Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-03-25
Fruit Trees.

county of Orleans. Though compare
lively new, for that reason not yet so
highly cultivated as many Of the older
counties, we believe that full develop ]
ment Of its resources and thorough |
cultivation Of its productive soil, will
soon place it among the very first coun-
ties in the state. In many respects 1t
equals and in others surpasses most OF
them now. For the production Of grass,
oats, potatoes, wheat, and perhaps any
cereal crop, excepting corn, it is proJa-
bly, the best portion Of the state OF equal
extent. Approaching these advantages
It is gratifying to perceive that in many
respects our farmers are beginning to i'm
prove them with system and energy. A
marked Improvement may be observed in
the last ten, or even five years, in cattle,
horses, the products Of the dairy and the
general management Of the farm. One
interest, however, and that a very imPor-
tant one, has been greatly neglected, and
thar. we think, without sufficient reasan.
We refer to the rearing of fruit trees
Hundreds If not thousands of dollars are
sent out Of the county every year for the
purchase Of apples which it is believed
might in few years be entirely saved
by an effort to produce them at home
Why is this? Because it is generally
believed that we cannot raise apples. If
this be so, it must detract considerably
from the superiority we have been assert
ing. for the farmer of other counties does
raise them, and often finds their sale the
principal source Of profit from the farm.
There are some reasons why this belief
should prevail, but we do not think them
Of such a character as to warrant the
entire abandonment of an object, the at
tainment of which Is, in every way, so
desirable as that Of possessing a good or
chard. The reasons generally assigned
are, that the soil is too sandy, or it is too
clayey, too deep or too shallow, or that
the climate is unfavorable, and these con-
clusions are sustained by the fact that OF
twenty, fifty, or hundred % New York
trees" planted a few years since, not one
lived to bear fruit To this we would re-
ply that the New York trees Of which SC
many thousands were purchased, were
most If not all Of them worthless. They
were planted too, in a season so dry tina
no tree could well live unless it were
mulched or watered and we think the fac
that any Of them lived under the circum
stances, speaks rather favorably for th'
soil and climate. The climate Of Orlean
county is not unlike that Of others wher
good fruit is raised, and as for the soil,
tits not right we think it can be made Sc
If very wet the land should be draine
to prevent the water from standing abor
the roots. If sandy with hard subso
near the surface, the tree will grow {
well as in any other soil when made ricI
or If the sand extend to a great depth,
hard subsoil to prevent the tap roots froi
running down, may be made by placir
stones compactly under the tree, or Il
tree may be taken up in the autumn f
two or three years, the tap roots cut o
and replaced, thus compelling the roots
extend lateraliy and near the surface
So in almost any soil tree may be MAJ
to grow if we can afford the time and
Dor requisite. There are many good c
chards in Orleans county, much as tn
have been neglected, and we hope t
farmers of the county Will commence
once--in small way to begin with
increase their number.
As success in fruit growing mainly {
ponds upon the management Of the tire
we propose to give some directions {
tanned from experienced growers for s
ting and cultiyating them -
l. Procure good grated tree oil
known and healty variety, from some
liable nurseryman.
2. Set the tree Of the same depth
before its removal, being careful to exte
all the roots in their natural position, a
filling all the interstices with finely p
verised, rich mould. A good way to
this is to settle the fine earth as it is C
stantly sifted in, by regular shower fir
a watering pot, one man holding the Il
a second filling in the earth, and the ii
applying the water BY this process
roots are not disturbed in their post
and every cavity about them is flleC
the most perfect manner. The trees
be found to maintain their position be
than when pulyerised earth alone is us
for althoushit may at first be easily mo
while surrounded by the half liquid N
in a few hours the earth around it
absorb the superintendent moisture.