The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1867-07-19
From the American Agriesllurist. !
Crops for the Orchard.

II man would ait down to really
think abont his orchard. aud study
its needs and prospects, its expense to
him and the returns he may rcasona.
bly, expect. he wonld not be likely to
hlunder much in its management
The first thought might be. do | want
fruit, or do | want grass, grain. pota-
toes, ETC., the most! We suppose lie
wants fruit ia HE orchard; il so. be
may reasonably ask ii he can afford to
eXpend the amount ct labor necessary
to maintain his fruit trees. and moth
ing else upon the land from the time
trey are first set ont. Ii one does
this, plants trees only. and keeps the
ground plowed and clean. for surely
weeds are worse than even u corn
crop-he will il the land is in proper
condition, have good trees. but at a
heavy expense for several years. lie
may rather revolvc the questIon. what
may | cultivate with least injury to
the trees, and at most profit to myself,
and thus make use OF the otherwise
wasted energies Of the soil, manure
and sunshine! This question cannot
be answered off-hand. for there are
many things to be considered. When
we manure the soil OF an orchard. We
must apply more manure than the
trees need, because they should find
it wherever their roots wander. ana
these do not fill the whole soil. Trees
probably draw most upon tile fertility
OF the soil at the period Of their most
rapid growth. Hence, If we put al
crop upon the land to use up the ex-
cess OF manure, il is nota proper plan
10 employ one, the roots of which will
voraciously wrangle with those of the
fruit trees for food and moisture. dur
ing this period. This will Lad to
the Introduction Of corn and all grains.
and seed producing plants, except
buckwheat, tor those all make their
growth when the trees have prior
right to the soil The same principle
will allow the use OF all root crops
which gain considerable size only al.
ter midsummer, and mature later.
even after the trees have ripened their
fruit. Cabbages, etc., are in the same
category with vegetables. Onions
would seem to be an exception, but.
though they require good soil, they
are not an exhausting crop. and may
be used in young orchards, before
much shade is cast.
As to grass-permanent grass
while the trees are growing, it is
doubly injurious, first, covering the
ground 90 as to prevent its being
worked, and preventing also the &C.
ton Of the sun upon it--a very I'm.
portant thing; second. in taking plant
food from the soil at all times, but
most just when the trees are growing
fastest. After the trees have attained
their growth. il the space for several
feet around them be kept clear, grass
docs little or no harm ii well or
frequently MANFRED. The moderate
check it exercises upon the trees max
ing wood may promote tendency to
fruit. Even in old apple orchards,
sward should not be suffered to lie
many years without breaking up; al
which time, lime or ashes should be
literally applied, with other manure.
crop Of potatoes raised, and the land
seeded down again without the use Of
any grain crop. The idea that grass
seeding will not do well, unless it be
made with some small grain crop, isl
absurd. Grain, Of whatever kind, is
usually an injury to the grass.
GRASS LAND.--It is recent disco
very that an acre Of good grass land
is worth an acre Of choice pillow land.
More than this: the grass land is des-
tined to increase in value, because the
climate in which it is natural is lin
tied to few degrees Of latitu de-
Philadelphia does not lie within it.
nor any place south Of it, unless sufli.
GENTLY elevated to make climate
corresponding to higher degree Of
latitude.
On the continent Of North Amer-
ca there are more degrees Of latitude
IN which the climate is suited to FIGS,
oranges. lemons. cotton and sucar-