The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-04
Fruit Trees in Spring.

EnlldGelpnla RECORD
The planting of fruit trees should begin
as early as the weather will permit, and
the work should be done with care and
judgment. Owing to the terrible destruc-
ton of shade trees, fruit trees and shrub
berry by the recent storms there will be
considerable replanting this spring, and
trees may not be easily procured. Those
interested should lose no time in securing
the desired stock. One of the difficulties
met with by those ordering fruit trees is
that of selecting the proper varieties suit
able for the soil and climate. Because
certain variety succeeds in one section is
no guarantee that it will prove successful
elsewhere. AS it takes time for a tree to
grow and produce fruit any mistake mace
at the beginning may entail loss IN the
future. Inexperienced persons should con-
suit those who have met with success In
the use of varieties and follow their meth
DDS New varieties that are given extraor-
binary merits may be worthless In some
sections. Another point is to make the
nurSeryman guarantee that the variety or
dered will be true to name. 1t is very diff
ficult to receive a lot of peach trees OF
different varieties and have them come
according to the varieties ordered. This
is not due to dishonesty on the part of the
nurseryman, but to the hundreds of diff
ficulties encountered at the nursery in bud
ding the employ &c frequently making mis-
takes
The orchard should receive fertilizer
every spring, as the production of new
wood every year and the bearing of fruit
severely tax the soil. The profit in fruit
is made on that which is of the best quail
ity, and something more than good va
riety is necessary in the production of
choice article. While the trees may come
out in full blossom this spring, yet it often
happens that but a small proportion of the
blossoms set fruit. The frost destroys some
of them, and blight also performs its part
in reducing them to worthlessness, while
even the rains wash away portions of the
pollen. The cause of much loss of fruit is
lack of fertilization of the blossoms. The
bees are the principal agents for this pur
pose but ii may happen that Self-sterility
Cthe inability of the pollen of a variety to
fertilize the pistils of that Variety may
be at fault. When such happens there is a
continued dropping Of the fruit of that va
riety thus indicating that better results
can be obtained when two or more varie-
ties are used instead of one kind only
Many suggestions have been made to
the manner OF cuItlvatng or managing
fruit trees, but fruit growers are not unan-
imous in their opinions Some favor keep
ing the orchard land in grass, using fer
tiliZers while others believe that clover
should be grown in the orchard and plowed
under. Another class favors keeping the
land clean with the cultivator, preventing
the growth of weeds or grass among the
trees The newest theory is to grow grass
in the orchard and NOW it, leaving it under
the trees to remain as a mulch. The fact
is that the mana cement largely depends
upon the SOIL ana Climate ana only a test
of the several methods will assist in Sc
lecting the best mode of keeping the orch
ard in proper condition OF health and pro-
duction.
Fruit growing now receives more atten-
ton on farms than formerly. In years past
the orchard was considered as a self-sup-
porting feature of the farm Trees were
planted and left to grow and produce. Now
there are valuable improved varieties which
will not thrive without care, as the trees
are compelled to bear more fruit and it is
to the credit of the improved varieties that
they have forced the farmers TO adopt the
orchard as a necessary adjunct TO success
in farming While it may be claimed that
the markets are now Oversupplied with
fruit vet there is always some fruit in the
market that sells at better prices than
other kinds due 10 superior quality, ana
IL is the superior fruit that the enterprising
grower should endeavor 10 produce. APP
piles bring higher prices than oranges dur
ing some seasons of the year, anG as APP
piles can be produced more easily than or
anges they should be profitable in this sec
ton. considering the fact that orange grow
ing requires more capital and entails
greater risk of loss than apple orchards.