Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-01-13
ESTABLISHING AN ORCHARD.
An Excellent Article by c. I. Lewis
Professor of Horticulture, o. A. G.

Professor of Horticulture, y. a ~
The large profits realized from
Iour orchards the past few years have
given a great impetus to fruit grow
ling. and as a result many people are
setting out orchards. To large
lnnmber of these persons fruit grow
ling is a new occupation and they are
seeking information to aid them in
Establishing their orchards.
AS regards the time to set the ire IS
from October to February or March
lis generally preferable where cli-
mate conditions are such as to allow
one to carry on the work. Trees set
at this time become we'll established
in early spring and are ready to be-
gin growth in April. In irrigated
sections, or high elevations, where
there is danger of fall freezing, plant
ing can be delayed until spring.
The kind of soil is question OF
importance. and in speaking OF soil
we consider both the physical and
chemical The physical Is, perhaps,
the more important in that its con-
dltlons are hard TO change, while
often In tho chemical we can supply
lacking plant foods. often the grow
ers expect the chemist TO analyze a
small sample OF his soil and tell him
what Il needs. The chemist can tell
II certain elements are deficient, but
he cann,t tell whether those pres
ent are in en- available form, and the
grower Is therefore forced to try ex-
periments.
AS far as the physical character OF
soil are concerned, apples In our cli-
mate prefer a clay loam-not neces-
sarily heavy clay, but a clay loan Is
apt to retain mokture and food sucn
as apples need Pears will grow on
similar soils TO apples or even
heavier soil. Cherries and prunes
prefer the lighter loan. such as
many of the red hill lands, especially
where the soil Is deep Peaches do
well on granite, sandy soils; while
grapes prefer the sunny south-eaA ,
slopes especially those that are deep 7
aud contain more or less stony sub.
soil. The main requirement with the
walnut seems to be a deep soil.
Attention should be paid 10 the
sub-soll Those soils having a hard ,
pm near tho surface, a cement
or a loose gravel that does
not reach a water supply should be
avoided. In many parts OF western
Oregon the alluglal soils that have
been washed In by the rivers, though
often appearing light IN character are
ltton among our best fruit soils, be-
ng rich and deep and generally fur
lishcd with plenty OF moisture. East
IF the mountains the rich volcanic \
.oils when furnished with humus ana
'iven plenty Of water will grow most
my OF our fruits.
other things being equal the
ilgher elevations and slopes are to
.e preferred Tn : are apt 10 be bet
er drained, more free from frosts.
nd often seem TO produce fruit of a
etter color
Having chosen your land, the next
tep Is TO prepare e, II this Is OLD
'heat land It should be thoroughly
lowed and narrowed and where pos
ible stable compost should be add
d. On many OF the newly irrigated
ands Il is often better TO irrigate a
eason or two, growing some plant to
npply humus, before planting the
richard. On many of the stump
lnds holes can be dug for the trees
nd the Land prepared as rapidly as
osslble, By the time the trees need
he intense cultivation over a large
nrtace the stumps will have been
amOved
The question OF varieties is a dim.
llt one TO settle. Certain localities
our state have already determined
lis but to those localities where
numerical orchards have not as vet !
zen developed the rule would be TO
row those commercial varieties
hioh show the most promise in
1ur immediate locality Lacking
us Information, try a few Of the
aiding commercial varieties Three
five varieties will be enough for n
numerical orchard aud irs much her
r 20 plant three 10 insure thorouph
''.lna,ion, as some OF our leadinq
'gleies seem to be sterile.
oU'n We are asked what age anal
4e trees are best. The one-year-old
&c Is 20 be preferred. Il will es-
uilsl itself uora nosi1,. ....a -