Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-01-16

1
: when properly understood, studied and
, used.
, We have not got such broad and extend
ed areas over which to work and exten.'
our labors as have our western friends
lence, we have got to look with searching
eyes after these hidden treasures which
are year by year being unfolded by thf
almost uniring energies of the never sat
istied Yankee, and when found use them
to the best advantage possible and our
: state will continue to exist and hold n
front rank among its Just now more
alluring states.
A man cannot improve his farm so
much in any other way, that is, make an
Improvement that will last so long, tha
will pay us well, as by planting an orchard
and by bringing into bearing all seemingly "
worthless trees.
fla man of limited means buys farm
and does not have tine cash to put these i'm
provements all in at once it may be
accomplished with equally as good and
perhaps better results by doing a little
each year, which will in time bring about
he same result.
To those who are thinking of setting
Il Young orchard and not knowing how
many trees it would take for an acre, the
following rule may be OF use to them :
Multiply the distance in feet that the
trees are to be set apart in the row by the
distance in feet that the rows are apart
and divide the number of feet in a square
acre (45 560) by the product thus obtained,
and it will give the number of trees want
ed to set on an acre. BY the same rule
one can ascertain how many plants or
hills of any kind are grown on an acre Or
any given space.
In setting trees or grating the same one
ought to avoid putting in too great vari-
ETY., Just enough for home use, adhering
strictly TO some hardy standard kinds for
market purpo ses,a ones success depen ds
largely on the selecting of varieties
which succeed best in the locality in
which he is located, and the soil in which
he plants. For market purposes and for
GOOD bearers none will be found better
than the Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening
and Bel)hour for winter, and for sum mer,
lhe Red Astrachnn is superior TO any
other variety for either home use or for
market The Porter comes along about
RIGHT TO fill the space between summer and
winter fruit but for transportation it is
not good owing to its color. Many other
kinds might be mentioned which are good
bearers and would not prove as profitable
AZ those before mentioned. The Bellhour
will succeed best of all on dry soils. In
setting trees great care should be taken,
to have the roots occupy nearly as natural
u position as when they occupied their
original site. The soil should be well
worked in arolnd the roots, and made
| 4, ~, 1 b,, ,JoL, ,>paIa1lu Jndar thu hag
OF the tree SO th,t the ground will not set
tie and leave II hollow space under the
roofs and ut tie bottom Of the tree. Ii
that is allowed, there is great danger
of losing the tree during the tlrst
summer which is caused by the air work
lpg in and dry ng up the roots. Soil that
is in II fair sta.e OF cultivation IS IN good
oaditon tor the growing of trees and
they will thrive better than when manure
is put in the hole around the roots. If any
ferlilizar is to be applied, mulchng Will
do the most good.
once SCI fifteen trees and used nothing
ut the time ot setting. Tney all lived but
made very slow growth the ilrst year.
Late in the following fall | spread some
refuse straw around each tree, ana the
next year. they made Il stro z and Wig
OrOus growth
PRUNING
We arc very apt to leave too many
branches on young trees when lhey are
first put cut, is lney make too heavy a
draft on the few roots that are lett on the
tree. prune thorough at this tlmo. loo
much prunng the first year after trees
have grated is injurious 10 the tree, and
for the first year all that is necessary is to
to keep the sprouts around the stubs all
cleaned oif which can be done by gong
over them twice during the year; the sec
ond wear cut away the larger branches
thai were left by the engratter, also the
Sprouts that grow during the year; and
the third wear the balance of the old top
may be cut away. Some recommend that
all or nearly all, may be cut away the first
year, but my experience teaches me that
such a coul Sc is wrong, as 1t causes such
check to the circulation of the sap, and it
admits the direct rays of tAe sun on the
body and limbs of the tree, that it will
very often kill the tree outright, or cause
the body to be killed on that side exposed
to the sun.
ALWAYS trim from the 1st to the Goth of
June, if you want the wound TO heal over
in rood shape. The half has not been
told that has to be done, in order to make
"a success ia this matter; as in fruit raising
like all branches of farming, there are a
thousand and one little things that have
TO be done. which if they are neglected
+ will result in nearly total loss to any
+ one who attempts it. An interesting
. article on that subject might be written on
"Small Fruits" but owing to time and
limited experience this part will have tt
be deferred,
Being much interested in this work
put out last fall fifty grape vines OF the
newest and earliest varieties, also fifty
plants of black Iaspberries, thinking thai
these fruits may be grown at least with
f pleasure and enough for home use if no
for profit. ;,
What u change has been made in fruit
culture in the past fifty years; then there
was very few cultivated vines and berries
and but n lew apples, except natural fruit
, while now such fruit has been almost
, wholly discarded and there is hardly 6
garden to be found that does not contain
more or less of these choice luXurles, ana
they are fast gaining in favor and hndlnS
| root in every garden.
owing 10 Inc rOuS SiineSs vi II Slcal sn''i I
OF New England, the comparative hard
ness with which its soil is liled and the
cost attending its cultivation. caused by
the scarcity and high price oI labor, very
many farms might with profit be turned
into fruit farms. 1t would give more
variety and life 10 our employment. Il
would cause cur tables to be more bounti
, fully spread during all seasons of the
, wear with those delicious fruits that are So
3 tempting to the appetite OF every one. L
| would cause more of our young men ant
, women to be more satisfied with farm life
by feeling that they would not be obliged
to follow along IN the old routine OF ordin
: ary farm work, while SO many fattering
stories are being told of Il life of ease ant
wealth which can be attained withou
l labor, by rushing into our over crowded
cities or by going west and engaging il
Y stock raising or some OF the speculative
' operations which are so fascinating tt
/ those who are of rowing and discomfort
Q ed nature.
g But every one will not 90 west, neither
f do all succeed who do go, any more thai
~ -. Ia, ,bo oitioc lthOnUh Nav