Summer Mcetins:. 121 



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trees ; that the buyer always picked out the straightest, nicest looking- 

 trees, and that the prices were so low he could not afford to select seed 

 as it should be, or scions from good bearing trees, etc. 



All short lived, tender sorts should be either budded or grafted 

 about three inches above the crown or collar of whole roots ; roots 

 about six inches in length. These roots are more apt to throw up 

 water sprouts than piece roots, and water sprouts must be pulled off. 

 In case the scion or graft should fail to grow, let one sprout grow 

 which can be budded or grafted next 3-ear. Vigorous growing varie- 

 ties adapted for the soil and climate if grafted on piece roots will soon 

 be supported by their own roots. It may seem a big job to get seed, 

 but one bushel of apples will make hundreds of seeds. Wash or 

 separate seed from pomace, for if left in the pulp wuU mold ; mix with 

 alternating la3'ers of sand in boxes. It is best to keep them in dark. 

 When cold weather comes keep them where they will freeze and thaw 

 until early spring, then sow ; plant out in nursery beds in rich, well 

 pulverized ground, well cultivated and kept clean of weeds they grow- 

 large enough the first season to graft, the following summer to bud^ 

 The above will also apply to stone fruit — peach, plum, cherr}^ etc. 



Age to Plant. 



I prefer planting 2-year-olds, which can be trimmed to grow as 

 desired. I prefer low heads. If started right, very little pruning is 

 required. Cultivated crops should be planted in a young orchard. I 

 prefer first cow-peas, tobacco, castor beans ; such act as fertiUzers and 

 benefit the trees, and neither need late cultivation. Potatoes often are 

 dug when trees should have no more cultivation. Small grain — wheat, 

 oats and millet — should not be sown in an orchard. Clover may be 

 sown after trees are six or seven years old. Poultry has been ben- 

 eficial in my orchard, especially to plum trees ; pigs are also ben- 

 eficial in an orchard, after the trees are seven years old, provided 

 they are rung to keep them from rooting holes, and no water pond 

 in the orchard. 



Washing trees with a suitable wash made of about 5 gallons 

 of soft water (old soapsuds, where clothes have been washed, are 

 best), add about one-half gallon .of soft soap, one pint of crude 

 carbolic acid and two pounds of sulphur, in late spring is very ben- 

 eficial to keep back moth and insects. 



Fertilization. 



Some varieties are shy bearers if' planted by themselves and 

 are benefited from the pollen from other varieties. I would not 

 plant more than three or four rows deep. I would prefer planting^ 



