Ogden Standard-Examiner | 1920-06-14 | Page 3 | The Standard's U. A. C. Bureau

!i The Standard's U. A. C. Bureau j (Articles of Interest to Farmers, Housekeepers and Others! . Written for The Standard by Experts at Utah's Noted J jjj Agricultural College at Logan Jja CLEANLNG THE ORCHARD FOrw , ACTION'. I BY' 31. C. .MKIUULIj. I Horticulturist, Utah Agricultural i Collcgf, I "Unclean! Unclean!" has been the1 historic cry of the leper when people approached, "Unclean! Unclean!" is the silent cry of to many orchards in Weber and neighboring counties. This is the season of the year when tho orchard should bo even its annual an-nual bath, figuratively speaking. The dormant spray has been applied by many growers this year and that has helped clean the trees and free them from noxious insects. But there aro two other phases of this orchard bathing business to which should bo called at this time. One of these pertains to tho thoro cleanng up of all limbs, weeds, rubbish, and junk thnt might be scattered about thru the orchard, or lurking in an unsightly un-sightly way in the corners. Observant growers have Ioiik since recognized theso neglected places as most prolific pro-lific breeding products for incests. Keeping such corners clean is Important Import-ant as a means of adlng in the control of these insests, among which is tho troublesome codling moth. Now is a good time to get after the wasto places and clean them up. The other phuse of cleaning up the orchard has reference to the soil and its treatment. Two general methods need to be considered here and both are found In tho counties bordering Great Salt Jake. 1. Orchard soils on which alfalfa i is grown between tho trees. In that case sufficient water must be at hand to supply the noods of both tho alfalfa and tho fruit trees. Discuslng the alfal-' alfal-' fa would be a splendid practice In tho . early spring beforo growth starts. It ! would stir up' tho soil and aerate ft and put it in better mechanical con-dlton. con-dlton. 2. Orchard soils on which clean cultivation is practiced. In such cases there is probably not sufficient water availably to supply both trees and cover crop. Very frequently the term "clean cultivation" Is a. misnomer, for tho orchard Is aljowed to grow upxln weeds, which rob the soil of the water I they take up from the soli and give j off thru their leaves In a season. Now if the orchard is to be induced to do Its best with small amount of I water tho soil should bo thoroly cul- tvated In tho early spring and a good mulch maintained during the entire summer. Weeds must be kept down with a vengeance. It must furthermore further-more be remembered that during tho previous summer the soil becomes packed down by much travel upon It, and that the winter rains have continued con-tinued the packing process. The early cultivation is therefore of great acr-vice acr-vice in opening up the soil so that air may penetrate to tho roots. A thoro cleaning up of tho orchard will pay dividends in many ways. Now is the tlmo for the readers of tho "Og-den "Og-den Standard- Examiner," who are j owners of orchards, to make this in-vcslmcnt.