By this method we get uniform trees, as the heads, or tops, are all of an equal distance from the ground and all run very nearly the same size.  Now we have those trees two years old in the nursery row, and as a foundation for hardiness we have done our best.  We have taken seed from our hardiest apples to grow our seedling roots; we have grafted Hibernal scions onto those roots, which is supposed to be the hardiest apple wood that we have.  Still there is one point that has not been touched upon, and that is, that it is not to be supposed that all of those seedling roots from the seed of our hardiest apples will be hardy.  You may ask why?  Well, because mother nature does not do business that way.  We hear now and then the remark, “He is a good mixer.”  Well, if any man or set of men can beat mother nature at mixing they will have to do better in the future than they have done in the past.

But remember that we have the Hibernal as a scion above those roots, and that is the best apple wood to root from the scion that I know of.  Some may ask, why not use the Virginia crab?  I answer, for the reasons above stated, as I have tried both.

Our trees are two years old now and are ready to be planted in the orchard where they are to remain.  Grow them in orchards one year.  But if from drouth or some other cause they do not make a satisfactory growth, grow them two years.  Then top-work their four or six limbs about six inches from their forks to any kind of apple that you wish to produce in a commercial way—­but leave all small growth below those unions the first year.  The second year cut everything away but the scions.

If the planter will follow the above methods I am willing to stake my reputation as a fruit grower that he will have an orchard that will stay with him and give satisfaction.

Very many apple trees, especially seedlings, when they come to bearing age are found to be worthless or nearly so.  If those trees are taken in hand at any time under ten years old they can be readily top-worked to some good apple and completely changed in two years’ time.  The first year work center limbs or leaders, leaving the lower growth to be worked the second year.  The third year by cutting everything away but the growth of the scions we have the tree changed over to a better variety of fruit.  As to the size of limbs to graft I have always made it a point to never work limbs over one inch in diameter.  But from one inch down to whip-grafting size, limbs from three-quarters to one inch, we set two scions.  The wound heals sooner with two scions than with one.  If there is too much growth in a year or two, cut a part of it away just above the union.

Evergreens.

JENS A. JENSEN, ROSE CREEK.

Why not grow evergreens in the place of willows?  When I came to Mower County if there were any trees planted they were willows, a few Lombardy poplars and Balm of Gilead.

Since 1890 there has been a great deal of planting of evergreens, especially around Austin and Rose Creek.