The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-01-08
CHE farmer's department.


When the orchard has acquired sufficient
growth, and assumes its condition of maturi-
ty of fruit-bearing, it no longer so imperative
ly requires to be cultivated, and is somewhat
better if let alone; having been laid down to
clover, OF clover and orchard grass, it should
be made use of as hog-walk. No othe.
stock should ever be permitted to set hoof
upon the soil appropriated to the orchard.-
The swine alone should be allowed to pasture
it, and to consume the fallen fruit, thus de-
stroyng immense mum bers of insects, they
will keep these pests in check. They will
distribute their droppings over the surface,
and they may even be allowed to root in the
soil, to some extent, with their snouts. Should
weeds make their appearance, they may be
moved and let upon the ground or thrown
about the tres as mulch but, with the
close planting that is now generally recon-
mended, and sometimes practised, and with
the low headed trees that are 50 very much
preferred by all who have had an opportuni
ty of observing their advantages, there is
really little space left for any crop among the
trees, except grass, and this will scarcely grow
beneath them, in the thick shade Of their
depending boughs.
Shall an old orchard ever be plowed? Is a
question often asked by those who have ne
elected their trees, or who have fallen heirs
to orchards of the old style, with tall trunks,
and long naked branches, furnished only with
brush of decropit spray at their extremities,
eil lssaGs
sod that has been tramped and pastured for
years. Under these circumstances, the trees
producing an excess of blossoms and fruit
having ceased to mako any thrifty wood
growth, may need thorough cultivation, as
well as severe pruning to invite reproduc-
tion of healthy wood and foliage. The damage
that cnsues from breaking the roots is then
more than overbalanced, by the renewed
vigor that ensucs. A thorough pruning, re-
moving the dead limbs, and thinn NJ out
those that are too close scarifying The bark,
and washing the stems with an alkaline soIu-
ton, will insure the rejuyenescence of Tie
trees, which are then able TO push forth new
roots where the pillow had broken the oil ones,
and with these adiuvants, and with the ap
plication of lime, the breaking up and at.cr
cultivation of the SOIL Will be of the gr, ,atesi
advantage to the old orchard. Still, it is
question, whether it be not bette. to avoid the
necessity for this treatment; and it is be-
Heved that by suitable course, this necessi-
ty may be obviated. The proper cultivation
Of the young trees does not materially iijurc
the roots, and it preserves the soil in a cOndi-
ton most favorable for their renewal. In
an orchard that has been thus cultivated,
there will always be system Of roots at a
depth below the influence of the plow these
are permanent. If, on the contrary, by
mulching or otherwise, the roots have been
brought very near the surface. the thorough
plowing may seriously injure the trees by
too much breaking and tearing of these i'm
portant organs here, as in other cases, the
less of two evils must be chosen, nor can there
be any question as to the propriety of plow
ing in the condition supposed above, that OF
an orchard showing signs of decrepi udc from
neglect of pruning, and want of proper care
of trees with grass-bound surface of the
soil beneath them, and hard messy bark, 50
that they are well styled hide-bouni. The
condition of a thickly planted and we'll
grown orchard, with low heads, shading the
ground, and mulched with the decayingg a 8
and leaves, is more like that of the primeval
forest, and such trees may be allowed to con-
tinue for many years without blowing; in
deed, it mag be doubted whether, if occasion
ally lined, they be not really better without
this disturbance Of their roots.