The Cultivation op Orchards. 31^ 



In general, level culture is best. The modern cultivators and 

 harrows make such cultivation easy. 



Trees, especially apples, are often trained too high, because of 

 the difficulty of working close to them Modern tools will bring 

 the heads within reach. 



Harnesses with no projecting hames nor metal turrets should 

 be used in bearing orchards. Those requiring no whiffletrees are 

 also useful. 



Potash is the chief fertilizer to be applied to fruit trees, particu- 

 larly after they come into bearing. 



Potash may be had in wood ashes, and muriate sulphate of 

 potash. It is most commonly used in the latter form. An annual 

 application of potash should be made upon bearing orchards. 

 Of the muriate from 500 to 700 pounds may be used to the acre 

 in mature orchards. 



Phosphoric acid is the second important fertilizer to be applied ar- 

 tifically to orchards. It may be got as plain high-grade super- 

 phosphate (dissolved South Carolina rock), in the bone fertilizers, 

 and perhaps in Thomas slag. Of the plain superphosphates, 

 from 300 to 500 lbs. may be applied to the acre. 



Nitrogen can be obtained cheapest by means of thorough tillage 

 (to promote nitrification) and nitrogenous green manures. There 

 is rarely occasion for buying it for fruit plantations, if the lands 

 are properl)' tilled and cropped. 



Nitrogen promotes growth. It should therefore be used with 

 some caution, for orchard trees should be grown for fruit rather 

 than for timber. 



Barn manures are generally more economically used when ap- 

 plied to farm crops than when applied to orchards ; yet they can 

 be used with good results, particularly when rejuvenating old 

 orchards. 



In general, the commercial complete fertilizers are less rational 

 for orchards than a fertilizer made for the occasion out of mater- 

 ials evidently needed by the trees ; but the complete fertilizers give 

 much better results than the prevailing indifference and neglect. 



Cultivation may be stopped late in the season, and a crop can 

 then be sown upon the land. This crop may serve as a cover or 

 protection to the soil and as a green manure. 



