Annual Meeting at St. Jose^jJi. 103 ' 



if left in ridges or mounds about the trees, without frequent stirring 

 or mulching it will become so hard and close as to prove a com- 

 plete watershed. ' 



ANOTHER GREAT CAUSE 



of our orchards becoming exhausted and dying so early is leaving 

 them in a neglected condition after they come into bearing. 



This is often done from an erroneous impression that they are 

 now raised, and able to make their way without further assistance. 



This reminds us of the man who worked his corn before he 

 planted it by giving the land extra preparation — planted, and in 

 the fall had a little very small fodder and a superabundance of 

 first-class weeds. So with our orchards where left at bearing to 

 take care of themselves. We first find a check of growth and the 

 formation of an immense amount of fruit buds ; and if the season 

 is favorable the result may be one extra fine crop, Avith but little if 

 any injury to the trees. 



This leads some into the mistake of non-cultivation. Often 

 we hear men say "^my orchard never bore much till I quit cultiva- 

 tion." 



I admit that on all our very rich soils, where the trees seem to 

 be growing too fast, and not bearing well, a temjDorary stoppage, or 

 a check of cultivation, is a good plan ; but look out after you have 

 got your first heavy crop. If you fail to either cultivate or mulch, 

 you will have over-fruitfulness. 



The trees will be unable to grow and to mature their vast 

 crops, and will become exhausted and sickly, and if left in that 

 condition, will die in a few years. In such cases we must seek a 

 remedy either in renewing the cultivation, or in mulching. Some 

 advise thinning the fruit. This may do in theqry, or to practice 

 in a small way, but in general it is not practicable. 



I have an orchard planted fourteen years ago on rather thin 

 upland, that was cultivated in corn the first four years, and then 

 cultivated the orchard without any crops for five years ; then seeded 

 it down with clover, and quit cultivating it for three years. And 

 for the last two years I have cultivated strips between the rows, 

 leaving strips along the rows in clover to prevent washing ; have 

 mulched and manured some but not heavy. The result is as fol- 

 lows : At five years a beautiful orchard beginning to bear — trees 

 yielded from a peck up to four bushels each. And continued 

 growing and increasing in the yield of fruit up to one year after 

 sowing in clover. Since that time the growth has become weaker 



