The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-09-11
THE ORCHARD.

When considering where to locate an
orchard one should always bear in
mind that this is to be one of the per-
manent improvements of the farm, and
much care and good judgment should
be exercised in selecting a suitable To-
cation. The fitness of q location will
depend ON different considerations
The first point to consider is character
and quality of the soil, and the way the
land lays. Any soil that will produce
good general farm crops will grow .
good orchard. The soil should be as
deep as possible. having a. goodly por-
ton of decayed vegetable matter in it
which is always indicated by the color
of the soil; the blacker the soil the more
organic matter or carbon it contains.
Soils that are not naturally rich should
be made SO by blowing in heavy coat
of rich barnyarf manure. If good
crop of clover can be turned under it
will be an excellent preparation for an
orchard. The location should not be
one where there will be much standing
water. Until recently the advice has
been to select high and dry spot for
an orchard. This advice has been fol-
lowed too far. Trees need a great deal
of moisture, as is evident when one
thinks of the large amount of water
given off during q hot summer day,
through the leaves of an ordinary sized
tree. Trees vary, however, in their
ability to stand with their feet in water.
If the land is deeply underdrained, the
surplus, stagnant water will be removed
and yet the soil rendered moist enough
to furnish a sufficient supply of water
to the trees. We would always advise
undertaking for an orchard. if it can
possibly be done. Remember prepare
tons are being made now, the effects of
which are to continue for years. If
is worth doing well it is work
of this kind. and mistakes made now
will bring their yearly crop of regrets.
Before commencing operations let us
consider the location in reference to its
10 the house, for we are
speaking of family rather than COM
orchards. It should be near
the house, because a fine orchard adds
30 much to the beauty of the surround
ings, and because it should be where
fruit can be gathered as wanted with.
out the necessity of going quarter of
mile away for it. 1t should be at the
back rather than in front or surround
ing the house. and where it can be
readily enclosed. If located so it can
be used as poultry yard or hog pasture
It will be found to pay to use the Or
chard for one or the other purpose.
Other stock is apt to injure the trees.
A northern or eastern slope is preferable |
10 any other. Having settled. then,
where to put the orchard. the next
thing is the preparation. We have in
iicated some of the points in prepare
lion. viz. understanding and making
he soil rich.
The blowing should he done as deeply
IS possible, especially if the land is not
lnderdrained. Put the plow down deep
md trench pillow and subsoil if possible.
This should be done right away. and
hen pillow at intervals of month until
all. Trees are best obtained of the
nearest reliable nurseryman. Home
grown trees are more apt to be accli-
mated and less liable to injury by trans
,ortation. Orders should BE- sent ea,ly
o the nurseryman before his stock has
'een culled over. Set out trees in the
all when the ground is in hctter con-
lition to work than in spring and other
work is not SO crowding.- Co'ma~'s
9urGl World.