The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1892-06-24
FRIiT CULTuKE.

Following is an address delivered IT
Oak Plain grange, No 6, June II, 1897. by
] L wigIe.
Tie worthy lecturer has requested that
| should favor this graEge with an ad-
dress, "How to care for an orchard"
While appreciate his kindness to me In
selecting me for this purpose, compre-
hend too the necessity of more diligence
and OF reformatory work in the care of
the orchard. There Is no branch of labor
of forty years ago, of which The system
then, or the practical knowledge of that
age will compare with the sane branch of
labor its system and the practical kncwI-
edge of those engaged in that branch Of
labor at the present day, except 1t be the
culture OF fruit. The products of the farm
and the comforts derived from farm labor
have kept pace with the Improvements
;;sed for seeding and harvesting ia the
labors of the field. The siockman can
show better grades of stock, and with his
improved grades he presents to US 100, a
care fer them in proportion to the grades.
Our scnool rooms are better. Better
school books, better school laws, showing
that With the advancement of intellect the
intellectual culture keeps space. The
nursery gives us new varieties OF fruits
more pleasant 10 look upon, richer fruits,
than OF forty years ago. But, alas, when
we walk in The orchard and see the dying
Z trees, the unpruned, or worse, il possible,
the ili-pruned tees. the fact Is manifest.
/ The model farmer delights in walking
over his farm mailing on board, opering
ditch, casing out everything that is a
hindrance TO beauty and usefulness. The
stockman IS daily seen with his fiocks,
feeding them, caring for them, and even
fondIing with them. and If one in the
flock receives not his attention that one
brings him no profit. The mind of the
youth is fed, pctted and trained, but the
mind that receives ao-aitentioq, no care,
nc training, how dePIorzble the fact, hcw
unfortunate that human sonl, drone in
socisiy, vacuum ia human kind or Z
! fiend among mer. Is 1t painted picture
/ offer 10 your view today or Is il 4 fac.
/ proven 10 all the labor branches that ne
I only IS successful who gives his attention
( 10 MS employment, ard that il is his en-
( pioyment which receives The husband
mans care that IS feeding the moving
millions. Is there q key TO successful
labor. Does il not consist in the mind
b>tng in harmony wiki the labor. Is Il
not true that the mind that is not working
in harmony .Sitn the hand cannot produce
\ fruit that Will show in the market with
Z his whose heart ard hand is in his busi-
ness. The orchardist who loves his
orchard viii make his daily walks among
I his t-ers. II there Is blight or decay he
I will search GU the e1emys If a tree is
leaning he will prune the heavy side and
stake il; Il an improper growth is noted
( from The rovts or elsewhere he will re-
move il; does tree droOp ne will prune 10
I an inuer bud, and thus incline il upward
E does il grow too stately he prune< 20 Al
7 outward bud. and makes its top more
( spreading. Is ihert al over abundance OF
Z fruit he Trims ont the inferior; Is there 4
( hzrrenness he keeps the branches vel cut
back preparatory for another year; Is
there tree void Of growth or fruit he viii
Z look for the cause, even 10 the digging
f up OF the tree, removing the old soil,
Z Prunin. the roots and filling IN with new
soil All these things and more will he
+ attend 10. Everything that IS detrimental
f 10 the growth and frufiing Of tree, his
care sees 10 avoiding making bruises and
ugly wounds, which are SOW TO heal.
( Brothers do ysu love your orchards. if
I not give theU, over 10 one who does.
L Unless you can learn 10 l'ke the business
YOU will never give It the proper care and
your efforts sill be continued failure.
( Better give the orchard field into other
/ hands and yoar attention. TO some employ
rlens where heart and hand are unit