A F TEK-OULTURE. 



PLOWING AND HOEING. 



ISTE of the most common errors among the 

 people in regard to fruit-growing is that per- 

 taining to after-culture. Many suppose that 

 all that is necessary to get good fruit, is to set 

 the tree in the ground, right end downward, 

 to be sure, and nature will do the rest. This 

 is a most fatal error — nothing can be more 

 unreasonable. It is as absolutely necessary 

 that the tree which you have planted should receive culture and 

 care afterward, as that the corn which rustles in the breeze should 

 be plowed and hoed and harrowed to make it yield its golden har- 

 vest. Trees, as well as vegetables, must have food and drink. It 

 is by culture that they obtain them. 



Hence, in the orchard, the growing of some crop is very desirable. 

 Roots are perhaps the best of all. Potatoes, beets, beans, carrots, 

 parsneps, onions — all require thorough culture, and do not shade 

 the trees ; while Indian corn, clover, grass, and all the cereal grains, 

 should be rigidly excluded. 



PEUNTNG. 



In the matter of pruning we find there is a great diversity of 

 opinion among experienced fruit-growers. Some advise a free uso 

 of the knife ; others prune but little, or none at all. The first are 

 doubtless right, as regards some sorts of trees ; while in regard to 

 other varieties, the second class are correct. And the point must 

 be settled between them by considering the objects sought to be at- 

 tained by pruning. 



To our mind there are four objects to be had in view in pruning 

 a fruit tree. These are — 



