Rural Schoql Leaflet 1013 



should be done in the spring just as early as it is possible to work the 

 ground and get it in proper condition. It is highly important that the tree 

 be well established and ready to grow before the dry season is at hand. 



Trees. — The trees should be procured from a reliable nurseryman, not 

 from a tree agent. Inasmuch as the trees themselves vary greatly as 

 grown by different nurserymen, even though of the same age, it is im- 

 portant that all the trees used in one district be procured from the same 

 nurseryman. These trees should be two years of age, except the peach, 

 which is always planted at one year of age. All trees should be of the 

 same grade, or XXX trees as they are known to the trade. Trees more 

 than two years of age are not desirable, because, as a rule, they are 

 merely the culls that were not good enough to sell when younger. The 

 trees should all be of one variety, because the habits of growth of different 

 varieties vary greatly. The cost will be about forty cents for a single 

 tree, or possibly less if bought in quantities of ten or more. 



Digging the hole. — Having prepared our land and chosen the tree, we 

 are now ready to consider the operation of planting. The best tool 

 for digging holes is either the shovel commonly known as a spoon shovel, 

 or the spade ; often it is well to have both. The size of the hole will depend 

 on the size of the root system of the tree; it should be large enough so 

 that the roots are not in any way crowded. When the tree is planted 

 the roots should not be forced out of their natural position. The hole 

 should be deep enough so that the crook at the base of the trunk formed 

 by the operation of budding may be put below ground, leaving only a 

 straight trunk exposed to view. In digging the hole, the top or surface 

 soil should be thrown into one pile and the subsoil into another. Before 

 placing the tree in the hole a few shovelfuls of the surface soil should be 

 thrown into the bottom. This surface soil is usually much richer and 

 looser than the subsoil, so that the roots will start more quickly in it. 

 It is important that the soil that is put into the bottom of the hole be 

 moist. The plan sometimes followed, of putting manure or other farm 

 fertilizer into the bottom of the hole, is not desirable. It acts in the same 

 manner as does a layer of sod on which the tree is planted; that is, it is 

 very likely to cut off the supply of moisture when the tree needs it most. 

 If the land is in fairly good condition there is no need of putting fertilizer 

 into the hole itself. 



Pruning the roots. — The roots are injured and broken to some extent 

 by the operation of digging. In general it is sufficient to cut back these 

 wounded stubs to the healthy wood, making a sharp, clean cut. In 

 addition to removing the bruised parts there are often some long, straggling 

 roots that should also be cut back. If there is an excess of fine, matted 

 roots present, some of these should be removed in order that the earth 

 may be packed more firmly about those remaining. 

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