THE MINNESOTA 



HORTICULTURIST. 



VOL. 33. MARCH, 1905. No. 3. 



THE APPLE ORCHARD IN MARCH AND APRIL. 



GEO. W. STRAND^ TAYLOR''s FALLS. 



In all sections of the country we find examples of profitable 

 orchards where clean culture, pasturage by sheep and hogs and sod 

 bound trees have their respective champions. Where the soil is 

 fertile and retentive, and the orchards are favorably located, the 

 trees do well under all these conditions, but where there is danger 

 from lack of moisture the cultivated orchard, without question, is 

 the one to rely on, and the conservation of moisture should be started 

 as early in the season as the ground is in good condition to work. 



Young orchards should be cultivated for several years before 

 seeding down, and then should not remain in sod long at a time. 

 Where this practice is followed their feeding roots are deep and 

 there is little danger of damaging the trees in plowing. 



Most sorls require but little added fertility for orchard purposes 

 until the trees come to a bearing age. After that the fertility should 

 be kept up as well as possible to insure good growth as well as 

 crops. Late in the fall is the best time to apply this dressing, but 

 any time during the winter answers very well if it cannot be attended 

 to before. - 



Pruning can be done to good advantage before the sap starts, 

 during the milder days of March. Where any large limbs must be 

 removed it is well to cover wounds with wax or white lead. It is 

 not advisable to prune apples much in the northwest, merely re- 



