White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1871-10-05
fer the faraet.
oaCHAnD PLANTING.

1. The most favorable situations for orchards
in the West, are the highest elevations that can
be selccted: 1st-because such sites are exposed
to free currents of air, and TINS more exempt
from late vernal frosts that destroy the NUT
blossoms 2d-the fact is established that the
mercury indicates, in winter, from five to seven
degrees more severity of cold on tho level prairie
than on the high ridges. A-such land Is thor
oughly surface-drained; the limestone, 90 bench
ciai to the vigor and health OF the apple-tree Ia
nearer the surface,-the roots love to insinuate
themselves in It's loose and broken strata, finding
there warmth and moisture.
p 1t is not desirsSle to plant orchards under the
shelter of groves, or to surround them with belts
Of forest trees for protection. The heathiest or
cbarts are fls0se where unObstructed currents of
air strike them from every point of the compass.
The whole advantage Of Uiadbreaks can be better
secured by closer setting of the fruit-troes.
3 1t is found that belts of for.st-trees and
greses adjacent to orchards, appropriate the at
mospheric forces in too great degree, depriving
the frut-trees of elements that would have enter
ed into their growth had they been isolated.
4. The health, durability and productiveness
Of orchards depend in o wonderful degree, upon
the preparation of the ground. The land should
be stirred, to the depth Of twenty inches, by q
grow in three years as much as they would in five
ON land plowed six inches deep.
S. The most convenient and proper distance in
setting apple-trees, is twenty feet, having the
trees opposite in rows. We have tried diffe-
rent distances, and find that for ease of cultiva-
ton, for mutual protection from the winds, for all
necessary sunlight, air and shade, this distance
affords the best advantages.
6. The pride that you will hereafter take in be-
holding or exhibiting your orchard will depend
upon the mathematical accuracy with which the
trees are set. They should line in every direction
and should not deviate an inch. Many an orchard
is dispoiled Of its beauty by planter with no
geometry in his brains.
2. The holes should be excavated twenty in
ches is depth and four feet in diameter. The low
spadesfull of surface soil thrown in, upon which
the roots shall rest. Apply manure to the roots
of the tree-it is better used q mulch.
g. While the assistants are forking in the dirt,
the trees should be frequently shaken up and
down, that the soil may fill the entire spaces be-
tween the roots, and the surfaces of them come
fully in contact with it. 1t is q wise practice to
puddle the roots of every tree in thin prairie NOR
tar, that all minute bres and feeders may be Goa
ted thoroughly before the tree is planted.
2. Trees should be Bet from eight to twelve in
ches deeper than they stood in the nursery. We
advocate deep planting on loose, sandy soils, and
on all soils excepting compact, imperviOus clay.
If you plant deep, your trees are less affected by
the winds, drouths and root suckers. The most
fourishing orchard in Winnebago county was set
fully two feet deep. If you plant shallow you
must stake your trees, or yOu must incur the Ia
Dor of giving them a perpendicalarity after every
wnd-storm.
10. After the trees are planted with precision,
and at the proper distance and depth, the next
important work is mHlchiRg. Seventy-fv per
cent of the loss of all fruit trees be traced to
a neglect of this labor. Nothing contributes SO
much to healty, vigorous growth of the young
tree as heavy mulch about the roots, keeping the
soil cool and moist Our June drOuths are terribly
severe on transplanted trees The wood partially
seasons before the roots can convey sap to keep it
fresh and green. Put a blanket of straw or barn.
yard litter around each tree-spreal it deep, and
let it extend four feet from the trunk around the
tree. There is no danger of losing one tree in a
properly taken mp. The grand secret
in tree-raising at the west, lies in word Of one
IL. After the trees are all planted and mulched
the tops should be cut back about one-fourth, and
the whole tree entirely washed Boiled I've,
mixed with soft soap, with piece of saltpetre,
about one-thiyd the size of hens egg, to pail
full of the mixture, is valuable wash for the or
,hard. Let the I've be strong, so that it will in
lure the hand if dipped into it, and apply it with
stout srab, SO that the bark can be thoroughly
rubbed and scoured-Concentrated POtash-a
hirty-6ve cent can-dissOlved in four gallons of
rain water, with small piece of saltpetre, will
make the lice fall in patOons, and leave the bark
should be washed twice a year-Once in April, and
again in October. If this was practiced, there
would be but little complaint about bark lice,
borers and bark bound trees.
IL. The best fertilizer for orchards is wood ash
IS. If they could be obtained, it would paw
10 spread bushel of unleached ashes yearly.
lbout the roots of every tree. There would be
ever vermn in orchards, and fewer unproduc-
i've trees, if liberal supply of wood ashes should
Ne given them.
IL. 1t is death to an orchard to seed it down;
low it often, manure it heavily, for apple trees
iced as much feeding anything else; prune it |
paringly, and keep every exhaustive crop out of |
t. The idea that orchards can become tender by |
LIBERAL cultivation and manuring, and thus be |
liable to be winter-klled, is fiction, conceived in |
he brain of some lazy, labor-hating lout-Rock-
ord (IH.) Register.