Imperial Valley press., 1922-02-17
BEAU Y|NG
Of FARM IS
URGED
By T. W. WAITE

/ By f. W. WAITE
A subject often discussed and very
rarely put INTO execution in Imperial
Valley, is the ornamentation of home
grounos, especially on the farms. Ev-
cry one admits that it is the right
thing to do but too many other SEEM
ing necessary things, which need to
be done, crowd out the things that
make beauty and comfort, that keep
the housewife and children contented
and happy.
One of the first reuirements is at
!, least a comfortable house and next a
part OF the ground surrounding it laid
off for ornamental trees, vines and
flowers. By keeping in mind the
above suggestion and working tc
have the same materialized, will
; make home worth while and at the
same time make the place attractive
and saleable should the occasion
arise.
Carefully selected trees and plants,
suitable to this climate and soil,
planted and cared for intelligently,
will add in value many times their
cost. Even $100 spent IN ''fixing up
around the house will add several
dollars per acre to the value of the
entire tract.
Prepare the ground by thorough
and deep ploughing, at least twice,
the more the better, irrigate the
ground deep after putting it on per-
feet level and making it smooth. In
planning the ornamentation of the
grounds, first lay it off on paper, To-
eating the trees and driveways at
proper distances, which directions are
printed in nearly all the nursery cat
alogues. After the ground has been
prepared 10y off according to plan,
stalking where trees and shrubs be
long.
When deciding on the location of
trees it is good plan to plant ever
green trees on the northern sides of
the house and trees that defoliate in
the fall on the southern. AS the sun
goes north in the summer, shining
on the north part of the house, con-
sequently shade is needed on the
north. In winter the sun is way up
to the south, the defoliated trees ad-
nit the sunshine. Too much care can
not be taken in planting to dig large
holes, pruning the roots severely
as well as the tops of the plant,
putting the top soil in the bottom OF
the hole. Set all budded trees with
the bud to the northeast to avoid the
same from being exposed to the sum-
mer sun and assist in resisting the
west winds. The trunk Of young trees
should also be protected from the
sun. Irrigate freely and keep the
ground thoroughly cultivated. Make
irrigation burrows as far away from
the trunk as the limbs extend out
ward, the tree taking it's nourishment
at the outer end of the roots.
The story of how the eastern
farmer who was planning to plant an
apple orchard, advertised for an ex-
pert planter, may have its value at
this time. The said expert went to
work in the morning and at noon the
farmer asked him how he was getting
along, and he replied, "fine, ! have
planted two trees" The farmer was
disgusted with so slow laborer and
discharged him. Another man was
employed who planted out the or
chard in rapid time, to the satisfac-
tion of the farmer. In after years,
however, the two trees planted by
| the man who knew how, produced
more fruit than the rest of the or
| chard. These two trees had been
| planted after large holes had been
dug deep in the subsoil and filling in
surface soil and other materials to
make soil available for plant growth,
instead of planting in the surface
soil, characteristic to many of the
eastern states.
Lay off grounds large enough to
have family orchard, not forget
ting to have a garden of berries ano
vegetables to supply home needs.
Every farmer should raise all the
fruit and vegetables needed. Grape
vines and roses may set along fences
to shut out the view of corrals Wind
breaks should be planted on the west
side Of buildings and corrals. No
mistake will be made in having
plenty of grape arbors. Thompson
seedless, Black Mannukka, Zanta
Currants and Isabella all do well for
arbors.
Among the ornamental trees that
grow well are the pepper, eucalyptus,
palm, bottle tree and umbrella. The
following is list recommended for
family orchard: Nonpareil, IX.L.
ana JOfuOn ailloltuS. NeWcdstle Ap-
ricots, which ripen April goth, Royal,
May 10th, and Blenheim which ripen
May goth. By planting Alexander
Cling PERSIAN type) or Bidwells ear
| ly Chinese typel you will have ripe
peaches May 18th. Waldo freestone
ripens May goth, Bidwells late, June
18th, Bell of Georgia, freestone, July
18th, and Stump of the World, free
stone, ripens August 18th.
A few date palms should be plant
cd and the edible kinds will serve
two purposes: Offshoots from proven
varieties, only, are advised, the De-
glet Moor being the favorite.
| Figs should not be overlooked. The
Smyrna, Mission, Black, Pedro, Black
Turkey and Kadota being leading va
rieties.
For an assortment Of table grapes