5 



roots to become established — in other words, early enough to allow 

 root growth to begin before cold weather arrives? We think this 

 is possible. Most trees ripen their wood in Central New York, as a 

 rnle, by the first or middle of September. If transplanted about 

 the middle of September root growth onght to commence before 

 severe frost. .Is not this reasonable ? The difficulties with spring 

 planting are briefly these : Trees may be injured in the storage house 

 or " heeled in " in the ground over winter ; they may arrive late in 

 the spring, and they always come when the farmer's hands are more 

 than full with other kinds of work. The planting is likely to be 



11. — Plajiting in quincunx. 



hastily done. If the ground is moist and weather favorable the 

 trees may leaf out promptly, because starch for next year's buds is 

 stored during early summer and fall (see Lesson 5) ; but unless the 

 roots actively respond, growth will not continue after the stored 

 starch is consumed. Of course healthy trees planted in early spring 

 ought to succeed. In fact, the usual counsel given is to plant in 

 spring. Weigh the matter in your own mind, and if you feel like 

 it, try a small experiment for your personal satisfaction. 



How to lay out the fruit jplantation. — The rows should be straight 

 for convenience in cultivating as well as for appearance's sake. 



379 



