mulching the soil by allowing grass to grow, then cutting it and 

 placing it about the trees. While there may be a few favorable 

 instances with naturally moist soil, where this system will 

 work quite satisfactorily, yet in the great majority of locations 

 this plan will not be wise to adopt. Tillage combined with sow- 

 ing of clover as a cover crop will give far better trees and fruit. 

 In the mulching system there is always greater trouble from 

 insects and vermin. Field mice find this an excellent, place in 

 which to harbor, and many trees have been ruined by them, 

 Even though wire protection is placed about the trees a deep fall 

 of snow will permit the mice to girdle the trees above the wire. 

 From these points it will be seen that it is not wise to plant 

 orchards upon land that cannot be cultivated. There are, how- 

 ever, many orchards especially in New England, planted among 

 rocks which live and thrive to a certain extent. 



Pruning 



After apple trees are properly planted, but little pruning will 

 be required for about five years. The trees having been given 

 the right form at the time of planting, will require only a branch 

 to be taken out from time to time, that inclines to grow toward 

 or across the centre. A study of the future form of the tree 

 will enable one to see when a branch is putting out in a place 

 where it should not be allowed to grow. 



The only pruning tool required for the first five years after 

 planting, is a pocket pruning knife. If, due to neglect during 

 the early stages, large branches have to be taken off later, there 

 is not only too much shock given to the tree, but it is exposed 

 to bacterial troubles by way of which diseases are introduced, 

 shortening the life of the tree and reducing its value. When 

 young trees are continuously pruned they are stimulated in 

 making growth of wood, and the bearing of fruit is deferred. 

 Where but little pruning is done, fruit spurs will begin to^form 

 on the lower parts or branches of the trees, and orchards will 

 come into profitable bearing several years sooner than where 

 constant annual pruning is done. 



For illustration the Northern Spy, one of the choicest of all 

 varieties, as usually pruned, is a long time in coming into bear- 

 ing, often fifteen years, before it will show evidence of fruit- 



