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Show n mm ii i p i ! i i I i H mm CULTIVATION NEEDED IN YOUNG ORCHARDS ' s.xv tV- . , i " - v 1 . . - ' i ' v - " i"V..::-i: ..i . - - : .' v- - , ; -.-.. - . , :-:. . . s Xs t.-, " . ; , v '.v.-t - ys; '''-VNjji, .sxWis CAREFUL ATTENTION TO TREES IS NECESSARY. (By C. F. NIVEN. Clemson Agricultural College.) The usefulness of the trees depends largely on the methods of handling for the first few years after planting. It has been the custom to plant out the orchards and leave them to take their course or else they have been placed directly in cultivated fields where crops of all kinds nre grown. The result re-sult in either case has generally been disappointment. Practically no farm of the state is too small to allow an acre for the orchard. This being done, the trees can be cared for properly at all times. One of the secrets of success suc-cess is to see that the trees are kept growing all the time from the very first. A stunted tree, or one that stops growing for a time on any account, never proves as successful in the future. fu-ture. It is therefore necessary that the young trees be well cultivated according ac-cording to some well-devised plan. Methods of Cultivating. The plan which seems to meet with the greatest degree of success is to plow deeply and thoroughly early in spring. This, of course, is done after the ground is thoroughly dry. This plowing is to be followed immediately with the harrow in order to smooth the surface of the soil. About all that is necessary afterwards is to harrow har-row frequently or cultivate lightly in order to keep the weeds and grass down, and form a mulch to save moisture. mois-ture. About the middle of July, cultivation culti-vation should cease. In early fall, about September 1 to 15, the orchard can be seeded to some cover-crop (either burr or crimson clover or rye and vetch is good) which helps to maintain the fertility of the soil when turned under early in spring at the first cultivation. Cultivating Bearing Orchard. The trees when grown and bearing crops of fruit each year need cultivating culti-vating as much as when young. Fanners Fann-ers sometimes object to cultivating old bearing trees because of the injury to large roots. If this cultivation is started while the trees are young and continued ench year there will be no injury to the roots. The roots will grow deep enough to be out of the way of the plow. Of course, the cultivation of an old orchard is more dillicult in view of the fact that the branches are' in the way, especially on low-headed trees. This should not, however, prevent pre-vent cultivation. If the trees are planted in cheeks, they can be plowed both ways, followed by the harrow, which will leave only a small space directly under the trees that is not cultivated. . Protect Young Trees. i Cultivation, fertilizing, etc., are uot the only things to be considered. The trees must be protected. One injured tree often results in the loss of the entire en-tire orchard. AYhen cultivating, care-should care-should be used not to allow the harness har-ness or the cultivator to bruise the trees. A bruise provides a good en--trance for the bark beetle, which when once started there is not much chane of stopping until the entire tree is re' moved. Keep them sprayed regularly to keep down insect pests and fungus diseases. A good rule is to protect the tree as you would your horse. When this is done, good results are sure to follow. |