THE ORCHARD.
{"character_count": 4099, "word_count": 725, "ccnet_language_score": [0.9621999859809875], "ccnet_perplexity": [2035.800048828125], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}
THE ORCHARD.

 Few know the real value of the orchard Any one who has lot of ground, may have fruits at a very triiing expense. Perhaps, there is less labor required, and evidently there is less outlay of money, to have an a. bundance of fruits, than almost any other product of the farm or garden. Trees once planted will need but little labor to prune and preservei'n n a healthful, bearing state, for many years. Indeed, many kinds will last an age, and yield profitable crop every year.

 Nothing is better for family in summer and winter than ripe fruit, It contributes to health, and very much to comfort. Also the orchard may be made valuabls.f for the pur- pose of rearing stock. Swine particularly are benefited by every kind of fruit

 There are but few considerations claiming much attention in the commencement of an orchard.

 The kinds of fruit desirable should be the first study. Apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, quinces, apricots, nectarines and grapes, all grow and flourish in Tennessee, and some of them great deal farther south. Apples are the surest and most profitable crop.

 Ed. parieties.-As to the varieties of fruit, it is next to impossibility to speak with any degree of certainty. Many varieties excel lent to the north, do but little good here; and others worthless at the north, are excel lent in the south. Known kinds should generally be selected. There is an error on the subject of selecting fruits, which should be corrected at once, viz: the idea of having many kinds of the same fruit. There are few apples, peaches, &c., best for every coun- try. Therefore, select such as have proved themselves good in the different seasons- Three or four kinds of summer apples, the same number for autumn and winter, are all that are necessary. The same may be pre- dlcated of pears, peaches, &c.

 By having most of the winter apples of one kind, the gathering may all be at once, and they will keep better than when different kinds are together

 Sd. Time of Transpzaming.-This is an unsettled question. When the trees are put out in October, or beginning of N ovember, and the winter is not very hard, the fall is the best time; but if the freezes are hard and frequent, the spring proves more favorable for putting out trees. It is not bad rule to transplant both fall and spring, and then the proper season will be certain to be hit.

 4th. Situation of Orchmd-Peaches a. mongst 'the hills and hollows'' are generally best; but be careful if possible to have a northern exposure. The soil for any kind of fruit should be deep, but it is not advisa- ble to have it very .fat. A gravelly location is generally best for most fruits.

 9th. Putting Ou.-From twenty to thirty feet is the distance for peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums; and from twenty-five to forty feet will answer, according to soil, for apples and pears.

 Throw out circular pit, two spades deep, and at least three feet in diameter, put some good compost at the bottom, then set in the tree, and first endeavor to place ill contact with the roots, as nearly as practicable, the same kind of soil in which the tree grew Fill the balance of the pit with compost suit ed to the kind of fruit to be grown. Expe- rlence and little science might be slipped in to great advantage here

 No tree should be inserted more than an inch or two, at most, lower than 1t grew in the nursery.

 Press the soil gently about the roots, and If the trees are tall and there is danger of being injured by the wind, tie them to stake.

 6th Cultivation of Orchard.-So far as our own experience and observation 90. the orchard should be cultivated every year, Po- tatoes, cabbage, turnips, beets and peas, are good crops for the orchard; but wheat, oats, indeed all small grain, are unsuited to fruit trees. The ground should be kept open, loose and rich

 7th Prumimg-There are two items very important in pruning. The branches and sprouts should not be too large before the knife is used; and secondly, a sharp knife and smooth cut near the body of the tree are important matters. Tennessee .agricultmrist.