TREATMENT OF FRUIT TREES. 323 



still better, the small-footed and precise-stepping mule 

 would be preferred. 



When plowing among orchards, care should be taken 

 not to open a land between two rows repeatedly, by 

 throwing the first furrow against the tree, but tjie lands 

 should be alternately opened and gathered, so as to main- 

 tain a level surface ; unless, indeed, the surface be very 

 flat and humid, when it may have been necessary to plant 

 the trees upon the original surface, and cover the roots 

 with a small hillock of earth; h«re, the constant "open- 

 ing " of the lands, by throwing the furrows toward the 

 trees, will be advisable ; this soon supplies a series of su- 

 perficial drains that are beneficial to the orchard. 



Cultivation of the soil may be continued for several 

 years, with the best results, as will be very apparent in 

 the thrifty growth, fine foliage, and smooth bark of the 

 trees ; but it is very desirable to liave it continued at least 

 during three or four Summers ; after which the surface 

 may be laid down to grass, provided due care be taken to 

 keep a large space cleared about the trees, but no cattle 

 should be allowed to pasture upon the land, except swine, 

 which will destroy insects that are in the fallen fruit. 



In some situations, whether from convenience or neces- 

 sity, the young trees are set in a grass field, which may 

 be rocky, or otherwise unfit for the use of the plow and 

 cultivator. When this is the case, as general culture of 

 the whole area is impracticable, it becomes advisable to 

 pay special attention to the treatment of that immediately 

 occupied by the roots. When planting in such a field, the 

 holes should be dug much larger than required to receive 

 the roots, and, of course, much wider than when planting 

 a thoroughly prepared soil. The grass and weeds must 

 be kept under control by digging about the trees to an 

 extent of five or six feet in diameter, or more. This digging 

 may be performed during the Winter, when the frost will 



