The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-03-29
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il. S. French, of \. H., says: q Fruit
trees set in grass may be seen struggling
desperately for dear life, and of no value
Whatever except as warning against
similar folly. ii is true that if trees be
forced to very rapid growth they will
often for a time be unfruitful. To check
this exuberance Of wood and render the
trees fruitful, laying the land to grass
for two or three years may be necessa-
ry regimen, on the same principle that
checking the circulation of the sap by
bending down the limbs will force out
fruit buds. Apple trees we'll cared for
will commence bearing in three or four
years after setting, and in eight or ten
years produce good crop, and will en-
dure for generations Ag. Rep. 1918,
p. 274-o. Again he says: No orchard
kept in grass will flourish; and it is
said ,on good authority that small grain,
especially rye, has an extremely inju-
rious effect upon fruit trees when raised
among them." Ag. Rep, 1882, p. "a.
Charles Allen, OF Rhode Island, says:
sIn cultivating an orchard of apples,
pears or peaches care should be had to
keep the ground loose and deeply plow-
ed and under tiilage till the trees are
well grown and nearly shade the ground.
1t should be lightly manurede every year
With good compost manure. No grass,
rye, oats or barley should ever be allow
ed to grow in an orchard. Some root
be best" Ag. Rep, 1850, p. AS. -
VIM. P. Gates, of Connecticut, says:
4" The common error in regard to fruit
trees is that they will grow anywhere
and without culture. No orchard should
be suffered to stand in apasture or now
ing lot for the turf and grass will APP
preprate all the moisture in the shape
of rain or dew, robbing the trees Of all
nourishment. The ground should be
kept open either by narrowing repeat
edly or blowing. If the latter, be very
careful not to cut the roots, some of
which are very near the surface" lAg.
Rep, 1880, p. 30l.) j. G. Cox, of Hill
nois, says: 3" Let your ground be dry,
clean, and cultivate in corn with as
much manure as you please. Avoid
trimming as much as you can, and let
your trees grow without posts to help
them. Weak ley is an excellent wash
for the bark of fruit trees. Use leached
wood ashes for manuring the trees."-
Gag. Rep, 1888, p. 291.) Thomas AT
flick, Of Mississippi, says: 8 Lime is an
absolutely Indispensable ingredient in
the soil in which fruit trees of any kind
are grown, and especially the apple and
pear. Until was convinced Of this fact,
found great difficulty in producing
healthyand vigorous growth upon many
varieties Of the apple. BY rashing |
removed the ditiiculty-the wood be-
came short-jonted and healthy, the To-
liage abundant and persistng until frost,
and the fruit large, sound and free from
specks or blemishes, such as before dis
figured some kinds.' Ag. Rep. 1919, p.
l67.
The careful and thoughtful reader will
now see, at "A glance. the reasons why so
many of our orchards, both old and new,
produce such knotty, poor favored and
almost worthless apples. Old or spent
tdn-bdrk is said to be an excellent mate
rial for mulching fruit trees. Try it.
WEST RANCH.
MILTON, Pa, JAM, 1866.