The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-12-07
PLANTING FRUIT TREES.
Promising Orchards Sacrificed to tn
Policy Of Close Planting.

Promising Orchards Sacrificed to the
Policy Of Close Planting.
A common error in planting fruit
trees is in setting them too closely, es-
pecially apple trees. The South suffers
more from this practice than any other
section. The reasons for this suicidal
policy are ignorance of natural laws
governing the growth of vegetation,
the persistence and responsiveness OF
canvassers who wish to sell as many
trees as possible, and the ambition to
have many varieties on a small plat of
ground. The evil effects are not per-
ceptible at first. While the trees grow
rapidly and the roots are comparatively
small no bad results are apparent But
when the trees have come to the bear
ing age. the result disappoints and dis
heartens all who are led into this fatal
blunder. In the South, where the
warmth and sunshine demand more
moisture and plant food to sustain the
tree during long period of growth, to-
gether with fruit production, trees and
robbery of either moisture or plant
food from one tree by another. Where
trees or vines are planted so closely
that the roots interlace each other, the
effect during a protracted drought is
disastrous.
A promising orchard of three hum
dred trees, the property of a neighbor
of mine, just beginning to bear, on
which the owner realized 5000 last sea-
son, was sacrificed to this close-plant-
ing policy. The trees, which one year
ago showed evidence of health and
vigor, have assumed sickly appear
ance. Cutting out every alternate tree.
with liberal dressing of fertilizers, will
save the orchard if the owner has the
intelligence and nerve to do it at once.
But what a loss to the soil, this produce
ton Of one hundred and fifty trees
which can only be "cut down and cast
into the fire." And the survival Of
the fittest" will be set back two years
at least by this plan of planting and
then thinning an orchard. The apple
tree demands a rich moist soil. II
these conditions are furnished, it as
sumes large proportions and gives inn
mense yields. Why. then. dwarf. starve
and mutilate? Is it not better to have
five thrifty trees producing fifty BUSH
els of healthy fine fruit than fifty trees
with fifty bushels of wormy. knOtty,
gnarly specimens fit only for
pigs and thieving Migrants?
In the latter instance the soil is
taxed to produce the wood of fifty trees
instead of five. The cost of purchasing.
planting, ETC., all contributes toward
swelling the contrast in the amount paid
out. In the first instance you will be
rewarded with satisfactory results; in
the latter there will be disappointment,
loss of time and money and failure to
realize when your orchard comes in
bearing. The same results compare
lively, though not so rapidly, manifest
themselves with regard to the vine.
Too close planting will sooner or later
result disastrously. The proper distance
for setting apple trees is from thirty to
forty feet; for the grape not less than
fourteen to eighteen feet for vigorous
growing vines. OF course, methods of
training. rOOt-pruning. top-dressing.
ETC., will modify these figures with re-
gard to grapevines. but better have
them too far apart than too closely
crowded. Ayriculturist