The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1904-08-25
SPLENDID PAPER BY
LOUIS A BERCKMAN'S
AuausTAN WON HIGH PRAISE HIMSELF
GEORGIA oRTIcuLruRALsTs

Let vines remain on ground and turn
under in February or March with a one
horse turn plow. Great care must be ex-
ercised in plowing, especially the first
strip near the trees, otherwise the roots
will be injured. The depth of the plow-
ing can be increased as the distance from
the tree is increased. The Cuttaway and
Acme Harrows and Weeders are the best
and most economical tools for subsequent
cultivation. The question has frequently
been asked how often an orchard should
be cultivated the answer to this is,
whenever needed frequently orchard
is gone over with the Spring Tooth Har-
row and Weeder as many as 20 times
during n season. The ground should
never be allowed to bake or become hard
Frequently beating rains will harden the
ground, in this case the Acme or Cutta-
way Harrow should be used to break the
crust but the cultivation should be shall
low. During the fall and winter hogs
could be pastured in the orchard, but
under no circumstances should horses
mules or COWS be allowed to run at large
For the first two years the growth of
the orchard should be stimulated as
much as possible by an abundant supply
of phosphoric acid and nitrogen, but
care should be exercised not to give
an excess OF nitrogen. This is readily
distinguishable by the vigorous growth
and the dark green color OF the leaves
An excess of nitrogen will also produce
an eXudation OF sap and immature rip
cning OF the twigs which are frequently
winter killed. When the trees show q
pale color ii indicates a lack 0. nitro
gen. In such cases an application Of
stable manure is beneficial. most cx-
cellent chemical fertilizer to use at this
period is Il mixture OF 1900 pounds of
acid phosphate. 400 pounds cotton seed
meal, and 400 pounds muriate or sulphata
of potash apply broadcast or in fur
rows on opposite sides OF the tree at the
proper distance, from 2 to 4 pounds OF
this mixture. according to the size Of
the tree. When the bearing period is
reached, potash Is needed, this can be
supplied in forms OF muriate or sulphate
of potash. AS the tree increases in age.
the quantity OF this fertilizer per tree
can be increased. il is best applied in
February or March, or just before active
root growth commences. Hard wood ash
es when obtainable is a most excellent
and economical fertilizer. A bearing or
chard should be given clean cultivation,
which should be continued until the
fruit Is harvested, after that time, II
practicable, drill in peas and continue
the cultivation until middle Of August
or lst OF September. Many orchards do
not require fertilization annually. but
should be kept thoroughly and constant
ly cultivated from spring until middle OF
August or lst OF September II the
trees receive too much phosphoric acid
and nitrogen, the growth will be exces-
sive. the fruit will lack color, and 1t
will be very susceptible to brown rot, In
this case ashes or potash fertilizer should
be literally applied.
Pruning.
Upon proper and intelligent pruning
VIII depend in a great measure the sue
cess OF your orchard. In this section
trees should be headed low when set out
! tc l IL to feet above ground be-
ing the best height. The tree having
been set to three limbs so that 1t Is well
balanced, l-2 to 1-3 OF the previous
years growth of these limbs should be
removed during winter. and tree pruned
so that ii Will have broad open head
thus admitting light and air to the fruit
Should the trees have rank and vigor-
Gus growth the surplus wood should be
removed. The pruning should be done
annually Great care must be exercised
in leaving a proper quantity OF fruiting
wood. Frequently n peach crop is ma
terialiy reduced by ignorant cutting
away OF too many fruit buds.
Borers.
In early winter the earth should be
removed from about the body OF the tree
down to the crown. all gummy exuda-
tiona scraped OFF. for this purpose use
tool somewhat like a Farriers knife
Al borors should be carefully taken out.
then apply the following wash which is
"Accilent 10 prevent the attack OF the