Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-04-19
Fruit Trees on Sandy Lands.
J. c. Plumb. in Western wis Farmer.

J. c. Plumb. in Western (Wis) Farmer.
Fruit trees on very sandy soils are
especially subject to injury to the root
from the changes of winter following
a dry fall If, when winter sets in, the
ground is quite dry, We should prepare
to mulch heavily before the first of
January, that the spring rains may
saturate the soil as fast as the frost
leaves it. This will prove never fail
ing insurance to the roots, and prevent
the most common death of trees on
sandy soils.
But another source of death comes
from q warm aspect, where the sap
starts too early in spring. Severe cold
following, often irjures the entire top,
which is called "wlnter killing" though
it may occur in the month of March.
We can recall many such cases in the
last thirty years, where the ''sunBy-
side orchards" were nearly ruined,
while the cold northern slope was ex-
empt. Sandy soils are more especially
liable to this trouble from their ready
absorption of heat, hence We say
quick"
The remedy we have indie tied: plant
ing on the cooler location.
Again, sandy lands may be deficient
in the clements of perfect tree; hence
the growth will be feeble, and the fruit
inferior. The tree may not gather
force enough to either be hardy or
fruitful. The remedy here is to feed
the tree, and replenish the soil. How,
and with what shall this renovation be-
done? We answer briefly, by the sim
plcst manurlng process, and with the
cOmmonest material within the reach
of every farm in the State. Material
from the barn-yard, straw.stack, COM
posted heap of all manner of litter.
Muck, peat, turf, or mould from the
low grounds, ashes, refuse and wash
from the house. Also small quantity
OF lime and plaster applied annually to
the general surface as well as phosphate
of lime in dissolved bones. Lastly, TO
give tenaclty ard tirmnes, to the soil as
well as to add valuable constituent,
apply clay from the white oak lands.
All of these and all other applications
should be spread evenly upon, and
lightly worked into the surface. They
can be applied at small cost annually
upon one or ten acres of orchard
ground. For very sandy land, clay.
which can be hauled during the win
ter, would undoubtedly pay the best in
its value to the orchard, if convenient
to the locality.
As to the cost of these applications it
would vary of course according to the
amount demanded and the source of
supoly, but in the general we think it
could not be more annually than the
interest on the cost OF tile draining i'm.
pervious clay soils, which is fund so
absolutely necessary and 80 highly re-
commended in many fine fruit local.
ties both east and west.
In the selection of varieties for
sandy lands, and those naturally poor
IN the elements of tree growth, we
would choose varieties of great native
vigor only. Such are most of the ST.
berians and Hybrids, as well as the
old type of Russians, while the bet
ter class of apples, of the Spitzenburg
ype. are not vigorous enough To find
their feed in poor, sandy soil, nor will
they endure the high feed of manure
in this climate.
Reasoning from the causes of fail
ure and the constitution of the tree,
we would recommend
LIST. A special list of fruits whose
character fits them for such soils.
2od. An elevated and cool aspect,
with virgin soil, where the white or
burr-oak timber grew. if possible.
Sd. close planting-say 20 feet
each way for standard trees, and top
them within two feet of the ground.
4.h. To cultivate only early in the
season. Applying all manures to the
surface and any amount of straw for
wiLter mulching, good space around
the tree in early winter.