.

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W. H. TUCKER, Effingham, Atchison county: Has lived in Kansas
thirty-eight years; has an orchard of 500 trees, 200 of them planted
twenty years and 300 planted six years. Advises for commercial orchard
Ben Davis, Gano, and Missouri Pippin, and adds to them for family
orchard Early Harvest, Maiden's Blush, Genneting, and Jonathan. Has
discarded Smith's Cider. Prefers rich, sandy upland with red clay
subsoil, with a northeast slope. He planted vigorous four-year-old
trees, first plowing, then twice harrowing; then furrow out deeply each
way thirty feet apart, and set a tree at each crossing. He cultivates
with ordinary tools from six to eight years, until trees begin to bear,
growing corn, potatoes or beans in the orchard; then seeds to clover.
Believes windbreaks essential and makes his of soft maple, ash, and
walnut. For rabbits he uses Frazer's axle grease, and kills borers with
knife. Prunes little until after the trees are fifteen years old; prunes
only to give shape and keep from being too brushy. Uses stable manure
and lime as fertilizers and believes it would pay on all soils he ever
saw. Pastures his old orchard with hogs at certain times of the year,
and says it pays. Is troubled some with insects, and sprays twice each
year with London purple. Has not been fully successful. Picks in baskets
and sacks. Makes two grades--selects and sound fair size. Packs only in
barrels; often sells in orchard. For last few years has used a few culls
for vinegar, and let the rest rot on the ground. Best market is at home.
Has tried distant markets and made it pay. Never dries any, and for the
last six years has stored none for winter. Prices have ranged from
twenty to forty cents per bushel. Uses farm help at seventy-five cents
to one dollar per day.

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J. F. HANSON, Olsburg, Pottawatomie county: Have lived in Kansas thirty
years; have an orchard of 1500 trees, ten and twelve years old. Use for
commercial purposes Winesap, Jonathan, and Missouri Pippin. For family
use I add Maiden's Blush and Early Harvest. My land is a black loam, in
the bottom, with an east slope. I plow deep, then list a furrow each
way, and plant at the crossing. I usually grow millet in the orchard for
seven or eight years, and then--if anything--clover or orchard-grass. I
believe windbreaks are essential, and would place on the north and west
sides Osage orange or mulb