St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1885-06-27
APPLE ORCHARDS.
How They Can Be Made Constant and
Yearly Success.

How They Can Be Made Constant and
Yearly Success.
An apple orchard, if a proper Sc
lection of the ground is made, and the
necessary attention to the ground and
trees is given, can be made yearly
success, independent of the season, and
almost despite the insects, which nave
become such great scourge. This
may seem strong language, the more
so in view of the widespread failure
which has occurred during the last few
wears. Yet facts will carry me out.
Not that this can be done with all kinds
of soil, and in all localities, though an
approach may be made even here,
climate admitting, so much is dependent
on treatment
There are few branches Of agriculture
that require for their highest success
such care as the orchard. This will be
seen when its requirements are consider
ed. They are a deep, rich, naturally
drained soil, which means ground more
or less mellow and porous, the depth al
lowing Of full extension Of the roots
downward where they are beyond the
reach of all harm from climatic int1u-
ences, the frost and drouth, alike, haV-
ing no effect. And this favorable con-
dition of the roots imparts increased
vigor to the trees during the winter, to
counterfeit the cold, and sustains them
through the heat and drouth of summer;
the sap is more actice, promoting
warmth in winter and GOODNESS in sum-
mer; uniformity Of temperature has its
81 Tho uofYI1.nI richness
of the soil is also more effective in pro-
ducing sounder and healthier wood and
fruit than can be obtained from applied
manure. Besides, the uniform, strong
forces of the trees will sustain a high
condition of growth and annual bearing
of full crops, with consequent avoid
ance of excessive yields, requiring thus
less thinning, but more pruning, IN view
Of the greater growth of the wood.
All this is the rsult of the character OF
the soil, and itemebraces all the more es-
sential requirements The soil itself needs
little attention, as its r chness and the
great extension of the roots sustain the
trees with what nutriment is needed, at
least for score of years after they are
in full bearing. Such soil, other things
being favorable, may be relied on for
success with an apple orchard. 1t is OF
q loamv character, a rich, brown color,
and apparently divides its clay and
sand with some fine gravel about
equally. 1t has been for many years
| pasture for hogs, which may account
for its comparative freedom from in
sects.
Orchard soil too often-and it may,
perhaps, be said generally, and espec-
tally in it's depth-holds too much water,
more or less stagnant and impure,
which favors disease OF the roots and
the consequent effect on the trees. The
soil in question is kept healthy and
clean by the fresh rain water passing
| through it and warming it, and in q
dry time brought up by its porous con-
dition. Old alluvial soil, unless coarse,
seldom is lacking in humus, which aids
in holding the fertilizing elements till
taken up by the roots; hence its fertility
| is lasting. It is one of the exceptional
soils whose manure would probably do
harm by making too great a wood
growth. Eventually, it may require
manuring.
The income of such an orchard is inn
mense, considering the outlay, and it
need not besaid thatsuch ground should
be selected when it is intended to make
an orchard speciality. But it is rare
thing to find it in large areas, and,
perhaps, rarer to obtain it. 1t will,
however, serve as an example TO illus
trate the principles required in prepar-
ing lands fer an orchard, such as under
draining, deep-working and supply
ing the ground with carbonaceous and
fertilizing materials. r. g., IN Country
| Gentleman.