The Era-leader., 1919-09-04
CULTURAL METHODS FOR
THE HOME ORCHARD
VARIETIES OF FRUIT, SEASON
AND SOIL CONDITIONS GOV.
ERN METHODS.
CULTIVATION USUALLY PAYS
II Stimulates and lnvigorates tho
Trees Causing Them To De-
velop Deep Root
eystem.

Orchard culture and methods viii
depend on size or age OF trees, nature
OF root growth, and the kind of season
whether rainy or dry, and the type CT
soil in which the trees are growing
says B. Szymoniak, associate horti
culturist, Extension Division, LOusi
ana State University. Generally it Is
advisable to cultivate the young
orchard in the same manner that 6
garden Is cultivated A good practice
therefore would be to start the home
orchard in the home garden. The
young trees must be protected from
injury while plowing. This is done
by placing fence posts on either side
Of the trees and by keeping two fee
away from the trees while cultIvatina
the soil with horse implements.
On the upland type of soil 1t is bes'
to give level cultivation. If the young
orchard is not grown In the garden, OF
il no garden crops are grown in the
orchard, it should be planted to cow
peas or soybeans during the month
Of June, planting them In rows which
should be cultivated. Fig trees grown
under orchard conditions should not
be cultivated, but the soil around the
roots should be heavily mulched with
pine straw and leaves or other coarse
material. This Is done for the reason
that fig trees have very shallow
root system and the trees will not do
we'll if the roots are disturbed. The
'!rlch should not be piled up around
le trunks of the trees but should be
applied at least two feet away from
the hase. In growing trees in alluvial
sell where the water table is close to
the surface it is necessary to plant the
trees on wide ridges with water fur
rows between the rows to drain Oft
the surplus water.
Under Louisiana conditions, except
in the case OF pear trees, which should
not be cultivated, it is seldom advis.
able to grow fruit trees In sod or to
allow the grass to establish itself in
the home orchard because the grass
makes a very rank growth and prob.
ably excludes the air from the soil.
1t also causes the trees to develop
roots close to the surface where they
are unfavorably Influenced by exces.
sive heat, moisture and drouth. Cul.
tivation stimulates and invigorates
the trees, causing them to develop q
deep root system. The roots Of the
trees are the foundation Of the trees
and must be properly cared for by
proper cultivation.
After the orchard has come into
bearing it is best not to give it as
intensive cultivation as Is given the
young orchard, but a definite system
must be followed depending on local
conditions. The system that has given
good results in practice is to plant
cowpeas or soybeans, broadcast or In
rows, during the month of June or
July to be plowed under in the fall and
the soil planted to winter cover crop
of rye or barley. This can be pastured
by sheep or calves during the winter
provided the trees are not injured.
Cattle should never be allowed in an
orchard unless the trees are protect.
ed. The winter cover crop is plowed
under in the spring and the orchard
disced or narrowed two or three times,
depending on the season Then COW.
peas or soybeans are again planted
during June or July. This system can
be followed not only in the home
orchard where the trees are mature
but it can be practiced also in pecan
orchards with good results.
SulllFdtlou is one OF the most I'M
portant factors in growing trees. BY
cultivation the roots are given proper
soil conditions for best development.
Good fruit and healthy leaves as well |
as branches depend on the root system |
which feeds them. Therefore the root |
system is the foundation on which the |
life Of the tree depends and must be |
properly cared for by cultivation in &C.
cordance with the demands of each |
kind of tree grown. Cultivation keeps
the trees in vigorous fruiting condi.
tion and enables the trees to resist in,
sects and diseases.