The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-12
Makes It Possible TO Have Two
Money Crops on One
Piece Of Land.
EACH HELPS THE OTHER
In Return for Shade. Birds Give
Protection From Many
Kinds Of Insects.
by Prof. r. II. sTONEuUpN.

ehadeless ranges, In view OF the fact that
fruit trees will furnish the necessary
shade and protection and yield a profit
able crop In addition. II certainly looks
like poor business Judgment TO fail to
take full advantage OF the opportunity
10 secure two Ciops from the same area
especially when each is "a help to the
other
Fruit growing In conjunction with poul-
try keeping may be developed as a dis
tnct commercial enterprise or made a
strictly family table proposition. according
TO the amount OF available space. But II
II astonishing how much fruit can he
produced on a very small amount Of land
and how often the homo fruit plantation
yields a surplus which brings in consider
able cash.
The advantages possessed by the pou,-
<ry-fruit partnership may be briefly
summed up as follows: The trees and
vines furnish the shade needed by chicks
and hens. they attract many insects which
the birds enjoy, and the urmarketable
fruit may be Incorporated In the poultry
ration. In return, the fowls keep down
the insect pests and add to the soil much
valuable plant food which causes trees
and vines to make rapid and vigorous
growth.
The one disadvantage OF the combina-
ton lies in the fact that much OF the
pressing work in connection with the
tTccS COIHcs Ut tNc tcbstn Nucn poultry
men are busy with incubators and brood
ere. II often happens that under such
conditions one branch is neglected or both
are only half cared for. and then disap-
pointment is bound to follow.
OF course, this refers solely to estab-
lishments where both fruit and poultry
interests are considerable in extent. On
tn home plot this difficulty would not
arise.
Almost any kind OF bush. vine or tree
fruits may be grown In poultry yards.
On rented places, where quick returns are
demanded, the various canes. blackberries
or raspberries best meet the necessities
Of the case. These may be set In rows or
IN clumps. depe nding upon the size and
shape OF the poultry yards. Gooseb"rries
and currants may safely be planted in
yards where the chicks are grown. as they
will do little damage to the low hanging
fruit.
1t must be admitted that chcken. Of
all ages will pick many OF the berries
which are within reach; but what of IL:
Many will De LETT, and these are all clear
profit, which could not be secured II
bushes were not planted.
Grapes do especially we'll in poultry
runs. and they are well adapted for use
In places where but little space is avail
able. The vines should be trained over
fences, high arbors or against the walls
of buildings. so the clusters may hang
beyond the reach OF the BIRDS In some
cases small yards may be completely
rooted in with grape vines, thus affurding
a cool, shady retreat for the fowls and
furnishing a good supply Of delicious
fruit. The writer has frequently observed
this scheme In operation in city back
yards, invariably to the benefit OF both
the birds and their owners.
Among the fruit trees which may he
used to advantage are apples. pears,
hes npl IHa lad 1nfspt tnt
these may be set close to the walls of
buildings and the limbs trimmed of close
on the side of the tree NEXT to the wall
II necessary the trees may be pruned in
Tyre shape with thoir branches hugging
the wall, as is commonly done In Euro
pean gardens.
Apple trees are long lived but are
comparatively slow in growth For per
manent yards they are most desrab BILE,
since replantng Is not necessary. The
same may be said OF pear trees, though
these are usually upright IN form and do
not furnish as much shade as the wide
spreading apples.
Plums seem to thrive especially well In
poultry yards, making rapid and vigorous
growth. The quality OF the fruit grown
on plum trees so located Is uniformly
good One of the greatest pests of the
plum Is the curculio. which attacks the
fruit causing much Of II to fall prema-
turely. or at least injuring its appearance
and value. The fowls may bc depended
upon to reduce such loss to the minimum,
especially If the trees are lightly shaken
or Jared daily. This causes the insect
20 drop to the ground. and II never makes
the return trip.
In sections where the peach thrives
trees OF this kind are fine for growing in
the poultry runs. They make rapid
growth; In fact furnish considerable
shade the second year after planting
Mt. f,1t L.. ,.at-
unusually attractive in appearance. From
blossoms to fruit the peach is a source
OF constant satisfaction.
or course the fruit trees should be
cultivated. fortified and pruned Ordi-
narily the hens will attend to the first
two items, scratching and wallow!ng in
the soil and adding to II a constant sup
ply Of fertilizer which Is high in the
nitrogen content. In exceptional cases
where the yards are heavily stocked with
fowls too much fertility Is supplied, re-
sulting in an excessive growth of wood
at the expense Of the fruit, This condi-
ton Will not cause trouble until the
trees reach the bearing ago.
In the matter OF pruning the poultry
man will give his trees different treat
ment than the professional horticuiturst
The latter heads his trees low in order to
reduce the labor of spraying and pick
ing the fruit. AS a rule low Needed trees
IL,
since they interfere with the work of
caring for the stock, The poultry,uan
therefore trims his trees IN such a man
nor as 70 Insure "headroon" underneath
them. Any one VINO has ATTEMPTED To
round W "A bunch of chicks under low
trees viii apprc ciate the advantage OF
heepins the lower branches we'll above
the ground.
Prun!if is recessary in al cases: II
lie especially demanded wher, trees are
Grown in rich soil. Proper pruning pro.
notes and conserves the vig3r OF fluit
trees and realms proper balance he
tween Vegetatire growth ana fruit pro.
ouctiuu. II opens W the branches and
admits penty Of sunlight, without which
much or the fruit will h. small IN size
lacking in color aud poor in quality
An authority on this subject has tersely
summed w the matter as follows: Lack
~ pruning Is frequently responsible fol
,fruit OF small size and Indifferent quality
Tor a lack OF economy OF the ,igor and
resources Of tho tree which can be al.
rected toward fruit production. and 70,
premature old age and nnal destruction
Of the tree"
1t is obviously impossible to give spe
oihc directions for pruning. This Is reg
n'ated by the kind OF tree. It's location an,
other variable factors. So far as condi
tons permit. each tree should be KEEP
symmetrical and well balanced not onl,