The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-10-13
Agricultural Topics.

From a pretty long experience in
planting fruit trees we have come to the
conculusion-and this is not the first
time we have printed it in these col
umns-that two year old fruit trees are
more certain to grow, to assume good |
form, to become vigorous and long
lived than trees twice as old. Indeed,
we have seldom succeeded well with |
trees more than two years old.
Some years ago we went to nursery |
for some two dozen of pear and cherry |
trees, and in the hurry of writing the |
order, not being able to go alter the
trees personally, nothing was said
about the age of them. We only said,
"Send good trees, well-branched." We
never saw more perfect lot of trees,
but they were at least four years old
and some of them nine feet high. They
were planted carefully and cut back
severely, but only moderately at first,
to save them. The spring could have
not been more favorable for transplant
ing, and when the dry whether set in
they were frequently watered, which
doubtless saved the majority. Five OF
the old died We do not remember
losing small tree. We repeat our
conviction, therefore, that one and two
year old trees are better in the end
than those older aud though we may
have to wait sometimes mot always)
longer to get fruit, the trees are far
healthier and more productive and give
more satisfaction.
We may add that several of these
pear trees were pruned within from six
to ten inches of the main stock, resem
bling when done half-closed upturned
hand, and it not only saved them, but
they are at this time in perfect health,
growing finally. All fruit-trees, to af-
ford the best satisfaction, should be of
the age here indicated, and if properly
planted and cared for, will be more
hardy, vigorous and longei lived than
trees Of older stock. The desire some
people have of getting fruit as quickly
as possible is not always realized by
planting older trees and from the very
fact that they may bear earlier, will be
at the expense of the health and growth
of the tree.
WHEAT GROWING.
The success in growing wheat in
Pennsylvania the last few years should
stimulate us to raise greater average
per acre than has been the case in many
portions of the state. We notice that
as much as the average of thirty bush
els has been obtained this year in some
of the western states and we are well
aware that the yield has been increased
this year in Pennsyvania-in some
special instances over forty bushels per
acre have been obtained. OF course
there are various causes influencing sue
cess. That which might be an aid at
one point might be an injury at another.
But there are one or two matters that
wheat growers are apt to forget. The
first is, that as a general thing it is well
understood that manure must be liber-
ally applied to induce good crop but
many persons plow it under, hence, it
is not until the plant has set its roots
deep down into the soil that it derives
much benefit from manure. But if the
manure is so placed that the young
rootlets could push at once into it on
terminating, it would get an early start
on its vital course, whic h would
establish it firmly against any future
drawbacks
In the Sc ,ond place few persons have
any idea of how manure operates il
making roots. If we bury a shovelful
OF manure some distance from thrifty
tree in EARLY spring. and examine il
again the ensuing fall, we find the lump
of dung a complete mass of roots
while the earth in other parts con
tiguous has but few struggling ones
Some people think that the roots ere
attracted to the spot by the manure /;
but it is not so. They are actually
created by the manure. A leading
root sucks into the rich mass, and find
ing plenty to eat, at once sets to work
to increase and multiply. Contact
with the manure, therefore makes roots
and the principle in successful wheat
culture should place the grain and the
food as close together as possible, if we
would encourage it to start. We all
know very well how this is done with
corn. Manuring in the hill is quite 6
universal practice but where it is not
the result is we'll known. We repeat
therefore, give the crops an early start
1t has a wonderful influence in its ef
forts in after life to come out well.
KEEPING APPLES.
AS the time is near at hand when tn,
work of picking and putting up the ap
pile crop for the winter and spring will
have to be attended to, it is well that
the methods preserving this valuable
fruit should be considered. We have
hitherto on frequent occasions dis
cussed them, and pointed out what W.
conceived to be the best method t.
pursue. In brief, we would, therefore
repeat in substance, as follows lst
the apples must be good keepers, fire.,
from bruises or blemish. I'd, the,
must be spread out on shelves or pack
ed in barrels, and kept in an atmosphere
of from forty to fifty degrees, bette
from forty to fifty-five, and at TEN
perature as eauable as possible. Som
cellers are just the thing and preserv
them beautifully. Others are too moist
Where this is the case a few bushels
of stone lime should be used Slidin,
shelves, six incnes apart, latticed bot
tom with single layer of fruit, are ex
tremely convenient, as they allow o
constant examination without disturb
ing the fruit. A friend informed u
some years ago that with large stan
of these shelves in his cellar with
few inches Of lime on the bottom of tn
cellar, he kept his apples into May i
perfect condition and good flavor.
A vault in the cellar, kept closed
but with sona yant;Iot;on Il