Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-05-10
AG RICULTURA AL.
Care of Apple Trees.

Many farmers who have apple orchards,
are negleciing them, and in many cases cut
ting them down, to make room for young
trees. This is poor policy to say the least.
Old trees, by the exercise of little care
and skin in managing them, may be made
almost as productive as young ones, and IN
a much shorter time. All that is essential
ly requisite TO ensure this result, is to trim
them, carefully cutting away all the diseased
aud broken limbs and to free the trunks
and larger limbs Of the "scurf" and moss,
and afterwards TO insert grafts-care at the
same time being taken TO tighten the soil,
and make it rich, especially in the vicinity
of the roots. In renewing an old orchard
something like the following course may be
advantageously pursued-the proprietor
having first examined the trees, and decl-
ded whether they have sufficient vitality to
renew their former energy under proper
treatment.
In April or May we should remove the
rough bark from the body and large limbs
of trees with a scraper, an implement like
those used b, boat Dul ders in removing the
rosin from the seams of boats and vessels,
and afterwards scour the entire surface
with a mixture of sharp sand and ashes,
mixed with soap and water. Every limb
should be treated in the same way, whether
large or small, that can be come at conven-
iently, and care taken that all the moss and
rough bark are removed.
The trimming should not be undertaken
until about the middle of June. when all
crooked and diseased wood should be re-
moved with the sharaes loos, reservIa
only such shoots and small limbs as ar.
suitable size to graft. If the trees are old
and very much decayed, the number retain
ed for this purpose should be small, as there
may possibly not be enough energy or vital
power in the system to sustain a large num-
Der, and as too dense top Nlli uertssnnl
tend TO abridge the recuperative action by
producing too much shade.
The soil should also be thoroughly loosen
ed around the roots, aud filed with strong
and invieorating manure and kept entirely
free from grass and weeds r." byt|
stimulus, probably. that can be applied is
compost made If forest leaves, well de-
composed, house ashes, lime, gypsum and
SbiiiiflCi Slabit lpiii hiANNh w
twenty bushels Of this should be allowed 10
every tree, and so worked into and iacor-
porated with The soil rs to ensure its com
ing in close contact with the roots. If the
soil be of light areaac Gus or >'nd text
ure, a load OF fine clay should be spread
over the surface, above the manure.
In removing the limb, all the stHmh
should be coated wifi nax or tar soften d
with talow, or what Is ernalv chem al
more easily applied, gum shelac dissolved
IN alcohol. The reason why so macy old
trees perish after the abscission Of the larg-
or limbs, is, that no care is taken TO ensnre
the healing of the wounds hch lets out
the lie-biood and energy of The system du-
ring the ascent of the sap, leaving long
black lines Of decasing bark as "a perpetual
reproach to The unskilful or perverse man-
ager.
The second year the trees may be graft
ed, and if the tops promise not 10 be thick
enough, new branches may be permitted to
start, TO be engrafted subsequently, and in
such places as will ensure a symmetrical
and desirable form to the tops. The most
eligible shape for an apple tree is that of an
umbrella reversed but this must be a mat
ter of taste TO most persons.
So far as working the soil and manuring
is concerned, our method refers to trees
standing by themselves; where they are
regularly set in orchard form. the best way
would be to plough the whole surface care
fully and manure broadcast
This course may seem TOO precise and
expensive TO some persons,-but if so, lei
them try the cleansing, pruning and manur-
ing process on single declining tree that
they have long valued, and see what
wonderful restoration will be affected