CHAPTER IV 



CARETAKING 



Fruit-growing is a ceaseless task; orchards begin to "go bad" as 

 soon as their owners settle down to self-satisfied complacency. Season 

 in and season out, trees must feel the gardener's caretaking touch; 

 they seem able to recognize it. This caretaking begins at the very 

 start in the preparation of the land. 



Soil is immortal. The earth changes, but soil 

 the^and^ endures to serve generation after generation. Soil, 



therefore, should have all the care its o^v-ner can 

 lavish on it. Care consists in plowing, harrowing, cultivating, spad- 

 ing, hoeing, raking, and smoothing. Preparing land for fruits may 

 require all of these operations — the more the better if the land is to 

 yield its best. Underdrainage must be provided if the soil is wet. 



A good orchard soil is well supplied with what we call organic 

 matter, meaning that which is in a condition to be absorbed — as 

 manure, rotting leaves or vegetable refuse and the like. A soil with- 

 out organic matter is but a skeleton, — dead, inert, and lifeless, — and 

 trees will not grow in the framework of a soil. Green crops or manures 

 must be turned under to put flesh on the soil-skeleton. 



The orchard is to stand a generation or two. It might well, then, 

 be put in training for the long service it is to render. The crops for 

 a few years preceding planting ought to be such as will enrich it and 

 leave it in the best of tilth. Vegetables are the best preparatory crops. 



"A time to plant and a time to pluck up that which 

 The?ri7*''^^ is planted," is good Biblical advice on planting. 

 a Season ^^^ parts of the cold North the best time to plant 



trees is early spring, when sun and showers arouse 

 the spirit of growth. At this time nutritive solutions proceed quickly 

 and unerringly to their pre-appointed places, and the trees begin at once 

 the double task of m.dving fresh roots and opening dormant leaves. 

 Fall planting puts f(jrward the work when all is favorable, but wet 

 falls and cold winters sometimes cause serious losses, in northern 

 climates at least. Yet in the ■'Suun\- South," the easy fall, preceding 

 a milder winter, affords excellent (ipportunily for successful planting. 

 It is "a safe bet," to consult » reliable nurseryman in any neighbor- 

 hood; it is his business lo be riglil. Spring or fall, the soil should be 

 reasonably dry, warm, and mellow when the work is done. Late-set 



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