SUMMER MEETING. 79 



sound, healthy root will make a good, sound healthy top if it is well 

 cared for in the propagating beds, or cutting bed, or nursery. It 

 should not be the aim to get the largest growth possible in either our 

 trees, plants or vines, especially if it has to be done either by manures 

 or special fertilizers. A good medium, hardy, healthy growth is much 

 the best for all kinds of transplanting, and I never select the largest 

 of two-year-old trees for planting and very seldom the largest of other 

 plants or vines unless I know how they have been managed in the 

 nursery or propagating beds. Good, medium-sized, healthy plants and 

 trees are usually the most successful. 



SECOND, THE PREPARATION OF THE GROUND, 



Especially for small fruit should be well, very well, done unless they 

 are to be planted on strictly new land, where it is almost impossible to 

 prepare it just as we would like. On this land the plowing should be 

 done deeply and well. On this strictly new land, where the soil is full 

 of roots, we have the best of subsoiling already done for the trees and 

 plants. As the trees grow and the roots and stumps decay, we find 

 that the tree roots are fallowing the old decayed roots down deep into 

 the ground and feeding on this decayed matter to its great advantage. 

 I have to answer a question here that I have had to answer many 

 times: " If it will pay to take out the stumps?" By no manner of 

 means; the stumps and roots are the best feeders to the trees as long 

 as they last, and the roots help to keep the soil loose and easy for the 

 roots to penetrate. If it were not for the stumps so conlinously sprout- 

 ing, they would be of more value than that much fertilizer. 



THIRD, THEN THE PLANTING 



Should be done well, well done. This can only be done in much of 

 this hard land by digging good large holes, so that the tree shall have 

 enough fresb soil to get a good start the first year. A large hole is no 

 disadvantage in this south country, but rather an advantage, for there 

 is no danger of the hole holding water like it will in many other parts 

 of the country. Well planted, but not planted too deeply, and the soil 

 well packed about the roots, is the correct way whether the plant be a 

 scrawberry, raspberry, grapevine or apple tree. 



FOURTH, THE PRUNING 



At the time of planting; all plants and vines, and trees, need more or 

 less pruning at the time of transplanting. Car- should be exercised 

 in this that it be not done too severely and the nature of the tree or 

 plant must be taken into consideration. The strawberry needs only its 



