Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-02-06
Tilling Orchards.

Tho question is often asked Ought orchafds
to be titled? Our reply is, yes. The Frinci-
pal objection, we believe, is that no crop will
remuncrate the cost Of cultivation, and that
the time and capital expended upon it is near
ly dead loss. Cora, and even potatoes, which
require sunshine and free circulation Of air,
generally fail in productiveuess when planted
in orchards, and as they are streng feeders,
have rather an exhausting effect upon the trees;
but there is no doubt that the loosening and
stirring Of the soil is great advantage, as it
let's in the dews and rains, and tends to aug
mcnt the supply oi nutrimental matter contain
ed in the soil.
Some persons have recommended cultiva-
ing orchards in peas, oats, turnips, cabbages,
beels &c, and in many cases which have fallen
under our observation, these crops have sue
ceedcd well. The primary object however, is
to impart new cncrgy TO the trees All the
farmer realizes from his crop in this case
should be set down as clear gain as recOm-
peuse for the labor bestowed upon the soil for
tl-s benefit Of his trees.
Allowing orchards to be swarded over with
a thick st and vigorous turf, and to remain in
this condition for years, while at the same time
perhaps the tops are neglected, is a most ef-
frc'ual mode OF running them. Nograss should
be allowed to grow for any considerable leRgth
OF time around the trunk OF any tree, fruit or
ornamental, if health, fruitfulness aud good
development are desirable.
Where trees have not been literally manured
it would be about good policy to SOW grass
seed in the corn field as in the orchard But
where the manure has been lberally supplied
and the trees have made rapid growth Of
wood, but do not fruit, laying the land to grass
for two yenrs will check the exuberant growth
Of wood, and bring tho trees into bearing
AT the end OF two years, a shallow plowing, and
the land again seeded with clover, will DO a
profitable operation.
Lime and ashes, with horse load OF clay to
each tree, if the soil be of light or sandy tex
ture, will be found an excellent top dressing
for most fruit trees.
There is danger Of manuriug apple orchards
too much. Ifgreen manure is applied in large
quantities, the trees will be forced into a rap
id and unnatural grow h; they become tender,
the wood is not fully ripened, the bark turns q
reddish brown color, it is separated 10 some
places from the wood, and in few years the
whole orchard dies prematurely OF the goutl
If apple trees make an annual average growth
Of ten to fifteen inches, it is enough. When
that is the case the new growth will be thor
oughy ripencd and the whole action Of the tree
will be natural aud healthy and the orchared will
be established with permanent and prolific
character
For the isst ten years If we are contented
with a moderate aud healthful growih-the
land may he cropped so as 10 Pay fair profit
on all the labor bestowed to produce il, and al
so that given to the cultivation Of the trees
1t should not be devoted to the small grains
however, but to any of the hoed crops, corn
potatoes, beans or roots. Under this practice
The cultivation Of an orchard is done at little
or no cost