10 FRUIT GKOWING FOE HOME USE IN THE GREAT PLAINS. 



may have some ])ossibility of overcoming and outgrowing defects 

 incident to a poor root system. Under the semiarid conditions of the 

 Great Plains, however, the risk is too great to warrant the planting 

 of such stock. 



The age at which nursery stock is planted varies more or less with 

 different growers; it also depends upon the kind of fruit. In the case 

 of apples, pears, plums, and cherries, two-year-old trees are generally 

 used. These are trees that have grown in the nursery for two sea- 

 sons after being budded or root grafted. One-year-old peaches and 

 apricots are usually preferred. One-year grape roots are frequently 

 used, but more commonly two-year roots are planted. Either one or 

 two year old plants of currants and gooseberries are used. Most 

 of the small-fruit stock, however, is suitable for planting after one 

 season's growth in the nursery. 



It is a question whether good-sized one-year-old trees of all the 

 above kinds of orchard fruits are not fully as satisfactory for planting 

 in this region as older trees. This view is probably not in accord 

 with the prevailing opinion and usual practice. It is, however, sup- 

 ported by the opinion of a considerable number of experienced 

 growers in this region. The writer is convinced that in many cases 

 the vounger trees can be planted with a good degree of success. The 

 results obtained at the dry-land fruit garden maintained at the depart- 

 mental substation at Akron, Colo., likewise point in this direction. 



There is considerable interest in this country at the present time 

 in regard to dwarf apples. These are trees propagated on Paradise 

 or Doucin stocks, which has the effect of greatly dwarfing the growth 

 of the trees. Quite a number of these trees have been planted as an 

 experiment at Akron, Colo., in the dry-land fruit garden just men- 

 tioned. No conclusions, however, are warranted at this time. 



PLANTING THE TREES. 



If the nursery stock is not to be planted within a very few days 

 after it is received, it should be unpacked and "heeled in." To do" 

 this make a deep furrow and place the roots of the trees or other plants 

 in it, with the tops, in the case of trees, nearly horizontal. Pack 

 moist soil about the roots so as to keep them from becoming dry. 

 Liight watering may be necessary occasionally to maintain the soil 

 in a sufficiently moist condition. In some cases the tops may need 

 protection. If the branches become dry and the bark begins to 

 shrivel in the least, soil should be thrown over the entire trees or 

 some other means of protection provided. With these precautions 

 stock may be held in good condition for some time if necessary. 



When the stock is handled for planting, the roots should still be so 

 protected that they will not become dry. This may be done by cover- 

 ing them with wet gunny sacks or some other suitable material. It 



[Cir. 51] 



