374 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



out the roots so that they have their natural position, guard against 

 setting too deep, especially on cold and wet land. The roots being 

 adjusted, place fine loam over them, filling closely under the heel 

 of the tree and all about the roots so as to leave no cavity ; tread 

 gently, so that it come in close contact with the roots, and after 

 covering to proper depth add a vndching of coarse manure, leaves, 

 straw, or some substance which will help retain an even degree of 

 moisture in the soil. 



Cullivation and 3Ianuring. 



I suppose many farmers know more than they practice in regard 

 to the care of trees after they are set. But in going about the 

 country, we often see young trees set in poor, worn-out grass 

 fields, struggling for existence, starved and sicklj'', and sometimes 

 with their tops broken by cattle browsing upon them. Now let 

 me say to all, you will never succeed in that way in obtaining a 

 good orchard. You don't attempt such a method with your other 

 crops; why should you with fruit? When you plant corn or 

 potatoes, or anything else, you prepare the soil, and after planting 

 you give some attention and care to the young growing crop. If 

 you undertake to raise a good yoke of oxen, you select good 

 calves, of the right breed, and follow them up with good feed and 

 care. 



Now to be successful in the cultivation of apples ; in the first 

 place select the kinds.of fruit best adapted to a northern climate 

 and soil ; set them out as I have described. Some recommend 

 plowing and manuring, others manuring and mulching ; I prefer 

 mulching ; keep trees mulched, on such soil as I have described, as 

 far as the roots extend, with straw, leaves or weeds, or anything 

 that will decay into manure. By this treatment the trees will 

 probably grow all that is profitable. If the trees do not grow as 

 fast as they should, remove the mulching, work in manure around 

 the roots, i-eplace the mulching, being careful to keep weeds from 

 growing around the trees as far as the roots extend. In this way 

 I find no trouble in having trees grow as fast as I wish. It is true 

 that by plowing and manuring you can get a more rapid growth ; 

 but they are more liable to being killed bj'- sudden changes of our 

 hard winters. Trees that are kept thrifty by a cultivation that 

 can be followed up, are more hardy and much better able to en- 

 dure a northern winter, and attain longer life and productiveness 

 than trees that are pushed by high cultivation. 



