Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-03-13

failing rapidly aud the general inference was
that in few years more the orchard that
used to bear us over 1000 bushels Of apples
year, would afford us but small part Of
that amount. The succeeding fall planted
a nursery from seed taken from our native
fruit, and thinking the first step to be taken
was the most important one to warrant sue
cess, thought to prepare my ground for the
reception of trees that intended to graft in
due time, which did do on the first Of May,
1861. At the time referred to Of planting
nursery, ! selected plat Of ground, Of
good soil, easily to be enclosed, which tho.
oughly did with stone wall. then "a.
nurcd heavily and plovel the ground deep,
aud having no other instructor except my own
weak judgment, | thought it necessary to
thoroughly stir the soil to a proper depth,
that the roots of my trees might have no rca-
son to complain Of the quality or the amount
Of food as a prerequisite to rapid and
thrifty growth planted potatoes on said
ground for two successive seasons for the pur-
pose Of thoroughly pulyerizing and subduiug
the soil previous to setting trees. In the
year SOB, my trees having two years growth
from grating transplanted them into the
plat Of ground referred to, but in doing This
| made one mistake had been informe uy
friends in our town, who had experimental
somewhat in fruit trees brought from New
York and other parts Of the country, tina,
their success was poor, and not more than half
Of the trees would live more than five or six
years; aud | thought if such was the case,
my trees might be set pretty near together,
and so | set them but Is feet apart, thinking
perhaps one half would die in few years,
and not knowing positively but they might be
systematic in dying, as well as in living, and
thus every other tree for my benefit would
die, leaving the remaining ones ones 30 feet
apart But in this, as in many things that
are common to life, have been very much
disappointed mot unhappily so however, ioI
out Of the log trees on the ground referred
to, only or I are now dead, and the remain
ing ones, like the Paddy's Bible, spake foi
themselves.
BY the way, when my trees were grated
they were all grated in the root, way
would highly recommend thus, in trans
planting my plan was, mot to bury for somt
future ressurection,) but to set deep enough
so that the lower part Of the scion, say al
much as was covered with the waxed cloths
should be beneath the surface of the sod, thu
causing roots and 6bers to grow out from The
scion itself giving more substantial support
to the growing tree a. well as a stronger war
rant TO its future success. When trans
planted my trees my plan was to cut or shor
ten the main top Of the tree to a proper
height for two reasons lst, that nigh
fashion my tree to my own fancy and liking
and I'd, that might not overtax the root O
the tree as you are all aware that by trans.
planting you very much retard its growtl
the first year was particularly careful il
the outset to cut very smoothly every thorr
or Objectionable branch from the tree, aud il
three years time all such scars as are made
by smoothly and carefully pruning we're un
noticeable, and left as smooth as a lady.
hand
kept my ground cultivated for several
years, until it became quite difficult to work
the soil longer on account Of branches inter.
lering. Then stocked the ground, but con.
, tinued to keep the soil loose by use of tn,
hoe around each tree, and the grass aud weed,
subdued on circle of about three or ioul
feet in diameter. Since seeding my ground
have made no application of manures, except
eached ashes, which in my opinion is one OIL
the best fertilizers that can be applied tC
young trees, though not to dispense with 9th.
or kinds by any means. But let me caution
, all who are interested not to initiate the ex
ample of many that have come under you
observation, by heapiug ashes or manures o
auy kind around the trunk of your trees, but
5 rather than do this, throw them all over tn,
fence on the upper side of the nursery, fo
then they might stand chance to get som,
l. wash by which to be benefited Common
sense will teach all, that are leachable, tina
8 the roots Of your trees will extend over a
y much or more surface as the top, and, also
i that the young 6bers are the recipients o
D nourishment that they drink in through tn,
/ soil and that tbnco Ekaru Fund /,
: abundance at the extremity of the roots
IL while very few are found near the trunk o
the tree. Now if my advice is worth any
e thing, would advise to spread your manure,
il and plenty Of them, broadcast over sur
!. face as large or even larger than you thin
o the roots have already extended, and whe
c your trees have reached the age of six o
| eight years from graft, if you pillow at all
., pillow shallow, that the young and thrift
e roots be not disturbed
l. From the time OF setting my nursery unit
s. now, have taken the utmost pains to remoy
% every young shoot that starts where it is no
l. needed, being careful to keep the centre o
Il the tree open as with me there is great oh
o lection to tree becoming full-topped in tn
centre. The best time to remove young shoot
e is when they first make their appearance, b.
n rubbing them off with thumb and finger, whic
IS is very easily done, II not neglected too long
e and if 50, cut smoothly with sharp knife tina
there be no scar to tell Of you in future years
e Every man that has nursery should make
e point every time he passes through his nur
!, sery, which should be often, to be on the look
h out for these young ntruders, and give then
l. a hearty pinch, or a hard rub, bidding then
! depart in peace or in pieces. 1t has beer
o my custom to wash my trees every spring
u very thoroughly with strong soap-suds, addin
e two quarts of water to one Of soap and wit
~ 90 turn ,oa.a N na.lo.t G.,