The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-04-15
The :fartuer's department.
orchard Culture.

Among tne papehb leeu DSAOAo VIZ ~AAAASA
can genealogical Society, at its recent meet
ing in Boston, was one by John A. Warder,
M. D., of Cincinnati, on Orchard Culture in
the West, which contains SO many valuable
hints, not only to Western fruit growers, but
to orchardists everywhere, that we mako the
following liberal extracts
After the trees have been well planted in
their new home, it becomes an important
question to decide what shall be the most
appropriate culture to bestow upon Them
The practice of some would-be-orchardists is
that of no, culture, whichAEith the usual
neglect that accompanies such treatment, is
certain to end in disappointment, from the
loss of trees, for no matter how good the sell
ection may have been in the nursery, nor
how thorough the preparation of the soil, nor
how careful the planting, the young orchard
will never develop its highest degree of per-
fection if left at this stage Of its progress to
take care of itself; if neglected now, it will
60 back, and prove failure, as any one may
have seen who has observed the thousands
that are thus sacrificed ANNUALLY in various
parts of the country.
1t being conceded that thorough culture is
necessary for the proper Development of the
young trees, it may next be asked whether
any other crop should be planted in the orch
ard. The answer to this question will de-
pend upon the condition Of the soil as to fer
tility, if poor, it will not dp-to rob the trees,
which constitute the main crop, but it is sell
dom the case that such poor land is selected
for an orchard generally our soils are sufi-
GENTLY fertile to admit ef cropping, at least
partially, between the trees, without injury
to them. Most writers advise the planting
of a hocd crop, and prohibit altogether the
sowing of grains among The trees. This is
! not without reason, for tho long period be
tween seed tima and harvest that the sol
about the roots has to lie without the disturb
: ance Of the cultivator for the admission Of all
r and moisture, causes it to become compac
and dry, and the trees must suffer.
b The partial culture with the spade, imme
It diately around tho treea, which has beel
proposed as substitute for thorough Gu
d ture, is very seldom well eone, nor to suf
l cient extent, and is generally neglected Ell
Il tircly, go that the 0or trees ere pot only rol
l. bed by the surrounding grain crop, butwors
than this, they are imprisoned in the har
! soil, which is left after harvest in conditio
h unsuitable for plowing, and the droughtn {
Ie summer continue to injure the trees. Sue
,e crops as require or admit Of the occasions
A. use Of the plow and cultivation among thei
re enable the farmer TO keen the soil loose an
N mellow among his trees this is the reasc
IN such should be selected for planting ia youn
orchard; these are called hoed crops; son
"a persons prefer those that are of low growt
in snch as potatoes and beans, others think tn
Ss Indian corn is the very best crop, and sagge
~ that the shade cast by it upon the gronl
so about the trees, and the moisture attract
mo- by the leaves, which often falls to the so
nd more than compensate for the injury caus
by the corn roots absorbing the moistu
IN below.
fe, Whether we plant any other crop or N
r a let it be distinctly understood, and constal
aid ly borne in mind, that the young trees mi
be cultivated; the soil must be constant
Ine stirred, and kept clean until the orchard
'aS ae fairly got under way with thrifty grow
~ This is best effected by continug the cult
md Cor some years, and as men are often UNIV
rad ling to work without an immediate reru
Inv for their labor; the naked fallow among
trees will too often. be neglected, but
Do partial crop between them, is an incentive
giving the orchard, just such attention in
way cultivation, as it requires.
sne The length of time that this culture sho
Ie' be continued, will depend upon the condit
i'" Of the trees, and the character of the soil I
49,, surface. The orchard should have assur
the most thrifty growth, before the cultivat
abe is suspended, whether this may have requi
out three years of culture or ak; but on h
lands, with a soil disposed to Wash into |
me- lies, we cannot continue The plowing '
ON impunity, but must use such an alteratio
crops as will obyiate the necessity for
'but stant open culture This may be arrap
SO II by a rotation of clover with corn OR potat
valuable alienation it ID since this log
nous itself almost cuitivator Of the soil, rende
rdly it loose and mellow, while, at the same i
iear1 the esurface is clothed, and the soil is be
oor o.' together by its roots; moreover this plan
tracts much of its sustenance from the atl
.au phere, through its abundant foliage, and
a;d 4, radiclea sink deep into the subso!lin sc
new of nutriment.s
lat a b The clover maybe scwh at tmidsumne
had, ter the Lost blowing Of the corn, with OF '
,e ma. out rye which last ia only used forthe
i g.z Of clothing the surface, aud preventing
!, dri- wsshing.of the soil, snd should be past
ok in by hogs the following season; lot it b
much means be harvested. After on: year tn
with yer should be again plowed in; and the
t the vatioa of the young orchard ehould be cc
heel. ued until the trees be well established;
look the land may be again laid down toclov
g his clover and orchard grass, and be allow
nseIf,, continue in this condition for an inde
to the period, or until plowing appears to be
!, big Teapiredsga sgos1 sa3 a.. .4Lb b.A -