New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-17
HARDNESS AND DROUTH.

Trees or plants that are underfed become stUnted
and are neither useful por beautiful. he sooner
they die the better. Those that are OveTfei make a
rank, watery growth, which does not ripen, and is
not III a condition TO resist cold.
A tree OVERLOADED with fruit can neither perfect
the fruit ripen it, wood properly, and IN severe
climate is quite likely to succumb 10 gree OF
cold which under proper treatment II could have
resisted perfectly. II Is safe 10 say that millions OF
trees are annually ruined in this country by over
crops The grape IS very sensitive IN tins reSpect,
If overloaded the fruit VIII not color nor rpen nor
will the wood npen.
There was large bed of the new hydrange pam
icuaa on the lawn the plants were set elose and
was thought that a surface dressing OF manure and
plenty of water wOud assist their Towering, when
takes place late IL the season, and generally wnen
II Is dry This treatment was well enough, hut thcy
got too much OF both manure and water They dld
not ripen eli her roots or tops ana nearly al "ero
dead the following spring, while those IN other
parts of the ground left to themselves were nov
injured in the slightest degree.
Golden arbor vitae proved so liable TO be injured
in winter that the culture with us has been almost
abandoned. FOnr years ago a compile or them
were planted on piece Of rock-work, and these
have escaped the slightest injury, even during ths
last severe winter. They make moderate
growth but il Is healthy; the color Is perfect ana
they seem quito at home. In every other situation
they have failed. 1t is because the roots running
among the rocks free from stagnant moist re &C,
qllre perfect ripeness, "a do tho Whole pl lDts.
believe that by special means OF this sort we nay
do much to increase the hardness of many beautl"
ful trees and plants only bali born.
Much injury is done IN city gardens By the ex.
ces.ive use of water--not ONLY TO the lawns, out 70
trees and plants--and to health as well hipoueSsi
then is essential to hardness, Is the source Oh
hardness.
According to my observation wherever the SOIL
was kept finely pulverized AID stirred by the morse
hoe or cultivator OF ii in the garden with gooa
dronths we ever experienced here have done yer,
little harm. | have never seen better sIo"'" VI
nursery trees than during the past summer anu .n'
Is always the case in dry season, Win 'HoIo"sN
cultivation.
I have noticed the same effect IN orchards
Where the ground was cultivated well the trees r. I;
NAMED healthy in foliage and matured ihcI y l ~
whilst those not cultivated dropped pom Ion .,n.
and fruit 20 great extent. aud AT the Siiie INV
were injured for the future.
The same effect has been Observed in farm crops
When in California were told by fIultgIoNc1i
that the first impression there was that no iruit
be grown without irrigation, but they had as.e' ,
tanned by experienc- that for trees irrlg3 lOn va
unnecessary. Thorough cultivation wa'siihc.aaS
and in the most tlourishing plantations we NisuSS
the ground was kept 81 fine ana loose TINT we s'sN
into il over our shoes We were surprised al lno -"
suits.
Experienced cultivators know that in the drye''
times SOIL KEEP well cultivated VIII SHOW Voi 80
degree of moisture two or three inche. pe.oH Wv
surface aud when not cultivated II VIII 9e az
powder several feet deep. he influence OF eu,iIy
II Mi
when the subsoil plough has beer employed. lns
greatly increases the 90 wer of the soil 10 draw mo
ture from below IN "A time of drOu h.
/ am surprised that farmers do not employ ~.
subsOil plough more generally than theV 40. I'm
a grand implrn,nt What would the nursery man
do without il If properly USED believe II "oui .s
on most farms in this country, nearly o, ~.
double the productive capacity oil me sou. rinstle
are buying expensive fertilizers far les N1lus IN
than might be found IN their own SOIL ny IVY
ploughng and tillage.
1t is the subso poughing and thorough ti' NV
that enables a nursery man To take lofty VI s,os
bushels of wheat 10 the acre. without MANURE rear
land that had been cleared Of four or hNe-sIg
crop OF trees. Plough deep. keep the surface r ~.
fertiuzed and constantly stirred once wees ~
tener Observation-Disclosures oeeply ana tho'ous""
and DEFY the drouth.
-Mulching has been strongly comncndeu, t 81 Ia
applicable only in certain cases 40 Is USE With
mnlchlng the surface OF the ground should 20 A'''
finely puyerZed