No. 85. J 301 



from which to select a single barrel." These facts show the vital conse- 

 quence of raising large and fine fruit, by good and thrifty cultivation. 



It will be recollected that during the early growth of a young or- 

 chard, the trees will offer very little obstruction to the raising of other 

 crops on the ground. But every tree should have three or four strong 

 stakes driven into the ground around it, to prevent injury from plow- 

 ing and harrowing, as workmen are very rarely found who are suffi- 

 ciently careful in this particular, or who would not sacrifice a fine 

 tree worth a dollar, to raising a hill of potatoes worth half a cent.* 

 Low, hoed crops, alone, should be raised on the ground while the 

 trees are small, as potatoes, ruta bagas, field beets, carrots, beans, and 

 pumpkins. When the trees become larger, a crop of corn may be 

 occasionally cultivated ; but sown crops are to be left till the trees 

 become of good size, and then they are to be sparingly introduced. 



The cultivation of the above named hoed crops greatly contributes 

 to the fertility of the soil, so that by the time the roots have extended 

 beyond the rich bed of mellow earth contained in the large holes 

 made in transplanting, they are not then checked in growth, but have 

 the whole surface of the earth around them made fertile for their re- 

 ception. 



PRUNING. 



\ An orchard, carefully and judiciously pruned, each year or two, 

 will need but little cutting away at a time. The removal of heavy 

 limbs becomes necessary only from long neglect. In performing the 

 operation, no rule is to be observed, other than to cut off scrubby and 

 crooked limbs, or those likely to become so ; to keep the top mode- 

 rately thinned, and to preserve in it a good, handsome, and neatly 

 growing form. The branches removed should be closely cut to the 

 tree, but not so much so as to cause too large a wound. The freshly 

 cut surface, if more than an inch in diameter, should be protected by 

 a coat of warm tar and brick dust. This prevents cracking and de- 

 cay, from exposure to the weather. Trees should not be pruned early 

 in spring, while the sap flows freely, but either in winter or in sum- 

 mer. A saw, a sharp chisel and mallet, or a small, light axe, skillfully 

 handled, may be used for the work. Close or heavy pruning should 

 always be avoided, very little being, in general, sufficient ; neither is 

 it necessary that the rays of the sun be admitted to every part of the 

 top. 



• The few last furrowSj next the trees, may be most safely and easily plowed, by pla- 

 cing one horse ahead of the other, a boy riding it. 



