FRUITS 



one-quarter to one-half of the length of 

 each branch cut off. Pruning is a matter 

 of great importance to fruit growers, as all 

 fruit trees must be pruned yearly, and the 

 novice will find some good book on the sub- 

 ject, of which there are several, to be of 

 great help. 



The ground under apple trees should 

 be kept free from weeds and grass, and 

 the soil loose, until the tree is five or six 

 years old. A mulch of litter or leaves over 

 this space during the Winter, will be of 

 benefit, and a good coating of manure with 

 two or three pounds of muriate of potash, 

 stirred into the ground around each tree 

 in the Spring, will stimulate its growth. An 

 apple tree generally begins to bear when 

 five years old, and should have a full crop at 

 ten years. It is a long-lived tree, and who- 

 ever plants one may reasonably expect it to 

 live and bear fruit not only during his own 

 lifetime, but that of his children, and pos- 

 sibly his grandchildren. 

 63 



