Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1913-05-06

through it two or three times giving
it good stirring.
good distance for planting stand
ard pear trees is 10 by 80 feet-that is,
the rows are thirty feet apart and the
trees fifteen feet apart in the rows.
Another plan is to plant the trees
twenty feet apart each way. This dis
tance will afford free circulation of
air and abundance of sunlight. both Of
which are essential to success.
Dwarfs are sometimes planted ten
feet apart each way. but fifteen feet
each way, or 1893 trees to the acre, is
better. This distance gives room to
drive through the grounds for spray
ing aud to gather the fruit.
One Year Trees Best.
Strong, well rooted one-year-old trees
are preferable to any other age, wheth-
er standard or dwarf. If early fruit
fulness is desired dwarfs are prefer
able, but it should be borne in mind
that such trees are usually shorter
lived and seldom attain large size For
to small lots or to garden purposes.
On the other hand, If longevity Of
tree, larger size and capacity for pro-
ducing heavier crops are desired stand
ards should be planted.
Pears vary in their season of ripen-
ing, so that if proper attention is given
to the selection of varieties and to care
ful handling and storing the pear
grower may have fruit for his table or
market from midsummer until March.
Some varieties of pear are infertle
by themselves, and therefore varieties
should be intermingled in planting in
order to insure fruitfulness. No more
than two rows of one variety should be
planted together alternating with some
other variety that is considered a good
pollinizer 1t may be said, however,
that self fertile varieties under some
conditions may become self sterile I'M
der other conditions,
Thorough and frequent stirring OF
the ground between the rows with a
cultivator should be done during the
early part of the growing season or
from early spring until July /, when
cultivation should cease so that the
new growth of wood may harden up
sufficiently to endure the winter tenn
perature.
After the trees have attained suffi-
cient size and age to commence fruit
ing cultivation may be discontinued
for awhile and the land seeded to clo-
yer. This cover crop will check the
rapid growth of the trees and bring
them into bearing sooner than If culti-
walton is continued. If the clover is
allowed to fall on the ground instead
of cutting and removing it, it will act
as a mulch and serve to retain mois-
ture in summer and be a protection in
winter.
Crops Among the Trees.
If desirable to grow other crops be-
tween the rows of trees as matter Of
economy, this may be done for few
years after being set out without any
detriment to the orchard. provided the
crop is of such nature as to require
thorough cultivation. To grow among
the trees the first season after plant
ing there is no better crop than corn.
Other crops, such as potatoes cab
bages, peas, beans, melons, etc, may
be grown to advantage. Small grain
or grasses which do not require cultt-
vation should not be allowed in the
newly planted orchard. All these crops
take from the soil plant food which
will be needed in time for the or
chards support and which should be
returned In some form of manure.
Cover crops. by conserving moisture
and adding elements of fertility to the
soil. are beneficial to the pear orchard.
Among the desirable cover crop plants
are the clovers and legumes. such as
cowpeas, beans, vetches, etc.
If the practice of sowing cover crops
and turning them under is continued
from year to year the land will grad
ualiy be enriched and the soil main
4 l.. 4.