AUTUMN-TREATMENT OF ORCHARDS. 



There is no season when our orchard-trees are so Httle cared for as 

 durhig the months of August and September ; and yet that is the most 

 critical period of the year as regards the health of the tree, and the crop 

 of fruit of the succeeding year. 



Gathering the maturing crop (often with careless violence to the tree) so 

 absorbs the attention, that care for the future is forgotten. 



The double duty with annual bearers, — of maturing one crop, and pre- 

 paring for another at the same time, — and the vicissitudes of the season 

 of drought, often so exhaust the vitality of the tree as not only to damage 

 or destroy the succeeding crop, but to endanger the life of the tree when 

 not protected. 



At the West, where excessive drought is the rule rather than the excep- 

 tion during this season, is the statement particularly applicable. 



The formation and proper growth of the fruit-buds on which the succeed- 

 ing crop depends can only be effected where the tree is well nourished 

 and in a healthy and growing state. A full supply of nutriment and 

 moisture is indispensable. 



VOL. V. 9 6s 



