Charles City intelligencer., 1865-04-06

one-third of the way down, that will
cause them to branch thickly and be.
come good wind-breakers and the
trunks to become sufficiently strong
to hold the staples for wire fence.
TIE MOST IMPORTANT PROTECTION OF ALL
Is a substantial fence, when you
plant the trees, high enough to keep
out unruly cattle and mules, and tight
enough to keep out sheep, without
this protection it is of little use to
plant fruit trees hogs and poultry
will not injure apple trees after they
arc in good bearing condition but
they will destroy insects and worms
in the windfall apples and prove =
benefit. -
DIGGING AND PLANTING TREES.
The trees should be taken up with
as many Of the roots on as possible,
except the tap-root. The less of that
the better for the tree. Lateral roots
will produce corresponding lateral
branches. The hole for the tree should
not be the deepest in the center. like
a dish, but should be level at the bot
tom, or the highest in the center, and
large enough to admit the roots with
out bending them. The tree should
be raised over the hole, and set into
it in such manner that the roots will
retain their natural form.
Finely pulverized soil should be sift.
ed around the roots until they are all
covered. Then pour on water until
it forms a batter. When the earth
absorbs the water the soil win adhere
to all the little rootlets. Then cover
with fresh soil to prevent baking A
substitute for this is TO dip the roots
in water, then sift the fine soil upon
them, pressing it around the roots
with the hand, giving it firm press.
ure at the top.
PRUNING.
On this, like all other subjects,
there is variety of opinion. From
some experience and extensive obser.
vation | have adopted the good old
general rule, "avoid all extremes"
Some will prune severely, others will
not prune at all When the tree is
transplanted the branches or top
should be reduced to correspond to
the reduced quantity of roots. The
tree should branch low, not more than
two or three feet from the ground
Cnt off no large branches unless the
form of the tree requires it, Prune
while the branches are young that the
wounds may heal quickly Use sharp
tool. Cnt all interlacing branches
When they become large the action
Of the wind will cause a wound, and
whether they are cut of or remain,
will impair the longevity of the tree.
Cutting off large branches at any
time tends to the same result-short-
ems its life.
Do not cut SO near the branch or
trunk as to make large wound, nor
prevent its healing readily. If the
branches are too thick, thin them out
and let in the sunlight. twill render
them more productive, and they will
yield finer, larger fruit. My favorite
seasons for pruning are when tue
leaves begin to grow in the early part
of May, and at the close of the first
growth of timber, the last of July.
Then the wounds heal over more rap
idly than at any other time. Thin,
soft soap rubbed on aud around the
wounds will prevent sprouts.
Some say follow nature and not
pruDe any. Nature is very good
guide, but like "all the world and
the rest Of makind," she has some Gu
rious freaks. She sometimes produces
trees which grow the wood 80 rapidly |
and vigorously that they will not bear
well without artificial means. Some
may bear well in dry, compact soils,
but not in light, rich, moist soils. In
such cases artificial means must be used
to produce the desired result When the
trees are large enough to bear, are
growing vigorously, and fail to pro-
duce fruit, the land should be seeded
with Timothy, and rolled with heavy
roller. Some resort to root pruning !;
cutting off part of the large roots two
or three feet from the body. This
checks the growth of wood, and tends
to the production of fruit. When an
orchard gets in good bearing condi-
tion, the simplest and best treatment
it can have is to seed it with clover
When the clover begins to ripen, NOV
il and mulch the roots Of each tree
with two or three forks full of green
clover. The value Of the clover will
be repaid ten fold in the quantity and
quality of the fruit.
Buy no trees except those which
are known to be hardy and produc-
tive. The nearer they are raised or
cultivated to your own locality, the
more likely they are to succeed. If
the people will commence Immediate
ly, and give their earnest attention to
the production of apples. in ten years
they could furnish supply for the 10.
cal consumption, and save a vast
of money, which will other
wise be sent abroad for them. have
extended this communication SO that
4 must curtail the description Of varie-
ties. | will simply remark that the
following are known to he hardy, pro-
ductive and of good quality:
WINTER APPLEs.
Gros Pommier, Rawles' Jean
nette." Yellow BelleAower, Seeknofur-
ther. Tallman's SweetiDg, Dominic,
Fowler's Winter Russet, Pomme Grise,
Jonathan, Willow Twig, Vandever
Pippin, Sallygoodsort, Small Roman
ite, Fameuse, White Winter Pear.
main, and Swar. The Northern Spy
is said to be productive on dwarf
trees, but not on standards.
FALL APPLES
Fowler's Fall Rnsset, Maiden's
Blush. Calvert, Ordway's Sweeting.