Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1895-05-09

were fed all summer from 15-acre
pasture of clover. The field was irri-
gated with liquid manure diluted with
water. and each COW gave an income of
S95. OF course the clover was cut and
fed. So we see it is difficult to say now
many COWS c;sn be kept well on an So
acre farm. If could be kept along as
was Adam and Methuselah. in good
shape for business, would see if
could not yet keep ZIG cows on my PIG
acres.-A. X. Hyattin Farm and Dairy.
Apples in Nrtohern Iowa and Minnesota.
CHAs. F. GARDNER, in Dakota Farmer.
In travelling over the north half of
this state and at different points in the
state of Minnesota, we find here and
there many apple trees from fifteen to
twenty-five years old that are sound
and healthy and bear good crops of fruit.
We also find many dead trees and others
at all stages of decay. Without an
exception the class of trees first men
toned are found Invariably to be SO
grown that the trunk of the tree and
the larger branches are either complete
ly or partially shaded by their own
foliage. In some cases, as it would
seem by accident, they are SO situated
as to cause all the lower parts of the
tree to be shaded in the heat of the day
by objects some little distance from
them in a southerly direction. The
best trees are found where there is
either no protection whatever on the
north, or if there is such wind brakes
it is at quite a considerable distance.
In other words these trees are found
where there is good air drain
age. They are found principally but
not always, on land that slopes to the
north and always on soil well drained,
either naturally or artifcially. The
great majority of the best bearing trees
are very low headed and in many cases
approach what is known as the bush
form. Where specimens are found
headed higher, say five or six feet high
er, the trunks are now and have been
ever since planted out, shaded by some
object, generally by accident, some
times by design. In any case the OBJ
ject causing the right degree of shade
while the trees were young has been
removed, but during its time the tree
developed top capable of shading its
own trunk. The easiest way to secure
the desired result, among farmers who
are pressed for time. is to set low head
ed trees, leaning them to the south
west. A board set up on the southwest
side as soon as the tree is planted is u
good thing, but lath wired together
and placed around each tree and left
there for several years is much better.
as it prevents the trunk from sun
scalding and also secures the tree from
the attacks of rabbits. Tar paper
should never be used. 1t is very dan
the tree. 1t is my belief that there is
subject to sunscald in this latitude if
the trunks are exposed to the direct
rays of the sun. On the other hand,
believe there are many varieties that
are marked no good by many Horticul-
tural societies. that if grown as they
should be, would bring perfect sue
cess in the country of which am writ
ing. Those that have already planted
trees should lose no time in giving the
protection required before the warm
days get in their destructive work.
Little pruning should be done and nine
tenths of what is done should be in re
moving growth from the north east
side of the tree and sometimes choking
the upward growth little cutting
back. This will cause the tree to form
such a head as is most to be desired.
The following treatmentI will guaran-
tee will give good results. Just before
the buds start in the spring go over all
your trees and give the bark good
scraping, removing the rough exterior
bark and leaving no places for insects
to hide. Take good common bar soap
and rub it all over the trunk and larg-
est limbs; if there are any crotches cut
off piece of soap about an inch square
and place in the crotch, pressing it in
and leaving it there. Every time it
rains portion will dissolve and run
down the trunk. A good wash is made
by dissolving one lb. of potash in two
and one-half gallons of water and then
applying with fiat varnish brush to
the limbs and trunks OF the trees.
Either of these treatments will give
thriftiness and vigor to the trees sur
passing the expectations of anyone
who has not witnessed the effects. AZ
ter your trees are planted it is absolute
ly essential that the ground around
them should be kept loose and mellow
by cultivation. Plant potatoes or some
low growing crop between the rows,
keeping an area of more than the diam
eter of the head of the tree clear from
both the crop and the weeds. SO far as
the tree roots extend the ground be-
longs to them but it must be kept well
stirred. Mulching is exceedingly ben
quantity of common barn manure,
straw, litter or leaves put in a circle
covering the whole area of the roots
will retain moisture and often saves
trees from injury by frost or drouth.
Keep the orchard free from grass and
weeds.
Wrong Side I'm