NATURAL LAWS. 69 



with straw in the fall, about three feet around and a foot 

 deep, and keep it there until May 15th. This prevents the 

 tree from blooming too early. 



Most of those who start in peach farming- have either 

 the flowers or fruit frozen and the consequence is no 

 peaches. Now, if you . mulch them heavily to keep the 

 ground cold around the tree and keep the frost from coming 

 out of the ground, the tree will not start growing until 

 after the danger from frost is over. Peach trees will bloom 

 early in April if care is not taken, while they should not 

 bloom until May 15. By doing this you will be certain 

 of a crop. It will also pay you to rope them up with straw 

 or old bags. This will prevent the frost killing the trees. 

 Where the snow is deep in the winter it is not necessary to 

 do this, but where there is not much snow it should be done. 

 Snow is about the best protection from frost we hare, es- 

 pecially for young trees, clover, grass, etc. 



When trees are six to eight years old, no more cultiva- 

 tion is necessary. Peach trees bear very little fruit after 

 eight years old, but other trees are good for many years if 

 properly trimmed every year. 



Spraying Fruit Trees. 



Spray the trees when the buds are ready to bloom, and 

 again ten days after blooming. There are thousands of 

 small flies that injure the flowers, by and spraying it will 

 kill them, and they will not go near a flower that has been 

 sprayed. Any nurseryman will tell you just what liquids to 

 use for spraying, or the Government will send you a small 

 circular on spraying for the asking 



Poultry in the Orchard. 



Every one hundred feet have a small house to hold fifty 

 hens. Have these colony houses all over the orchard. The 

 young stock should also be raised in the orchard , as the shade 



