The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-24
The Orchard I'm Winter.

There IS a great deal of profitable work
10 be done in an orchard in winter, writes
Joseph Meehan in Practical Farmer The
very young orchard will often need its
trees Strengthened up. and often this
means a stake TO tie them TO. And If
cattle are permitted in il there must be
guards placed around the trees for their
protection II is the young trees. too.
that mice and rabbits damage, some
times beyond repair and this win have
10 be guarded against by the placing of
wire guards against the trees. And if
the wire be small meshed enough. borers
cennot get to the trees In the long run,
wire is about the best protector for all
the purposes named. Even after the
trees are of large size the wire is useful
again 20 keep horses from gnaWng the
bark In cities. where street trees have
TO be protected, wire is now frequently
used There is no harm in cattle rum
ming through an orchard where trees are
well protected from them, and winter
gives the opportunity TO devise and
carry out plans for properly protecting
the trees. Trees young or old are always
susceptible 10 Improvement by pruning.
The young tree needs it that the basis of
a good shaped tree may be laid. There
is a good deal In the early pruning of
such trees. Western men universally
advocate low branched trees as best
suited 10 the climate They like their
apple trees with branches almost sweeping
the ground, from necessity to a great eX-
tent they say
Those of the East have always had
theirs trimmed up 10 give trunk of about
five feet. and there seems no desire 20
change H. The space under the tree is
useful in many ways. and no gain 10 the
trees in percepuble when low branched
But whichever plan is decided on, winter
permits OF the proper pruning. Where a
tee has been headed too low IL can be so
pruned that a vigorous central shoot VIII
be produced the coming season. Winter
pruning results in making a tree slightly
more twiggy Perhaps two strong shoots
instead of one cut off will be the result.
When a shoot is wanted cut the twig so
that the topmost bud on the remaining
part will be on the proper side. With
larger trees there Is usually some thinning
out of branches desired. These should be
sawed off close to the trunk and the cut
part painted 10 keep out the moisture. DO
not leave any decayed branches on tree,
as the decay progresses inwardly and
starts decay at the heart. 1t is from this
cause and implanted scars that so many
fine trees have gone 90 decay II is rare
TO find many old orchards in which sound
trees predominant. A well-cared-for or
chard will need but little pruning after
the first few years of intelligent work
Often but few half-decayed limbs &C.
come out, or a few of the later branches
topped 90 bring uniformity of growth.
Surface manuring of the orchard is a
source Of profit which should not be neg.
lected. Whatever may be best for trees
well on to maturity there Is nothing like
barnyard manure for younger ones. Where
the ground is fairly loose. that SHOWS ant
rains will carry the substance into the soil
surface manuring in winter is a wonder
ful help to trees. on hard ground. wher,
water would run off, some other plan mus
be tried Manure can be hauled in cart.
or sleds in the winter season. and spread
even on a snowy surface. The trees viii
respond the following season, as l hav,
witnessed many a time. making a mucI
more vigorous growth than trees not 81
treated. 1t is the favorite plan of nur
serymen 20 stimulate their trees of al
kinds. narrow sleds carrying manure alon,
the rows OF ornamental trees Ever,
farmer now recognizes that he has {,
Keep up an incessant war on insect foe
u ne would have fruit. and no better tim
IMAM winter exists TO prepare for battle
n Just what 70 do, when 10 sprey and d,
IKE work must be thought Out and pre-