The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-11-07
lone. FARM AND GARDEN
ORCHARDS THEIR DECAY.


Many orchards, planted With stunt
ed trees, injured by borers( Saperda
Bivittata, aud Others, necessarily
decay, from their original imperfee
ton. which result might have been
avoided BY a careful examination of
the young trses. 4 much more COM
mon cause for the decay of orchards,
however, Is the want of jndicious
trimming when young; thus permit
ting the growth of superhuity OF
branches, producing close heads, ex-
Guiding the atmosphere, and causing
the growth ofmcsses and other fungi,
resulting in diseased bark, uncleanly
habi., engendering insects, etc. In
addition to these causes for early de-
cav. may be added the oyeI-crepping
OF the soil between the trees, by ex-
haustiDg crops, with an entire absence
of proper fertilization to compensate
for the progressed pabulum removed
from the soil both by the crops and
BY the trees themselves.
The trimming ofapple trees espec-
tally, should occur when young, so
rs to render the use of the axe and
saw unnecessary. The bark should
be kept clean by the use of the soda
wash we have so frequently recon-
1aended. A clean condition of the
bark will secure the trees to a great
degree against the attack Of in
sects, while the occasional application
of the soda wash will decompose and
destroy the larya and cocoons 70 in
sects, also parasitic growths, and de-
compose the dead portions of bark, so
that the continued growth of t le tree
viii cause it to be thrown off leaving
shining clean bark on which but few
insects can get q foot-hold; indeed, in
sects are net apt 70 attack clean heal
thy trees, while those less cared for
are within their reach. As to the ferti
Iization of trees, it should be remem
bered that, Notwithstanding the fact
that analylically the soil may contain,
quantitatigeIy, all that trees and
crops may require, still qualitatively,
it NAV not he sufficiently progressed
to feed the crops and trees, and there
fore, for the purpose of permitting
the constituents Of the soil itself to
progress, as in fallow soils, some pro
crossed food must be furnished to re
place progressed portions removed.
These. for trees, should be of inor-
ganic kinds, avoiding the more am
monacaI sorts. Barn-yard manure,
literally applied, frequently Injuries
trees. Practice has clearly proved
that factory wastes, woods-earth, and
other materials capable Of supplying
phosphoric'an1 sulphurie'acids, lime,
potash, soda, etc., are the best ma
nures for orchards; giving tirmer
growth without causing soft wood to
be killed BIZ winter freezing, and sim
ply supplying food for insects. Wood
ashes are an admirable fertilizer for
orchards, while hog-pen manure is al
most fatal 10 the longevity of the
trees, particularly ifapplied to young
orchards. II Is well known to mar
ket gardeners that hog-pen manure
will give ambury or fingers and toes
to cabbages, turnips, and other brass
lea, and nrchardists as well know that
peach, apricot, and other quick grow
ing trees, are deformed in their roots |
when this manure is present, render
ING them short lived. This is true
in degree, with all trees. Indeed, no
kind of putrescent manure should
ever be applied to orchards. We do I
not object TO the occasional growing
light crops among trees, or even of
heavier ones, if not too frequent, pro-
vided that the fertilization be. ade-
quate in amount; for with some grow
ers it is the only means by which any
stirring OF the soil in orchards will be
secured.
The highest priced fruits, however,
such as choice pears, we believe may
be grown with greater profit without
other crops, provided the surface be
disturbed and kept free
from weeds.
In apple orchards, lime should be
applied, and in small doses,
say five bushels per acre by top-dress-
ing, permitting its descent by rains
and dews. 1t is quite unnecessary to
pillow lime under, for it finds its way
down to the surface of the subsoil
very soon, and for this reason it should
be applied more frequently and in
smaller doses; she'll lime being prefer
able to stone lime for such use. In
soils deficient of soda, the top-dressing
may be the Lime and Salt Mixture,
if properly made-these, with occas-
ional applications of superphosphate
of Inns and wood ashes will maintain
au orchard in fruitful condition. -Ex
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