The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-06-30
TIMELY and Untimeiy Cultivation.


The time at which cultivation is
performed is as important as the cul-
tivation itself.
Cultivation at proper seasons is al
ways beneficial TO tree. vine and bush
as we'll as other vegetation, while the
same cultivation out of season is fire.
quently of little value and many times
of positive damage. To sustain the
above general statements let us in-
quire INTO the objects of cultivation.
The effect it has on different plants
and the conditions of certain plants
at certain seasons necessary TO with
stand climatic influences requires
much thought and good Judgment
constantly on hand to reap the great
est reward from what we have.
We cultivate the peach tree TO in
crease and make available the plant
food in the soil upon which it stands
in order to secure the best crop posi-
BILE from the tree, and at the same
time cause the tree TO take on its nor
NAL amount of new wood and buds,
secure the ripening of the same and
TO enable the tree TO go through the
coming winter with its stored energy
unimpaired. The question is how
best TO do it.
Gang pillow about four inches deep
not later than May with frequent
shallow narrowing until into August.
This at a time of much rainfall puts
the soil in condition 70 retain the
moisture which is necessary 10 make
available the largest amount OF plant
food. New feeding rootlets form more
readily in moist than dry soil and
these favorable conditions at leafing
time give more and better foliage.
The better the leaf the better the
crop: also the better the leaf the great
er the amount of new wood as we'll as
stored energy for the next season.
From this treatment we may expect
the best results. However, there is
one thing TO be guarded against.
If the weather be dry and cultivation
ceases in early August, the wood and
buds ripen too early, so that warm
rains and hot weather in September
are liable TO start a second growth of
wood and consequently swell the
fruit buds enough TO materially in
crease the liability of winter killing.
There are peach orchards carrying
heavy crops Of fruit where no attempt
at cultivation has been made, but
they probably will be plowed by the
middle of July.
Orchards of this class have received
an injury beyond repair. BY blowing
90 :
are cut, giving the tree a shock at
the time of its greatest demands and
at the time of its least ability TO re-
cover. When new rootlets form later
it is quite liable TO stimulate a late
growth to the danger point OF trosts
catching the wood in an unripe con
dition. Should such a condition OF
tree and bud exist at the coming OF
winter. which will be very reasonable
to expect the prospects for an unin
iured tree and buds in the spring are
reduced TO a minimum.
Keep a surface soil mulch by FIRE
ouent shallow cultivation. If tn
weather is dry. this is necessary t
supply the plant with daily moisture
which it will do if the feeding rootlet
have been allowed, as they SHOULD
have been, to form near the surface
thus coming in contact with and ah
sorbing water from the daily-Perhap
I had better say nightly moistene
surface.
This regular deposit of moisture
obtained in the following manner
We mechanically prepare this surfac
mulch of fine loose earth by frequer
shallow cultivation and nature doe