Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-06-08
Forkinq the Soil Around Fruit Trees.

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Forking the Soil Around Fruit Trees.
Few fruit trees, comparatively, have ,
any roots to part with For this
reason the fork should be employed
instead of the spade for pulverising
the ground where there are roots, as
the spade will cut off all the small
rootlets, to the injury Of the growth
of the tree. The tines Of a fork will
crowd them aside, seldom breaking
even the small ones. Then, as the
hard soil is broken up with the fork
tines and removed from the root
and returned to them thoroughly pull
verified, all the little fberS are
brought in contact with different pOr-
tons of soil that has not been exhaust !
ed of its fertility. Thus comparatively |
new earth settles around the roots, so
that in short time the spongioles be-
gin to absorb plant-toOd, and thus
promote the growth of the branches
and the fruit. Now, if q spade be
used, such a large proportion Of the
roots will be severed that the sources
of plant-food are all cut of, except
small proportion of the rootletS be-
meath the large roots, far down in the
soil. beneath the reach of the spade,
where they can absorb only a limited
supply of nourisnment. Great care
should be exercised, whether the
soil is pulverized with fork or spade,
to mutilate the roots as little as pos
sible. When the soil is only few
inches deep, and the sub-soil so com
pact that but few roots can enter it
careless man with a spade will cut
off more than half of all the roots
which are the main sources of nour-
ishment; and the growth Of the tree
will be retard quite as much as if it
had just been transplanted. When a
spadeful of soil is filled with small
rootlets and fibers, the spader had
better be spending his time in idle
ness than mutilating the roots Of
either ornamental or fruit trees
independent.
In letter to the New York Far
mer's Club, Mr.. S. S. Gregory, OF
Berea, Ohio, after giving his own eX-
perience III the matter, sums up the
advantage of early shearing by say
ing; =" The flock gains four weeks time
in recruiting from usual spring weak
ness, over those sheared the middle o
June. Owing to the better condition
of the sheep, the lambs had a bette
supply of milk, and thrived UNUSUAL,
fast and both sheep and lambs were il
q good degree freed from ticks, whicI
in many fOcks, are a serious drawbacl
upon their comfort and growth. A
weather, Immediately after the shear
ing, was cold and wet, Nature" SUI
piled an unusually early and prolili
growth of WOOL so that to the best {
my ability to calculate, they wi
average this spring a quarter Of
pound more per head than thoS
sheared five or six weeks later"
WHAT'S PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE
The New York server a
swers this question in a few word
but very comprehensively as follow
"Under its influence springs up tast
and convenient dwellings, adornt
with shrubs and flowers, and beau
full within with the smiles Of hap
wives, tidy children in the lap
thoughtful age-broad hearts al
acts, as well as words of Welcom
Progressive agriculture builds bar
and puts cutters on them, builds 81
bles for cattle, and raises roots
feed them. 1t gratis wild apr
trees by the meadow, with Pippi
or Greenings-it sets out new {
chards, and takes care of the G
ones. 1t drains low lands, cuts doV
bushes, buys mower, house tools a
wagons, keeps good fences, and pr
tees soiling. 1t makes hens |;
chickens live, and prevents swi
from roofing up meadows. Progr
sive agriculture keeps on hand plen
of dry fuel and brings in the oy
wood for the women. 1t ploug
deeply, sows plentifully, harro
evenly and prays for the blessing
Heaven. Finally, it subscribes
good religious, and family .journf
and pays for them in advance, ad
Gates free schools, and always ia
something besides the family to t
county fair.
EARLY Where CO
are yarded over night, they requ
early attention in the morning.
kept late, before milking, they beco
hungry and FESTIVE, and yield th
milk less freely than they would
at an earlier hour. Never let til
look over the gate or fence an h,
or two in the morning waiting for
appearance of the mixer II
know the best time to commel
feeding, and should be allowed
privilege of improving it.