Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-06-08
Farm and Garden.

perfect tree can be raised from planting
the seed on level land, with soil of equal
fertility all around it, because trees, like
most other things, lean to the source
from whence they derive their nourish-
ment. In exposed situations, trees lean
from the prevailing winds of the coun-
try, and should have more nourish.
ment applied to the roots next to the
prevailing winds to counteract their in.
tluencc.
The reason why tree bends to pile
of manure on one side of it is that it
makes wood faster on that side, and the
heart of the tree is soon nearer one side
than the other. 1t is notorious fact
that all timber springs from the heart,
as all hewers know, and when one side
gets thicker and stronger than the
other, it bends the tree toward the
thick side. Trees attain size faster
without trimming than with. And
have never been able to discover any
advantage in pruning fruit trees, ex-
cept sometimes when forks occur
low down, and if allowed to grow
would split apart and ruin the tree.
Persons wishing to set out orchards
had better set out trees at one year
old than wait for them to get slim in
the nursery; they are checked less
by removal, and will become profitable
sooner.
1t has been thought that fruit trees
ought to be six or eight feet high with
out a limb !; but experience has salts.
fed me that it is better to let young
trees branch as low as they will. A
person can gather twice as much fruit
standing on the ground as he can
creeping about on a ladder twenty feet
long. A short body is able to sustain
more fruit than long one Of the same
size. Besides, low limbs prevent the
formation of a sod under the tree. All
young trees should be manured and
cultivated as carefully as vegetables.
The Process Of Grqtting and Budding.-
Numerous correspondents have re-
quested information on this subject,
and we have thought simple descrip-
ton of the processes might aid begin
ners in learning the art. Grating is
performed by saving off the stock to be
grated Splitting it down about an
inch, and holding it open with
wedge on one side, the scion containing
two buds is sharpened into a thin
wedge, and inserted so that the cam
blum or inner bark of the graft
will just meet and lie along that
of the stock. Sometimes, to insure this
meeting at some points the graft is
slightly turned from the true line.
When finished, cover all with grating
WAX. This should be done in the
spring, before the sap starts freely.
Budding is performed by splitting the
bark of the stock, about an inch in
length, making cross cut at the top
to enable you to carefully raise the
bark, to place the bud; cut out the bud
to be inserted, carefully taking out all
the wood without injuring the root of
the bud. Cut off the top square, leav-
ing the bottom tapering insert this 80
the square end of the bud will just fit
the square cut in the stock press the
bark up to the bud, and tie carefully
with bast, or soft yarn, leaving the bud
free. This must be performed about
the time the fruit tree to be budded
has formed its terminal bud.- Western
Rwal.
CuItivating.-An orchard needs to be
kept plowed, and thoroughly cult
waited, in order to produce the best re.
suits, and during the first few years
after planting some crop may be
raised between the rows; potatoes or
carrots are good crops for young Or
cnard.
Mulching.-Too much cannot be said
about properly mulching young trees,
especially the first season after they are
set it saves a great deal of work in de-
stroying weeds, and during dry season
will often prevent trees dying.
Nwsery Irees.-Those budded or
grated last summer will be disposed to
throw out suckers from the stock.
These should be rubbed off, and not be
allowed to get large enough to require
cutting.
,Sseds.--Plant all seeds as soon as pos
sible. and keep the beds free from weeds.
Young seedlings should be shaded az
soon as up, taking care to use some
kind of shelter that will allow a free
circulation of air around tho plants :;
a screen of lath is much used by nur-
serymen.
I,Sects.-War must still be kept up
against all injurious insects, plans for
destroying which have been given here
toiore.
Cuta0orms.-A tablespoonful of salt
peter dissolved in pail of water, is
said to be death dose to cutworms.
Sprinkle around the plant every even
ing little of the wash, until it is strong
and out of danger.
TO Destroy Bugs.-The best method of
destroying bugs is to wash the wood.
work infected by these vermin with a
solution of carbolic acid in water, the
strength of five parts of acid to one
hundred of water. The insects are at
once killed by the solution, which also
acts as disinfectant.
| .Mulching Fruit Trees.-" Mulching" is
scattering straw. leaves, or any rubbish
or scrapings over the surface of the
ground, and so thickly that the soil
under the mulching is always moist,
and never dries or cakes. If nearly ali
kinds of fruit trees were mulched just
after wet spell, when the ground is
saturated with water, the ground would
probably remain in good condition all
through long drought.
Warm Water for Plants-A Vermont
family had last winter about one hun
dred plants in the house, and usually
gave them warm water, and very fire.
quently water that was much too warm
for the hand. Some at or near the
boiling point was poured into the
saucers of the pots just on the sides.
J. 1