Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-09-03

not seemingly affected, bearing like the other
trees and growing no more thrifty. The
svil has fair share OF clay, and is moderately
rich. 1t also has depth into which the
roots extend. Whether manure or grass or
grain whether the soil is cult ated or not
| 1t is all the same. 1 have this experience
in an orchard of which had the care for
many years. And the best apple orchard
ever knew was in such soil, kept continually
in grass as hog pasture. Part of it was put
| in corn and potatoes, followed by grain,
without any change in the product. The
roots were well down, the soil we'll drained.
have known on our shallow hill soil,
| where the ground is poor, and the roots lie
| near the surface, a moderate growth of tree,
| with frequently a numerous yield, but OF
comparatively small, yet sound and highly
| favored fruit, both where grain and grass
| were grown hoed crops seemed more favora-
BILE, though have seen good success where
grass alone has been grown and for many
years. But in all cases have found that
pruning is of more Importance than atten-
| ton to the soil. 1t improves the thrift OF
the tree, aud gives larger and handsome fruit,
and an equal If not superior quantity. Give
air and sun chance-mOre particularly to
rIpen and perfect the fruit. With the prun-
neglected, may be brought up to a fine,
! profitable condition but 1t generally takes
several years to do it fully, though the bene-
fit becomes apparent at once.
Ii the sui is strong enough to grow but
a moderately sized tree-and it must be a
poor soil IN Iced that will not do this-prun-
ing, it it has been neglected, will give a new
as ect to the tree, and change almost entirely
the character of the fruit. There v ill not be
the bitter taste, the green immature color
(unless the characteristic hue), nor the
snrunken, rusty appearance there will be,
most Of ali, an improvement in size. Add
this can be secured on any soil that is
capable OF growing trees, whatever the condi-
tluD OF the land.
" S ,all we then grow an orchard any
where Sh Ill we not Look to the condition
and nature Of the soil | answer that az
orchard may be grown success 'uly in any
SOIL that Is We'll drained and not natural y
5 teriie, the elm .te ad hitting BIZ it Will
do much better in some soils ana localities
than 10 others. Though much may be
known beforehand test must he the final
thing to decide | have found the highest
attarnments in deep, well drained, moder
ttel y rlcn soil the trees well selected and
well taken care of-wnether in valley or
more exposed situation. The latter, on the
whole, | think most favorable. But dep
drainage cannot be dispensed with If the
highest results are To be obtained.
- Tue question may be asked by those VIII"
nave quite moderate growth OF trees 90
poor swallow soil. Stall keep my orchard
III permanent grass, OF shall cultivate aud
manure 1t? What shall do with it ? The
answer is: FIRST of all prune and give all
The necessary attention to the trees If they
nave been neglected If not satisfactory
Cnen cultivate and enrich the land. II this
Is an improvement, pr Ii abe one, paying
more than the trouble and expense, contInur
It ii not, 60 back to the Clean, grassy sur
ace again {; thIcken the sod by the necess .ry
fertilizers, and give uuremltti attention /,
| TIE tree-. Probably, all things considered,
the grass crop included, the pleasure green
turf affords, and the absence of worry IN
cultivAtlng al orchard, the advantage will be
IN iayo. OF the sod. 10 a deep soil there lie
no question at all of this"