Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-08-03
Where to Plant Fruit Trees.

many trees planted IN rows on the SlueS
of farms aud in gardens and lawns.
This year there is a good crop of fruit
on the trees that are outside orchards,
but scarcely any cherries on the trees
that are in the large orchards. In the
orchards most of the fruit Is found on
the trees in the outside rows. A like
state of things existed last year. Trees
that stood by themselves were loaded
with fine fruit, but those that were in
orchards were nearly destitute of any.
The writer of this article, who has
large cherry orchard, has observed that
the trees in an orchard bear we'll while
they are quite small, but generally fail
TO produce good crops as soon as they
become large. Large trees, however,
standing in isolated positions in sepa-
rate rows produce good crops, year at
ter year, notwithstanding there is
failure of fruit in orchards that are well
taken care Of He has also observed
that the trees that are scattered about
the premises remain in good condition
after producing twenty crops of fruit,
while those in the interior of large or
chards die or exhibit marks OF decline.
The observations of others who are in
terested in the growing of cherries are
in harmony with his own. One grower
states that fifty trees standing in sepa-
rate rows or scattered about in con-
venient places will produce more fruit
during series of years than five hum
dred planted in an orchard. Most have
noticed that the fruit on solitary trees Is
larger and fairer than that on trees
standing IN an orchard and that it
Iipens earlier. Beyond question the
best way to secure supply of cherries
is to plant the trees in separate rows or
TO scatter them about. s. =
The famous old pear trees. planted
oy the early French and English settlers.
of which we hear. so much, do not stand
in orchards. They generally occupy
solitary positions or are members of
small groups. In all the seaboard States
vigorous apple tDees may be found that
have produced crops for century and
are still productive. They are not in
orchards, however, but along the sides
of roads, in door-yards, or in solitary
positions on old estates. Few trees re-
main in orchards that were planted dur
ing or before the revolution. These few
are in outside rows, where they received
the most benefit from free air and sun
shine. Large orchards of pear trees are
seldom, if ever, profitable. The trees
NAV be vigorous and apparently hardy
while quite small, ut which time they
are tolerably productive. They do not
retain their vigor, however. They are
afflicted with all manner of diseases
about the time they should begin to pro-
duce large crops. The most healthy and
productive pear trees stand in gardens
or In places remote from collections of
similar trees. Persons are often tempted
to set out large orchards of pear trees
because they see trees in village or city
gardens doing so finely. They are gen
eraliy unsuccessful in their efforts to
raise pears, and often fail to raise trees.
A horticultural crank who lived in this
State long time observing that pear
trees did well in towns and very poorly
in orchards on farms in the same v,cinl-
5ty, attributed the success of the urban
trees to the prevalence of the smoke of
soft coal which pervaded the towns, but
which did not extend to the adjoining
country. Excellent pear trees are found
in village gardens in all the Eastern
States, where the use of soft coal is en-
tirely unknown. There is no evidences
that smoke is beneficial to any kind of q
tree, but abundant evidence that lsola-
ton is highly beneficial in promoting
yjgor and productiveness.
There is no good reason for planting
fruit trees in an orchard. 1t may be
more easy to cultivate them there and
to protect them from animals, but the
advantage is slight. Land covered by
trees is of scarcely any value for any
other purpose A little grass may be
raised. but it will hardly ever be worth
cutting. A row of fruit trees can be Sc,
70 o., of fapep and he pu9-
tivated with little difficulty. The trees
will occupy no more land than they will
IN any other position. The trees that c N
be set on two sides of Il 100 acre farm
would constitute large orchard If they
were planted out in the usual manner.
If desirable, q row of fruit trees can he
planted by the side of a division fence
that is to be permanent. Considerable
has been written on the advisability OF
using living posts for wire fences. If
trees are employed for supporting wires
they should be of enduring wood. APP.
pie tree wood is very firm and lasting.
A staple would not be likely to be DRAWN
out of it. Fruit trees can be planted to
excellent advantage between the outer
fence and the public road. That strip
of land belongs to the owner of the adj
jacent farm, aud can be used By him for
any purpose that does not interfere with
travel on the road. He may plant trees
on it or employ it for raising grass or
annual crops. The product OF whatever
he plants there belongs to him. This
strip of ground is admirably adap,ed for
raising trees. 1t has a ditch on one
side which affords good drainage. The
trees can be taken to the places where
they are wanted over the road, as can
fertilizers and water if they are required.
If stock do not run at large in the neigh
borhood the trees will require no pro-
lection against them. If they are al
lowed in the streets the trees can be
easily protected by means of stakes and
boards Ii late varieties of apples are
planted the trees will not be in danger
of being robbed.
The banks of ravines and the sides of
small streams are excellent places for
planting fruit trees. The soil is well
drained and is of very little value for
raising ordinary crops. Il can not be
4 Al l.. l.