The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-26

Puu dppui twenty iHtEtS iIOil liz
ground Then IN spring, as growth
starts. select three four OF the best
situated buds TO form tho foundation
OF the future head OF the tree and rub
out ali other buds.
In the colder sections OF the North.
where the snowfall is heavy, they
would prefer not 10 cut back the CEN
trail stem so short. but 10 keep stem
IN the centre, from which the branches
proceed lower down This plan. may
be best even in the Southern noun
tains where slcct storms are often
we're. as there Will be less danger OF
breaking down with such a top than
with the open head that is best in most
sections of the South.
DO Not Plant Corn In the Orchard.
The young tree needs TO have the
best possible chance at the sun and air,
and should not be smothcred by tall
growing crops still. the orchard
should he cultivated regularly TIN July
during all it's formative years. You can
plant IN carly Irish potatoes or low
growing Vegetables OF any sort. the
cultivation or which Is over by July,
for by that time the trees will have
made their wood growth for the sea-
son, and should be allowed TO mature
and ripon the wood, and not be e1-
cited into untimely growth.
Subsequent Pruning.
II the apple tree is regularly pruned
in its young days and formed into the
best shape. there will be little need for
any pruning after the tree has devel
opcd to a bearing size. The annual
growth should be shortened back to
cause the proper branching OF the
limbs. Shoots that Interfere with each
other and crowd the tree should DO
removed If the growth starts out TO
be too erect, cut the limbs back to
bud on the outside. II. on the
trary. the habit is too spreading, cut
back 10 buds on the inside.
The Cultivation of the Orchard.
AS l have said. the clean cultivation
should cease about The first OF July.
Then. as soon as the early vegetable
toi twenty pounds of crimson clover
seed an acre. A little rape seed mixed
with the clover will start quickly and
help shade the clover. When dtsking
the land for the clover, work in 400
pounds OF acid phosphate and thirty
pounds of the muriate of potash an
acre This clover is to he used only
us winter cover. and 10 be turned
under in the spring for the benefit of
the trees and the early VeGcta Bile crops
BY fertili2iur literally, the vegc-
table crops grown in the orchard. and
getting winter cover OF clover to
turn under, YOU VIII be rapidly in
creasing the organic decay in the soil
and making II more retentive OF mois-
ture. and hence more favorable to
apple trees Under such treatment
the trees should develop rapidly. ana
soon get 10 a size when they should
begin 70 produce fruit. O, course. this
VIII always vary with the varieties
Tor there are apples that viii not bear
early. no matter what treatment they
receive and as rule The varieties
that make Tie most handsome and
rapidly growing frees are the slowest
10 make apples. Rapid growth is con
duriNa bD N
the more com plcN making Of bloom
and fruit and tree having q surplus
OF food In the soil Will use il in the
easiest way, The making of wood
growth.
Hence after our tree has grown
enough 10 be cafa bio OF making fruit
spurs, w should give some check 10
this growth This is hes; done by put
ting the orchard down in grass But
10 not imagine that YOU can make hay.
or pasture stock and get profitable
results from the orchard. You must
De satisfied with getting the fruit, as
The sole objcc, or the lana where the
orchard STANDS. Cut the grass two OF
three tirces duCans the season and
leave il on ing. gE0VuG.' mulch,
spreading IL under the trees out a S
lar as the limbs drip
Ih"n civ. the grass every spring a
dressing Of goo pounds OF Thomas
phosphate and TWENTY-FIVE pounds OF
nuria,e OF potash an mere This will
make a heavier growth Of grass and
more fnulchirs material TO help the
SOL!
Spraying.
In these DAYS. when fungus diseases
and insect pests are So numerous. the
orcha-dist who neglccts tho careful
spraying II his trees VIII fan ri sue
cess some one asks do YOU want to
Strt.y me that HAY.