The Delta independent., 1914-01-30
ABOUT SOME SIDE
LINES IN ORcHARDlNG

The combination of dairy cattle and
orcharding works out much better
in detail than almost any other line
of stock and fruit work because OF
the orchardist's ability to produce the
necessary feed among the trees.
Alfalfa, corn, peas and oats and root
crops are all readily produced in the
orchard and can best be utilized as
feed for dairy cattle. Particularly is
this true if the silo is used, for the
corn at least. The good prices here
obtainable for dairy products and the
increasing demand for dairy stock
generally makes this one of the most
adaptable side lines for fruit grow
ers. When the fertilizer and possible
soil improvement factors are con
sidered, there is probably no other
side line more profitable. II regis
tered individuals of any of the recog-
nized dairy breeds are used. 1t simply
makes the dairy end of the problem
just that much more profitable.
The one chief drawback to the util-
izing of the dairy COW as side line
in orchard work is the fact that it is
so difficult to secure and retain COM
petent mixers. With large herd
this is an important factor and must
always be considered. This is one of
the chief reasons why SO many fruit
men are naturally turning to the hog
as the solution of the waste OF the
orchard. There are very few acres
of bearing apple orchards under
irrigation in the Pacific Northwest
that can not be made to produce,
with the addition of small amount
of grain, five to ten or even more I'D
pound to 20O-pound hogs annually. and
in no way interfere with the best in
terests of the orchard beyond leaving
the soil richer and having utilized
to good advantage every Gull or
grade apple or pear produced. An
unmeasured factor is the reduction
of codling moth by destroying at once
every wormy fruit as it falls
little forethought and careful plan
ming will arrange the orchard area
in such a way as to have a part In
alfalfa for grazing and hay, part for
cutting and feeding green, and a
small portion for corn, carrots, man
gels, peas and oats, or where the rows
are far enough apart, for artichokes,
SO that all or nearly all of the feed
may be produced upon the farm. In
addition to producing pork, breeding
stock, If systematically handled, may
be satisfactorily produced; however,
this becomes the work of special
ist and is never wholly satisfactory
unless done by one thoroughly famil-
lar with all problems.
Poultry as a side line with fruit
culture offers so many avenues for
returns that almost every fruit grow
er, some time in his life has resolv-
ed to enter the field of poultry work.
1t Is needless to say that this is true,
not alone Of fruit men, because the
field has been invaded by every class
of people. prepared and unprepared
alike, and for this reason, If no other.
poultry lines than in all other lines
of agriculture together. Usually these
failures are due In a large degree to
the overlooking Of certain principles
of poultry management, and for this
reason no orchardist should attempt
poultry as side line to fruit work
without studying the underlying prin.
ciples or at first starting in a small
way and developing his plant as his
knowledge increases.