ORCHARDS. 91 



use long traces, and a short whiffle-tree (single-tree) and 

 place the whole in charge of a careful man, who knows that 

 one tree is worth more than fifty hills of corn or potatoes, 

 and no danger may be feared." It is, however, safest to use the 

 mattock or spading-fork just under the trees, whether they be 

 large or small, and Avhether the trees have been mulched or 

 not. If the mulch is in the way, remove a part of it and re- 

 place it when the work is done. If trees are well mulched, 

 say 3 or 4 inches in depth, and as far out as the limbs extend, 

 they require but little work immediately under the tree. It 

 is improper to mulch too deep, as the air and Avarmth may be 

 excluded to the disadvantage of the health and free growth 

 of the trees. In working under the trees, the spading-fork is 

 better than the spade or plough, as there is much less damage 

 done to the roots, when that implement is carefully used. 



In the usual way of ploughing orchards, the careless plough- 

 man will have uo be strictly watched. He will be very apt to 

 allow the top of his hames to bruise and break these tender 

 spreading branches nearest the ground. If he can get his 

 migle-tree near enough, he will tear off a portion of the ten- 

 der bark of the trunk, and, if the wound is large, the tree is 

 fatally injured, and had as well be removed and another put 

 in its place. These injuries are frequently inflicted by igno- 

 rant, thoughtless persons, who can form no proper estimate of 

 the damage thus sustained by the tree 



The thrift and free growth of young trees may be greatly 

 accelerated by the use of diluted soft soap, home-made is best ; 

 rub it en up and down the stem, with a coarse rag or brush, 

 as has already been recommended in this work. The author 

 has practiced this in his own orchard, and hioivs it will act as 

 a charm. It loosens and takes oif the moss and any extraneous 

 matter adhering to the stems, including insects, their eggs, 

 larva, cocoons, &c., and the process may be extended to the 

 larger limbs as far as a man can reach. This operation is 

 best performed in the Spring, and once or twice during the 

 Summer and Fall. Grown up trees may be treated in the 

 same way, provided they have been well scraped, so as not to 

 injure the smooth bark, with a hoe or some other dull tool, 



