262 THE CULTIVATION OF THE 



being forced too much, by examining the length and 

 quality of the new wood, and also watch if fruit is 

 lessening from the trees going to wood. If that is found 

 to be the case, I would cease cultivation for one year, or 

 two years at most, and in its stead mulch the whole 

 orchard with three tons to the acre of straw, salt hay, or 

 some such material. Now, at the end of one or two 

 years, as the case may be, plough up the orchard in the 

 spring, sow down to clover, and then, the following June 

 a year, plough under the clover, and then from that time 

 go on with high cultivation and high fertilizing, until 

 similar circumstances demand a change. It may also be 

 necessary to watch the new wood, and at times if of too 

 free growth, cut it back. 



The Standard orchard, whilst in sod, may be 

 mulched around trees and fertilized on the sod ; or either 

 may be used alone. 



fertilizing the standard pear orchard. 



Rule 1. 



For trees of a bearing age :•— Should the longest 

 shoots of new wood measure i8 inches, and the medium 

 shoots 12 inches, and the shortest shoots 8 inches, giving 

 a general average of I2| inches, and should the fruit 

 spurs, (I mean the fruit spurs proper.) average not less 

 than one and a-h.ilf inches in length, and look robust 



