GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF ORCHARDS. 173 



shoot upward, forming a top so close that a person can not 

 ascend between the limbs to pluck the fruit. Moreover, 

 the fruit will be fairer, larger, and better, if the branches 

 grow at a greater distance from each other, so as to let in 

 the light of the sun and admit of a more free circulation of 

 air through the dense foliage and thickly-set fruit. When 

 there is ample space between the trees, fasten horizontal 

 spars of wood to the main stem of the tree-top, and push 

 the limbs outward each way from the middle of the top, 

 and tie them in the desired position, with soft strings, to 

 the ends of the horizontal spars. A more convenient way 

 will be to pass a narrow strip of leather around a branch 

 and nail it to the wood. The limbs may be fastened in 

 the desired position by such means, and kept there for one 

 season, when they will remain spread out, thus rendering it 

 more convenient to move around in the tree-top when prun- 

 ing, thinning the fruit, or plucking it. In some instances, 

 only a few of the boughs grow erect on one side of the tree, 

 which may be thrust outward and secured by sfiort spars of 

 wood on one side of the middle of the tree-top. If no animals 

 are allowed to run in the orchard^ a small wire may be se- 

 cured to a limb, and fastened to a stake driven in the ground. 



When limbs of trees have been bent down too low by 

 any means, if the central stem is sufficiently stiff, such lirnbs 

 may be elevated and wired-up for one season, after which 

 they will maintain their position. Young trees require 

 much attention when growing, to make every branch stand 

 in the most desirable direction. 



Grass in Orchards. One pomologist will recommend the 

 culture of red clover or grass, where a young orchard is 

 growing. Another will denounce the practice of permit- 

 ting grass to grow among trees of any kind. The advo- 

 cate for clean cultivation argues that grass draws moisture 

 from the soil faster than rains restore it ; that the soil, not 



