Evening star., 1943-09-26

to which the top is tied. This is
based on the theory that the graft
joint is not as strong as is necessary
to support well-laden fruit tree
during windstorm. While no such
losses have been reported, it is cheap
insurance and in situations exposed
! to strong winds it is advised.
Dwarf fruit trees may be planted
relatively close together, the distance
| depending somewhat upon the type
of dwarfing stock. The very small
ones may be planted to 10 feet
apart; the semidwarf may be spaced
as closely as II to Is feet, while the
half-standards need 16 to 20 feet.
Peach and plum trees on standard
stocks need the same spacing as
the standard. Cherry trees need
bit more space, 20 to "a feet.
Standardized trees may be planted
in the larger gardens, but they will
need up to 36 feet where several are
to be planted. Although it should
be remembered that while this is the
ultimate need, it is common practice
to plant them at one-half this dis
tance and then remove every other
one when they begin to crowd. Some
orchardists plant peach trees be-
tween the apples, since peach trees
normally last but II to is years
and hence are ready to be removed
by the time the apple trees need
the space.
Pruning dwarf trees is not diff
cult, although carelessness may ruin
the tree. Normally, when purchased
the top has been started and there
is no need for selecting the scaffold
llmbs-branches that are we'll To-
Gated and spaced so as to give the
top ample fruit-bearing surface.
However, whether or not this has
been done. the gardener should in
spect his trees to see that the main
branches are spaced more or less
evenly around the tree and that
weak forks are avoided. To accom-
pllSh this the main branches should
be spaced up and down the trunk
not opposite.
Normally, the annual pruning
consists of removing approximately
one-half or more of the new growth.
This tends to keep the tree in bal
ance and to throw the strength
into the formation of the fruiting
spurs fapples and pears produce
their fruit On short twigs called
spurs). Pruning is normally done
In the early spring before the sap
starts to flow, although some ju-
dicious pinching during the sum-
mer may be done.
1t is advisable to keep the sur
face of the soil within a foot or
two of the tree trunk cultivated
for the first few years. Some feed
ing is advised and is usually given
during the early spring A small
handful Of complete fertilizer
per tree is sufficient the first two
or three years. A large tree may
need 3 or pounds.
The variety of fruit for the
home garden is matter of personal
preference. However the following
varieties have proved successful in
this area: Apple varieties, beginning
with the earliest-Yellow Trans
parent or Lodi, Jonathan, Delicious.
Stayman Winesap, Winesap; pears
Seckel and M. B. Waite; Bartlett is
omitted because of its susceptibility
to "f1reblight' and Kieffer is only
useful for canning; peaches-Geor-
g1a Belle, Golden Jubilee, Elberta
and Hale-Haven; plums-Shropshire
Damson, and sour cherries-Mont-
/ morency.
1.-THE United States DEPART
ment OF Agriculture has an er-
cellent bulletin on d1Dart fruits
that may be had for the asking
Ledfet No. 17S.
"A list of nurseries ADVERTISING
tUo or more kinds OF d1Uart fruits
is on file in the Office OF the
/ Woman's Page OF The EUentno
STAR