The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-02-26

Matters of Interest to tho Intclilscncer,l
Farmer ltondcrs. .,j
For successful orclarding Country Gen
'leman recommends attention to the fol
lowing rules, which arc conveniently
classified under different heads. First
comes: gag.lr.,14l5g.,.55 /
Selection Of ground-Sclcct n good
soil, such rs will raise good farm crops.
Make 1t mellow at once or with previous
mcllowiug crops. Hill sides or rocky
places are admissible only in case plenty
Of barn manure can DO had for annual
top dressing. See that the land has good
natural or artificial drainage. n r
Choice Of trees-Chooso young and
vigorous trees, not over two years old
from the graft. See that ample roots are
secured in digcing-esoush to stitIen
the tree without stalking, and give ready
growth. Avoid large, overgrown or
etunted trees which have short roots
mutiated by digging. Remember that a
good supply OF roots is moro important
than straight stems or handsome heads.
Procure well proved standard varieties,
and not new laudcd sorts.
Setting out the trees-Iftrees from
distance are partly dry when re-
ceived, bury them for week, top
and ali, in finely pulverizcd moist soil,
to restore them. Before setting out, dig
holes broad enough to receive all the
roots without bending. Use no manure,
except on the surface after setting or In
the remote parts Of large holcs. In set.
ting out, spread the roots out equally on
all sides, ut their full length, and iii in
compactiy fine mellow earth. After set,
shorten back the long shoots and thin
out where too thick, giving q neat, even,
moderate head. Always shorten back
before the buds swell, and never when
partly or wholly in leaf. Keep the
ground for several feetaround the uewly
set trees clean and mellow all summer.
After care OF the treea-keep the
ground cultivated over the whole sur
face for Blk or eight years; after which
allow grass to grow only in case n good
annual or biennial top.dressing OF man.
ure muy be given. Asthe roots OF grow
ing trees are rs long rs their height.
avoid the mistake OF spading or manur-
ing narrow circles around the foot Of the
stem, but cultivate tho whole surface,
promptly removing all suckers. Glover
and sowed grass should never be allowed
in young orchards; grass, il kept short;
and annually top dressed with manure,
is admissible; hoed crops, as corn and
potatoes, do well, and clear culture is the
best. .....
Pruning and graiting-Much pruning
is unnecessary, and when performed do
but little in any one year; thin the out
side OF the head and not the center, and
paint I'LL wounds. Undesirable fruits or
those proved untitled to the climate NAV
be changed to good ones by grating;
several gratis spread over the heads will
soon form bearing trees. For large
trees, divide the grating through two
or three seasons.
Selection Of varicties-For home use.
set out good varieties enough 10 keep up
a constant succession from the midsu,n.
mer kinds through autumn and winter,
and OF long keepers to last through
spring. For market, choose such as
bear heavy crops Of saleable apples, and
plant orchards only in such places as
they succeed well in and find ready
sale at the most profitable times Of year.