PLANTING AND GROWING 



to shape them and remove crossing or Inter- 

 fering branches. 



Constant cultivation at frequent Intervals 

 until midsummer should be the rule with young 

 growing trees, with which this Is even more 

 important than with older trees. It Is a good 

 plan to plow the orchard in fall where possible, 

 always turning the furrows toward the trees, 

 leaving the dead furrows as drainage ditches 

 between the rows. At Beechwood Farm we 

 have always banked the trees with earth In the 

 fall, using a shovel. This not only firms the 

 soil about the tree, holding it straight and 

 strong through the winter, but It affords good 

 protection against rodents, especially mice. 

 Where rabbits are prevalent It Is well to place 

 a fine mesh wire netting around the trees In 

 addition to this. 



47 



