Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-02-11
OLD APPLE TREES.

Apple trees, when very aged, are generally
"hewn down and cast into the fire." as
worthless "cumberers of The ground" The
longevity, however, which is characteristic
of this tree, prevents the necessity Of extir
pating il very often, and il is, indeed ex-
tremey questionable whether in mos, cases
| it might not be perpetuated, like The olive
trees, of Athens, and the celebrated mulber-
ry at Straiford on Avon, till its duration
should be computed by centuries, rather
than by years. OF This longevity we have
very interesting Illustration in the case of the
apple tree planted by Peregrine White, in
| the town of Marshfeld, in this State. Mr..
White was the first male child, Of English
parentage, born in New England, and died
in Marshfeld, in 1904, aged s3. The tree
was planted, probably, about the year 1913,
| consequently is now two hundred and sic
gears old, but still vigorous, and has produ-
ced "frut every year, without Interruption,
as far as tie memory Of the present owner
one OF Mr. WIS descendants of the fifth gen.
era,ion-extend
|
have become unfruitful from the combined
effects OF age and disease, ii is proper in the
! first place thoroughly 10 cleanse the bark, es.
pecally in the vicinity of the ground, for it
is al that point that the borer commits his
depredations, and there also many other in
secis seek and find their hybernacular,
or winters If the bark is very tough,
as is mos, commonly the case in trees
that are verging 10 senilhy, il is well
10 obtain some appropriate instrument and
remove it, taking care not 10 injure the al
burnum, or 10 tresspass upon the healthy parts
of the bark beneath the scaly surface on The
outside, which alone should be performed
with nice hand, for although some orchard
isis advocate the entire denudng of the
trunks of old trees, it is found that scarifca
lion is most serious injury, especially where
the system is weak and relaxed
The coarse, mossy bark on The limbs
should also be removed, and the whole wash.
ed and scrubbed vigorously with ashes and
water till the surface assumes a smooth and
fresh appearance. If there are any decayed
places on the trunk, resulting from internal
| or external wounds, they should be cleansed,
and the rotten matter removed, and the orr
flee filed with composition Of fresh cow
dung, one part; clay, one part leached
house-ashes, one part; and a little salt and
! plasier-the whole moistened with urine,
and worked till it can be spread easily, and
is sufficiently plastic 10 adhere 10 the place
where il is applied All old limbs should be
removed by saving; the stump must then
be made perfectly smooth, and covered with
thin wafer OF grating cement. In no case
should the amputa;on be al a distance from
the point OF Junction, but as close thereto as
the saw can be made 10 run.
AS 10 the tops, il is better, perhaps TO re-
move portion Of the limbs, as the energy
of the roots and trunk may no, be adequate
10 secure the necessary support but we
would by no means advise the removal OF
many of the limbs; especially those Of The
larger size near the base of the top. By cut
ling ou, mostly the vertical shoots, and re.
| tanning the horizontal ones-thus giving the
top shape in some degree resembling an
umbrella reversed, the sunlight will be let in
and new wood will be developed more rap
ipdly and vigorously than if an opposite
course OF pruning should be adopted. As
the new wood progresses, till the top pre-
sents wholly new growth.
Where there is a single tree, or there are
few trees vaued for their particular loca.
lion or Kind of fruit, the roots should be laid
bare for al least six feet from the trunk, by
careful removal of the soil 10 the depth of
one foot. The excavation must then be fill
ed in with the very best aud richest desclip-
tion OF garden loan, mixed with compost in
which lime and wood ashes-leached or un-
Ieached-consttute large share, and The
surface covered with manure, he best that
can be procured.
In This way, an old tree may be resuscia.
ted, and, if desirable, grated with any varie-
Iy of improved fruil, or lefi TO produce its
own, as the operator may see fl to direct
One thing against which we think too much
cannot be said, is the praclce--now quite
prevalen, - of plouehing among orchards
with as little care as in any common moving
field. 1t has been asserted by some lha,
Ibis is benefit 10 the rees-ihat il causes
Them 10 send out more shoots, and increase
the constitutional vigor and fecundi,y of the
trees? Why it should do is a question
which no one, perhaps, can nationally re-
solve. II seems as natural TO suppose that
the woundins or abscision of the lateral roots
in the case Of a standing and bearing fruit
tree, should prove injurious as in that Of
young tree which is being removed for the
purpose of uansp!antalion. The more roots
in either case, the better, we contend and if
orchards are titled, let the soil be pioughed
lightly: and The operation of iuverting tho
sward conducted with the gralest care
But before setting an orchard, the ground
should be thoroughly subsoied, cultivated
and manured.
November, if the weather is moderate, is
as good a time, perhaps, as any month in
the year for these oporations.-N. E. Far
mer
A Partisan house is about to introduce into
the manufactures Of Lyon a new kind of stuff,