The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1877-04-19
Farm, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Changing the Hs.r,aa Year ,or Orchard.

Farm, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Changing the Hearing Year ,of Orchards.
Last year apples were 30 abundant
that, IN some localities, they would not
pay for handling, aHd large quantities
were left 10 decay where they fell. In
view Of the fact that a year Ut excess and
low prices, is followed 10y one of scarcity
and high prices, inquiries have come 10
us IN such numbers, as show that many
are considering the practicAbihly OF
changing this state of affairs. II is an
encouraging sign that farmers are IN
duced 10 think about their orchard at
all, for as a general thing there Is no
part Of their belongings - neglected AS
tins. Trees are set but il is looked upon
rather us waste Of land, 30 the orchard
must be cropped, and while no other
part Of the farm rs expected - DO il,
that occupied by the orchard must yield
two crops. The cause OF all trouble
with fruit trees, whether Of failure alto
gether, or occasional excessive bearing,
and the rest, may be- summed up ia one
word - neglect We now c0ntine
our remarks 10 the present trouble, and
10 answering the various inquiries about
alternate bearing. The apple tree left
10 itself. will generally bear such an
abundant crop that IL requires another
year, and sometimes longer, 10 recuper-
ate, and accumulate sufficient nutrimeut
10 form buds and nuurish another crop.
This tendency rs very marked IN some
leading varieties, ana as il has been GO
ing on for many years, the habit has be
come dXed, and when we propagate
these varieties, the young trees start with
that as one 81 their peculIaritles, in
which they have been educated, ~ to
speak IL Is well known that this ten
dency is much more marked IN some
varieties than III others, aud while some
naturally fall into alternate bearing,
others resist ID, and will, II they have
fair chance, give IA crop 81 fruit every
year This ls character 10 which little
attention has been gwen by our promo
logists they state If a tree comes into
bearing early-Or II il is al abundant or
shy bearer but It's tendency 10 annual
or biennial bearing Is rarely recorded,
while 10 ls one Of the most important
qualities. Naritcs that naturally bear
annually, may be converted into biennial
bearers by starvation /: planted, as they
often are on poor soil, aud robbed Of their
uutriment by another crop, trees cannot
get food enough to enable them 10 carry
even a small crop every year, and they
are forced into alternate bearing. The
practical question is, how can trees that
now bear excessively one year and moth
ing the next be made 10 bear moderately
every year So far as the alternate bear
ing Is due 10 the poverty Of the soil, the
remedy is evident, and 10 doubt would
be, with many varieties, sufficient -
AgricuifIrisL
Questions and Answers.
How long a time is required 70 make
a good hay crop Of Hungarian grass?
Farmers generally make a mistake in
seeding too soon; IL needs but seventy
days Of good weather 10 make u satbiac-
tory crop Of hay.
How about top dressing grass lands
this month
better time may not be chosen Use
all the barnyAri manure that can be
spared. Put goodly supply of ashes
on moving and pasture lands +; try bone
dust on clover fields, and later apply
plaster When bare, thin spots show
themselves, after applying ashes and
other dressing, harrow and reseed them.
Wha, Is the disease dcnominated
yaws 2"
Geo. +. Bunhan Saws u II nothing
more nor less than n violent attack 81
"ruup." % which has been given this
novel name. Nurse the fowls affected
the same rs for " roup and they can be
saved.
What food should he given 10 lambs
that have 20 be raised by hand
Fresh cows milk. sweeiened a little
with the best refined sugar. teaspoon
ful 10 a pint Of milk. The milk must be
warmed to the proper temperature before
feeding.
What is phosphoric acid?
Phosphoric acid is n compound Of
phosphorus and oxygen. IL isuot found
in a free state in nature. II unites with
other substances-lme soda. etc.-and
forms compounds known as phosphates.
which are found in all fertiia soils, and
which seem 20 be necessary FOR the
growth Of plants.
How much does a bushel Of lucern
seed weigh ?"
Sixty pounds.
Does il make any difference whether
an orchard is planted on high OF low
ground?
Dry upland is much the best, though
the more handy fruit trees DO well on low
land.
Give n recipe for making grating wax.
Three parts Of rosin, three Of bees
wax and two Of tallow make a good wax
What soil is required for growing
celery?
Any good loamy rich soil viii grow
celery.
Why is snow called the poor mans
fertilizer?
Because Of the ammonia il brings
down and holds in the ground.
Root Pruning
never had much faith in pruning the
roots Of trees 10 make them bear fruit.
1t appears 20 me that the more extensive
the roots, the more fruit the trees ought
To bear but / may he mistaken. An
English fruit grower says in an English
paper that having some very free grow
mo rlun, 4roeg which hnrts no fruit ha