The Portland daily press., 1872-12-12
TERMS $500 PER ANNUM IN ADVANCE.

the removal of a portion of the blossom buds.
often 1t Is necessary to thin the fruit upon
young trees to prevent injury to the eonsti-
tufion OF the tree by oyer-bearing.
The bearing year Of young trees may be-
changed. Certain va rieties of apple bear on
~ every other year. 1t usually happens that
.hese varieties are in abundance In their
gearing Years and bring low price, and
scarce on alternate years, when they are in
sooo demand at good prices Hence il Is
qo'te an advantage to change the bearing
year OF young orchard from that of a wear
OF Pfehty 10 one of scarcity. This can he
done by removing the blossom binds or b,os-
SONS. The blossoms being removed No
fruit forms and the energies of the tree
which were in readiness for the production of
fruit will be directed to the formation of
fruit buds, for the next season. This change
having been effected, it becomes the Labit of
the tree, greatly to the profit of the owner.
With young trees the removal of the bios
som buds is the work of few moments, and
is easily effected
INFLUENCE OF SOIL ON KEEPING FRUIT.
The character of the soil of the orchard
has an influence upon the keeping of the
frait. Apples grown upon strong soil keep
longer than those grown upon a light soil
This influence of the soil upon the keeping
qualities of fruit should be more generally
considered when deciding upon a location for
an orchard. The best soil for this purpose, is
strong, clayey loan, resting upon a porous
subsoil. Apples produced upon such soil
in this State will possess superior kepine
qualities. Those raised upon light sandy
soils will not keep so well. Neither will
trees in such locations, be so productive.
That trees may be productive it is necessary
that they should have an abundance of roots
IN ricn, strong soil. Trees, in a light, SAIL
oy loan, cannot mature a full cron of an
pies, because there is not usually large sun
ply OF roots; and even if there were. there
Is not at hand q sufficient supply of nutri-
ment TO bring to perfection a large crop of
trult. Fruit that is not well matured leens
poorly. Well-grown fruit keeps the best II
should he the object of the cultivator to pro-
duce the most perfect frut. 1t sells the
best, keeps the best and is the best To ac-
complish this object, it win be found to be
advantageous to thin the fruit upon the
young trees and to take especial care that
both young and old trees are literally sup
piled with all the fertilizing elements which
the wants OF the trees require Trees cam
not continue to produce abundance of Cine
fruit year after year without having those fer
tilizing elements of the soil replaced which
are being continually removed to supply the
wants of the tree.
GATHERING AND KEEPING APPLES.
Fruit should be gathered as soon as mature.
Ripening or mellowing is the first stage of de-
cay, ana frult should be gathered before this
takes place. Early gathering prolongs keen
ing. Apples are often permitted to remain
TOO long upon the tree. Early fruit which is
intended for immediate use NAV with advar-
taSe be permitted TO remain upon the tree
until ripened and mellowed But fruit that
1t is desirable to keep for a time, should be
gathered as soon as mature, and before ripe
ming and mellowing have taken place. How
snail we know when the fruit is mature? One
test IS when the stem parts readily from tie
fruit-spur. But some varieties viii hang on
atter they are matured. A better test Is when
the seed makes slight ruStliDg sound when
shaken; and also another is to open the seed
cavity, and If the seeds are changed to pale
brown, the fruit is suitable for gathering.
After gathering, apples should not te placed
In piles large enough for sweating to take
place, which makes them greasy to Inc touch.
Sweating impairs theiT flavor and causes ear'v
decay: Apples after gathering should / e
placed IN dry, cool, dark apartment, in lay
ers OF not more than eight inches in depth.
Early gathering improves the color of tie
fruit ana its keeping properties: two objects
which are very desirable to be obtained.
CONCLUSION.
Successful apple raising requires good treos,
rich soil, shelter, cultivation, careful pruning.
and early gathering. These are the elemel Is
OF success: Farmers of Maine, avail your
selves OF them.