Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-07-01
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
when and mow.a par. orchards.

selected; midwinter being favorable
time with horticulturistsa at the extreme
South. Spring in most sections is be-
lieved to be the best time for planting
out the stone fruits. In climate;
where the winters are long and severe,
or where alternate freez NO and thaw-
ing is of frequent occurrence, the
transplanting of fruit tr rs ought I'M
questionably to bccccomplished during
the early spring. In many localities
fall planting is not only permissible
but preferable, for at that season there
is more leisure time, and then, too, it
is the fitting season for taking up
seedlings and rooted layers for stocks.
There is nothing more important in
startinga an orchard then the selection
of a favorable site. 1t ought to have a
medium position as regards exposure
and influence of the season. Where
winters are uniform in temperature
and cold spring frosts do not prevail,
the main object is to guard against
high winds from the east and north,
which injure the blossoms and blow off
the fruit before it is mature. This is
best done by belt Of woods or hill,
or border of rapid-growing trees
planted simultaneously with the set
ting out of the orchard. When late
spring frosts prevail high location
with anorthern exposure is best, Tor a
cold locality keeps the fruit buds back
until the froSts are past. Where the
winters are variable, as in some por-
tions of the West, select elevated, dry
firm soil, rich enough to produce
solid, well-matured growth.
The character of the soil must also
be considered. Peaty, or mucky and
damp, cold and spongy soils are unfit
for fruit orchards of any kind. AS d
rule apples and pears thrive best on
dry, deep, substantial soil, between a
sandy and clayey loan in which oc-
ours considerable proportion of lime.
The most enduring peach orchards, it
is believed, are those grown on dry,
sandy loans. Generally speaking the
plum delights in rather stiff, clayey
loan, though some sorts succeed well
on light soils. The cherry thrives on
light, dry, warm soil. In orchards
where apples, pears, peaches, plumsx
ETC., are planted promiscuously,
sandy loan with sandy clay subsoil
is the best. Under all circumstances
the soil for an orchard should contain
lime, potash and fair proportion of
vegetable mold.
IL is essential that the soil be deep
and in good filth. The selection of
varieties should be influenced by the
wants and circumstances of the growers
Large orchards. for profit. ought to be
made up of well-tested varieties that
have been proven in similar localities
and soils. Whatever the variety, low,
stocky trees are to be preferred to tall,
slender sorts.
The usual arrangement of orchard
trees is in the square form, in rows the
same distance apart and an equal dis
lance between each tree. A common
mistake is that OF setting the trees too
near together. In apple orchards
thirty feet from tree to tree, in all
directions, is safe rule. Standard
pears require about twenty-five feet.
Peach trees are preferable at one year
old from the bud and should be set
say fifteen feet apart. Standard
cherries are generally set about the
same distance advised for peaches, and
may be transplanted at one year old
from the bud. and should not be over
two years Plum trees are usually
planted about fifteen feet apart trees
two years Old from the graft are re-
commended for orchard standards.
Ounces require about. twelve feet
space and ought to be at least two
years old from the layer or bud.
All trees ought to be trans lanted as
soon as possible after having been
lifted from the nursery. All broken
and mutilated roots should he removed
witL sharp knife, and enough of the
previous seasons growth of branches
cut back to preserve proper balance
between the stem and the roots of the
trees.
The ground having been previously
prepared by blowing and placing IN
good filth, hoes may be dug wide and
deep enough TO admit tie loots care
fully spread out in natural position.
The tree must not be set deeper thanit
originally stood. Fine earth should he
filed in about the roots anu trodden
down with the feet, more earth tiled
in. more firming down OF earth. and 50
on until the excavation iS8lled. When
the ground inclines to be dry, it IS an
excellent plan TO dip the roots in thin
mud and use water for settling down
the earth. If the trees are In exposes
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