space between the
rows all clean of weeds if ground is in good condition when work is
done. Cultivate both ways as often as necessary. I grow no crop in a
bearing orchard. Windbreaks are not essential. For rabbits I tie coarse
grass around the trees with label wire, and leave it on two years. I
also use traps. I do not prune my trees; it is too injurious to the
trees. I do not thin my apples while on the trees; it is too expensive.
My trees are planted in blocks. I fertilize my orchard with stable
litter; think it beneficial and would advise its use on all soils. I do
not pasture my orchard. My apples are troubled with worms. I spray the
first of May with London purple for canker and apple worms.

I pick in baskets and sacks. Sort into two classes: marketable and
culls, using a sorting table. Sell my apples in the orchard to wagons
from the West. I evaporate the second- and third-grade apples when the
crop is large; make the culls into cider and vinegar. I tried distant
markets for two years and found they paid. When apples are abundant we
dry for market; use the same kind of driers as are used at Fairmount;
sell them in sacks to the stores, and find a ready market for them; but
it does not always pay. I do not store any for winter market if I can
sell them in the fall. I do not irrigate. Prices have been in 1896,
twenty-five cents per bushel; 1897, forty cents per bushel.

* * * * *

J. A. HEWITT, Hiawatha, Brown county: I have lived in Kansas thirty
years, and have an orchard of 900 trees twenty-six years old. For
commercial purposes I prefer the Ben Davis, Winesap, and Jonathan; and
for family use would add Early Harvest, Maiden's Blush, and Grimes's
Golden. Have tried and discarded some; very few varieties pay. I prefer
high prairie. Have never grown any seedlings. I cultivate my orchard by
planting to corn--raising no small grain--for a few years, then use the
disc and harrow as long as the orchard lasts. I plant nothing in the
bearing orchard, and cease cropping about eight years after setting.
Windbreaks are essential to a growing orchard. I prune my trees a little
every year to keep them in shape, and to let the sun in; I think it
beneficial, and that it pays. Do not thin the fruit while on the trees,
but think it would save time and pay well. I can see no difference
whether trees are in blocks [of one kind] or mixed plantings. I do not
fertilize my orchard, but am sure it would