398 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



to neglect. It is easy for the owner to get the impression that his 

 location is not adapted to fruit-growing, and hence it is useless to 

 make any well-directed efforts. It seems plain that the land that is 

 suited to any of the branches of agriculture will also grow some form 

 of fruit. There are many things that ail the farmer's orchard ; it is 

 expected to bear fruit year after year without much attention. Per- 

 haps if it resented such treatment there might be better orchards 

 among the farmers, for what one expects his fields to yield a bounti- 

 ful crop of corn or rye year after year with no more attention than is 

 bestowed upon the average orchard? Many orchards dwindle away 

 because as the trees die they are not replaced by new ones. In fact, 

 the old trees that have declined should be removed at once so that 

 young trees may be growing. It is several years at least before young 

 trees bear profitable crops, and it does not pay to let the land be idle 

 by waiting for useless trees to die. Nevertheless age does not always 

 terminate the usefulness of a tree. I have seen many trees long after 

 their maturity bear a sjood crop of apples each year. Those orchards 

 that are healthy, and yet produce but little, evidently lack nourish- 

 ment ; there has been no manure applied aud the deficiency has not 

 been replaced. If there is a coat of sod it should be turned under. 

 After this give a dressing of manure and harrow it well. Plow this 

 under and turn the furrow still deeper. Ashes are better than manure, 

 as they are richer in potash, and should be saved for the fruit trees. 

 Many orchards suffer from the want of drainage ; for this reason it is 

 best to choose locations on high ground. Let drainage be provided, 

 if necessary, for where there is undue moisture manure and cultiva- 

 tion will do little good. Old trees become covered with rough, scaly 

 bark that should be removed by a short-handled hoe or other conve- 

 nient tool. Apply a wash of strong soapsuds to the trunk ; this will 

 give the bark a healthy appearance, and as it washes down will fertilize 

 the roots. 



Less attention is given to pruning than we should hope to find. 

 Since this is neglected for several years the growth of the tree be- 

 comes too dense for the fruit, and when the trees are cut it is neces- 

 sary to remove many large limbs ; this hastens decay and is a loss of 

 growth. 



You cannot mutilate many trees after they mature without detri- 

 ment to them, therefore, it is much better to remove the shoots as 

 they appear, which can be easily done once a year. Prune the trees so 

 to admit the sunlight as much as possible. It is desirable to let such 

 branches remain as will facilitate climbing when the fruit is to be 

 gathered. Do not cut off the small twigs at the extremities of the 



