The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-11-09
Vocational Column
APPLE GROWING
Prize Essay for Berea Beautiful Day,
by Miss Leila Bowman, Graded by
the Agricultural Glass Of the vo-
a.ssAust

by the founders Of this day that
every man, woman, and child in
the United States should eat at least
one good apple. But regardless OF
the fact that apples are grown in
every state in the Union and in ev-
cry nation Of the world there will
be thousands Of persons who will
not even see one. The fact that so
many persons will be without APP
plies is due mainly to the careless
ness Of our people, for most assur-
eddy il is conceded that apples are
most healthful and delicious Of all
fruits.
We must grow more apples. How
shall we do il? I shall answer the
question as follows: I'm the success
full growing Of apples there are
seven fundamental things that must
be considered. U) Kind Of fruit de-
sired. (2) Location OF the orchard,
90 Preparation Of the soil, ~ Sc
lection Of the stock, (5) The planting,
o. The cultivation and az Prun-
ing and spraying.
As TO the kind we should grow,
this should be governed first by the
adaptation Of such fruit to the elm
ate, and second by the market,
whether il is home or foreign; home
markets such as near the city or
town will allow a great percentage
of early fruit 10 be planted, as IL
usually becomes mellow very quick
" and will not admit Of packing
and shipping long distances. But IL
the fruit is desired for foreign or
distant markets the kind should be
more hardy and Of late maturity
solid, compact, and not easily bruis-
ed. In either case one should have
due consideration for handsome
looking varieties.
The location should be deter
mined first with the facilities OF
market. especially il we aim To grow
fruit on an extensive scale. this be-
ing near good pixies. railroads. or
water courses. Second. the kind OF
soil cannot be over estimated. Soil
should be such as will naturally
furnish the proper chemical ele-
ments required to produce fine
fruits il possible, having due regard
for the plentifulness Of moisture
and a great degree Of sunshine. In
many Of the states and especially
in the mountainous states Of the
Appalachians. We usually find the
best soil on the north or northeast
side Of high plateaus. This being
due 10 the fact that the prevailing
winds come from the southwest
carrying and depositing the leaves
on the northeast sides Of such ele-
vations where they lie undsturbed
and rot giving abundance Of humus
and nitrogen. At the same time
such plateaus are high enough to be
in the warm layers Of air which are
elevated from the valleys by the
cold air which seeks a lower level,
and thus renders such orchards i'm
mune from late frosts. So in such
soils we usually have the best nat
ural drainage.
Preparations Of the soil is next in
Importance and this is usually the
most neglected Of all fundamentals.
All lands whether new or old new
preferably should have a rich soil.
deeply broken and well pulverized
in order that the roots Of the trees
may have easy access 10 the greatest
amount Of water and tree foods. The
deeper the ground is broken the
better il is, and IL gives space for
the water 10 be retained for use in
dry weather, when il is most needed.
In selecting the stock great care
must be taken. Stunted trees should
never be set. only the thrifty and
Nii'S Dt tdhtii, 10 ~
sickly or stunted tree is very much
like a sickly or stunted pig or calf.
and il scarcely ever gets over il.
After, and not until after, the
ground has been thoroughly prepar-
ed the trees should be set in perfect
rows about thirty feet each way.
However, the distance should vary
in different sections Of the country,
usually according TO climate, eleva-
ton, etc.-high and dry climate
bearing the closer setting. The pits
in which the trees are set should
be broken from three 10 five feet
deep by exploding dynamite in the
bottom. This gives ample room for
deep roofing and is essential in
holding trees and insuring long
life.
Cultivation is as necessary in fruit
growing as il is in corn growing
and requires more pains-taking in
order that the bark may not be
broken in blowing and otherwise.
I