Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-10-21
For the Oxford Democrat
FRUIT CULTURE.
Number 8.
AFrER PLANTING.

hhAN ANaNN AAANAA NANNo oANSA E@N@-AN-A-e
TO look out for themselves, but not SO
with a prudent fruit grower. He real
izes that his work has but Just begun,
and that he must put on his amor OF
watchfulness and guard against foes seen
and unseen. Seemingly this would absorb
much time, and weariSome amount OF
care; but unless one Is given to prOcras-
tination the task becomes light one and
8 pleasure instead Of care.
The first need Of transplanted trees Is
NULCHNG,
and so closely should it follow planting
that it may very properly be called a part
Of that operation. This Is almost indis-
pensable TO the success Of all trsnsplanted
trees, shrubs and vines, and should be
continued for many years.
This process Is simple and involves but
slight expense. Il consists in spreading
refuse matter 70 the depth Of from four
70 six inches several feet around each tree.
Coarse, strawy manure IS perhaps the
most desirable, but leaves and other &C
eumulated waste about yards and fields
can be pro6tably utilized in this way.
The advantages derived from tins opera
ton are manifold. II keeps down the
growth Of all grass and weeds, and fur
niSheS the stimulants best adapted 70 the
wants Of the tree in the dilutions, grad
ually extracted from It, which penetrate
the soil; and only in this connection with
a tree should manure be used, except in
general application 70 the ground. Prob
ably the most beneficial effect Of all, de-
rived from this process, Is It's retention Of
moisture, which keeps the soil fresh and
mellow while the rest of the ground Is
parched with drought; and, on the other
hand, j: prevents injurious soakings by
deluging showers and storms, and pre-
serves an even degree Of moisture. Thou
sands Of trees, after vigorous and prom
ising growth in the early part Of the
season, perish, OF show signs of prema-
ture decay, in mid summer and autumn
thoughts, when mulching would save
them. Frequent watering VIII not effect
the cure. Watering, as generally per-
formed, IS 50 irregular and injudicious,
and subjects the tree 70 such sudden
changes and extremes, that It is more IN
furious than beneficial Thorough mulch
ing obyiateS all necessity Of watering.
Let no planter Of trees fail TO mulch.
STALKING.
Il sometimes becomes necessary 70 place
a stake beside each tree TO keep it in It's
proper position TIL It's roots take a firm
hold upon the soil. The stake should be
firmly SET and the tree tied to 1t with a
willow or coarse Irvine, with straw or q
piece Of mating placed between to pre-
vent chatting. But well rooted tree
seldom needs this aid except in localities
much exposed to the wind, and In case Of
loose and shallow planting.
CARE OF ORCHARD LAND.
Orchard lands should be plowed for
several years after planting and kept in
a good state Of cultivation. 1t may be
utilized, IN the meanwhile, with vegeta-
bic crops. a successful Maine orchard
Isl told me few years since, that ne had
taken from his orchard, in various crops,
enough in value 10 pay for all its outlay;
and his trees were Just commencing to
bear finely. In order 70 do this one must
be liberal In dressing, and not let the
virtue Of the soil become diminished, nor
interfere with mulching. One should
ever bear in mind that all crops and their
consequent profits must be made subserv-
lent to the interests Of the trees, and let
nothing be introduced into his orchard
that viii deteriOrate their growth. After
few years Of this sort Of cultivation,
some prefer 70 seed their orchards to grass
In this case the mulching circle must not
be moIested, and the surface should be
top dressed enough TO keep It in good
condition. One must not expect 70 have
trees prosper where he cannot raise. a
good crop Of com; and, while forced
growth is not recommended, it Is essen
tial that young trees should make strong
healthy growth, and especially Is it desir-
able that their annual growth should be
made in the early part of the season,
rather than later, that the new, succulent
wood may have time TO npen and harden
before the coming Of frosts, and thus
avoid dying back in the winter
BEARING AGE.
One should not make haste TO have
frait. Though | am well aware that an
early fruitage is the desideratUn of a
majority of tree planters, many Of whom
purchase trees under the impression, some
times founded on imaginative desires, and
not unfrequently on the delusive promises
Of an over anxious seller, of having fruit
in considerable quantity in two or three
years after planting. But il is far better
for the tree TO acquire good substantial
growth and become well developed the
first five or SIX years after planting than
TO bear: for It viii then be able 70 sus-
tain a long life and become an abundant
bearer. The experienced orchardist, who
finds his young trees too forward in bear
ing, viii at once remove most or all OF
the fruit for the future benefit of the
tree. Varieties that come into prolific
bearing very early, are the frst to exhaust
their producing powers. They either
become prematurely barren, or their fruit
degenerates 70 a worthless quality.