![Thumbnail: [No. 7 (Summer 1954) page 46]](/journals/teaohou/images/Mao07TeA/Mao07TeA046(t150).jpg)
THE HOME ORCHARD
In the orchard, work is confined to gathering late fruit and to such cultivation as may be necessary. It is a bad policy to allow weeds to grow too tall. If this occurs, it is a good plan to scythe and allow to decay on the surface of the soil and later to be dug under for the winter. Now is a good time to apply lime if it is needed, especially if none has been given for two or three years. If space in the orchard is available, now is the time to order trees for winter planting. Often this job is delayed, and disappointment follows owing to the nurserymen having sold out of the popular varieties of trees.
Fruits trees do not thrive in wet winter because their roots are susceptible to damage by excess water. Peaches, apples and citrus are most susceptible, therefore one must have the area to be planted in fruit trees well drained, and now is the time to do this work before the winter rain sets in. Open drains or, preferably, tile draining is most necessary in heavy soils.
When using fertilizers, the following points should always be remembered:
| 1. |
Don't let stable or poultry manure remain exposed to the weather, or it will lose much of its value by leaching. Fork into the soil as soon as possible. |
| 2. |
Don't let wood ashes become wet. Store in a dry place until convenient to apply. |
| 3. |
Don't keep artificial fertilizers too long, as they are apt to become hard and difficult to apply to the soil. |
| 4. |
Don't bury manures too deeply. Feeding roots of plants are near the surface soil. Fertilizers are usually best raked into the top two or three inches. |
| 5. |
Always apply fertilizer some time before planting or sowing. |
