The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1908-02-15
II PnANTlNo AND


THE REHNTiNG AND
l4s CARE or TREES.
address of wyatt johnson at the
!. Farmers Institute Friday afternoon.
5 Feb. 14.)
This should be the first, and is one
of the most important considerations
the person intending to develop
anywhere, but especially so in
the Pecos Valley, where result are
Sc satisfactory, because of our sys-
of irrigation, our continual sun
shine, and soil particularly adapted
to certain varieties of fruit trees as
as wen as shade trees and shrubs.
In planting an apple orchard, h
first thing to be considered is the dis
lance to plant trees. Twenty-Five by
thirty fee the short way, north and
south, is, in my estimation, certain
tances should be varied some, accord
ing to the kinds planted. Some varie.
ties require more sunlight to colon
the fruit than others. Also, there is
a difference in the size of trees.
The Arkansas Black, which is
about one-third of the planting this
year, grows rapidly, n to a large
size, and therefore should be planted
farther apart. The Missouri Pippin,
which is about one-fourth of present
planting, is the reverse. But with
proper care the two can be equalized
with very profitable results.
Fertilize the Missouri Pippin; this
will force the growth of wood and
lessen the supply of fruit buds, en-
large the size of the fruit and keep
the trees from over4bearing. Prune
heavily while dormant. If the trees
seem to still over-bear, pick some of
the apples when first formed.
The Arkansas Black is considered
"a shy bearer, and should never be
fortified, or the growth will be in
the wood, and it will be years before
the trees bear a full crop, while they
have grown to be yer large in cali
Der and size. This objection a be
largely overcome, too, by pruning
the roots or tops, after the sap is up,
and the leaves nearly grown.
These two varieties are mentioned
simply because they are the two ex-
|tremes. Other varieties should be.
treated in Like manner to the extent
that their apparent tendencies will
indicate.
I do not advocate the planting of
orchard and alfalfa together. The
ground cannot be ploughed. The al
falfa soon absorbs the moisture, caus-
ing the apples to be small and fall
off before harvest time. The cult
waiting Of a small strip Of ground
along the tree row, is good for. a
year or two. Then comes the difficult
task of Kidding the ground of it. When
the two are, however, desired, it ia
well to trim Or head the trees at
least four feet from the ground.
Grain crops in a young rchar
are desirable, as the continual cult,
walton is very beneficial to the trees.
the long slender roots being just be-
low the plough.
AT this season of the year, when
there is some uncertainty of the
peach and Japan plum crop, it is ad-
visab1e to keep the ground not only
moist, but wet, during the blooming
period, as moisture seals the bloom
and prevents h damaging dry
freeze, also holding back the bloom
by keeping the ground cold.
1t is a well known fact that the
peach belt of Michigan gets it's mois-
ture from that river, the moisture
taking care of the bloom. I would
advocate the planting of peach trees
near your artesian wells, reservoirs,
or river banks, as the case may be.
The orchard of Mr.. A. M. Thomp-
son, in the forks of the Hondo and
Berrendo, seldom fails TO bear,-and
there are a number of others.
In my estimation, much of the sue
cess in growing peaches depends up
n dampness surrounding them in
the early spring time. This will also
hold good with small fruits, as the
water running through o near them
during the blooming season causes a
damp atmosphere, which moistens
the pollen that is distributed by the
bee from bloom to bloom, but which
will not fertilize without moisture.