FEUIT GROWING FOR HOME TSE TN THE GREAT PLAINS. 11 



is a good i)riicticc to "piuldlr" the roots before planting. This con- 

 sists in 'dipping them in rather thin mud, which gives the roots a 

 moist covering of soil. This furnishes considerable protection if they 

 nw not exposed too long. 



Spring planting is advised, as the winter conditions wo\dd doubt- 

 less be veiy hard on stock ])lante(l in the fall. 



In general, the advice about trimming ofl" injured roots, cutting 

 back the toj), etc., usually given for planting trees and other plants 

 in humid sections, ai)plies in this region, l.ow-headed trees are 

 undoubtedly to be desired; that is, trees the toi)s of which are formed 

 not more tlian 15 inches to 2 feet from the ground. To produce such 

 trees a more severe heading back when the trees are set out may be 

 necessary than many ])ersons with experience elsewhere are accus- 

 tomed to give. It will not be dilhcult to develop trees with low 

 heads, however, if one-year-old trees are ])lanted. This is an addi- 

 tional' advantage in planting trees of this age. The heads of older 

 trees are formed when received fi'om the nursery and they may not 

 meet the wishes of the planter in this respect. 



In starting the head of a tree, four to six main branches should 

 usually be allowed to remain. Or, if desired, a single '' leader" may 

 be left in the center of the tree and the head formed by a considerable 

 number of comparatively small branches radiating from it. 



Reference has already been made to digging the holes in which 

 to set the trees. If they have been made large and deep, as previously 

 mentioned, they may need to be partially fdled before the trees are 

 placed in them to avoid too deep planting. In filling in the soil about 

 the roots, the usual precautions need to be observed in regard to 

 packing the soil firmly. If it is not sufhciently moist to insure the 

 prompt starting of the tree into growth, enough water should be 

 poured into the hole after it has been })artially filled with soil to 

 thoroughly wet the portion in close proximity to the roots. The 

 hole is then filled, though many leave the surface about the tree a 

 little lower than the general level in order to retain in the little 

 "basin" thus nuule the rain which might otherwise drain away. 

 Such a practice is of particular value during heavy showers when 

 there is considerable run-off, more water being retained about the 

 tree than would be the case if the surface was perfectly level. 



While many trees are planted only two or three inches deeper than 

 they were in the nursery, as in other regions, many advise setting 

 them at least six inches deeper than they stood in the nursery. This 

 places the roots where they are less. influenced by surface conditions. 

 The trees are more firmly fixed in the ground than if planted shallow 

 and are therefore less afl'ected by the winds. In other ways there 

 appears to be good reason for this deep planting. 



ICir. .-.II 



