PLOWING UP OLD ORCHARDS.--A question frequently arises as to the best course to be pursued with an old neglected orchard, which has become covered with a dense sod of grass, and this often of an inferior character, and full of disagreeable weeds. Orchards that have been widely planted, and which have gaps from the decay of trees, especially when these have been trimmed up with high stems and long naked branches, do not cast sufficient shade upon the ground to prevent the growth of grass and weeds. These intruders occupy the surface soil to the disadvantage of the roots of the fruit trees, and we may wonderfully improve the health of such orchard by plowing the ground, and at the same time severely pruning the branches and cleansing the bark of these old trees. These good results may be continued by shallow culture of the soil, with suitable applications of manure where needed. By giving a dose of lime, or of marl, and ashes, we shall infuse a new life and growth and productiveness that will astonish and delight us, and reward us for our labors and outlay. It may be urged as an objection to breaking up the sod, that the most careful plowman will unavoidably damage some of the roots that approach the surface, but this is an injury that must be submitted to; and after all it is not such a serious affair, and is overbalanced by the advantages of renewing the productiveness of the exhausted orchard. CHAPTER X. PHILOSOPHY OF PRUNING. PRUNING, NATURE'S. WE PRUNE, FIRST, FOR SHAPE AND COMELINESS; SECOND, FOR FRUIT. PRUNING YOUNG TREES IN THE NURSERY. RULES FOR. SEASON FOR. PRUNING FOR FRUIT IS TO BE DONE CHIEFLY IN SUMMER. THINNING OUT. SHORTENING-IN. ROOT PRUNING. PHILOSOPHY OF. ADVANTAGES OF. CHARACTER OF ROOTS PRODUCED BY IT. IN THE VINE. SEVERE IN WINTER TO PRODUCE WOOD AND DIMINISH BLOSSOMS. ADAPT TO VARIETIES. IN SUMMER TO DIMINISH EXCESSIVE FRUITAGE, AND TO DIRECT SAP INTO NEW CANES. TRIMMING IN GARDENESQUE, REQUIRING A CORRECT EYE AND GOOD TASTE. PRUNING SHOULD BE CONDUCTED UPON TRULY PHILOSOPHICAL PRINCIPLES, OR NOT AT ALL. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED IN THOSE WHO PRUNE. THE OPERATION SELDOM WELL PERFORMED. PRUNING OF THE GRAPE, SHORT AND LONG. REASONS FOR AND OBJECTIONS TO EACH. SEASONS FOR PRUNING THE VINE.