This being the month of March, it's time to get out into the orchard, and start work. Perhaps some old seedling trees you’ve had for cider, just aren’t producing, or cider isn’t selling well (damn temperance). You’ll want to consider “engrafting” to these trees a known variety that seems to keep well, and sell well. Now’s the time to cut your scions. And that insect problem you had last year? Here’s the solution to “catterpillars.”
The New England Farmer and Boston Rambler
Boston, Saturday, March 1, 1851
Vol. VI, No. 9
Work For The Season:
Trees and Scions. - Cultivators should look over their notes and memorandums and see what they want in this line. Scions may be cut at any time in this month. Lay them in a tight moistened box, with moist saw dust or moss at the bottom; or moist mats or cloths will answer. Lay moss, a cloth, or mat, moistened, over the scions, and set the box in a cool place in the cellar; and if dark, the better. Do not apply water to the scions, as, they are often injured by keeping them too damp or wet.
Catterpillars. - By examining the lower branches of apple trees, near the extremities, on a bright morning, the eggs of catterpillars may be seen in clusters on the branches, which may easily be taken off with the fingers. They should be destroyed. By a crook, the length of a common cane, almost every limb on which they are found may he drawn down within convenient reach.
Today, I think some backyard orchardists have a romantic view of organic fruit production, the way it was done by our ancestors (myself included to be honest, and I know better). But can you imagine going through every tree in your orchard, every branch, looking for caterpillar eggs?
