The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-03-04


essary or advisable to invert the soil to
great depth, and thereby throw the poor
subsoil on the surface, but to loosen up the
soil to depth Of one foot or more is bene
fetal to all crops, no matter how small or
delicate.
There are soils which do not require
deepening, but they are the exceptions
and not the rule; consequently, we leave
them out of the list under consideration
at this time. We will suppose, for in
stance, that farmer wishes to plant an
apple orchard this spring upon soil that is
rich enough for that purpose, without ap-
plying any fertiliZing materials whatever;
and, further, we will suppose that he
knows enough about apple-trees not to
plant them in a swamp, or in ground so
stony that it cannot be cultivated neither
will we expect him to turn over en old sod
that has not been plOwed for years. and
use such land for an orchard until the
tough roots of weeds and grass have be-
come, at least, partially decomposed. But
we expect that our farmer will plant the
trees in the best soil on his farm, pro-
vided it is favorably situated and is natur-
ally dry and good.
The first thing TO be decided is the dis
lance apart at which the trees are to be
planted-whether twenty. five, thirty. or
forty feet; the second number viii afford
room enough for varieties of moderate
growth, but where the land is very rich
and not too expensive, more space may
be allowed.
Lay out the ground by driving q stake
at each end of the space to be occupied by
row of trees, then plow the land into
beds of the same width as the rows are
/ pOmnprcirO in, bo
between the rows, and back furrow lust
where the trees are 10 be planted Pillow
as deep as possible in the dead burrows
going through three or four times will dc
no harm, but much good.
Proceed in the same manner, until the
land to be occupied is all plowed, then
put on the harrow and pulveTize the sol
as thoroughly as possible, then pillow il
again, and turn the land back in its former
position.
If more thorough preparation can &c
afforded, then the land may be cross
plOwed IN the same manner. BY adopt
ing this system of preparation the soil is
broken up fine, and left with an even sur
face, while its greatest depth will he just
where the trees are to be planted II the
first blowing can be done in the fall Of the
year, it would be better than doing both
in the spring, or il the trees are to be
planted in autumn, let the spring plow Ing
be done with reference to this object, ant
throw up into beds accordingly. Some o
our OrchaTdistS recommend throwing the
land into beds and planting the trees on III,
ridges, brit this plan we do not consider
good one, because it necessitates the keen
ing of the land in beds or the roots of thu
trees will soon become exposed. Leve
culture is ALWAYS preferable in q climat,
like that of the United States, and if thu
land is too wet to admit Of it then it should
be underdrained, as this is far cheaper II
the end than To be continually throwing
up beds for the rains TO wash down again
IF the soil to be used for an orchard i
heavy clay, then subsoiling, as well al
deep blowing must he resOrted TO, i
good results are to be expected. Diggn,
deep and wide holes for the reception o
trees is system almost universally recon-
mended in this country, but in nine case
ont often, these hOlesare but the receptacle
of water, which collects from the surround
ing soil, and it Goes more harm than good
We like the idea as well as practice of deel
culture, but we want the soil all deep, ant
if we cannot secure this, then wide
deep furrow across the entire field is ia
better and more readily obtained with
plow than little deep soil under eacl
tree. If manure is required, then it ma,
be applied to the dead burrows after tn
first blowing, and thoroughly mixed will
the soil at the second. This is our system
of preparing ordinary good soil for al
apple-orchard. We like it, and other
may, after giving it q trial.-HedrM ant
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