The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-03-19
YOUR YARD AND ORCHARD.
(By w. s. Alvord. J

(By w. s. Alvord.)
Ny favorite branch Of farming is
horticulture and flowers and as this
is the season of the year when most
pruning is done will take that for
my subject. There is no one thing
stands out more permanently than
pruning. No matter how good the
selection Of fruit nor how well the
orchard Is cared for, without proper
pruning success. is impossible. The
tendency Of all fruit trees is to pro-
duce too much new wood and unless
this is checked by judicious pruning.
The energy OF the tree Will be used
to support this wood instead Of per-
fecting Its fruit. Where this ten
dency Is checked by pruning. Prun-
ing away part OF the wood the
roots force their full power In the
wood that Is kept and the fruit re-
ceives better nourishment, becomes
larger and better In every way. 1t
should be remembered that 1t is In
the power Of every fruit and tree
grower to shape the tree to his own
way Of growing. In the past, until
the last five years fruit trees have
been allowed to grow too high, but
modern methods are to grow the low
headed tree, with spreading form, as
they are more easy to fight disease
and gather the fruit. In setting out
new orchards 2-year-old trees are
better than older ones, but i prefer
yearling headed back to two and a
half to three feet and beginning on
the young tree to form the head to
suit myself. My experience in Idaho
has been the best with yearlings
Trees when set In the orchard should
be just whips, not a branch on them
and q good supply Of roots, then cut
off at the desired height. You wish
the head to form The buds below
will develop into branches and here
is the growers opportunity to de-
velop the head desired and select or
determine the kind Of tree you de-
sire and stick to that form. have
been asked when to trim. My
answer is, when you are in the or
chard with q sharp knife. Most
horticulturists say as soon as the
frost is out and till the tree begins
to bloom. i have trimmed all
through the summer with good re-
suits.
About caring for the orchard and
crops in the orchard SOW oats
and | do not like any small grain
crops In the orchard. Potatoes and
corn or beans, pears and cabbage are
the best and don't crowd too close to
the trees with any crop. The best
orchard ever saw never had a grain
or vegetable crop, just plenty Of cul-
tivation till August, then sowed in
peas or some broad leaf plant and
plowed early in the spring and clean
cultivating, fallowed again till fall,
and pruning was done in this or
chard all the year around until in
full bearing, when 1t was seeded to
red clover and allowed to lay two or
three years, then plowed and culti-
waited for a couple OF seasons, then
seeded again and the fruit raised was
perfect in size, color and quantity. |
This Is now the season to select |
your seed potatoes, flower seed,
plants and Towering bulbs for no
home is complete without plenty Of |
flowers. have found here in Idaho /
roses, pinks and carnations do I'M
commonly we'll with very little care.
The Gladiolas, Tigradus, Zephyran-
thes, ad Tuberoses are the best flow
ering bulb. They can be treated
about the same as potatoes and give
a world of fine bloom from July 25th
I'LL frost, then dig bulbs and dry in
The sun and put away in dry, cool
place, where they will not frost and
hey will be ready for planting May
10th to June 1st. The Boston ivy,
Wisteria and Virginia Creeper and
he common hop vine are the best for
covering old fence and outbuildings;
,nce planted they last lifetime and
crow In beauty as they reappear each
'ear.
Hollyhocks, Phlox, Goldenglow and
sweet Williams planted by the gate
n In the corners of the yard help to
make the place more attractive and
lOmelike. Every home place should
levote some time and space to flow
RS, ornamental trees and shrubs and
'eautify the house with plants and
lowers and make 1t an attractive
lace for all. The home should be
he most attractive place on earth,
to love and cherish.
WIS. ALVORD,
Aberdeen, Idaho.