Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-05-17
FARM1HINTS FORr MAY.
A Backward sssson-what Is Best TO b,
WDone;-:Pruning FruitmTrses = Peach
and Pear Culture.


specially prsuared for the RvERs EvHsIN0 ard
ETATH JOURNAL.
The work OF April on the Peninsula IL
necessarily carried over, ths year, 10
Msy-alwaya buay mcnth-zthis year
doubly 70.
Much corn remains implanted, which
work must now soon be done or there
will be a meager prospect for bountiful
harvest especially on thin land. Rich
ground will push forward the growing
crop even when late planted so as 10
bring remunerative returns 10 the lab
orer. BIT poor land must be planted
early 10 get the benefit Of nearly spring
and summer rains, or eleelthed dry weather
Of July will check Its growth and cause
a failure. Most OF the failures OF the
corn crops which have noticed have been
caused by late planting, on poor land.
1T will greatly expedite the coming up
OF corn plantid two weeks ago TO pass
short toethed harrow over the ground
new packed by heavy rains. And II will
also cause Il 10 grow much more rap-
idly when up. The teeth should not be
long tnongh TO disturb the root Some
farmers use-a brush instead Of a harrow,
both for corn and potatoes.
As soon as the corn can be seen In the
rows tablespoonful Of gypsum, (sul-
phate oflime) land piaster, will accom-
pllsh wonders on poor land. A half a
hushel 10 the acre Ia abundant. II being
such powerful absorbent Of the ammo
nlacal ard nitrous gases floating In the
air, especially at this season In the year,
| liberated from decaying animal and vege-
table substances In the soil, II seiKes them
In their fugitive state and holds them
near the roots Of the young corn plant to
be appropriated when needed. It also
ahsorhs and retains moisture for the use
Of the plant In dry weather.
As soon as your corn Is in The ground
look 70 your orchards peach aud pear,
which have been planted this spring OF
,ast fall. Your root pruning was done
Of course when the trees were set, now
they begin to leaf out, pinch or rub of
every bud that ought not to grow, and
clip the ends Of gourmand branches
which consume too much OF the SAP nj
the tree for It's harmonious develop
ment. This pinchlng of leaf, buds ave
clipping cratic branches NAV be don,
during this and the next month. But The
earlier Il is done the less sap Is wastct
aud the greater will be the growth Of thu
tree early in the season. very impor
taut item, as II gives the summers growtl
time to harden before the autumn frosts
and thus prevents blight. Pear trees re
Gently set, should lose as much or NOR
top than root when transplanted or els
they will not make healthy growth.
One wear old dwarfs or standard
should be cut down to within twelve o
eighteen inches of the ground, and thei
YOU have the branches formed With
reach, aud GU can form the top at will
and you get earlier and better fruit, les
exposed to the winds, which are 80 liabl
to injure tall fruit trees.
Pruue severely If you wish larg
amount of fruit. Never allow over twelv
inches Of last years growth TO remain M
less II be on some branches 10 equaliz
the tree. If you cut back to lively
{ inches, the fruit spurs will be that dii
lance apart, only. II you allow three fe'
OF growth TO remain the fruit will be thr'
a feet apart, besides The tree will be slepd,
and eau butt lily support the weight this
will grow on the long and slend'
7 brhnces, whereas when the last growth
$ cut back the branches will be hard, stron
e and capable Of sustaining the weight In
posed upon them and the tree will wit
root pruning which should not be dol
q TIL fall bear from FIVE TO eight years ca
. ller than If allowed TO grow witho
/. pruning. / know, pear orchards Thu
II have been planted six years which ha'
y only Just begun to be remuneralive, al
y others VI the same dwarf variety Of pea
- that Melted over $500 to the acre Il
fourth year from planting. And Ire
. that have a BALI basket each the secol
1t year.
IN The difference in the time of fruitil
was In the cultivation and In the prunln
The orchard that was six years iu frultii
n was cropped between the rows wi
ID rsspberries, blackberries and slra wberriI
/ which consumed the elements of the 81
: necessary TO the rapid development
= frrit buds then the growth Of wood W
Al not checked by cutting back, but allow
0. TO extend In long slender, naked, want
n- branches. This rule Is sure. II a pc
a tree is allowed to run TO wood II will
III long In fruiting in amy abundance. 1T
On growth of wood 10 checked by rutti
bach, and loot pruning, fruit spurs will
early formed.
OF The fruit of both pear and peach tr,
ce 10 greatly, improved in size aud quaint
by shortening In fIom one half TO I
thirds, as a rule, the previous seaso
ell grow tn. And this shortening in should
cd attended to heiore the tree makes MI
=, growth In the spring.
Corn, potatoes, beans and root er'
es may be grown between rows of peac
nd pears, apples or ounces without seri'
lac injury TO the growing trees, but
- cereals that abstract much phosphor
from the soil, as wheat, oats or bari
oil Nor should a sod he allowed 10 be form
Clover or buckwheat may be sown Q
., substitute for mulching or a dressinl
te phosphate provided the crop is tur
for under when In blossom. It makes
cheapest manure Tor trees.