164 BUIST'S FAMILY KITCHEN GARDENER. 



even trench-ploughed. Manure heavily, put on a Potato or 

 Corn crop the year previous to planting out, and cultivate ifc 

 freely the whole season. The soil will then be in order to re- 

 ceive the trees. Plant them from forty to fifty feet apart, 

 giving the tree at once a strong support, to prevent its being 

 tossed with the winds. Tie between the tree and the stake 

 some soft material, which will keep the bark from being chafed 

 Experience teaches that all young orchards should be culti- 

 vated and cropped with any kind of grain or root crops except- 

 ing grass or hay. After the trees have come into a good bear 

 ing state, grass is not at all objectionable ; but as soon as the 

 trees show any indications of a meagre and stunted growth, 

 the ground should be well enriched in the vicinity of their 

 roots. We see no reason why fruit trees should not occupy 

 the space allowed for brush and saplings around the fields and 

 about the fences. It cannot be the cost, for that is a mere 

 trifle. Every farmer may at least grow a part, and should 

 have a few reserve trees by him every year. It is merely be- 

 cause it is customary to allow these " weeds of the forest" to 

 grow in place of luscious fruit. 



PRUNING. This object is generally considered a labor, in- 

 stead of a pleasant pastime. We can never admit that it is 

 necessary to use an axe and a saw to prune a tree, more espe- 

 cially a fruit tree ; that treatment belongs to the dark ages. 

 A strong pruning:knife, good hands, with a judicious head, are 

 the accompaniments of the orchardist. Cut off all cross 

 branches, shorten those that stretch out beyond the general 

 outline of the tree ; thin out all superabundant wood, to allow 

 the permanent branches and shoots to be from six to twelve 

 inches apart. It will rarely be necessary to cut off a shoot 

 of one inch in diameter. 



INSECTS. We are not aware of any destructive enemy to 

 the Apple tree that cannot be kept under by a moderate share 

 of vigilance. The Borer, a white, fleshy grul that commits 



