Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-10-22
FARM Ann HOUSEHOLD.


TRANSFORMING FRUIT TREEs.-Ihe
ma nner OF transplanting is of far more
importance than the season. Trees may
be trspsplsnted any time after CROWN
has stopped in the autumn and before
the buds swell in the spring; but trans
planting should not be done in winter
when the air 10 below the freezing point,
and il the roos are frozen they VIII
perish IL allowed to thaw before trans
planted. In general, set hardy trees In
the autumn; tender trees in the spring.
Soil not we'll drained is never fit to re-
ceive trees-certainly not in autumn.
Ground for trees requires as careful
preparation as for grain or vegetable
crop. 1t mutt be fine, and finer to
greater depth than for grain crops. In
such bad trees will rarely fail to grow,
II good cultivation is given after trans
planting. and these two things are OBJ
served in setting: First, to shorten back
the top. The leaves throw of moisture,
Is lost in transplantiag. if the foliage Is
not reduced the leaves cannot get sup
ply of moisture from below and must
wither. The more roots preserved, the
less shortening back. The peach makes
new growth rapidly, hence is shortened
back more than the apple, which Is
the cherry is shortened back still less,
as it is very slow 10 start new CROWNS.
If the buds have swollen, however,
cutting back is hazardous, except with
the peach. The necessary cutt'ng oacA
will seem severe to anyone out the expe-
rienced grower. There is very little
danger Of its being overdone. Three
fourths of every shoot of the previous
season may well be taken away. Second,
to settle the fine earth about the roots.
This may be done by dashing half
pailful of water into the hole before 1t
is quite filled. A better way is to have
one man NIL in the earth and another
spray it from fine watering-pot. This
insures every cavity being filled, and
i'm few hours tho roots will have
absorbed the excess of moisture and The
tree will be solid.
If the autumn or summer is very dry,
it may be necessary to water the trees,
but this is very rarely necessary when
the soil has been properly prepared and
thorough cultivation is given afterward.
This stirring must be over the entire
surface Of the orchard, not around the
tree. for few feet only. The ground
of Il peach orchard should always be
cultivated; and Of an apple or plum
orchard until the trees have attained
considerable age.
1t may also be necessary to mulch.
Mulching should always be done before
watering; it is much better. Watering
is the last resort. No matter what the
season, mulch cherry trees. If watering
must be done, remove the surface earth
and afterwards replace it. Then the
water will reach the roots and no crust
will form. Trees are injured by water
ing ten times as often as by neglect to
water. Likely it is better to apply the
water to the branches than to the roots.
unless the soil is dry. If the trees are
shriveled, or the buds fail to start, wet
the top each evening, being careful not
to use too much water. Often when
the roots are quite dead, tree may be
coaxed to grow by thus watering the
trunk and branches. By mulching is
generally understood the application OF
litter or other material to the surface OF
the soil, to prevent both the evaporation
of moisture and hardening Of the sur
face. A layer of very fine earth on the
surface produces the good effects OF
mulching with litter, etc., and the result
of thoroughly cultivating the orchard
is not merely to keep down the weeds,
but it secures layer of fine, dry earth,
which acts as mulch upon the soil
below.