Springfield Springfield Leader in Springfield, Missouri

Orchard culture principles for sound tree care

A late 19th century farming note argues that surface soil fosters root growth and advocates shallow cultivation around trees, avoiding deep plowing for years. It urges keeping roots protected, using a 3 inch depth limit, and gradually expanding the unplowed circle as orchards mature, with weed control and mellow soil via a two horse cultivator. It also discusses keeping sod in old orchards, forest leaves uses, and warnings about balloon news from Paris.