I pretty much don't like it. Keep in mind, I'm speaking from a back-yard perspective here. The primary advantage of the V system is quick production for large commercial growers. By planting in higher densities, production per acre is maximized early on. Traditional open-center trees are planted at much less density, and it takes a while for the canopy to fill in all that open space. However with high-density plantings, the canopy of open space is filled in much quicker. Remember fruit growing is really about harvesting light. The more the canopy fills in all the open space, the higher the yield/acre will be. A commercial grower wants that to happen as soon as possible. However, for the backyard grower, these issues really fade in the background. I don't like the V because I like more than 2 scaffolds on my peach trees. Additionally, if the V is oriented to the prevailing north/south winds, the scaffold facing south will blow back into the tree from our strong south winds. It causes the south scaffold to grow straight up, instead of out. I also don't like the narrower crotch angles of the V system. I'm sure there are probably people on this forum that love it, they probably have different circumstances. Each to his/her own.

If MickBo lives on the East side of Wichita, I can vouch for him that he has clay soil. Depending on what his builder did when the original landscaping was done, he'll have one two or even three solid, nearly impenetrable layers of clay anywhere from a few inches to a foot below the surface. The topsoil above it will normally be a very heavy soil. This land was all wheat field a few decades ago. Many developers scraped off the few inches of decent topsoil and sold it before starting to build. A couple of years ago I hand-dug a dry well to funnel water away from my patio. I ran into one layer of clay that was approximately three inches thick. I cut out a piece about the size of a dinner plate and left it in the sun for a few days. It became so hard, it was indistinguishable from a piece of limestone. North of here, around Salina, is an area referred to as the "Post Rock Country". There were no trees, so when the first settlers arrived, they made their fence posts out of limestone. I've seen pictures of them cutting the limestone with long two-man saws. I never figured out how that was possible until I had my "post-rock" moment. MickBo, I completely sympathize.

Cathy, Silky Gold is MY fave and is also a fave with the cat-pits since the leaves are so nice and soft to chew. :) If you want some of the red/Scarlet, let me know. :) Yeah, I am thinking of sending off some of these eggs to some California folks. I just sent an email off to someone in central CA...you just can't guarantee the viability of the eggs, ya know? :P I do have something like 35 of the little buggers that have hatched and are busy munching right now. I also am feeding Pipevine Swallowtail and Gulf Frit cats right now. I LOVE it, just LOVE it! :) Cheli loves the fact that mama is outside collecting eggs and whatnot since this gives her the opportunity to go and eat Dr. Earth and sticks and leaves and flowers andÂ

Looks like you had a really good day Saturday. Kansas does seem to have more abundance of herps than Missouri.