Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-01-04

Mr. G. L. Phillips at the last meet
ing Of the POmologlcal Society De
cember 18th, 1889.
Mr.. Chairman and Gentleman:
In coming before you on the
subject oftree planting IL is with q
feeling that may not meet your
views, and that l may tread on
some Of your cherished sprouts" +"
but III can stir up an interest, or
put somebody to thinking on a mat
ter that IL Of vital Importance to
your welfare, and far-reaching, both
to the fruit grower and 10 the coun-
try, | shall feel amply rewarded for
my effoit.
II has been In the past too ofte n
considered that an apple was an
apple, and u peach n peach, without
much thought being given 10 the
quality or kind Of fruit II would pro-
duce and In planting, how much
ground ought to be given togrow on;
some setting out with an idea III
any they haye) that all the space
they needed was for the first few
years growth and for plowing,
though, that was the last thought
many seem TO give towards cultiva-
tion, as most OF the old orchards
are perfectly innocent Of the cultiya-
tor or the pruning knife. Since.
though, there has been some
"slashing" done which always
seemed barbarous to Inc.
They may have, and l think most
of them did consider, that by put
ting them close they would get the
more fruit from a given amount Of
ground. But there never was a
more fallaclous idea, and more often
they defeated the end In view. To
have tree thrive and give results
at harvest time one must give It
room at the roots to spread and
gather nourlshment for both branch
and fruit; and ! think most Of you
would be surprised could you wash
the soll from the roots Of good
sized tree without tearing away any
Of them, TO soc how far they spread
near the surface. Many seem TO
suppose that trees roots run
straight down like a post. Then
again there should more room be
given for the branches to spread,
which they will not do II they are
too close. The Limbs will seek an
open place where they can get air
and sunlight, as the leaves are the
lungs Of a tree aud they must have
sunlight and rain. You have all
noticed how a shower freshens and
invigorates ii tree, even though
none reaches the ground beneath,
owing 20 the fact that rain washes
the dust from the leaves, opening
the pores that they may take up the
moisture and gather nourishment
from the air, Therefore, when
water Ia supplied 20 young tree
with q hose, II II WAS showered over
the tree II would do vastly more
good.
They say that proper tree plant
Ing Ia preventive for disease that
will takea radical treatment TO cure.
First, lay or the ground that you
wish TO set 20 trees, giving them
ample room, not less than twenty
teot apart for any kind of tree, and
most, such as for instance, an apple,
twenty-five or thirty feet, aud moc
would be no detrlment. Then Sc
ect trees TO ne your ground, aud
not buy 50 many trees and squeeze
.henl into u small space, thinking
perhaps that sonle may die out
ly.and-by aud leave them about
light. Hut trees have u contrary 1
way OF turning up their toes In the
wrong place.
should the trees he too close their ,
cndency will be 10 "go to seed;n
he lower limbs that have no chance
I the sun aud Taln will die, leais
az u kong stem with y bush top
hat, II Il has any fruit, I. will he
DO "highH for the boys TO mp"
I like In settlnS out An orchard 90
II ,hem ~ a dsamond shape AaI