338 IJOAHD OF AGRICULTURE. 



out of the few sImIUs tlint niiglit survive the treatnioiil. llicn abuse the 

 seedsiiian because he didn't get a crop. This may seem overdrawn, but 

 I have seen the same thing don(> witli young trees many times. On the 

 other hand, I linow of sixty-one young trees planted in an old orchard of 

 one hundred trees, and every one lived and came to bearing. The first 

 thing to do is to prune out all dead limbs, and balance up the rest. Dig 

 out all old stumps and worthless trees and burn the rubbi.sh on places 

 where trees are to be planted. Next, plow with a breaking plow with 

 jointer and all attachments, to make a first-class job. I throw the fur- 

 i-ow to the trees; roll the sod down, level it and harrow thoroughly. If 

 the orchard has been in sod a long time. I would continue this cultivation 

 every ten days or two weeks until July. Then sow cow peas, crimson 

 clover, or anything to make a cover crop for the next winter. Any time 

 in October or November dig the holes for the new trees. Be generous and 

 dig these three or four feet across and one foot deep. Pile the dirt out 

 to one side, level it up and put on a bushel each of ashes and manure, 

 letting the fertilizer remain. Trees must drink in all of their food, and 

 in order for them to grow and flourish at the transplanting time, when 

 they demand the best attention, the soil must be kept open, so that it can 

 receive and hold the moisture to feed the young trees that have just been 

 transplanted from the very best conditions. In the spring thoroughly 

 incorporate the fertilizer with the soil. To develop wood growth plenty 

 of potash is necessary, and common wood ashes is the cheapest source of 

 supply. Buy your trees of a reliable dealer or nurseryman. Buy enough 

 of good selected varieties to fill all vacant places, and plant your trees 

 yourself. First, all broken or bruised limbs and roots should be cut away, 

 cutting the roots from the under side, so that when the tree is planted 

 the cut places will rest on the soil under the tree. Just before planting, 

 dip all the roots into a paste made of mud and water. Lean the tree to 

 the southwest sufficiently so that it will not make a shadow at 1 or 2 

 o'clock, and shape the top. It is necessary to commence the cultivation 

 as -soon as the trees are planted, and continue every ten days or two 

 weeks until you sow the cover crop for the next winter. On or before 

 the middle of May and June make a solution of soap and water— one- 

 fourth pound soap and one gallon of water— and wash the bodies of all 

 the trees. In July, again, .'t will be necessary to look closely for what is 

 commonly called the flat-headed borer. With a sharp knife cut out any 

 you may find and fill the places with mud— clay and water mixture. A 

 bearing orchard in good condition will demand what is equivalent to 

 about twenty loads of the best stable manure, for vegetable mould, per 

 acre yearly. If the ground, is Impoverished it will demand the more in 

 proportion. An old orchard will feed up fifty loads per acre. If you 

 can supply it, all the better, and your orchard will respond like the 

 Dutchman's cabbage. Some one asked him how he kept the worms from 

 spoiling his cabbage. He replied: "Why, the worms don't bother my 



