years, lessening the number
of rows as the trees grow; uses a one-horse cultivator. Thinks a
windbreak a necessity, and would make of evergreens, if possible; next,
of box-elder, planted four feet each way after deep listing. Uses axle
grease against rabbits. Prunes sparingly for shape, and says it
certainly pays. Thinks thinning should frequently be done when trees
appear to be overloaded. Believes trees should be in mixed plantings to
produce best. Uses barn-yard litter to fertilize, and says it will pay,
if scattered over the entire surface. Believes that pasturing with hogs
is advisable, and makes the trees more productive. Has never sprayed,
and is seldom troubled with leaf-eating insects. Removes borers with a
wire or some pointed instrument twice a year. Picks from step-ladder by
hand into baskets or buckets. Makes three classes--first, perfect in
form and color; second, sound but not so regular in size; third, culls.
Packs in three-bushel barrels carefully by hand, marked with name of
variety and quality or class. Sells any way possible. Has shipped
successfully to Missouri river cities.

* * * * *

H. CLAY HODGSON, Little River, Rice county: Has been in the state
twenty-six years. Has an orchard of 5000 trees, planted from five to
twenty years. Uses Winesap, Ben Davis and Missouri Pippin for both
commercial and family orchard. Has tried and discarded Willow Twig,
Lawver and Smith's Cider on account of blight. Says bottom land of black
loam, with clay subsoil, is preferable in this section. Plants
two-year-old trees, in trenches made with plow and subsoiler. Cultivates
with disc and harrow, from one to twelve years, growing corn for first
five to eight years, afterward nothing. Thinks windbreaks made of
several rows of Osage orange or box-elder on south side a great help.
Prunes while young to make a more open head. Advises the use of manure
on all orchards. Does not allow stock in the orchard. As soon as the
leaves appear he sprays with London purple for canker-worms, and
believes he has reduced codling-moth by it. Picks in sacks, with corners
tied together and hung over the shoulder. Makes two classes, market and
culls. Piles his apples as picked in the orchard, and sorts out for
market from the piles, leaving the culls for cider. Sells mostly in
orchard. Best market is home towns; never shipped any. Stores some in a
cave, in bulk, for winter, and makes a success of it. Winesap