Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-05-03
Agrifnltnral.
Flowing old Orchards.

1t is common opinion that plowing an
old or bearing orchard, that has remained
in sod several years, Injuries the trees by
tearing the roots, and does more harm than
good There may possibly be cases where
very old trees, on soils of peculiar charac-
ter, may be thus injured but among many
instances of the kind we have never known
an orchard that was not benefited by the
blowing There is a propensity among
cultivators to frame theories in favor OF
ease and negligence and we are inclined
to place this theory, in relation to ploWlng,
in the same class IS In tue autumn OF the
year 1862 we examined fine orchard on
the farm of Samuel Knox of Worcester
county. Mass. 1t consisted Of IS years old
is of these were Baldwins, and most of
the remainder Hubbardston Nonsuch. This
orchard had, for several years previously,
remained uncultivated and in grass. About
one year before our visit, the owner mad
applied manure at the rate of about AZ horse
loads to the acre. He then plowed the ma
nure in, about 10 inches deep, and, III do
ing SO, cut off many of the roots A large
cart load of roots were thus torn up, and
drawn from the field, many of them an inch
and a half in diameter. We observed many
as large as a large walking stick. The
trees at that time were heavily loaded with
large fine apples-quite equal to anything
of the kind we had ever before witnessed.
Although the trees, then l6 years old, were
only about half the usual size of old or full
growing bearing trees, they were estima-
ted to yield at least an average OF two par
rels per tree, or about one-hundred barrels
per acre.
On mentioning the treatment of this or
chard and its heavy products, to an intelli-
gent friend, then residing in Boston, he said
that there was no question that the orchard
was fatally injured by the powing, and
that was probably..the last good crop that
it would ever bear,-that orchards gen
orally survived such treatment only year
or two, so far as their value of productive
ness was concerned, although they might
do we'll for the first year.
A successful cuItivator of fruit, in that
neighborhood, has recently furnished us
some additional information in relation to
this orchard. He states that the plowlng
was continued for,two years, and that the
orchard is in as vigorous condition as ev-
cr The crop in the year 1868 was quite
equal to that of the year before. The ap-
pie crop generally in Worcester county, for
the last two years, has been almost an en-
tire failure yet these trees have grown well,
and produced fruit that took the first pre-
MUM in Worcester county.
We are inclined to think that, as a gen.
eral rule, the injury which is done to fruit
trees, by blowing and tearing the roots, if
any, is greatly overwhelmed by the benefit
derived from the cultivation of the SOIL
We would like reports of experiment like
this whether in favor OF, or against the prac-
tice, provided they are the result of thor
ough trial, and distinct and accurate obser-
walton, and not mere opinions from imper-
feet or accidental work
Those who have old orchards, and are
willing to plow them, may keep them in
good order, provided the soil is naturally
fertile, by grazing closely with sheep, and
giving them an occasional top-dressing in
autumn in addition to the top-dressing they
receive from the sheep. a good rule for
practice is, to observe the annual growth
which the trees make. If these shoots are
less than a foot long, manuring or cultiva'
ton, or both, should be resorted to. If they
are IS inches Ormore, they indicate a growth
sufficiently vigorous This applies to bear
ing trees, and not to young or newly set
orchards, which should be made to grow
two or three feet yearly.