CHAPTER IV. 



CARE OF THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



There is no exception to the rule that fruit 

 trees thrive best in soil that is kept loose and 

 free from all weeds and grasses. Cherries will 

 do better than most other fruits in grass land, 

 and they may thereby be kept from too luxu- 

 riant growth. But even these, when in bearing 

 condition, will scarcely endure this cheek. For 

 all other fruits it is far better to keep the 

 ground lightly stirred with the cultivator and 

 hoe. The finely pulverized condition of the 

 surface is a great help in the aeration of the 

 soil, giving warmth and vigorous action to the 

 roots. But it is important to guard against 

 deep ploughing among the roots, thus disturb- 

 ing the small fibres which are in quest of food. 

 It is not wise to draw these fibres too near the 

 surface by a heavy mulch, lest they perish when 

 the mulch decays or is removed. On the other 

 hand, we must guard against driving the roots 

 into the subsoil by injuring the surface feeders. 



