Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1913-06-27

growth and made to bear earlier ana
richer fruit by shortening the leading
shoots and leaving the fruit bearing
wood and by bending down the brancn-
es and ring pruning them. the heat'
ing OF wounded and diseased plants Is
promoted by removing the injured
parts and dressing the wound. Ihe
head of a plant is renewed by cutting
of the branches above; the head Is
made to grow thicker by cutting back
the outer branches and to grow thin
ner by amputating all canes on which
there is too much growth.
There are so many species OF grapes,
leach having peculiarities Of its own
and therefore responding most readily
to certain cultural methods to which 1t
Is best adapted. that the pruning, train
ing and growing of vines, which other
wise may appear quite simple, become
complicated operations In which COM
paratively few people grow expert, ana
vineyards In which serious mistakes
are not made are rare.
Distances For Planting.
A decision as to the proper distance
apart to set trees varies with different
planters. Some plant 16 by 80 feet
that Is, the trees sixteen feet apart In
rows thlrty-two feet apart. The OBJ
ject of this method is to obtain a crop
from the trees until they begin to in
terfere with each other, when every
alternate tree in the row is cut out,
leaving the trees In the entire orchard
at distance of thirty-two feet each
way. The trees to be cut out should
be early bearing, short lived varieties.
This system has the advantage OF
more fully utilizing the land for fruit
production until the thinning out be-
comes necessary.
Other planters adopt distance be-
tween trees of twenty, twenty-four or
thirty feet apart each way, claiming
that by the time the trees interfere
with each other they will have finished
lhCu lOn III LuC OLNhuLu NAAA W
gin to decline. But it is generally con-
ceded that thirty-two to forty feet Is
the preferred standard distance. If
the distance of forty feet each way is !
adopted it will afford ample space be-
tween the rows for growing any crop
which requires cultivation, such as
corn, beans, potatoes, etc. Such cult
vation is highly important and neces-
sary for the maintenance of moisture
In the soil and for the health and vigor
Of the trees. This distance will afford
free circulation of air and abundance
If sunlight, both of which are essential
% the growing of we'll developed and
highly colored fruit. Small grain
should never be grown among fruit
rees, especially when the orchard is
'oung.
Best Time to Plant.
The question as to the best time to
liant is governed somewhat by lati-
udes. In southern Iatitudes late fall
# the early part of the winter may be
afe for planting. But in most of the
tates early spring is considered the
etter time. Fall planting has the OBJ
ection against it that the roots of
rec do not take hold of the ground
efficiently to supply enough moisture
D maintain healthy active circula- :
lon of the sap, which is required to
revent shriveling of the branches
uring winters extreme cold and ex- |
austive evaporation from drying :
,inds.
The selection of trees is very I'M =
Ortant part of orcharding, for upon !,
are and judgment in this matter de- y
end largely the future profits of the +
vestment. Strong, stocky and vigor. y
is one or two year old trees. called
Whips" by nuserymen, having well {
eveloped root systems, are preferable. ]
rees of this type and age are more ?
tisfactory and profitable in time and p
lffer less In transpIanting, cost less p
I'd are much more easily handled Il
ian older ones. D
In this connection we would suggest
e advisability Of purchasing trees D
r planting from the nearest respon- y
BILE nurseryman. The local nursery Is
an, If perfectly familiar with his tl
Isiness, will understand the needs la
I'd demands Of his home customers Il
ID should grow the varieties best
tied to his section of country. If b.
nest he should feel himself morally
not legally responsible for the cor
rtness of his nomenclature By Sc
ring trees at the nearby nursery all az
niger from damage by long transit dl
d the injurious effects of sunshine OF
d frost are avoided Besides, If the q
'mer makes his purchase direct u
I'm the nurseryman he will save the ql
pense of the middleman or agent
is less liable to the mistakes and tn
ury that may occur through repeat. to
handling. TN
t Is well there Is no one without a to