The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-14

the tree. Sometimes, tree apparently
has more fruit at the top, than on the
lower limbs, but this is owing to causes
which must suggest themselves to every
observing person Of course, the lower
limbs are subject to depredations oil every
sort, both from man and beast. In adj
dition to this, an apple falling from the |
top will, in its passage to the ground,
knock off half dozen others; and the
higher the tree, the greater the loss; SO,
the more tree is trimmed down the better
it is. Limbs, with view to this sort OF
destruction, should be arranged by the
trimmer so as to prevent it. The fact
that the lower limbs always bear more
than the upper harmonizes with our own
experience We can remember trees and
have one in our eye at present, which
bears more apples on one limb very near
the ground than the remainder of the tree
does
The only objection which can be raised
to this system, is that the crops of grass is
not So large, or accessible, as it would be
under more elevated limbs. Cultivating
orchards in crops of various kinds is prac-
ticed by some farmers of great experience,
while others differ from them on this subject.
We have never been able to see the advan-
tage of cultivating an apple orchard in
anything but grass. 1t is impossible to
use a pillow in an orchard without detri-
ment to the trees. Even if the pillow is
pressed out of the ground before it comes
near the tree and no damage is done the
roots, still the traces and swingle-trees arc
apt to bark the tree, besides other things
which may occur prejudicial to them. Ole
, apple trees are sometimes neglected and
> given up as useless, which by proper pre-.
caution and judicious attention would beal
pro6tably. T
, The roots of an old tree become hard
q and do not absorb and appropriate nutri
a ments as rapidly as younger ones. Whe'
the body ceases to grow, the roots do also
and when this is the case, if the groun'
(, about the tree is cultivated, the winds act
a ing on the top of the tree are apt to loosel
the roots in the earth, and when this is tn
case with an old tree, the roots do not re
~ attach themselves to the earth as they d
~ when younger; and here the question con
corning the value of the tap-root arise
! % for settlement as we promised. The tap
/ roots, PROFESSIONALLY, does more toward
70 keeping the tree firm in the ground an
10 erect than all the others combined. Or
III strong proof of this is, that trees whic
u are remarkable for the length of their tai
u roots are never uplifted by storms. III
10 black walnut, for instance, has often bee
III broken off above the ground, but the roo
u are never moved. The tap-root fills al
oe other office, quite as valuable as this.
"" is an equalizer to great extent, by CAPT
~ larry attraction of the temperature of t
tree.
'' Sudden freezing on the surface is lessen
e Gu to great extent by this agent. Mostr
:. during drought is distributed in the sal
way, and excessive rains are carried Oft
:, the same agency. Now, if there is
tap-root, the winds and storms will cal
~ the other roots to be moved in the ear
and when this is the case, it does not
M quire much credulity to believe this t
an will decline. Then, if an equilibrium
o'' temperature is induced, and at the sa
W time moisture and the excess of it are b.
~, regulated by this root, its value must
. UNNECESSARILY great.