CTTLTtTEE APTEE A CROP. 125 



for the borers, and every one unrelentingly destroyed. 

 The ground is then nicely plowed, and cultivated down, 

 as heretofore described. This should all be done by the 

 first of October. But sometimes the ripening of late 

 fruit "retards the plowing. In such case, the pruning and 

 plowing, may properly be deferred; but the worming 

 never can. This must not be neglected if you value 

 fine trees, and wish to preserve them. In a well attended 

 orchard, the labor will be very light ; for, owing to the 

 vigilance of the planter, few worms will ever obtain a 

 lodgment in his trees. After tlie examination of each 

 tree, the soil is carefully replaced, so that the tender neck 

 of the stem is not exposed. 



After the fall plowing, some planters give their peach 

 orchard a top-dressing of lime ; othei'S, later in the season, 

 of barn-yard manure ; others, again, one of wood-ashes or 

 superphosphate about the roots. These are all excellent ; 

 and, where it can be done, should not be omitted. But 

 all are more or less expensive, and planters, for the most 

 part, rely on tillage alone, and some even stint that. We 

 believe that any orchard that is worth keeping at all is 

 worth good culture, and that it is true economy to apply 

 lime, phosphate, and manure to the extent of the reasona 

 ble requirements of the orchard and the planter's ability. 



Whatever dressing the orchard gets, it should be in the 

 fall. The reason of this is, that the fertilizers will dissolve, 

 soak in, and reach the roots during the winter, and in 

 time to stimulate and strengthen the next year's growth ; 

 and, if the other conditions be favorable, greatly tend to 

 the production of a crop. 



Later in the season, especially if the ground is weedy 

 or grassy, the orchard must be cultivated. In ordinary 

 cases, once will do, but sometimes it may require two 

 dressings. The weeds, or grass, must not be permitted 

 to grow, but the ground should be kept clear and smooth 

 as a floor. There is often a narrow strip, between the 



