TWENTY FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING. 185 



Root aphis. — In selecting trees, be very careful not to get the root 

 aphis. I have known several extensive orchards entirely ruined by it, 

 after trying many remedies. 



Priming. — Always trim a peach tree for setting to a single stem, being 

 careful not to trim so closely as to destroy the latent bud at the base of 

 the branch. After setting, let most of the sprouts grow until midsummer, 

 except those starting near the base, as the tree will recover more readily 

 from the shock of transplanting. About August 1, take off the side 

 sprouts below where you wish to start the head, which should be about 2 

 1-2 feet from the ground, or less if where they are exposed to heavy winds, 

 and cut back those that are making too much growth. We would recom- 

 mend washing the trees, especially for the first few years, with a solution 

 consisting of weak lye or water with one pint of sulphur or three ounces 

 of copper sulphate to three gallons of water, with dry-slaked lime added 

 until of the consistency of paint. This should be applied twice each year, 

 in spring and fall, at the same time scrubbing the trees vigorously with a 

 good brusli. The application in spring will largely prevent the borers of 

 tbe different kinds from injuring the trees, and in the fall will keep away 

 mice and rabbits. 



Cultivation and fertilizers. — The ground in a young orchard should be 

 thoroughly cultivated at least once a week, from the time the trees are 

 set until the first of August, and later if they are not making too much 

 growth, and should not be neglected for anything if you value the life of 

 your orchard. 



Cultivate in your own mind a kindly, sympathetic feeling for your 

 trees, and not regard them merely as something from which to make 

 money. 



Beans are a good crop to occupy the ground the first year or two. 



Very little fertilizer will be needed the first three years if the soil is in 

 fair condition, except enough to supply wdiat is removed by the crop 

 gj'owing between the trees. If there are any very light, sandy spots, they 

 will be greatly benefited by putting on clay at the rate of one yard to five 

 trees. This, by mixing with the sand, will help retain moisture and pre- 

 vent freezing so deeply in winter. 



The treatment of a young orchard, especially in the latter part of sum- 

 mer, should vary according to the kind and condition of soil. If light 

 and rather poor, the best of care and cultivation should be given during 

 the entire growing season. But if the soil is rich, especially in nitrogen, 

 great care should be exercised not to continue the growth too late in the 

 fall. If the soil is rich, rye sown by the middle of August will help check 

 the growth of the trees. The benefit received from rye will not be so 

 apparent as a fertilizer as in regulating the growth of the trees in the fall 

 and as a protection from washing by heavy rains in late fall and early 

 spring. If rye is sown, it should be plowed under in spring before it has 

 time to sap the moisture and thus become a detriment instead of a benefit, 

 as it will if properly treated. We think the reason some people have 

 become prejudiced against rje in an orchard is that they have left it too 

 late in the spring. 



A neighbor, who is a successful fruitgrower, set an orchard and deter- 

 mined to make it a model in every respect. The soil, a very rich, clay 

 loam, was highly fertilized from the barnyard. The trees during the 

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