Mexico weekly ledger., 1893-03-02
.Garden,Farm and Field.
BY JOHN ]. GILL.
The Apple

1hlS Well known 1rull is OF grea
variety and wide spread cultivation.
1t has gone with civilized man
throughout the temperate zone. In
the United States alone there are
over one million of orchards produc-
ing in some years more that fifty
million bushels of apples. Its orr
gin is the wild crab, which has been
improved by change of soil and cul-
tivation. The varieties of apples
now in use are chance products call
ed sports, perpetuated by grating
and budding, As young apple trees
are mostly obtained from nurseries
the interesting processes of grating
and budding are passed without no.
tice. The trees mostly recommend
ed are those of two years growth
from grating, but when they can be
obtained larger trees may be used
with success and saving Of time.
The apple will grow on any soil not
too sandy, bat the best results may
be expected when it is planted in a
deep, moist, sandy loan. Apple
trees may be set out in either spring
or fall, with from thirty to t~hirty-fve
feet between them, in holes of sufh-
Gent size to admit of the complete
extension of their roots. When
trees arrive from the nursery before
ground is prepared for them or when
it is either too wet or frozen they
ought to be heeled in to prevent their
roots from drying. II this is properly
done youngtrees may remain in that
condition during winter. In filling
up .he holes in which trees are set
use dry soil without manure of any
sort. See that no spaces are left
either under or around their roots.
To avoid this it is a good plan to
shake the trees as the holes are fill
ed. Firm the dirt as it is put in
and ram it down to within a couple
Of inches of the surface. After this
is done, but not before if the ground
is very dry water may be poured in
and covered with loose soil to pre-
vent evaporation. Manure or mulct
may then be applied. If trees have
not been trimmed before they leave
the nursery they must be pruned
either before or after being planted.
In trimming the formation of al
handsome head should be looked
after. Branches tending to inter-
fere with its creation should be cut
of and all others shortened so as to
conform to their roots. Forked trees
should be rejected as they are liable
to split when laden with fruit. 1t
is a good plan to order trees several
years before planting them where
they are to remain permanently.
They can then be set out at suitable
distances and cared for until their
heads are formed when they can be
transferred with all their roots to
their allotted place in the orchard.
After planting the spaces between
the trees should be frequently STIR
red until they obtain considerable
size. ANY crop requiring cultivation
may be raised between their rows
but grasses and cereals should never
be sown in orchards. Trees that are
well cultivated and MANFRED are
usually strong and healthy, rapid
growers, bearers of large and hand
some fruit and the least liable to in
jury from borers and insects. AL
tree properly trimmed at the start
will need little pruning afterward.
As undesirable shoots appear they
car be rubbed off. Before winter the
soil around young trees ought to be
billed up to keep water from settling
about them. Early Harvest, Red
Jane, Red Astrachan and Yellow
Transparent are good summer ap-
pies. Maiden Blush, Rambo, Full
ton, Mother, Fallawater, Yellow
Bellef1ower and Smiths Cider are
good excellent fall varieties. For
winter use select Jonathan, Wine
Sap, Huntsman, Rawles' Janet, Ben
Davis, Willow Twig, Rome Beauty
and Missouri Pippin.
SPINACH.
Spinach, when properly cook
ed, is the best of winter and spring
green's. 1t is of two sorts-prickly
and smooth. The former is the
winter and the latter the summer
variety. Spinach can be sown
broadcast or in drills, the latter be-
ing best for summer cultivation as
they can be kept clean. Sow the
prickly variety in September and
cover with straw in winter. The
smooth variety may be sown from
early spring to August. Spinach is
best developed and most tender
when grown in very rich soil. 1t
may be raised in spring on asparagus
beds. Bloomsdale and Longstanding
are excellent summer sorts.
LETTUCE.
Lettuce makes the most popular
salad. The curled varieties are best
for spring use. As soon as ground
can be prepared sow early curled
Silesia or Simpson Black Seeded
or Grand Rapids thickly in drills
one foot apart in rich warm soil.
Cultivate with hoe and thin out
for extra early use. For early head
lettuce sow st. Louis or Philadelphia
market in hot bed in February and
transplant into the open air in
April; or better, SOW Green Winter
or Hardy Dutch in September and
shelter with straw during cold wealth