The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-06-11
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions fOr Our
Agricultural ReaderS
Apple Trees Need Food and Water.


fruit should only be expected from trees
/ that are regularly fed Because apple trees
Will exist and occasionally bear a partial
/ crop of fruit If they are utterly neglected,
~ Is too often assumed that they require no
care after they are planted; but poorly-fed
I apple trees can only be regarded from tine
truit-grower's standpoint as Improbable
possessions. Plant foods may be supplied as
/ follows, says the Rhode Island Experiments
| Station:
(a) By top-dressing the soil beneath and
about the trees with farmyard manure dur
ing the Winter OF Spring at the rate of one
cord to from four to 10 trees, depending
somewhat upon their size Occasionally
the application may be omitted and an
equal value of wood ashes applied in its
place. This is an old and reliable recipe
that Is now being used by many apple
growers whose trees generally appear thrifty
and productive.
(b) BY the use of agricultural chemicals
and the more concentrated fertilizers. Less
Is known at present concerning ,he specific
action Of these upon the growth of apple
trees, although it is believed by MANY grow
ers that they can be used with profit in the
apple orchard.
(e) BY the growth Of nitrogen-uathering
crops IN the orchard and the application OF
small amount of fertilizing materials, con-
sisting mainly of potash and phosphoric
acid. This plan eontemplates the growth of
crop on the unOecupied land in the orch
ard that will return to the soil more plant
food than 1T takes from it, and in a measure
make good the loss which the land sustains
by taking off crop Of fruit. Where pracsi-
cable, this appears to be the cheapest method
Of maintaining the fertility of the soil in an
apple orchard, although at present it is bus
little practiced in this State, except in q
modified form where the orchards are pas-
tured
If the supply Of water in the soil in an
orchard is deficient when the fruit is matur-
Inc, as 1t frequently is, the trees cannot
produce full crop of apples however we'll
they may have been fed aud otherwise cared
for. The lack of a sufficient amount of water
IN the soil In orchards is the cause of apples
dropping prematurely and the ripeDing OF
Winter fruit during the Fall months While
1T may be impracticable to attempt to supply
water artiicially IN most cases, at least, to
orchards In this State, yet much can BE-
done by good management to prevent the
needless escape of the natural supply. and in
this way large quantities of water may be
retained IN the soil for the use of the trees
when 1T is needed by them. A mulch Of
grass, leaves or other organic matter is use
fui Tor this purpose, aud the ground IN some
cases may be cultivated in the open spaces
to good advantage. In this connection we
must enter protest against the practice Of
trimming off the lower limbs of apple trees.
This allows the wird to sweep through
beneath them and the sun TO shine in and dry
up the soil over their roots. In the average
orchard in Rhode Island these limbs should
De spared if for no other reason than to re-
lard the evaporation of moisture from the
soil beneath the trees.
Curing Grasses and CIoyers
The natural grasses, when cut for hay. are
generally spread and dried as rapidly "a
possible IN order to secure them in the best
possible condition. The same method is not
applicable to the clover crop. 1t requires a
longer time to cure properly, and if exposed
10 the screening sun it is injured more than
The natural grasses. since its succufeut
caves and tender blossoms are quickly
Drowned and lose their sweetness in a meas
Ire, and are themselves liable to be wasted
n handling over. Many prefer curing in
he cock. Now clover when dry and free
rom dew; let it wilt, and the same day
e is mown fork it into cocks which will
weigh from 40 to so pounds when fit for
he barn. Do not rake and roll, Us that
will compress it too much. Place in the
'arn according to the weather, but it may
'e safely moved away while the heads and
talks are comparatively green and fresh.
men ns to cart, the green stalks will be
ound to be destitute, or nearly so, of sap, as
he sap has candied and the clover will keen.
IN the day OF earting turn the cocks over,
x pose the bottom to the sun an hour or so.
nd to each ton of hay as it goes into the
now or stack add four to six quarts of salt.
n general way, these instructions may be
dapted to clover, eOwpess, and other Iegu-
ninOus crops, which are so valuable for
toek because of their richness in protein.
Buckwheat
Buckwheat is not raised extensively in
many sections. 1t can, however, be success
1iiy grown as a catch crop. Sow in June or
uly at the rate of two to i've pecks Der acre
roadeast. 1t will grow on very poor soil.
( wheat ripens early this year, which is
robabfe. buckwheat can be sown on the
Iheatheid- 1t is cut with selfbinder, and
hooked and thrashed like other small grains.
I bees are kept, the buekwheat blossoms
lrnlsh excellent honey, and by sowing at
sVeral different dates quite an extended
oney period Is obtained. During seasons
hen clover, etc, are not abundant, bulk
AOo" do q Dco ptotuIo ID ImpOfbdnb.
Farm Notes.
When tree is allowed TO bear a full crop
apples it costs the tree more to produce
he seeds than the pulp. Every apple left
4 the tree, whether the fruit is good or not
lxes the tree and the land. If one-half of
lie fruit of heaviIy-laden tree is removed
= picking, the remaining fruit will be OK
etter quality and also produce as many
loI, ill II ~.
aimed on the tree
The lack of song birds is due to their de-
ruction by cats to a large extent Cats not
lily catch the parent birds on the ground,
1T destroy young birds in the nests Wren
,xes, placed against barns, where the cats
nnOt reach them, and with openings not
rgeT than an inch in diameter, will induce
rens to remain, but if cats are numerous
any of the wrens will be caught on the
ound.
The tomato is subject to blight, rot, leaf
OF and to insects. Use the Bordeaux mix
re ON the plants. 1t is necessary to care
lily look over the plants daily, as they are
bjsct to the attack of potato beetles. Use
trate of soda to give them quick start in
Dwth.
The orchard should be cultivated rsgu-
ly. 1t is the rule among experienced
ach- growers to cultivate peach orchard
the same manner as is required for corn.
seds aud grass in O peach orchard soon