Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1866-07-06
AGRICULTURAL.
TaTURTe AND OUITIvATIEe TREES


The difference between quRekery and
reruiar ment is, the former applies
remedies sindiserImlnately, IN while the lat
ter administers according TO certain and
sDeeific wants. When the farmer breaks
his wagon, the quaek would pOFceed BY
driving nails here and there all over II,
hoping accidentally somewhere to reach
the fracture. The regular repalrer hrst
aacertains where the difficulty lies, and
then prOeseds at once to correct Il.
Its somewhat thus In the cultivation
Of fruit trees. particularly with those
sorts like the dwarf pear which Will NOT
flourish under neglect. We often see
directions on the precise amount OF man
ure which should be applied TO the dwarf
orchard-s0me demanding even as mnch
Al an annual coating OF three or four
inches around the tree to be worked into
the soil while others succeed with a very
moderate application. Others, again, ind
as they suppose, that manure Is entirely
unnecessary or detrimental. One man
appears 20 succeed as we'll with his apple
orchard kept IN grass closely graZed by
sheep or swine, with only top-dTessing
which these animals give, as another does
with constant and mellow cultivation.
These differences of treatment must de-
pend upon the character and natural fer
1ility Of the soil and to give precise dI-
rectiOns that are required TO be followed
ont IN all classes, who'd be like issuing
general instructions stating how many
strokes Of the whip must be given to a
horse in order to get days labor out Of
him, without reference to his character
for spirit or stupidity or like the order
of a railway manager to apply the brakes
every fifteen minutes, without regard to
an upward or a descending grade.
We often receive inquiries as to the guam
tity of manure to be applied to trees.
The answer must be,-Act according to
circumstances. The question again re-
cures, How shall We know what our soils
need The answer is,-Obserye the re-
suits Of growth. An examination or an
aIysis Of the soil will be Of little use. But
the trees will tell their own story. If the
soil is so rich that the trees make annual
shoots of two or three feet or more in
length, without any cultivation or man
uring at all, (which, however, is hardly
supposable case then it will be needless
to give additional care. The annual
growth is the best guide to treatment
There are very few apple or other or
chards which, after reaching a good bear
ing state, throw out annual shoots more
than foot or foot and half long, and
many not half this length. The owner
may lay it down as an Unalterable rule
that when his trees do not grow one foot
annually, they need more manuring or
cultivation, or both. By observing the
growth he can answer all questions of the
kind referred to without difficulty
Perhaps 1t may be useful to remark on
the different means or degrees for increas-
ing the VigOT Oftrees: 1st. The weakest or
most Ineth olent means is digging small
circles with a spade around the foot of
the stem, either with or without the ad-
dition Of manure because the roots of
tree being at least equal each way to its
height, reach out on all sides far beyond
these circles and often not fftieth part
Of them are affected. I'd. Better than the
last named mode, is keeping the grass
grazed short by swine or sheep-protect-
ing the stems from injury with boxes or
thOrny bush-giVing annually in autumn
q thin top dressing Ofmanure. Sd. Where
this treatment does not impart sufficient
VigOr, then the third remedy must be re-
sorted to, VIZ, keeping the whole surface
In a clean, mellow condition. If the soil
is rich enough, it will do to raise beans
or root crops. or even, Indian corn-oth-
eEWise il should be left perfectly clean,
and manure added annually if necessary.
Thick dressings OF manure applied In au-
tumn and spaded under in spring, are on
~ required Tor dwarf pears which have
become stunted, In connection with free
pruning, until shoots Sc least two or three
feet are obtained Meadow or sowed
grain should never be allowed in any or
chard Whatever.- Country Gentleman.