56 



MULCHING. 



The preservation of a proper degree of moisture in the soil surround- 

 ing the roots of the tree is the principal object of culture during the 

 first summer after planting. Both the kind and amount of care will 

 depend upon the nature of the soil and the condition of the weather; 

 something will also depend upon the first preparation of the ground. 

 Where the soil has been drained, deepened, and pulverized, and the 

 surface is loose and mellow, nothing further will be required than 

 merely to prevent a growth of weeds. If the surface is tenacious, fre- 

 quent stirring, especially after rains, will probably suffice, but where 

 the soil is shallow and largely composed of sand or gravel mulching 

 will most effectually accomplish the purpose. 



Any loose material will answer for a mulch, such as coarse manure, 

 strawy litter of any kind, or short grass cut from lawns. Where a few 

 trees only are to be cared for, tan bark and refuse charcoal dust are fre- 

 quently employed. Mulch should not be applied before the middle of 

 June, unless the weather proves very dry and warm previous to that 

 time, and on clean ground it may remain during the following winter, 

 or be renewed if exhausted; but in rough, soddy ground, where field 

 mice may lurk, the soil around the trees should be thoroughly commi- 

 nuted and kept clean and compressed. 



CULTURE. 



The best mode of treating the soil in pear orchards is an important 

 question both in regard to the health of the tree and the production of 

 fruit. Laying aside all special circumstances, it appears evident that 

 the condition of the plants will indicate the treatment required. The 

 object being to maintain health and encourage fruitfulness. the measure 

 of successful accomplishment of these conditions will greatly depend 

 upon the knowledge of the principles governing vegetable growth pos- 

 sessed by the cultivator. When the^ trees are young the chief object is 

 to encourage judicious growth by employing expedients known to favor 

 vegetable extension, such as the application of manures, breaking up 

 and pulverizing the soil, surface stirring, and other similar operations. 

 By judicious growth is meant a luxuriance not incompatible with matur- 

 ity, and as this will depend upon climate and locality it is evident that 

 a discriminating knowledge of cause and effect will largely influence 

 success. In northern latitudes, where the season of growth is confined 

 to 5 months' duration, it will be impossible to mature the same amount 

 of wood that can be produced on trees in a locality having 7 months of 

 growing season. In the latter case stimulating applications may be 

 used with the best effects that would only tend to dissolution in the 

 climate of short summers. The great desideratum in fruit culture is 

 ripened wood ; all useful cultivation begins and ends with this single 

 object in view, and is the criterion of good or bad management. 



