The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-10-15
FARM NOTES.
Edited by John c. Edgar Duval to whom all
communications should be addressed
FRUIT FOR CENTRAL TEXAS.

To the Agricultural Editor of The Statesman.
The soil of my garden is black
waxy. What three or four varietie.
Of apples, peaches, plums and pear,
will succeed best on it?
imagine that summer apples will
succeed better than either fall or win.
ter varieties.
What is the best black berry for this
locality? VIII it yield well without
irrigation? How ought fruit trees in
this section to bepruned? and at what
season of the year?
l am satisfied that several other
newcomers will be both pleased and
benefited, if you will answer the fore
going questions in THE STATESMAN.
AUSTIN, Tex. MIssoURIAN.
My experience in fruit growing in
Texas is confined to red mountain
land, which is particularly well
adapted for fruit Of every kind, when
the temperature and moisture are in
harmony. Black waXy soil is not
usually considered first-class for fruit
growing, though instances occur of
fruitful orchards on black land.
Such soil often contains 4 mixture of
some peculiar, and as yet underlined,
chemical ingredient, that is conducive
to the root rot of certain deep-rooting
plants.
This root rot is very destructive to
cotton, sweet potatoes, alfalfa and
other farm crops, and as apple trees
die young on such land, it is possible
they are affected by the same cause.
1 would say that it would be unwise
to plant an extensive orchard of any
kind Of fruit, on black waxy soil, till
it's capacity for cotton growing has
been fully tested. If it has been
proved that cotton will not die from
root rot, and the land is naturally or
artificially well drained, then may it
be used for any kind of fruit adapted
to this climate.
The character of the soil can only
be determined with certainty by ac-
tual experiment, as the so called
"poison spots" are not found consis-
tently in all black waXy land, but
crop out in the midst of otherwise
faultless soils.
If "Missourian'sn near neighbors
have tested their land and found ii
free from root-rot the assumption
but not the certainty, is that his land
is equally exempt, and he may pro-
coed to set out an orchard and take
the risk.
AS this is the season for preparing
to set out young trees, it will not be
out of place to repeat few essential
general principles.
1t is of the utmost importance that
the land should be thoroughly pre-
pared before planting. This may be
done by blowing, cross blowing and
pulverization of the soil.
Trees should be got from the near
est nursery on similar soil to the in
tended orchard.
Thrifty, we'll developed trees, on,
year old are much to be preferred tt
older sorts,
Instruct the nurseryman to cut bach
and leave the tree in proper condition
for planting.
In no case should there be more
than two feet Of tree left above grounC
when set out, and some upright grow
ing apples and pears should be re
duced to one foot.
If the roots are torn and Jagged the,
should be trimmed with sharp knife
making the cut on the underside O
the root, so that it will rest fiat on tn
soil when planted.
Twenty feet by twenty is az near a
standard peach, apple and plum tree
should be planted, but upright grow
ing pears, like the lie Conte an,
Keiffer, may be placed fifteen b,
twenty or closer, if the orchard al
rangement will permit.
In setting out young trees run line
with the plow both ways and dig tn
hole in the check. The diameter {
the hole is of as much impOrtanc
as the depth. Trees should seldor
be set more than one inch deepe
than they grew ina the nursery, an
only fine top soil should be apple
near the roots. Manure may be al
piled ON the surface, but never at tn
roots.
Always plant the tree with Sigh
inclination to the south to help
counterfeit the steady pressure of tn
wind and the effect of the afternoO
sun on the trunk.
Sun scald is the cause ofmuch dan
age to fruit trees in Texas, and henc
the necessity for heading low.
Nearly all trees have tendency
make most wood on the shady {
north side, which should be kept i
check, and that or the southwest er
outraged.
Pruning may be done at any TIM
but the smaller the leaf or limb n
moved the less injury to the tree.
superfluous growth be rubbed off wit
: the thumb the knife will be seldoi
needed.
|, While the trees are small hoed cror
may be planted ia the orchard an
. the cultivation viii encourage growth
Stable and lot manure are always
order, placed round, but not toucl
. iBg the trees. 1t. not only fertilizt
the trees. but preserves moisture.