CULTIVATION OF THE SOIL, 83 



The roots probably reach as far each way as the height of the 

 tree, and the trenches should extend about the same distance. 

 They need not be cut very near the tree, as the roots are all 

 large there, and would be more likely 'to be injured and 

 would be little benefited. The trenches should be only the 

 width of a spade, and be from two to four feet apart. 



Old apple orchards always grow and bear best when kept 

 under cultivation. If the soil is, however, naturally or arti- 

 ficially fertile, they succeed well in grass continually grazed 

 short by sheep and swine. These animals are useful in de- 

 vouring the insects of the fallen fruit, and assist in manuring 

 the surface. An annual autumn application of yard or stable 

 manure, with a small portion of ashes or, in the absence of 

 ashes, of lime will commonly be useful. If the orchard is 

 only top-dressed, the application in autumn is of great impor- 

 tance, that the soil may be soaked in winter or spring. If 

 ploughed in it should be done in spring, after the manure has 

 remained all winter on the surface. 



When to Manure Orchards. Inquiry is often made as to the 

 frequency and amount of manuring or cultivation for trees. 

 The answer must be : act according to circumstances. The ques- 

 tion again recurs: how shall we know what our soils need? 

 The answer is: observe the results of growth. An examination 

 or analysis of the soil will be of little use. But the trees will 

 tell their own story. If the soil is so rich that they make annual 

 shoots of two or three feet or more in length, without any cul- 

 tivation or manuring at all (which, however, is rarely the case), 

 then it will be needless to give additional care. The annual 

 growth is the best guide to treatment. There are very few apple 

 or other orchards which, after reaching a good bearing state, 

 throw out annual shoots more than a foot or a foot and a half 

 long, and many not half this length. The owner may lay it 

 down as an unalterable rule, that when his trees do not grow 

 one foot annually, they need more manuring or cultivation, 

 or both. By observing the growth he can answer all questions 

 of the kind referred to, without difficulty. 



Management of Western Orchards. Lewis Ellsworth, one of 

 the most successful and intelligent fruit-growers in Illinois, 

 says that the loss in fruit-trees in that State within the last 

 three years is millions of dollars that it is attributed to the 



