DISCUSSIONS AT SOUTH HAVEN. 3?3 



South Haven, November 17, 1873. 



The subject for consideration was '•' Fall planting of trees and the depth to 

 plant." 



Hon. W. H. Hurlbut stated that he knew from experience that apple trees 

 did well set in the fall, and in theory he knew no reason why, if peach trees 

 must be taken up in the fall, they would not winter as well set in the orchard 

 as when heeled in, provided the soil was free from water. When trees are 

 taken from the nursery many of the fibrous roots are broken off", and others 

 are withered by exposure to the sun and wind. If set in the fall new roots are 

 started at once. He would set trees a little deeper than they were in the 

 nursery. If set very deep the old roots made little growth, and roots must 

 form near the surface, in the warm soil, before it could grow much. 



Mr. D. B. Williams don't believe in setting peach trees in the fall, the roots 

 winter-kill. He would set trees about an inch deeper than they stood in the 

 nursery. Clay should be well drained. He would hill up to the trees about 

 15 inches to protect the roots and stay the tree. He has set peach trees in the 

 fall several tunes ; sometimes they did well, but generally he lost a good pro- 

 portion of them. Apples, pears, and grapes do best set in the fall, after the 

 frost has killed the leaves. The air is cool, and the ground warm, which is 

 a favorable condition for the formation of roots. 



Mr. L. H. Bailey sees no reason why, if the trees are taken up in tlie fall, as 

 they are very generally in nurseries, they would not do as well set in the 

 orchard as heeled in. Knows apples and pears will do well set in the fall from 

 experience. Has a bearing orchard which was set in a January thaw, the 

 trees of which all did first rate. He would set a very little deeper than the 

 trees stood in the nursery. 



Mr. Gilbert thinks the roots start to grow first. Any season in which the 

 trees will take root best, is the best time to plant. 



Mr. H. Chatfield plants just deep enough to cover the roots well. 



Mr. Morse had seen many trees planted in the fall which did well. If the 

 ground is well drained he don't see why peach trees will not do well planted 

 in the fall. He would draw a hill up around all trees set in the fall. The 

 ground should always be well drained. 



Mr. H. E. Voorhees has had no experience in fall setting. He noticed in his 

 reading that good authority was divided. If circumstances are favorable and 

 tke ground dry, he thinks it is best generally to set in the fall. 



Mr. T. T. Lyon said there were many advantages as well as some disadvanta- 

 ges in setting trees in the fall. One great reason was, that in most places 

 there were great risks of trees being injured by freezing in the nursery, and 

 this could not sometimes be detected until growth was far advanced the next 

 season, hence it was safer to get trees in the fall. Then it was a great con- 

 venience to get trees in the fall so as to have them at hand to set at the first 

 favorable opportunity in the spring. If trees were taken up in the fall and 

 the roots covered, granulations would be formed on the roots, and sometimes 

 small roots emitted. If then the trees were set where they were to remain, this 

 growth was to much advantage. Also the earth would become settled about 

 the roots by the rain and the frost, and the trees be in much better condition to 

 grow than if planted in the spring. On the contrary, it may be considered that 

 a tree just taken up and set is in a weak condition, and more liable to receive 

 injury. It is also a query whether the fresh granulation and roots may not be 

 injured by severe freezing. There is no doubt but that it is fatal to a tree to 



