Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-05-08
aow FAR ApARrf

tuf >ta>tu itt wv lSthenNas fsses"e =
out cf apple tres In this state IL at hand.
The subjsvt of how far apart TO plant IL
an old one that has been discussed these
many years, yet judging from the latest
practices we must conclude there IL not
vet a common agreement In the matter.
Some orchards are still Get thick, while
other planters take q different course
and are disposed 10 give the trees ample
room for their natural development.
The practice of thick setting Of orchard
trees came To he advocated at about the
time Of the introduction Of the New
York nursery stock and'the system Of
sales by canvssslng agents, which has
continued up to the present time. Thick
planting was the pet hobby OF these
agents, and for the plain reason that u
meant business 20 them-they could sell
more trees to the given area OF land to
be planted out. Many beginners In or
chsrding caught up the fad and warmly
adyocste,i the practice of thick planting.
Time enough now has elapsed 81 that
the orchards first planted In this man
ner show for themselves the results of
near planting and give their own testi-
mony.
One Of the first orchards planted with
New York tree. In the state VAS the 40
called and widely known "Berry or
chard" Ia the town Of Hebron. These
trees were planted twenty feet apart.
They were well cared for, grew finely
and their markell success Was the stock
argument used by agents for many
years, thoroughout the western part OF
the state. for the New York trees, aud
also for the thick planting. We have
frequently passed that orchard OF late,
and u. glory has sadly departed. Long
since the extension ~ the branches filled
the intervening space and shut out every
ray % sunshine. This has caused the
lower aud lateral branches To die. The
resulting heavy pruning has left IL.
marks, showing plainly the absence OF
that health aud thrift which formerly
the orchard and made u
famous. And all this al time when the
tree. .hculd have been at their beat
The owner ~ thi. orchard Il still plant.
ing trees. bu; hi. late settings have been
la single rows, tres two rods apart,
around the borders 20 his fields, where
each individual tree viii have room Tor
Its frult-laden branches, and where the
free circulation Of air and the bright
sunshine can contribute their quota
towards the perfection 81 the crop.
Prom experience gained 81 the error
of crowded trees, public opinion ha.
generally changed from its former posl-
tlon. aud now Wide planting l. advocated.
Thls has everything to commend u, and
the wonder :. that thick planting could
have ever found its advocates. "a the
advantage. of the better culture have
b.eome apparent, and the necessity for
Il L. acceptod by all progressive grow
er., the mstter IL room Tor reaching,
working around and under the indi'
yIdual tree l. coming Ia be appreciated.
Hence. now. with many, forty feet apart
I. considered near enough for planting
trces. Others are setting In single rows
around the fields, AZ In the case referred
to above. Another practice nov met In
some cases l. the planting 81 double
row ot tr~s directly out scros. the cen
ter ~ the field. This course has much
to commend IL. The tves are each aud
every Que easily accessible for any pur-
po.e whatever. plcwing, manurlng or
mulching, as well NJ picking sud csriiug
IA. fruit At harvest. They also have =
broad fc-dlng ground for the roots, lar
out into the unoccupici soil, and for thl.
r-asoa slon. ~ill be- found Ia prove
beautifully productive. Every tree u
thus an outside tree aud getting nearly
the full benefits of tree standing alone.
Ia these day. when the Importance ~
feeding the trecs full supply of that
which l. needed to make fruit, all of
these thing. are matters 10 Importance
aud worthy ot thoughtful consideration.
4 noted fruit grower says he believe.
the time I. coming when close planting
OF tr,e- In solid blocks will be abandon
81. Certainly Il l. well to think OF these
things. We would now and here raise
the question, whether plausible reasons
can now, under modern conditions, be
given for planting trees In orchards AZ
All. Think Of it.-Maine Farmer.