Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-11-07
Fall Orchard Work


At this time of year the orchardist
may think that he has earned rest,
and may be inclined to slack UP on
his efforts to push the growth of his
trees, or to fight the numberless
enemies, some of which are present
in all seasons of the year. However.
there are several very necessary and
essential things that should be done
in the fall, which will help to make
a success of the business.
One of the most important jobs is
to go over the trees again in search
of borers. No matter how carefully
this work has been done in the
spring, there are sure to have been
some overlooked, and il the large ones
are left next spring they will emerge
full-grown beetle to begin the
business OF laying eggs for another
crop. Not only should the big fell
lows be looked for, but carefully
watch for this years crop Of little
grubs. now about half an inch in
| length, should be made.
A few years persistent work. car
ried on in May and September or
October. will rid orchards of these
pests. OF course the larger the
trees, the less damage is done by this
particular enemy. Whenever you
start after a borer, be sure you get
him before you quit. Many times it
will be necessary to take a fine wire,
and probe upwards, often almost in
the heart of a small tree, for If the
grub is two years old, he is cutting
upward to construct the pupal
chamber where after lying dormant
all winter, he will split the bark next
spring, and crawl out to begin work.
IL small trees are growing on a
hillside, dig lightly on the lower side.
then cut in on the upper, dragging
the dirt down to make the tree site
level. If this surface slopes back
ward, it will cause the rainfall to
gather around the roots, where it is
needed, if not the water will pass
over, carrying much of the good
soil with it. Trees should be planted
deeply on the hillsides to prevent
having the roots exposed by wash
ing.
1t is good idea to mound the dirt
for a few inches around the trunk. In
the spring this can be pulled down,
and there will be some nice, loose soil
to work with Then, it will be easy
to get the borer, as he will be eX-
posed by pulling the soil away from
the trunk.
In digging around the trees, do not
be satisfied with going around them
with a little circle about two feet in
diameter. Did you know that the
root system extends fully as far as
the top? The purpose OF digging is
TO kill out weeds and sod from over
the roots, so that water may sink
Gown instead of being absorbed be-
fore it gets there.
After the hoeing is done, is the
time to mulch. Half-rotted straw is
good for this purpose, but barnyard
manure is better, and chicken drop
pings is the best yet. When using
straw, be careful not to pack 1t right
around the body of the tree. If you
do, this, some field mouse will con-
slider it ideal winter quarters, and
when hungry. will feast on the bark
of the tree. The straw should not be
closer than six or eight inches. In
the spring, this may be raked away
so that the hoeing may be done, and
how easy this hoeing will be. The
soil will be as loose and crumbly as
the best of garden SOIL After hoeing
the straw may be spread back over
the surface, and by fall it will be
completely rotted.
If you use manure, you can go
right UP to the tree with it. OF course
in hot weather, stable manure should
not touch the bark, as it may scald.
The manure or other mulch will
cause an abundant crop of weeds to
grow up around the trees6 and will
give us an excellent excuse to work
in the orchard next summer. The
manure should be spread over
large radius, so that the outermost
roots can get drink of the plant
foods which are stored up in it.
The last job, but one of the most
important of the fall season, is to
see that trees are fully protected
from rabbits. We fight insects re-
ligiously, but too many depend on
luck to keep the RABBITS away from
the young trees. Yet, insects have
trees as have rabbits.
Peach and other fruit trees should
be protected, as well as apples, for
although a bunny likes apple tree
bark best, he will make a meal from
other trees in a pinch. The wire
should not be less than eighteen
inches in height as snow may bank
around the trunk, and make it easy
for friend rabbit to reach UP to the
exposed trunk.
Make it your business this winter
to look over your orchard every few
weeks. BY so doing doing you may
save the lives of some of your trees.
If grass or other rubbish has blown
and lodged around the trees the mice
may be working, and you may fore
stall them by your trips of investi-
cation. The business of raising an
orchard Is the most painstaking task
on the farm. and an orchardist must
be wideawake and ready to fight
anon,ioc of OF coocnnc of