The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1905-05-19
DON'T NEGLECT ORCHARD.
The Time Of Year When the Trees
Should Have Their Share
Of Attention.

The time of year is almost at hand
to begin work in the orchard. The
failure Of fruit crop would disap-
point thousands of people, more so
than most any other crop of the farm.
Many farmers get good varieties Of ap-
pie. peach, pear, plum and cherry trees,
take them home and dig hole for
each and set them in, and that is the
last bit of care they get. And more
than likely that is the last Of the trees.
too. -
Farmers say it is hard to get an Or
chard started. A writer in Farmers
Guide claims there are thousands of
dollars lost annually by not setting and
caring for orchards right. In 30 doing
farmers have trees Of all ages, from
three to twenty-five years old, in the
same orchard. The stock on the farm
is allowed to roam at will in the or
chard, breaking down and destroying
many valuable young trees. Much is
also lost by farmers setting trees in
fence corners, and giving no cultiva-
ton whatever. Suppose We should
plant field of corn and never cult
vate it. What could we expect? Just
50 50, with the or44rd; it needs cultiva-
Good fruit brings good prices at the
present time Select good varieties and
take more pains in setting the trees.
Never cramp the roots down in setting,
but 60 at it right. Go to the forest
and get rich soil and use about one
half wheelbarrow full to each tree.
Then get right down and straighten
the roots out In their natural shape.
Wash all young trees with soapsuds
each spring and fall. It will destroy
many insects and also keep rabbits and
mice from gnawing the trees.
Cultivate the young orchard. Truck
crops, such as potatoes, melons, cab
bage, ETC., can be grown until the trees
begin to bear fruit. Then it can be
sown to clover. In old orchards prune
in April. Thin the underbrush and
water sprouts out pretty we'll, then
pillow with the ordinary breaking plow.
Seed to wheat or oats, then sow down
to grass. Then see what nice fruit you
will have. 1t will pay you ten times
over for all your labor.
Wood ashes is most valuable fertil-
izer for bearing fruit trees. Therefore,
save all ashes and apply one-haf gal
Ion around each tree. They tend to
check the thrifty growth and help ma
ture the fruit buds. They also harden
the wood and the trees are then not
so apt to be winter-killed. Then, their
application will destroy many insects
which burrow in the ground.
There has been much complaint dur
ing the past few years about wormy
fruit, especially apples. This. can be
avoided considerably by letting the
pigs have the run of the orchard dur
ing the summer months to take up
all worthy fruit that falls before it is
matured. 1t certainly destroys many
millions Of eggs deposited therein.
The question is asked: What fruit is
most in demand? would say that the
following find most ready market:
Apples, peaches and cherries. They are
used more than other kinds of fruit.
The demand is very great for all these
fruits.
If you are going to raise fruit, 70 at
it right. What is worth doing at all
Is worth doing WE'LL" Do not put much
stable manure around peach trees, as
1t is injurious to both tree and fruit
1T you wish to raise Seeding peaches,
put the seed in the ground immedi-
ately after taken from the fruit.
Never let them get dry. The Seeding
peach is much harder than the grated
or the budded peach and will stand the
winter better. Much choicer fruit may
be had by thinning the fruit when
young by picking out some of the clus.
tiers.
The orchard ought to be the most
valuable piece of ground on the farm
If kept in good condition.