Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-12-21
NUMBER 81.
agricultural.
Fruit Culture. No. 2.

perate climates. No other Is OF so univer-
sal use or so generally esteemed. Its value
and uses are so acknowledged that extended
observations are uncalled for.
All the varieties of the apple cultivated
in this country have originated IRON the
small, acid crab-apple Of Europe. 1t is
somewhat curious that the cultivated va
rieties succeed better in this country. than
in their native localities in Europe. Varie-
ties can be propagated to an unlimited ex-
tent. They have already become very
numerous. and with such a diversity oil
local character, that some varieties may be
found adapted to almost every climate
where green grass grows. Very recent,
has the apple been found in Alaska grow
ing iwild. 1t will grow upon almost any
soil but TO be long lived and productive
careful attention must be given to III,
selection of soil and situation. This is the
first, aud an important step, towards a
fruitful orchard.
THE BEST SOIL
The books" say, "a corn-soil is the
for an orchard" If, by ''corn-s
books mea. high and dry ri1a. -,
Of land only. they greatl.-, sa,,r,.hia -
of the most WHO'RE. All" i0''' 'o'',"" VI
7,iiyey loans. If the soil
e one. be ii even on a hilltop.
- be uaderiraiHed. Il is waste OF
me and money to attempt the culture Of
apple trees upon wet and rctersivc soils
without draining. Yet in face Of this. one.
taking his departure from the .iacricda
office, can by riding five miles, in any direc-
ton, see lots OF trees which have been re-
set IN Just such retentive soils such trees
VIII be cumbc-ers of the ground, but a
little while, for the stsgnant water will
made quick work with them
The soils beS. suited 10 the apple are
strong rocky or stony soils. nth drg sui
sad-clayey loams-limc>tone soils. and
sandy loans
clayey loam-tiraiacf i Rseiei-may be
made equal to Tie very best BY liberal
dressing Of limc-a peck OF lime 10 a tree
We repeat drained if needed. and drain
ug i needed on all soils which retain stag
nani water 'rfiiH t-o .'eef u Me surtace.
Even upoH a clay sol trees do well. II il be
uudsraid by a porous sub>oil. Cutting of
the iap-root, may delay decay bur does not
remedy tho defecf-he>idc> it j an injury
Ia The tree because the vertical roots are
- u>cf1. 10 the tree. a. are the latcralS.
Being >uIc tia; the soil j, sufficient, dry
-onc j. all right for an orchard in 20 fara,
soil i concerned, because ititi> too claycy.
OF sandy. il can be modified by dressing
OF either
SITUATION.
The best position for Id apple in thu,
Stat, i the 1Taern slope OF a hillside.
The n3ttom Of valley j. the worst. Al
orchard may make slower growth. aud bc
more tardy in bearing on northern, than
upon southern slope, still il is the best.
/. Trees are less liable To winter-kiIl: .
They are harder; 3. They are more uni
form bearers; 1. They need les mulching;
). They live longer
That terrible winter KILN. Of orchard
trees in Maine, in the winter OF lej7-which
he cherishes the memory Of anything did
its worst work upon the southern slopes
The northern slopes escaped comparatively
un>cathed. We call TO mind. one orchard
Of Bal Twins. saddled over a high ridge.
wherein hardly tree upon the northern
cant, was injured. while upon the southern
side barely one escaped. Intense cold.
ab>tractly considered. is not injurious To
apple trees. II is the sudden thawings and
freezings-the sudden heats. and sudden
colds. which crazy Cosen said would Kill
the devil. which does the winter killing
"A warm spell which has started the sap.
followed 10y a wave Of cold which freezes
with jerk. Is what i TO be feared. When
the ground around the trees is once frozen.
If It can be Kept frozen thusughout the
winter 20 that no sap can get into the trunk
OF top Of the tree. excepting such as nature
left there in the fall for the sustenance of
L, life during The freezing weather. winter
killing would be of rare occurrence The
ri>k. then j. increased or lessened by the
difference between the thawing on the
North and South side OF hill during
warm spell Again the greater hca, in
early autumn upon a southern slone. with
Young trees. i liable to induce late and
unrpencd growth of wood. The new
shoots do not become fully matured TO
withstand severe cold. and OF course. are
killed back. Upon the opposite side the
growth being slower, because the heat j.
les. such risk is avoidedj
Those who have made practical tests say
that trees upon southern slope. by mulch
M d1cr the ground is frozen SO as TO keen
II frozen during the changes incident TO
winter and early sprlng-the protection j.
ample twen'y-iour winters in TWENTY-FIVE.
For MCLcH-which Webster defines. to
be ''half-rotten straw"-we prefer Isl
Rockwell; u. Tan-hark: 30. Sawdust
4th, Litter, for northern slope: but for
southern, saw lust. in lieu OF rockweed
just IN proportion a. the value and uses Of
mslching become better known. viii the
losses. by loose bark, dead limbs. black
heart or frozen fruit buds. be diminished.
50 much Tor sol and situation A farm
destitute Of both, without a spot where a
few choice trees could be grown. could be Il
be disposed Of by getting the Collector to
take il for taxes"
PREPARATION OF The SOIL
Now comes the practical part, that which
calls for labor and money, and where, wha,
is most advantageous, is very desirable 10
be known.
For with the best preparation. one nav
safely calculate on having apples in from
Two TO four years from the trans planting.
and in ten years to see his trees in full
bearing, while such as prefer TO stick their
trees into mere holes and leave them "a
rough it," must clay in" good stock o,
patience TO supply them, during the twenty
years their apples are coming.