112 



THE FARM. 



ease. The probabilities are that the tree is dying of starvation and needs a 

 liberal supply of food. When you give it this ration do not pile a load of 

 manure around the trunk of the tree or the body of a grape vine. That is 

 just the place where it will do the least good. Nearest the trunk of the tree 

 the roots are all large; the fibrous roots— the feeders — are farther off, near 

 the ends of the roots. These only can take up the nutriment. It is always 

 safe to assume that the roots extend as far from the trunk in every direction 

 as do the hmbs of the trees, and to properly fertihze, spread the manure all 

 over that area. Then fork it in, and you have done a good work and done it 

 well. If some disease has begun its work on the tree, you will put the tree 

 in a healthy, vigorous condition, the better enabling it to successfully con- 

 tend against its enemies. We have seen numerous old pear and apple trees, 

 bearing poor and gnarled fruit, which the owners consider of no value, 

 which such treatment as we have outUned above would restore to their 

 original usefulness. 



A Belgian Frtiit Gatlierer._We illustrate a novel little invention for 

 gathering fruit as used by the Belgians. It is made as follows: Take a 

 pole ten or twelve feet long, and on top of this attach a thin disk, as shown 

 by the illustration, about six inches in diameter, set with wooden teeth, jiist 

 like the teeth of a hayrake. Carefully placing this under a pear so that the 

 pear rests on the disk, and giving a slight 

 twist, it mil at once detach and bring down the 

 fruit without marring or injuring it in anyway. 



Ho-»v to ReiieTV an Orcliard. — We would 

 plow the orchard in the fall, and then either 

 cross-plow it in the spring or cultivate it thor- 

 oughly, according to its condition. Thorough 

 ■worldng the ground will help the orchard and 

 also the crop. It should be plowed shallow, 

 especially under the trees, and care should be 

 taken not to break off or mutilate the roots. 

 Much damage is done to orchards by careless plo-\ving. Corn is the best 

 hoed crop for an orchard, and beans the next best. Potatoes should never 

 be planted in an orchard, as they exhaust the potash from the soil, and tliis 

 is just what the apple trees require. Barley, or spring rye, is the best 

 adapted to be sown for the seeding. Under the apple trees the grain 

 should be thinly scattered, for much seed would only be wasted on 

 account of the shade, but the grass seed should be put on thickly. The least 

 exhaustive crop shoiild always be grown in an orchard, or else the trees Avi 

 be robbed of needed sustenance; hence it is always best to pasture 

 ground rather than mow it: nothing will run an orchard down bo fast as 

 make it a meadow, as it is a double robbery. The ground may be plowed i 

 the spring, but for an orchard, we would prefer turning it over in the oar^ 

 autumn, in order that tlio trees may have the full benefit of the decayed so 

 and the more mellow soil. 



Krrors in Fruit Tree Culture. — Deep planting is one error — to pla 

 a tree rather shallower than it formerly stood is really the right way, wh 

 many plant a tree as they woukl a post. Hoots are of two kinds — the youi 

 and tender rootlets, composed entirely of cells, the feeders of the tree 

 always found near the surface getting air and moisture; and roots of ovfl 

 one year old, Avhich serve onlj^ as supporters of the trees, and as conductoj 



BELGIAN TBUIT GATHERER. 



