Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-01-05
Starting Apple Orchards.

THE value OF generous supply OF good
apples in the family is beginning to be
understood by almost every one; yet there
l are many farmers and rural residents still
without an orchard. The securing of
other necessities has caused a delay in
planting fruit trees. With thousands
every year the period arrives to make The
beginning; and until then but little
thought is given 10 the location Of an
orchard or to the varieties best ada pted to
the climate. Generally the first question
10 be considered is the selection of the
location. With many there is but little
choice in tie situation. If the chief OBJ
ject is the supply of fruit for the family
the convenience of access will constitute
an important element in the solution of
the question. All such persons will de
sire to have the planting done near the
dwelling-house. But even here the most
elevated site should be preferred, as ele-
walton is often a condition that secures a
crop against the effects of late spring
frosts, and besides the trees will aid in pro
tecting the building from rude blasts, and
the foliage will also afford a pleasing
background to the rural landscape. Where
more extensive orcharding is contem-
plated, with view to send the fruit to
location can be made, more remote from
the dwelling, convenience must sometimes
yield to considerations of profit. For it is
| well known that valleys are colder than
hills, and few feet elevation will some
times secure crop when in the valleys it
would be entirely cut off, As you APP
proach the more southern attitudes this
danger from frost increases. Another inn
portant consideration in favor of a more
elevated situation tor an orchard Is, par
| ticularly where a rich soil prevails, that
on the elevated grounds, beside having the
advantage Of throwing of the excess OF
water from the surface, the soil is general
" more porous and dry and favors a more
healthy growth than the valleys or fat
lands III the soil is not naturally porous
and dry understanding is indispensably
necessary to insure profitable crops. After
the most favorable location has been
chosen the next most important step to be
ken is in the preparation of the soil for
a ,ple trees.
Ii the ground is sufficiently dry without
I iderdraining it should be deeply trench
! owed and the soil thoroughly pulverized.
the land is not rich it should be ma
nured and the manure thoroughly incor-
porated with the soil: as fresh manure
should never come in contact in any con-
siderable quantity, with the roots of new
IMPLANTED trees. Rich earth from the
woods or from the fence corners, where
| the ground requires enriching, is best to
| be placed around the roots OF trees Large
holes should be dug and filed in with the
rich earth some time before planting, 50
that the rains may settle it, and that the
trees when established shall stand no
deeper in the ground than they did in the
nursery. Great injury is often done by
planting trees too deep, The roots re-
suire a certain degree of heat and air 10
thrive well, and too deep planting de
prives them of these essentials. If an
orchard is 10 be planted in the spring If is
best TO put the ground in order in the
fall, because the soil will be improved by
4 the action of the frost, and there is no time