16 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Make the hole somewhat larger than is necessary to admit 

 of all the roots in their natural position, and throw out the 

 surface in one pile and the subsoil in another. Sink the hole 

 about two feet and a half deep ; round it up with surface-soil, 

 and have three inches of the trunk, above where the roots 

 branch out, covered, on a level with the surface. A great 

 many trees are spoiled by both deep and shallow planting. 

 To set a tree to the proper depth, use a narrow strip of 

 board about five feet long ; lay it across the hole on the sur- 

 face, then set the tree in the hole ; measure three inches from 

 where the upper roots branch out on the tree to the under 

 side of the strip ; work pulverized surface-soil between and 

 under the roots with the hand ; stretch out every little fibre 

 carefully, and, when the roots are well covered, tramp down 

 hard, so that the tree will stand as firm as a post. Spread 

 the subsoil on top light and loose. 



Trees should be set leaning a little towards the north-west, 

 as most of our heavy gales blow from that direction, and 

 young trees with heavy tops cannot resist their force : conse- 

 quently we see a great many in our travels leaning towards 

 the east or south-east, when from seven to ten years old. 

 Use no manure in contact with the roots, and mulch, espe- 

 cially during the first season, with coarse straw, salt hay, or 

 corn-stalks: this will keep the soil cool and moist round 

 them, and prevent injury from droughts in dry seasons. 



The proper distance apart for pear-trees in orchards is 

 about twenty feet each way ; but this distance cannot be 

 well adopted in small gardens. We very often see one tree 

 growing under the shade of another ; but the result is tall, 

 straggling skeletons, without shape or form, and, as a rule, 

 unproductive. In cases of this kind it is better that one 

 tree should occupy the whole space taken up by two, as the 

 yield thereby would be improved in quantity and quality, to 

 say nothing of the general welfare of the tree. In all cases 

 give them plenty of room, good deep, dry soil, clean culture, 

 severe pruning, and success will be the reward. 



We very often hear some persons recommend, when plant- 

 ing trees, to fill up the bottom of the holes with old shoes, 

 glass bottles, pieces of scrap-iron, tin cans, old crockery, 

 and any kind of rubbish ; but for what purpose we have } r et 

 to learn. It may be safely said that none of the articles 



