Care of Fruit Trees. 



605 



measured tlie tops and roots. Fig. 141 shows a standard Howell 

 pear tree set in 1889. It grows on a liard clay knoll. The full 

 spread of the top is seven 

 feet. Two roots were 

 laid bare, and they ran off 

 in one direction to a dis- 

 tance of 21 feet. Assum- 

 ing that they ran an equal 

 distance in the other direc- 

 tion, the spread of roots 

 was 42 feet, or just six 

 times that of the top. 

 And yet it is commonly 

 said that the spread of 

 roots and tops is about 

 equal ! N^ow, these roots 

 were long and whip-like. 

 The soil was so poor that 

 they were obliged to search 

 far and wide for pasture. 

 Compare Fig. 142. This 

 is a Fall Orange apple, 

 set in 1889, in rich well 



143. — Roots of an apple tree in good, tilled soil. 



tilled soil. Here the roots are in good pasture and they remain 

 at home ; yet their spread is twice that of the top. The top 

 of this tree had a diameter of 8 feet, and we were able to follow 

 the roots 8 feet upon the side in which we dug. These object 

 lessons enforce the importance of tilling all the land between the 

 trees. 



But these figures teach another lesson. Even at their highest 

 point the roots of Fig. 141 are 8 inches below the surface. 

 They escape the plow. A like remark applies to Fig. 142. ISTow,^ 



