The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-04
Summer Work in the Orchard.

Summer Work in the Orchard.
There is great deal of work to be done
in an orchard in summer, though, as a
matter of fact, but very little is done, says
the Practical Farmer. Much of the hard
work which orchards entail when the trees
get large, such as the cutting away OF
large limbs, could be avoided if a little
time were given to the orchard in the
summer while the trees were young. Look
at the many leaning trees to be seen in
MANY an ola orchard. They are only
there because the owner did not plant
them firmly at first and then neglected
to straighten them as soon as they blew
over. It is hard work to straighten a tree
after it has had years growth in its lean
ing position. TO straighten it then re-
quires the breaking off of some young
roots, perhaps, but 1t is better TO oreaK
them than have the tree out of line.
If in a very windy situation, it is better
to stake it off for year or two, until as
sured that ii is firmly rooted. When
tree is young is the time to prune 1t to
bring it into shape. lt.can easily be seen
whether shoots are being made which are
too close TO one another or which Will cross
each other. These should not be per-
mitted TO get larger than what strong
newly planted Tree needs pruning in order
70 assist it's recovery from the check of re-
moval. 1t may have pushed into growth
feebly, showing that the roots have too
much work to do. There may be no more
branches than required for the good OF the
tree. but its life is what is wanted first of
all, and to effect this more pruning must
be done, either by shortening in some of
the branches or cutting away altogether.
AS rule planters are satisfied if tree
pushes out leaves and maintains them
throughlthe season, even though no length
of growth be made. Mulching a freshly
set tree is of great advantage to it. There
is nearly always moisture below coat OF
mulch, and the soil under it is cool in sum-
mer. Next to this there is nothing like
the constant passing of the cultivator.
This, too, cools the soil and keeps it moist,
and is of very great help to trees. Spray
ing of fruit trees will be work for early
summer. Just as soon as the flowers fall
have mixture ready composed OF about
four pounds of copper sulphate, fifty gal
Ions of water and two pounds OF quickllme.
and syringe the trees with 1t, and do 1t
again in about three week, and for the
third time about six weeks later, and the
chances for a crop of fruit will be good.
Where blight of foliage is feared, add about
three ounces of Paris green to the fifty gal
lens of water, and both insects and blight
will be destroyed. Those who have not
tried spraying will be delighted with its
efficacy.
Later in the season, when the fruit has
set, II spraying has been successful, there
will be fruit to bethinned out. Trees which
have been grated need attention. Often
times shoots from the stock will spring out
near the scion and overlap it, taking from
it the strength it should have. These
shoots must be cut back until the scion is
the leading shoot, and after 1t gets strong
and vigorous the other shoots spoken of
must be cut away entirely. And see that
where Scions have been tied the strings
are cut after growth starts. Some
times gratis fail to grow, and again other
trees may be found which 1t is desired
should be changed to other kinds and IN
these cases budding affords the chance to
ACCOMPLISH the object. This work is done
toward the close of>summer, but before the
sap: ceases to flow freely. A great many
can be set:in about the tree, and when the
next: spring comes they grow as gratis
would do.
Borers add little to the summer care Of
an orchard: They should be looked for
in June and September. As their borings
are easily seen, it has always seemed to
me easier to look the trees over in this way
than it is to try TO prevent their entrance.
If but recently entered there is no trouble
in getting a borer out. Whether or not to
have crops in an orchard other than the
fruit trees must be decided according to
ables and other farm products do no harm
if they do. not rob the trees: There must
be no infringement ON the territory the
roots occupy by other plants, unless the
Soils abundantly able to support the de-
mands of both.