174 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



method to pursue, but in case there is a good supply of fibrous roots it is with- 

 out doubt a positive injury. 



After getting good trees, and having ^Tell-prepared hind, the next question 

 iirises, llow to phmt them? Many men liave liad wonderful success the first 

 season, in case of a severe drouth, by planting rpiite deeply, but this in tlieend 

 is an injury, and the protection from drouth should be accomplished in other 

 ways. As a general rule, trees should stand in the orchard about the same 

 -depth as in the nursery. It is often advised to dig very large holes for trees. 

 This is all folly, provided tlie soil over the field is well fitted, and a hole just 

 large enough to set the roots in so that they shall be straight, is large enough. 

 In the planting of trees there is a good deal in tiio choice of a day — they can- 

 not be protected like cabbages. If a moist day can be chosen so that no water 

 need be used, there is a great saving of time, and success will be more sure. 

 It pays to plant well, and if a day cannot be had just suited to the work, the 

 following plan should be observed : Keep the roots from the light and air con- 

 tinuously. In setting the tree get the eartii well packed about the roots and 

 moisten it as it goes in, being careful not to run the dirt away from the roots 

 with a stream of water. When the hole is filled nearly to the level, place about 

 the tree some moist mulch that shall extend farther than the roots and cover 

 the mulch with a slight layer of eartli. I have often given this advice, and 

 good results invariable come from it. 



Orciiards in our country, as a rule, lean in the direction opposite the prevail- 

 ing strong winds. This must be met in the outset l)y planting the small trees 

 so they shall lean toward the wind considerably. 



TKANSPLANTIXG EVERGEEENS. 



It is generally supposed that evergreens are made after a different mold from 

 deciduous trees and in their management require a peculiar tact that few 

 possess. I am satisfied that this is not the case, but that any one who knows 

 how to succeed in planting an apple tree can have equal success in the 

 transplantation of evergreens. But a man who knows nothing of the removal 

 •of trees may make an ajiple tree grow, while he is pretty sure to lose an 

 evergreen. 



Tlie truth is, evergreens 'are like other trees only a little more tender, and 

 the roots cannot bear the light without injury. 



One man of my acquaintance has been setting out choice evergreens upon 

 his lawn for fifteen years and has but one now ; another went to the woods, and, 

 in a slip-shod manner, in tlie middle of sun)nier, removed a lot of i)ine-!, which 

 are as difficult to make live as any, and every one lived, and now they form a 

 beautiful grove of large, handsome trees. 



Now the month of July is the last month I should choose of the twelve to 

 transplant a \nue; but this man chose a rainy day, and did the work almost in 

 the dark, proving by his success that more dei)ends upon the moisture and 

 darkness than on the time of planting out. To insure success with evergreens, 

 I should, Ijoyond the usual i)recautions of getting good roots and planting in 

 a well pulverized soil, see tliat the roots never knew the light for a minute ; 

 then if the mulching be attended to in the proper manner, there will be little 

 percentage of loss. As to the best time in the year for planting evergreens, 

 it seems to me there is little choice between the month of May and the month 

 of August. I would not advise, as many do, that the trees be moved after tjie 

 buds swell and growth begins, but transplant when the growth of the tree is at 



