The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-10-02
SETTING OUT FRUIT TREES AND
GRAPE VINES.

Regard quality rather than quantity
This applies in an eminent degree to fruit
trees and grape vines. A few of either
properly set out and we'll cultivated will
larger number cultivated in the usual
way.
Transplanting Will first claim our at
tcntion Trenches should be constructed
at proper distances apart, according to
the kind of tree to be grown; they may
be ~ feet deep, feet broad on the
bottom and feet at top; they may be
constructed with q plow and shovel.
Ihe trenches, except spaces of about 5
feet at proper distances apart, should be
filled to within about inches of tie top
with green round timber bark on, red
oak, white oak or hickory will be good );
any wood considered better than pine.
The trenches should then be filled with
soil, which will cover the logs to the
depth CT about inches, said spaces will
indicate the distances apart the trees will
stand in the trenches. They are to be
properly filled with soil, to which we'll
rotted chip manure or other suitable ma
terial may be added. Thus arranged, the
to withstand stoms, which would not
be the case if they are plancd immc-
diately over the logs In setting, the trees
should not be planted any deeper than
they originally grew.
While the timber in the trenches is
rotting the oxygen Of the air. or of rain
water, combines with the carbon of the
wood and forms carbOnic acid gas. This
| gas is a powerful solvent and acts or
certain rebellious clements of the sol
reducing them to plant food.
Now any plant that will hasten the dc
composition of the wood will prove Denef-
cal. With this view iron tubes Of suit
able size and length may be employed
They may be about six inches above the
ground when planted. The arrangement
! at the bottom should be such as to pre-
/ vent the dirt from running among the
| logs. Puddles clay thrown around the bot
| tom Of the tube will be good. A tube fol
| each compartment will be required. 1
preferable, said tubes may be CONSTRUCTED
! Of some durable species of wood. Tho
plan will answer we'll for fruit trees OF
! grape vines. Some years ago it was test
ed on a grape vine near Wilmington, N
| c., substantially as follows:
| Flowers grape vine. variety Of the
scuppernong family, was set out in tht
usual way; about six years thereafter
! pit feet long, 4 feed wide and 2H fee
| deep was constructed. The pit was thel
! filled with green red oak poles, bark on
! to within about inches of the top, an(
then properly covered with soil. A cut
/ ting from said vine was then plante'
near one end of the pit. In a few year
the younger vine went ahead Of the pa
rent vine. One year, of which | have
record, after the younger vine got t
| bearing properly the two vines produced
| q bushels of grapes. which were sold 70
wine purposes. OF these the younger vim
produced about two thirds; nor was th
all, the grapes from the younger vim
we're larger and of much better quality
| My opportunities for investigation thel
ceased, but it is believed that the yOunge
vine eventually much exceeded the abov
proportion. The same principle apple
to all fruit trees.
To procure best results commercial fer
| tilizers may be used For apples, use
| fertilizer as follows: Nitrogen per cent
| Availablo Phoerh~~ic ~id per cent, an
| Potash 10 per cent Broadcast from 30
to 500 pounds per acre and work into tn
| soil. Instead of the above, the following
| material may be compounded and used
| Nitrate of Soda, 80 to 100 pounds; Ac
! Phosphate $50 to 500 pounds and Kainit
| 400 to 500 pounds. In lieu of the kainit
100 to 200 pounds Muriatc of Potash ma
| be used. The application may be mad
| annually.
Heavy applica tons Of nitrogen shou
| be avoided. as it promotes growth o
wood at the expense of fruit. The abov
formula can be varied to suit other frui
trees. such peaches, grape vines, etc
| but the trenches and application of WOO
| will substantially be alike for all.
BRYAN TYSON.