FRUIT TREES. 323 



runners or new plants form along into it, being careful to 

 keep down weeds. 



The new plants will all be formed by September, when 

 the plow may again be used and the rows of old plants 

 turned under, leaving the new plants for the next crop. 

 The most successful growers practise taking but one crop 

 from a plantation. In so doing, they plant in spring, per- 

 mit the runners to grow as they please, but keep down 

 all weeds, and the ground thoroughly cultivated. The 

 crop is made the second season, and then the plantation 

 destroyed. 



SUNDRY OPERATIONS CONNECTED WITH THE CULTURE 

 OF FRUIT TREES. 



1st. The Annual Cultivation of the Soil. The soil 

 around fruit trees should, especially in the garden, be kept 

 in a clean, friable condition by the frequent use of the hoe 

 and the spade ; but in all these operations the roots must 

 not be injured. The forked spade (see Implements) is the 

 best for operating about the roots. 



2d. Manuring. The very common practice in regard 

 to the use of manure, is to apply none for several years, 

 until the trees have begun to show signs of feebleness and 

 exhaustion, when large quantities are applied, thus induc- 

 ing a rank, plethoric growth, that can scarcely fail to be 

 seized with diseases. The proper way is to apply a small 

 dressing of well-decomposed material, like some of the 

 composts recommended, every autumn. This should be 

 forked in around the extremities of the roots. There may 

 be rich soils where this will be unnecessary ; but most 

 ordinary garden soils require it. 



3d. Mulching. This should be a universal practice in 

 our dry and warm summer climate, not only with newly- 

 planted trees, but all, and especially dwarfs in the garden 

 whose roots are near the surface. Three or four inches 



