The Apple in Oregon : Part I. 121 



After the plat is well staked it is ready for plauting. and lierein probably 

 lies the most difBcult part for the beginner, as he too often finds it impracticable 

 to get the trees planted in as good lines as the stakes were. A little device for 

 keeping the tree exactly in the place occupied by the stake is illustrated in Fig. 14. 



■\Vhen about to plant a tree, place the notch A over the stake which has been set in 

 place for a tree, then drive a stake through each of the holes B B ; in this way 

 the guide is fastened in such position that the notch is over the spot in which 

 a tree is to be set. Now remove the guide, leaving the three stakes in position. 

 I'ull out the center stake, dig the hole for the tree, place the guide in position, 

 with holes B B over the two outside stakes ; put the tree in position, so that it 

 occupies the notch A. Cover the roots with earth, firmly pressing it with the 

 feet. When the hole is filled and the tree sets firmly, remove the guide, pull up 

 the two end stakes and repeat with nest tree. If the work is carefully done, the 

 trees should line up as well as the stakes did. Trees having irregular trunks must 

 be so set that the general line of growth will be in position. If there is a like- 

 lihood of strong wind prevailing from a definite quarter during the first few 

 years' growth of the trees, they should l)e so planted as to lean firmly in the 

 direction of the wind. 



The trees should be so set that when the soil about them fully settles they 

 will still be in the ground as deeply, or, better, two or three inches deeper than 

 before removal from the nursery. 



The hole into whicli the young tree is transplanted should be made large 

 enough so that all roots may assume a fully extending and spreading position. 

 No roots should be placed in a curled or twisted position. The center of the 

 hole should be higher than the margin. This will allow the roots to assume a 

 natural jjosition. slightly downward and outward. The earth that is placed imme- 

 diately in contact with the roots should be finely pulverized and pressed down 

 firmly. For this purpose the feet may be effectively used, care being exercised 

 that no injury is done the roots by tramping directly upon them. When the hole 

 is about half filled no further pressure is needed, and tlie soil may be thrown in 

 loosely, finishing by heaping it up about the trunk five or six inches above the 

 general surface. 



In sections where more or less frost accompanies the winter season, fall- 

 planted trees may be rendered good service by the addition of a coarse mulch to 

 the surface of the soil, but under no conditions allow the mulch to surround the 

 trees closely, otherwise rodents may infest it and "bark" the tree. If it is spread 

 upon the ground, and then a small mound of earth, as before stated, surrounds 

 the tree, thus preventing the mulch material from coming in contact with it. 

 damage from the small gnawing animals may be fully prevented. 



