Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-09-08
FHKW AND JKCHHKD
Notes and Instructions from Agricultural Colleges and Stations
of Specially
SUMMER WORK IN ORCHARD.
By Professor C. l. Lewis. Department of Horticul-
ture. Oregon Agricultural College.

$S"VtGn WYNN IN SnSTIfNnOs
By Professor C. l. Lewis. Department of Horticul-
ture. Oregon Agricultural College.
With the spring cultivation out of
the way, the early spraying over, and
the first thinning through, many of
the orchardists begin to let down on
the orchard work. Especially is this
true with the young orchard, and with
men who are engaged in diversified
farming to a certain extent.
The Oregon Experiment station re-
ceives from time to time great many
samples of toubles in the form of dis
eases, insect pests, troubles which
result from neglect, etc. A year ago
visited large young orchard in the
Willamette valley, and the grower had
not noticed that one block of pears
was practically eaten up by slugs.
Probably in few days he would have
noticed them and sent some twigs
down to the Experiment station, ask
ing for the cause of same. l might
state in this connection that "an
ounce of prevention is worth pound
of cure"
1t is not uncommon to have sprouts
develop at the base of a tree which
will grow so vigorously that they will
take all the sap from the tree. Many
people have held that these sprouts
did not interfere with the growth of
the tree, and they have been allowed
to grow, but l would say emphatically
that they should be removed. All
buds and branches growing at the ex-
pense of the ones desired should be
removed.
Under average conditions, do not
summer prune young trees, but when
the trees are from three to four years
of age summer pruning can be done to
advantage. This is also of advantage
for trees having a tendency not to
come into bearing, or for those having
tendency to bear fruit on the ter
minal growth at the expense of the
lateral buds and spurs.
One of the most important problems
in the orchard at this time of the year
is tillage. The spring rains are over
and no more moisture will probably be
given the trees until fail. Where
more growth is desired it is necessary
to practice extensive cultivation, this
of course will mean the working and
stirring of the soil. One of the best
tools to use for this purpose is the
Kimball weeder, or Acme harrow.
The number of times and dates of
cultivation should be controlled by
natural conditions, kind of soil and
amount of humus contained. Cultiva-
tion should be frequent enough, how
ever, to prevent the baking and dry
ing of the soil, also frequent enough
to keep down the weeds. With the
young trees, cultivation should be con-
tinued up to the middle of August,
when it should cease, in order that the
young trees can 60 into dormancy for
winter. Winter injury has been due
partly to late cultivation in the fall.
Trees which are heavily laden with
fruit should be cultivated to produce
size and quality, which is much more
desired than large amount of small,
inferior fruit due to lack of, or poor,
cultivation. Many cherry orchards
are neglected as soon as the crop is
picked. This is a great mistake, as
the trees would keep in better health
if given cultivation until the first OF
August. With fall fruits, such as ap-
pies, etc., an extra thinning given
about the first of August would often
be beneficial to the tree, by thinning
out and removing the Gull fruit.
With young orchard / would en-
courage the grower to make frequent
trips from tree to tree, watching fo,
diseases and insect pests that may
arise. By doing this you will be able
to detect any trouble which may arise,
and will be able to obtain assistance
from the Experiment station before
the trouble has become too serious.
One also picks up many points con.
corning the handling of young trees by
these frequent excursions. Many OF
the trees will need stalking. This is
especially true fof the trees which have
a small trunk and heavy top. This
will often occur with walnuts, young
prunes, very vigorous growing apples
and cherries. In tying and stalking
trees one needs to be careful in moi
injuring them in any way. Where
wires or heavy cords are to be used
the branches should be wrapped with
leather, and piece of wooden blocl
should be placed between the wire ant
branch.
One pitfall the grower often meet.
is this: He is led to believe that the
trees are young and no spraying il
necessary, and that only heavily load
ed trees need spraying. This, how
ever, is great mistake, as many in
sect pests and diseases can be checket
by spraying the trees while they ar,
still young. 1t is only by constan
vigilance and hard work that one cal
bring trees into heavy bearing with