Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-05-11
GBy our Agricultural Editor
Care of Orchards.

Evorv farmer whose lands are adapted
10 The growth and perfection of the apple
should have an orchard. This fruit sup
plies an important part in the culinary
department of our households; 1t is plesa-
ami healthful and excellent article of diet,
in its various forms, and one to which
having been adictited for many years, we
should be exceedingly unwilling to do
without.
The early settlers of this part of the State,
planted orchards quite extensively, and
there are many trees yet to be seen that
stand as monuments of the wisdom, and
torethought of our fathers, and still bear
fruit that refers Enthusiastically to the
Golden time" We should spare these
venerable trees; they are links in the chain
connecting past generations with the
present, and with suitable treatment and
culture may do good service yet, for
long time TO come.
Orchards are apt to be neglected. After
being planted they are left too much to|
themselves, unframed, uncared for. An
orchard in this condition may bear fruit
but the yield will be inferior both IN guam
tity, as a natural consequence. In pass
ing through the country we observe Or
chards in every condition, from one well
taken care Of, thrifty and fruitful, to the
other that truthfully resembles the vine
yard ofthe slothful, with the stone wall
broken down and the tender vine trampled
under foot by wild beasts.
Orchards should be in enclosures by
themselves. They should not be subjected
to the pruning and defacing propensities
Of unruly stock, these indeed have zeal
enough but not according to knowledge,
and many valuable trees are ruined in
this way.
The ground may be cultivated to good
advantage, if the soil is Of the right de-
scripton, and the trees are sufficient dis
lance apart, otherwise the orchard can
be much improved by frequent top dress
ings, with those fertilizers best adapted to
the nature Of the trees, such as compost of
muck and manure, leafy mould ashes,
lime, etc. The land should be dry if not
natural, it should be drained, as this is
important and essential. Sufficient at
attention is not paid to pruning. Where
this is practiced, but small portion of
the top will need to be removed at one
time. If tree Of vigorous growth is al
lowed to go unpruned, the fruit will be
small and inferior. We ofton notice with
tops so dense that person could with
difficulty get into them, and others with
the trunks surrounded with large mass
Of suckers and sprouts
These should be cut away-better still,
never allowed to grow, as they detract
very much from the nourishment that
should go to sustain the tree, and are use
sizes in themselves. The top should be
pruned SO as to present an open, yet sym
etrical appearance; air and sunshine are
necessary to the perfection Of the fruit.
All dead and decaying branches should be
cut out, and one of those that intersect
and injury each other, by abrasion.
Where limbs of large size are taken of, it
is we'll to cover the wounds so made, by
grating wax, or some such preparation,
to keep from the action of the weather.
The tops of old trees can often be renewed
by cutting out the old wood, and letting
a new growth take its place, and by this
method valuable trees can be saved for
future usefulness.
We would not advise the almost entire
denuding of the lower branches, leaving
only the small limbs at the ends; these
should be more evenly distributed through
the top, and not as otherwise transform
the tree into second or third story form
without form or beauty. Where the land
is not in cultivation, the limbs can be left |
Il little lower down on the body of the
tree, and thereby assist in protecting the
same from cold winds and scorching heat.
Care should be exercised in pruning, not
to injury the tree unnecessarily. A sharp
line saw and knife, are the tools to prune
with, not an axe. Pruning. where only
small limbs and shoots are removed, can
be performed at almost any time, but it is
practiced mostly in Spring.
1t is said that pruning early in the sea-
son will tend to the increased growth of
wood, and later to that of fruit. Shoots |
will start out quiet freely during the
summer, especially from trees that have
been pruned, and these should not be
suffered to grow.
1t Is a good idea to scrape trees in
spring, remove the rough, dead bark and
moss from trunk and branches, and apply
wash of strong soap-suds. This will
give the trees better, healthier appear
ance, and serve in a measure to DESTROY
the eggs and larva of insects. A good
lookout will also be necessary to destroy
the tent caterpillar, as soon as it makes |
appearance, which is generally quite
early. Taken in season these pests are
easily got rid of by passing through the
orchards frequently and removing the web,
not allowing them to spread over the tree.
Another species of worm smaller than
the one just spoken Of, has for few years
past made It's appearance little later in
the season
These are worse in their ravages than
the first, trailing their web quickly along
The branches, generally commencing at
the ends, destroying the leaves, spelling
the fruit and giving to the tree the APP
pearance of having been through the fire.
Keep watch for the first appearance of
eggs or worms, and destroy them at once,
or in little time they will get start,
That it will be difficult to check.
To keep an orchard in fine, bearing
condition, will require some labor and
some care, but it is time well expended.
and brings with 1t pleasant reward. T.