SEEB-TmE AH© HARVEST. 
15 
able for rest, and the top has ceased to 
draw nourishment from the roots. In 
taking up the tree the roots are cut and 
are the same as cuttings. A cutting re¬ 
quires first to be rooted, the soil being 
warmer than the air above induces the 
roots to throw out little fibers for feeders, 
ready established to support the top in the 
spring. But, if planted in the spring, the 
soil is cooler than the air above, causing 
the roots to lie dormant, while the top is 
stimulated to growth and the roots to ex¬ 
haust themselves by a premature growth at 
the top. 
In setting out an orchard, if the soil is in 
good order, it is better to set late in a mod¬ 
erately moist soil; if set when too dry, the 
roots not finding sufficient moisture, the 
tree will die. 
In setting fruit trees, do not dig a hole 
as if you were going to set a gate post, but 
dig a shallow hole large enough to place 
the roots straight and smooth, and deep 
enough to set the tree as deep as it was in 
the nursery, and no deeper, placing the 
soil back firm on the roots. After the trees 
are set, spread manure around them. 
From my observation, I believe there is 
more damage caused by improper setting 
of trees, than from borers or any other in¬ 
sects. 
After the trees are planted, remember 
that the first four or five years of an or¬ 
chard demand the closest care and atten¬ 
tion. They should be. constantly culti¬ 
vated. 
House Slops as a Fertilizer. 
BY N. J. SHEPHERD. 
By taking a little pains to save them and 
apply them in the proper manner, a con¬ 
siderable amount of valuable fertilizer can 
be secured from house slops. 
My plan of using them is to apply at once. 
During the fall and winter they can be 
carried up and emptied on the garden, taking 
reasonable pains of course to scatter evenly. 
I make it a rule to plow up my garden 
thoroughly every fall, so as to be in a con¬ 
dition to receive all the benefit possible 
irom whatever manure can be applied. 
J never like, when it can be avoided, to 
apply manure on unplowed land, there is 
too much risk of waste. All the fall and 
winter the house slops canjbe emptied upon 
the garden, and the soil being plowed it 
will all soak down into the soil and be 
retained as plant food during the next year. 
During the spring and summer after the 
plants begin to grow, I prefer to apply 
rather as a liquid manure to the growing 
plants. If you have never tried it you will 
be surprised at the results that can be se¬ 
cured. 
It is better not to apply too much at once, 
better to divide and give two or three ap¬ 
plications during the season. 
The best results can be secured by cul¬ 
tivating or hoeing the soil mellow and loose 
around the roots of the plants and then ap¬ 
ply late in the evening. Reasonable care 
should be taken not to allow it to come in 
direct contact with the plants. It is the 
roots that will take up and secure the ben¬ 
efit and the application should be given in 
a way that will best enable the roots to 
reach and be benefited by it. I find this a 
better plan than to attempt to drain off or 
carry them to one place. They are sure 
breeders of filth and disease if empted in 
one place for any length Of time, and I find 
it much the easiest and surest plan to ap¬ 
ply as a manure in the garden. All kinds 
of plants can be benefited by applying in 
the way described; but potatoes, cabbage, 
onions and peppers will perhaps receive 
more benefit than any others. 
Greasy water should not be allowed to 
come in contact with the foliage of plants. 
But if applied around the roots will aid in 
securing a better growth. Soap suds is 
especially valuable for currants or other, 
small fruits. 
There is no economy in allowing any 
thing that will add to the fertility of the 
soil to go to waste, and I find it a much 
better plan to carry everything out on to the 
garden where it can be of benefit. 
Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and 
a great deal more saucy. When you have 
bought One fine thing you must buy ten 
more, that your appearance may be all of 
a piece; but it is easier to suppress the first 
desire than to satisfy all that follow it. 
