Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-01-28
Old Apple Trees.

OpIlu
Old Apple Trees.
The theory Is quite prevalent
among many farmers that apple trees
should be cut down when they cease to
be productive in consequence of the
decay Of the branches. writes e. M.
Shaw in N. E. Farmer. Oftentimes,
and in most cases. such trees can be
restored to vigorous growth and
healthy condition by cutting away the
old decayed portion and allowing new
branches - take their places. This
will nearly always follow when trees are
we'll cared for and a liberal supply of
potash be given them. l saw an apple
tree recently on Orchard hill in the
town Of kensington. in this state that
was the remaining tree of an orchard
set out ninety years ago. All Of the
other trees were cut down thirty-live
years ago. This one. bearing a favorite
apple, by the pleadings of large fam
lily of children, was allowed to remain.
or late years the ground around it has
been cultivated. and 1t Is a constant
bearer. 1t is now covered with dense
green foliage, and the limbs have made
growth this year Of over a foot, Its
condition to-day shows the folly of cut
ting down trees as soon as they cease
to grow and bear fruit. Plow around
them, or where this cannot be done use
a spring tooth harrow. Mulch them well
and put on good supply of muriate OF
potash, cut off the old, decaying, moss
covered branches. grow out a new ton
of smooth wood and you will have the
pleasure of seeing large, smooth fruit
growing, where once were only small
inferior apples. Age has but little to do
with causing a tree to decay. One Of
the apple trees set out by the Arcadians
more than $50 years ago, is still stand
ing near their old home at Grand Pre-.
Nova Scotia. and in 1894 was loaded
with fruit.
Some Commercial Fertilizers.-Cyp.
sum Qand plaster) has the power Of
holding ammonia and preventing its
loss. 1t must. however. be moist in Or
der to be effective. The best wav N
use gypsum Is to sprinkle II on tho
moist dung or urine. Stables in which
the excrements are properly treated Inv
this means are noticeably free from
offensive Odors. as rule. Koinit
sprinkled upon manure tends to cbeck
fermentation and also to attract and
hold moisture. One precaution should
be observed in the use Of kainit: n
should be kept from under the feet ~
animals, since injury may result To the
feet of animals treading on it. II IN
therefore, best applied to fresh manure
and covered with litter. Acid phos.
phate contains considerable propor.
ton of gypsum. and, to this extent Ito
action is like that of gypsum. The
soluble phosphate in the acid phos-
phate tends to unite with ammonia ana
prevent its loss and also to check fer
mentation.-Ex.
Fine Soil.-Within certain limits. the
finer the soil is the more available be-
comes the plant food 1t contains. In
the case of stiff clay soils, Professor
Corbett holds that the state of division
Of soil particles can be carried too far
To pulverize it into dust makes II
pack. and il rain occurs 1t becomes
adhesive and upon drying loses its fri.
lble consistency. In general, however.
he danger does not lie in too much
but from the contrary side.
With sandy, gravelly and loamy soils.
he more thorough the cultivation the
more available food will be utilized by
he plant The primary requirements
or success are deep blowing followed
~ thorough narrowing as a prepare
ion for suitable seed bed.-Ex.
The charlottesville dandelion Is an
Did World flower, not native in Ameri-
a, save far to the north and on some
# the highest OF our western noun
aims. But somehow 1t was brought |
ere. perhaps from England in old
olonial times. Now we see its golden
eads and feathery balls at every
rassy roadside. the "clocks" the bows
nd girls blow to tell the hour. A few
ears ago farmers IN the northwest
ound new weed, vile prickly weed.
! their wheat fields. In a very short
me this weed. the Russian thistle. has
,read over wide acres of the best farm
md in that part Of the country. and
as done great injury to the crops.-
Z.
Only by combining In some degree
n the producers of fruit protect thei1