134 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the limited supply of moisture with which we propose to supply the roots 

 percolate through a rich soil before reaching them, and also that they have a 

 nutritious loam to ramble in. 



We now return to the original subject of drainage and introduce an acces- 

 sory in the manner of preparing the ground, planting and after management, 

 all of which shall, with the proper drains, comprise a perfect orchard system of 

 ground culture for heavy lauds. Let the ground be plowed without dead or 

 back furrows, that is, commence either at the center or outsides and go around 

 the piece until finished, roll and harrow thoroughly, plant the trees in straight 

 rows and proper distances apart according to kind, then mulch, during the 

 summer lay the underdrain of tile (in the center) between each row, the 

 autumn following plow the land, making a back furrow Avhere the row of trees 

 stand and a dead furrow over each drain, the next spring mulch again, the first 

 mulch having been plowed under, and the ensuing fall plow again towards 

 the trees and again mulch. If it be a peach orchard this plowing will proba- 

 bly be sufficient to form a watershed, which will run the water off the ground 

 around the trees, and prevent an excess of moisture during a wet season. If it 

 be an apple orchard more similar plowings may be necessary. No fear need be 

 entertained of the trees drying out, but a good regular annual crop, a hardy 

 growth, and healthy trees, will be the reward. 



If the orchardist desires to manure the land over the drains sufficient to 

 grow a crop of field corn, he can do so, provided he keeps his trees well mulched 

 and does not allow the corn to approach nearer than six feet from the trees. 



Return now to the three principles and note their application. The cool earth 

 around the tile is like the iced water in the pitcher, and the warm summer air 

 penetrating the drain is compressed and the moisture is left on the inside sur- 

 face of the tiles; the roots of the tree are like the blaze of the lamp wick, 

 absorbing the moisture from the soil with which they are in contact, which, 

 like the lampwick, draws from the tiles its supply, which in a small orchard 

 will aggregate hundreds of hogsheads of water daily; the surplus water during 

 rains will of course leach from the dead furrow to the drain, and our three 

 principles are complete and their uses explained. 



