county: Lived in Kansas twenty-two
years. Have 700 apple trees, out from one to nineteen years. Prefer, for
commercial purposes, Ben Davis, Winesap, Missouri Pippin, and Rawle's
Janet; and for family orchard add Early Harvest, Red Astrachan, and
Rambo. Have discarded all the specially recommended eastern [?]
varieties as shy bearers, and too warm for Grimes's Golden Pippin.
Prefers to plant on good black loam, in ravines facing north. Plants
two-year-old thrifty trees, some 33x33, others 33x16-1/2 feet. Have
tried to grow root grafts, with poor success. Cultivate all the time
with disc and plow; grow corn for five or six years, afterward nothing.
Does not need windbreak, but would use if required--about fifteen rows
of ash and catalpa, planted four by four feet. Wraps trees from rabbits.
Mice ate bark off and completely girdled roots six inches in diameter
under the ground last winter (1897-'98). Prunes some to keep the top
balanced and low, to prevent sun-scald and effects of wind. Uses fresh
stable litter as a mulch, and believes it pays. Does not pasture at any
time. Has few insects, and does not spray much, says rains wash it off
too readily. Picks in baskets, and finds the family the best market;
stores for winter in boxes and barrels, and is successful with Rawle's
Janet, Winesap, and Missouri Pippin. Prices have run from fifty cents to
one dollar per bushel. Uses farm help at fifteen to eighteen dollars and
board per month.

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JAMES LAWRY, Hollis, Cloud county: I have lived in the state sixteen
years; have an apple orchard of 140 trees from six to fourteen years
old. For all uses I prefer Ben Davis, Winesap, and Missouri Pippin. I
have discarded the Willow Twig because they die out. I prefer a clay
soil. I prefer three-year-old trees set in big holes. I cultivate my
orchard about five years with a one-horse shovel plow. I plant potatoes
or sweet corn in a bearing orchard, and cease cropping when the trees
cover the ground, and sow red clover in a bearing orchard. Windbreaks
are essential; would make them of mulberries. I prune with a saw, to
make them more productive; I think it pays. I never thin my fruit while
on the trees. Can see no difference whether trees are in block of one
kind or mixed plantings. I do not fertilize my orchard, or spray. I pick
my apples by hand from a ladder. I do not sell in the orchard. I do not
pasture my orchard. Don't dry any.

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