American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-07-31
CRltivating Orchards.

OuOuIu OTCudTuS Ut CultlNdtcuI IN ~
question frequently discussed among
pOmolOgists.
There are, however. very few who
will advocate dispensing with SO
important an operation, particularly |
while the trees are young. Cultiva-
ton hastens maturity, inasmuch as
it assists growth, and those who ne
elect it will usually discover their
mistake when too late for introduc-
ing a remedy. By keeping the sur
face of the soil open and loose, we
insure the rapid descen, of rain to
the roots, and the absorption of mois-
ture from the air, both very import
ant considerations in a dry climate
or season.
That loose, spOnge-like soil not
only admits moisture more readily
than a heavy, compact one, but will
retain q larger quantity and for
longer time, is well known to every
one who has examined a cultivated
and uncultivated field.
AS moisture is not only an import
ant element in itself, forming, as it
does, the greater part Of the bulk of
many vegetables, as well as dissOlv-
ing the plant-foOd in the soil, and
then becoming the medium of trans
hitting it through the living organ
ism, it must be apparent that sup
ply is one of the requisites Of success
In all departments of fruit culture.
Too much moisture may be as in.
furious as too lii tie, and rs a cult
waited soil permits the surplus to pass
off by percolation as well as evapo-
ration, the Importance of cultivation
is evident to prevent extremes in
either direction. II we SOW wheat,
rye, oats, or any Of the cereals among
trees, they abstract a large amount
of moisture from the soil, aud usually
at the very time when the trees need
it the most ; consequently such crops
are more or less injurious. To seed
down the land to grass is even a
more Objectionable practice, because
the soil is not disturbed once in q
season, which would be OF some ben
eft to the trees growing therein. 1t
is not only for the purpose of regula-
ting the supply of moisture that cul-
tivation is recommended, but fire.
quent manipulation of the soil assists
in its decomposition, thereby furnish
ing the requisite amount of food to
the trees.
For the first few years after plant
ing. the soil around them should be
thoroughly cultivated, and as few
people will do this, unless an imme-
diate return for their labor can be
secured, such crops as beans, pota-
toes. or other vegetables may be
grown In the orchard, but rs much
fertilizing materials should be added
annually as is removed in the crop.
There are, without doubt, soils 80
rich and deep that they will support
trees without any of these rrecau-
tons, but they must be considered
as exceptions to the general rule !;
but no weeds, grass, or other plants,
should ever be allowed to grow near
the stems Of young trees, especially
apple trees, because, as is well known
the parent of the apple tree borer
will deposit her eggs more frequently
in trees thus surrounded than in
those not furnished with such a con-
vcnient retreat.
Mulching the soil around newly
planted trees is sometimes practiced
with beneficial results, but if contin.
ued for several gears in succession, il
causes the roots to grow near the
surface, where they are more liable
to be injured in severe winters, as
well as long prOtracted drouths in
summer, than If deeper in the soil.
In cultivating an orchard with a
plow, some care lis requisite to pre-.
vent injuring the roots, aud the soil
should not be worked so deep neal
the trees as at distance from them
but II an occasional root or a NUN ber
of them are destroyed, it will be far
less injurious than a total neglect OF
cultivation. When the trees become
so large that they shade the soil un
derneath them, then cultivation may
be dispensed with, and the land seed
ed down to clover or grass, or, what
would be still better, used as a pas
ture for hogs, but in no case should
cattle, or even sheep, be allowed in
an orchard. AS a rule, orchards
should be cultivated for the frs,
ten or fifteen years, but should cir
eumstances show that this system
can be dispensed with in less time
then ADOPT such plan and. adhere
TO it for the alternate system of plow
ing for q year or two, and then seed
ing down the land among trees, il
scarcely to be recommended for any
soil or lOcatiOn.-Hedrth and Home