14 



Planting. 



The planting of the nursery stock may be done either in the fall or spring. 

 Spring planting is the most popular time at present, but there is no reason why 

 they should not be set in the fall, if well matured trees can be obtained in late 

 September or in October, or even later. The trees must be well matured for trans- 

 planting, and unless good well-ripened individuals can be obtained it is better to wait 

 till spring. Ordinarily they can be obtained. Experiments conducted here with one 

 variety, Reine Claude, over a period of three years, indicate that something is gained 

 by fall planting. Six trees were planted in the falls of each of the years of 1911, 

 1912, 1913, and in the springs of 1912, 1913, 1914. In every case the fall planted 

 trees show a greater growth; are more vigorous and thrifty. One tree planted in 

 the spring of 1913 died, but all others are still under observation. Some discus- 

 sion has also taken place with regard to the merits of dynamiting holes for trees. 

 The experiments have not been conducted sufficiently long to report definitely, but 

 the results to date are included in the following table. The wood growth per tree 

 and the diameter of the trunk of each tree, with averages for spring and fall 

 planting, are also included in the table. No fruit has been produced. 



There is possibly a labor advantage in fall planting sometimes, but not always. 

 The rush of fruit picking is often more trying than spring cultivation and planting. 



If the soil can be put into first class shape and the trees obtained when ready 

 it will pay to plant ; otherwise wait till spring. 



The distance apart to plant varies a great deal with the different varieties. 

 Some are quick, vigorous growers and make large trees ; others are small trees even 

 when matured. Seventeen feet square is a good average, or on rich loam twenty 

 feet square is not too great a distance. The Abundance is a small grower and will 

 adapt itself to a square fifteen feet each way. Burbanks are more spreading and 

 should have at least seventeen feet ; eighteen are better. Where it is desired to plant 

 a number of varieties the rows may be kept in straight lines and the trees an equal 

 distance apart in the row, but the rows brought closer together. For instance, the 

 trees in the rows may be eighteen feet apart and the rows eighteen feet apart for 

 the larce growing domesticas, but when the rows of Abundance or Lombard are 

 planted they may be planted the same distance apart in the row but fifteen feet 

 between the rows. 



Don't make the mistake of planting too closely. Just as much and better fruit 

 will be produced at the greater distance, and it will not all be in the tops of the trees. 



