The Mother is an apple not so well
known. It originated at Bolton, Mass. Tree is moderately vigorous,
upright, and productive; one of the best apples on the list there, and I
consider it equally so here. Thomas, the American fruit culturist, in
his description of the apple, says it is rather large, oblong, ovate,
approaching conical; slightly and obtusely ribbed; color a light, warm,
rich red, on a yellow ground; moderately juicy, rich, very mild subacid,
with a mixture of sweet. Growth slow; late autumnal and early winter.
However, it ripens earlier in this climate; follows the Maiden's Blush.
Downing says no orchard is complete without it.

While the Ben Davis, Missouri Pippin and Mother are my favorites for
productiveness, we have other varieties that are quite productive and
long-lived trees, such as the Early Margaret or Striped June, that is an
annual and profuse bearer and one of our earliest. Duchess of Oldenburg
has never failed with me. Maiden's Blush has given good success. We have
the Romanite, Rawle's Janet and Limber Twig that are good keepers, but
owing to size are not desirable for home use or market. I find more
complaint of the Ben Davis than any other apple, though its beauty
invariably causes it to sell. My greatest mistake in planting was in
selecting Rhode Island Greening and Nonsuch, which have proven almost
non-bearers. The trees are healthy and grow almost like an elm or oak. A
number of varieties, such as the Mammoth Black Twig, Arkansas Black,
Muklen, Rome Beauty, I have not fruited, and cannot tell as to their
qualities in this locality. In all my experience in the apple line I
find that no orchard will grow and bear without attention, and constant
attention at that. The apple tree requires as much interest from its
owner as cattle do from the stock-raiser. From a tiny seed, it is
subject to disease and pests which, if not destroyed, will destroy it. I
would say in conclusion that success in apple raising comes only through
eternal vigilance.

ORCHARD CULTURE.

By JAMES McNICOL, Lost Springs, Marion county, Kansas.

Orchard culture being my subject, of course the varieties of trees are
supposed to be carefully selected and planted; but the distance apart is
important. If too close, no matter how thorough the cultivation, they
will suffer for moisture; and if too wide apart the winds will play
havoc with the trees and fruit. What is best for this locality, to break
the prevailing s