for such
purposes.
when this is the case you will see
the buyers making q distinction In
the fruit he buys. He will not only
ask from what state 1t was produced,
but at what altitude ii was grown
My ideal orchard for the nigh ait-
tude would be for apples, the Wagner
and Northern Spy, alternating he
rows. and planting them rather clos e.
ly; the Wagners to act is filters and
the Northern Spys for the permanent
insting trees. The Wagners are early
In coming into bearing, While the
Northern Spy Is tardy in ils bearing
habits.
The Wagner will furnish an in
come before and after the Northern
Spy begins to produce. These apples.
when grown under proper climatic con
ditions are good winter apples OF
splendid flavor.
Il would also recommend an orchard
Of Bartlett pears. planting with them
a few other varieties for the purpose
Of fertilization. While other pears
will do equally we'll, the Bartlett will
bring a greater revenue than any oil
the others.
Il am not making these recommen-
dations for the purpose of boosting the
locality in which my orchards grow,
but to encourage. the planting of or
chards further up the mountainside,
where, as has been proven by expert
erce, the proper fruit is grown in its
highest state of perfection.
"These observations would not be
complete without some explanation as
to the site for an orchard.
This question is equally as import
lower; there are natural sites for or
chards, and there are other sites
There is no economy in spelling good
alfalfa land for poor orchards.
ut will be conceded that the great
er per cent of profitable orchards are
located on slopes. The slope affords
more constant yield than is found
in the bottoms and level plains. For
my part, l prefer the southeastern
slope. This is ideal for an orchard,
especially in our mountain regions.
"The coolest period is generally to-
ward morning. therefore, 1t is quite
important to have your orchard in a
position where the sun will strike 1t
and shorten up the cool part of morn
ing and lessen the danger from frost
1t is also quite important to have your
orchard meet the DETECTED and weak.
ened rays of the sun early in the morn
ing, rather than when those rays are
more nearly perpendicular and with
greater burning power. II the bios
som has gradual warming up after q
freeze, the circulation is more apt to
be restored in a natural, gradual way
so that the burning process of the
sun will not destroy the fruit germ
Then again, II you have a southeastern
slope you get the benefit of the sur
during the growing period, which IL
very essential in our high attitudes tC
produce the size and color required by
our market conditions.
II know there are many who ad