72 THE KANSAS CHERRY. 



the scion will make but a feeble growth, or perish altogether, from 

 lack of nutriment. 



In top-grafting young trees in the nursery it will not do to strip 

 all the leaves appearing on the stem below the graft. All the buds 

 for a short distance just below the point of union should be allowed 

 to expand, in order to "draw up the sap" and cause vigorous growth. 

 If these buds push too strongly, keep in check by pinching. As the 

 graft grows these leaves on the stock can be gradually removed, be- 

 ginning with the buds next to the graft. In top- working plums and 

 cherries, the outer bark often becomes tough and dry, so it will not 

 expand to make room for the deposit of new wood in June. The graft 

 is then in danger of perishing from tight lacing, and the corset strings 

 must be cut. Do this by slitting the bark lengthwise in several places, 

 taking care not to cut into the wood, as this is apt to cause gumming. 



THE CHERRY ORCHARD. 



A strong, loamy soil, and one which is retentive of moisture, is the 

 most suitable for sour cherries. The fruit contains such a large 

 amount of water that it is necessary to save the moisture of the soil 

 to the greatest possible extent. Dry clay knolls produce cherries of 

 less size and of inferior quality than the moister depressions between 

 them. Very early and thorough cultivation is essential to this con- 

 servation of moisture, and the tillage should be continued at fre- 

 quent intervals until the fruit is about ripe. In order to be able to 

 cultivate the soil at the earliest moment in the spring, the land 

 should be either naturally or artificially well drained. The crop of 

 even the Morellos is ofP the trees in July, so that there is abundant 

 opportunity to sow a catch-crop on the orchard for a winter cover, if 

 the manager so desires. A variety of plants may be used for this 

 cover. The l^est is probably Crimson clover, particularly if the 

 orchard needs more nitrogen or growth ; and if American-grown 

 seed is sown by the middle of August in a well-prepared soil, the 

 cover will probably pass the winter safely. Other plants which 

 may be used for cover are rye, winter wheat, vetch, field pea, 

 sowed corn, millet, and buckwheat. Of these, only the two first will 

 live through the winter and grow in the spring. In using cover 

 crops which survive the winter, it is very important that they be 

 turned under just as soon as the ground is dry enough in sjDring. 

 As soon as the plant begins to grow it evaporates moisture and dries 

 out the soil ; and it is more important, as a rule, to save this moisture 



