10 CULTURE OK THE OKCHARD. 



In this operation, the secret of success is to see that there are no 

 air spaces around the roots or under the collar, and that the soil is 

 pressed very firmly around the roots. 



Cultivation. — The effect of stirring the soil after plant- 

 ings trees is: First, in preventing the escape of moisture by 

 forming a layer of loose non-conducting material of the 

 surface; and second, by hastening the preparation of plant 

 food in the soil by the air admitted. In young orchards, if it is 

 thought necessary to cultivate, it will be foimd most economical 

 to grow some hoed crop among the trees for several years at 

 least; but as a rule, such crops will not more than pay the cost of 

 cultivation and manure used, while they often fall far short of 

 this, and the owner must take his profit in the increased value 

 of his orchard. Any hoed crop may be used that does not require 

 cultivation late in the fall, for young orchard land should never 

 be cultivated between August first and November first, as it is 

 almost certain to prolong the growth of wood so that the trees 

 will be in danger of injury from the Avinter. 



Turf Culture. — In turf culture, the preservation of moisture 

 in the soil must be gained by the use of mulch. Any material, as 

 brush, brakes, coarse meadow-grass, straw, leaves, planing-machine 

 shavings, etc., may be used ; while the plant food must be added 

 in some form at the time of planting the trees, or later upon the 

 surface. 



In nearly every state in the Union there are thousands upon 

 thousands of acres of land so rough and stony that it cannot be 

 cultivated, and upon which are often found apple trees remarkable 

 for their vigor and productiveness. The fruit produced upon such 

 land is noted for its liigh color and rich flavor, and for long- 

 keeping (pialities. Much of this land is almost worthless for any 

 other purpose than forestry and the production of the large fruits; 

 and if properly planted and cared for, it would in a few years give 

 a large income for the investment. In planting such land, 

 particular care nmst be given to the preparation of the soil 

 directly around the tree, and to saving the material often found 

 growing upon it, — such as sedges, brakes, brush, etc., — or obtained 

 elsewhere, to be used for mulch, to prevent the escape of the 

 moisture that is rapidly carried away by the weaves of grasses and 

 otlier plants. 



The advantages claimed for this system are, that the trees 

 mature their wood much earlier in the autumn, and consequently 

 are less liable to injury from cold; the roots are protected from 

 injury from the extremes of heat and cold, by the grass roots ; 

 the trees begin bearing much earlier and bear more regularly, the 

 fruit is of better quality and keeps longer; the cost of land and 

 cultivation is much less, while a satisfactory growth may be 

 obtained by the use of a small amount of manure or fertilizei 

 applied to the surface. 



