FRUITS FOR THE HOME GROUNDS 



and take on the color of maturity. For a mixed orchard in the 

 North this is usually between the middle of July and the first of 

 August— earlier the farther south. When fruiting plants are making 

 a rank growth they do not need to be cultivated as late or as fre- 

 quently as when making smaller growth. Cover-crop seed is covered 

 the last time the orchard is gone over with the cultivator. 



In the average orchard, if the land is well drained, 

 Is it Necessary ^,gii tilled, and well supplied with organic matter 

 IZ^Q^^^^A-? from stable-manure or cover-crops, commercial 

 e urc at . fgj.^Qi2ers are little needed. The exceptions are 

 found on sandy and gravelly soils; in soils subject to drought; or on 

 soils of such shallowness or of such mechanical texture as to limit 

 the root-range of the plants; or in soils so wet or so dry or so devoid 

 of humus as to prevent bacteriological activities in the soil. In the 

 lighter soils of the South, peach trees, for example, are advantaged 

 by the wise use of commercial fertilizers. 



How may a fruit-grower know when his trees need fertilizers? 

 He may assume that they need no additional plant-food if the plants 

 are vigorous, grow well, and make a fair amount of new wood each 

 season. If the plants are not of this healthful condition, the thing to 



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When trees are properly grown, the picking may all be done without ladders 



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