The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-04-03
HORTICULTURE

The first object in planting fruit
should be. to supply the family with
everything in this line which can be
grown upon the farm. Those only who
grow their own fruit have these supreme
luxuries 10 their greatest perfection.
Growing for market should be a later
consideration.
We treat our trees too much as we
treat ourselves; we either do not know
their needs or we neglect our duty to
them. We give them too much or too
little drink and food, or give them such
things as come to hand without thought
OF their hurtfulness, and when nature
protests we resort to the first ouack
remedy we run across.
Do not plant fruits of any kind unless
prepared to do battle for the crop against
insect pests and diseases. We must ex.
pect these for the future. and while
they make success in the business more
difficult, our efforts will be the means of
bring still greater profit to those who
energetically use every proper facility
for protection.
The less orchards have to do with
wandering primers the better. The
true principle of pruning. except when
it If done for the purpose of improving
the shade of the tree or to renew the
vigor of an enfeebled one. is to limit it
to the removal of all weak and crowded
branches.
Ii there is any work which requires
the doing of it in the best way possible
it is the setting out of fruit trees. 1t is
a work which is expected to endure and
bring profit for 10 or 20 years. and
should not be done hastily. Every pre-
caution it is possible to take should be
taken.
The truck patch, like the garden,
should be too rich and valuable to allow
it to remain idle for even a part of the
growing season. Where have grown
the early potatoes, late cucumbers,
squashes, or pumpkins may be planted;
with the early sweet corn, tomatoes may
be grown. to ripen after the corn is
gone.
AS fast as potatoes are dug from the
home lot for table use. hills of cucum.
bers can be planted for winter pickles.
Even when the last cultivation is given
to the late potatoes good variety of
sweet corn can be planted between the
rows, and a profitable late crop procured
with little trouble.
1t is hard for the beginner to under.
stand the value of frequent cultivation
in the garden. 1t is evil enough that
crop OF weeds and a crop of vegetables
should be growing at the same time. but
growth of weeds implies that there
has been no stirring of the soil, and this
sin of omission is fatal.
AS soon as garden crops are large
enough cultivation should begin, and
end only when the vegetables begin to
ripen. 1t is maxim that a field made
familiar with the hoe from early spring
to late fall never suffers from the sum.
mer heat.
Carrots, potatoes and similar crops
will yield more than double when per-
sistently cultivated. This is especially
true in dry seasons. In dry soils, which
soon lose their moisture. the only hope
of saving the crop the farmer has lies in
constant cultivation.
Fall planting of strawberries is not
recommended. as it means a packed
soil to start with the pext spring. Plant.
ing in the spring gives all the season to
obtain a strong, we'll set row; fewer
plants will be lost. All things con-
sidered. plant in the spring.
There are no trees like the sugar and
Norway maple for roadside planting, yet
people will experiment forever with
others where these two will grow. These
never reach an Objectionable size, and
need never be cut down. Not their least
beauty shows in the fall. while other
trees are unsightly.
The horticultural loses much unless
he is acquainted with his constant COM
panions. the birds. Their interests are
so mutual that there should be an inti-
mate acquaintance. At the same time
it is pity that every one is not inter-
ested in birds, be his occupation what it
may.
Constant vigilance is absolutely essen
tial to success in the orchard. Insects
attack foliage, bark. root and fruit.
When the orchardist relaxes his watch.
fulness he is surprised to find his ene-
mics have taken advantage of him and
done irreparable injury to some tree or
plant.