EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 251 



As a rule, the trees should be brought from the nearest reliable nursery, 

 when good trees of the kinds wanted can be obtained at a reasonable price. 



If they have to be shipped in the cars, however, it will make but little 

 difference whether they are sent 50 or 150 miles, so far as the distance is 

 concerned. In selecting a nursery, however, it is well to choose one with 

 the soil and climate as much like those where the orchard is located as is 

 possible, but from the fact that some sections do not have nurseries or they 

 are not reliable, it often becomes necessary to go some distance for the 

 trees. If the trees needed can not be found in some local nursery, it wiii 

 be well to send a list of the numbers and varieties required to several 

 reliable firms, and obtain estimates as to the cost. 



For not less than five hundred trees of standard varieties, medium-size 

 two-year, the cost should not be more than six or seven cents each, and the 

 first-class trees should not be more than eight cents. When smaller num- 

 bers are wanted, the price will range from eight to fifteen cents, according 

 to size of trees and number wanted. 



These prices are the highest that should be paid, as many reliable 

 nurseries quote prices by the thousand considerably less than those given. 

 It must not be forgotten, however, that these prices are for trees at the 

 nursery, and that there will be an additional charge of nearly one cent per 

 tree for small lots, for boxing and packing, and perhaps as much more for 

 freight. 



SEASON FOR PLANTING. 



At whatever time trees are planted, it will be found well to give the 

 order early in the fall, as there will be less chance of receiving trees that 

 have been culled over, and the best trees and best varieties picked out. If 

 a large purchase is to be made it will be well to select the trees early in the 

 autumn, and arrange that they shall not be stripped until the leaves begin 

 to fall. It is the custom in large nurseries to strip the leaves from the 

 trees before digging. This is the proper thing to do if the time for it has 

 come, which is generally by the middle of October, but in order to get the 

 work done the stripping is often performed before the wood is properly 

 ripened. The soft, green, watery shoots are unable to withstand the winter 

 and the trees may be severely injured, especially if the winter is a severe 

 one. 



In case the land is thoroughly drained, and yet reasonably moist from 

 the autumn rains, fall planting is upon many accounts preferable, as the 

 trees will become established, while the roots will have callused and will 

 be ready to throw out new fibres by the time growth starts in the spring. 



One great trouble with spring planting is that the warm weather often 

 comes on so quickly after the frost is out of the ground, that the planting 

 may not be completed until the buds have started, and at the best this is 

 likely to give them a check. If planting is delayed until spring, the trees 

 should be heeled in. For this purpose a trench should be dug in some well- 

 drained place, one foot deep and three feet wide, generally running north 

 and south, in which the trees should be placed. They are preferably set 

 leaning to the south, and should not be so thick that the roots will be in 

 contact. The soil should be pressed firmly about them and for tender 

 trees the lower half of the trunks should be covered. Straw and rubbish 

 of all kinds should not be left near them, as it will invite the field mice 

 which may girdle and spoil the trees. 



