New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-07
ORCHARD EXPERIENCE.

Mr.. Benton Aldrch, Clifton, Neb not only has
home grounds adorned with what the LncoIR
Journal describes the finest growth and largest
number of native evergreens TO be found In the
State Int thirtv-sx acres in groves in high cult
vatonn and sixty -four acres of apple orchards set
with the thrftlest and best cared for trees there Is
a uniformity III size and shape captivating to the
senseof taste" Beginning with ttty-tour Cooper ;
Early White the 800 bushel crop OF one season soid
on the premises for $262 Winesap bore the fifth
wear: of 900 transplanted at the time only two
died. Ben Davis Is another tavorlte variety ana Oh
1000 trees of these two and Rawle's Janet "only
forty were lost and replaced from all causes;
The trees are all about 20 feet high and being 20
feet apart the limbs begin TO Iuterock. Inc rows
are straight though run by survey Or the ground
Tree of weeds and grass fresn, stirred and mellow.
Twenty feet apart is TOO Close out MI Aldrich nhus
IL paws while the trees are small AS they beglh 10
Gel in each others way, he goes through them anu
prunes the projecting branches OF alternate tTees'
leaving lhe Others full room. Tins process VIII he
continued until half the trees are pTuned entreiy
away, leaving ample space for the remainder. he
finds that trees By this are better protected
when Young from storm and FROST more easily cuItl-
waited and handled, come into bearing earlier, and
are altogether more proutaDie. lie i convinced
that 1t doubles the yield the rSt i've OF SIX years Oi
bearing A., -. :;
cut p by windbreak- into small lots OF one TO five
acres, but Mr.. Aldren's later experience mas con-
WINGED him that ne planted hls breaks with unneces-
sary thickness and frequency, and IN later paintings
he has almost dispensed with Them Ihe last Two
orchards planted are not cut up By rows OF forest
trees and present beautiful appearance, the lines
beng as perfect as corn dropped Dy WelI-nahQIod
check-IOweT. They are surrounded by Usage hedges
and wiudbreaks. Com is cultivated among these
trees West of the house Is an orchard Of several
acreS of different varieties, which has been SUD
iected 10 the use Of hogs and does not compare III
appearancc with the best before alluded 10. On
any other farm, however, they would be regarded
with PRIDE.
Every winter Mr.. Aldrich wraps each small tree
with cloth as protection from rabbits. lie has tired
all other devices but finds this the only reliable
means. The wraps are Of cheap muslin and are
taken off III the spring. The cost Is about one cent
per tree each year. Children 90 the work quite a.
rapidly and as well as grown people. lis wife and
daughters spend much of their time outdoors fem
mine health and strength resulting from TINS sensl-
bic manner of life. II must not be inferred that
hr A. is a visionary the subject OF fruit culture.
be calls himself still student. Nor Is II yet his
main dependence. A fine field of clover, an artin-
cia pond a huge herd of fine hogs and the remark
that be sold about 200 tat each year, is ample
proof that be thoroughly understands the science
OF diversified agriculture"