at the proper
time will keep a five-acre orchard in good shape through the season.
Some say this is not a fruit country. It is not and never will be to the
one who has no time to cultivate; but to the careful cultivator there is
great reward, for the very same reason. I believe it essential to have
windbreaks, and advise planting three or more rows of honey-locust and
Russian mulberry for windbreaks, on the south and west sides. For
rabbits I use wooden tree wraps, also traps, guns, and dogs. I prune a
little, to keep the top balanced. I use no fertilizers, and would never
allow stock pastured in orchard. Am troubled with root aphis,
leaf-crumpler, and codling-moth. I practice spraying with blue vitriol
for codling-moth. I prevent borers by keeping the ground well
cultivated.

* * * * *

MIKE GAMER, Strong City, Chase county: Have lived in Kansas since
February 14, 1877. Have 180 apple trees from one to twenty years old.
For commercial orchard would prefer Maiden's Blush and Ben Davis. Have
tried and discarded Rambo and Pennock, because of rot. I prefer dry
bottom. I prefer trees four to six feet high, planted thirty feet apart.
I cultivate in corn for ten years, and seed a bearing orchard to grass.
I think windbreaks are essential; would make them of Osage orange or
trees, a row outside of the orchard. Am troubled with rabbits and
borers. I prune, and think it beneficial. I pasture my orchard with
pigs, and think it advisable. My trees are troubled with flathead borer,
and my fruit with codling-moth. I wash the trees with soap-suds for
insects. I sell my apples in the orchard; make cider of the culls. I
store apples in bulk in a cellar, and find the Romanite and Missouri
Pippin keep the best. Prices have been from twenty-five to sixty cents.

* * * * *

GEORGE SCHENCK, Le Roy, Coffey county: Have lived in Kansas eighteen
years, and have 1200 apple trees from ten to thirty years old. For
commercial purposes I prefer Ben Davis and Winesap. I prefer bottom
land. I cultivate my orchard to corn, using a lister and other tools; I
crop as long as it is possible to cultivate. Windbreaks are not
essential. I think fertilization with barn-yard litter beneficial on
upland orchard, but would not advise its use on rich bottom. I have
pastured my old orchard with calves and hogs.

* * * * *

C. F. PFLAGER, Elk, Chase county: I have li