CHAPTER PAGE I. THE OUTLOOK FOR THE GROWING OF APPLES 11 II. PLANNING FOR THE ORCHARD 18 III. PLANTING AND GROWING THE ORCHARD 30 IV. PRUNING THE TREES 48 V. CULTIVATION AND COVER CROPPING 62 VI. MANURING AND FERTILIZING 78 VII. INSECTS AND DISEASES AFFECTING THE APPLE 92 VIII. THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SPRAYING 108 IX. HARVESTING AND STORING 127 X. MARKETS AND MARKETING 142 XI. SOME HINTS ON RENOVATING OLD ORCHARDS 153 XII. THE COST OF GROWING APPLES 164 APPLE GROWING CHAPTER I THE OUTLOOK FOR THE GROWING OF APPLES The apple has long been the most popular of our tree fruits, but the last few years have seen a steady growth in its appreciation and use. This is probably due in a large measure to a better knowledge of its value and to the development of new methods of preparation for consumption. Few fruits can be utilized in as many ways as can the apple. In addition to the common use of the fresh fruit out of hand and of the fresh, sweet juice as cider, this "King of Fruits" can be cooked, baked, dried, canned, and made into jellies and other appetizing dishes, to enumerate all of which would be to prepare a list pages long. Few who have tasted once want to be without their apple sauce and apple pies in season, not to mention the crisp, juicy specimens to eat out of hand by the open fireplace in the long winter evenings. Apples thus served call up pleasant memories to most of us, but only recently have the culinary possibilities of the apple, especially as a dessert fruit, been fully realized. It is doubtless this realization of its great adaptability, together with its long season, which have brought the apple into so great demand of late. It is possible to have apples on the table in some form the year round. The first summer apples are almost always with us before the bottom of the Russet barrel is reached. Or, should the fresh fruit be too expensive or for some reason fail altogether, the housewife can fall back on the canned and dried fruit which are almost as good.