426 ANNUAL REPORT 



CULTIVATION. 



As to mode of plowing and cultivating orchard trees: Set them 

 out sixteen feet apart each way. I find that to be ample room. 

 I have forty-nine Duchess in a square, seven trees each way, 

 planted in the spring of 1863. They are now quite large trees, 

 yet there is ample room. By being planted close the wind 

 strikes the first row and rises, and does not have force enough 

 to shake the fruit off the inner rows. In this way they protect 

 each other. 



In setting trees I dig the holes deep and wide enough to re- 

 ceive the roots spread out to their full length; then, after filling, 

 in some surface soil in the bottom of the hole, set the tree in; if 

 the ground is dry, turn some water into the hole. Have the 

 tree four inches deeper than it was in the nursery row, lean the 

 tree to the southwest so as to stand at an angle of about sixty- 

 seven degrees, with the largest branches in the same direction, 

 then put in some more surface soil and more water; lift the tree 

 up and down a few times so the water can freshen the fibrous 

 roots; then with dry dirt finish filling the hole and tramp in 

 solid with the foot. In this way if there is any life in the tree it 

 will grow. Two-year-old trees are preferable if not stunted. 



By being inclined toward the southwest the sun has not the 

 same chance to start the sap on that side of the tree in the early 

 spring, and freeze and loosen the bark as when the tree stands 

 perpendicular. 



As the prevailing winds here in the summer are from the 

 southwest, trees planted in this way generally straighten up and 

 frequently are turned the other way. This has been my method 

 of planting trees for a good many years, and I believe I have 

 had as good success as anyone. 



I cultivate the trees three years with a shovel plow, but never 

 later than the first of July. To cultivate later keeps the wood 

 from ripening for winter. Keep the grass from around the trees 

 so tlie mice will not make nests around their roots and girdle 

 them. If this is neglected when the first snow comes, tramp it 

 around the trees and the mice will not trouble them. 



After cultivating for three summers, mulch well as soon as 

 th*e ground freezes in the fall. Seed to timothy and clover the 

 next spring, and when it gets a good start, turn the hogs in to 

 keep away the grubs and bugs. 



Mulch each year with litter from the cowyard, — keep the 



