The age-herald., 1902-05-18
THE ORCHARD.


 When picking fruit is the best time to assort it.
 Fruit intended for keeping must be han led with care.
 The active season for budding Is now on us.
 The free flow of sap is favorable to a speedy starting of the new buds.
 The worst enemy of the peach grower Is the borer.
 The grape, currant, quince, gooseberry and rose grow readily from cuttings.
 A few pieces of charcoal dropped into the water assist in preserving cut flow CTS.
 A good tree well planted will usually grow whether planted in the spring or fall.
 In making cuttings from gooseberries take branches and smaller branched limbs instead of using only straight cut tings.
 Good success may be had In transplant ing red raspberries and blackberries in every month from March to November.
 Budding will always, or for years to come, be In order to change undesirable varieties to those that are more desira- ble.
 Whatever tends to promote the health and thrift of the tree will also free both tree and fruit from blight and scab.
 To prevent premature falling of fruit keep the trees healthy and free from in- sects. and keep the ground properly ma nured
 The advantage of fall planting of trees is that there is usually more time to do the work and the trees get better settled into position.
 One advantage in pruning before the leaves fall Is that one can readily pick out the diseased limbs by the leaves which are not so thrifty In appearance. All budding of old trees should be com pleted before the end of May, so as to in- sure healthy growth and mature wood before winter sets In. The grape is one of the most desirable fruits to plant. It is inexpensive to get a start with, 1t bears early, it is produc- tive and easily managed and the fruit Is delicious and wholesome. In budding, whatever m ethod Is adopt ed will require the greatest vigilance and care to see that nothing grows of the new | wood but what is trained for permanent growth.
 The application of crude carbolic acid about the base of the trees has helped in the fight against the borer. This is ap-
 
 pei the moths, and so prevent egg-laying. According to the report sent out by the weather bureau the general outlook for fruit is good except the peach crop in parts of the Ohio and Central Missssip- pi valleys.
 Sod Is an excellent protection to an or chard in winter and should not be plowed under unless for an urgent reason. If 1t is plowed apply a good dressing of ma nure as a mulch to protect the trees. The best remedy against the borer Is to dig it out They work just beneath the ground, and as they wound the tree the exuding gum forms hard lump with the earth. and so the presence of the borers Is quickly determined Once located 1t Is quick work to find and crush In planting, if at all possible the trees should be put In the ground facing the same point of the compass 1t did in the nursery. This can be easily determined by watching the nursery rows where they have been grown. Generally the bud Is put in the shady side of the tree These small details are often the factors that make success. and neglect to observe them may indicate failure. Every farmer in the state should do two things; have a good orchard of a variety of fruits and subscribe for the Mammoth Eighty-four Column Twelve Page Weekly Age-Herald.