72 ORCHARDS. 



above the upmost tier of roots. In setting large trees, it is 

 important that the bark of each tree should correspond with 

 the point of the compass to which it stood before removal. 

 We regard the blotched hoard as the most correct mode of 

 ascertaining the exact position of the tree. 



PREPARING THE HOLES OR PLACES FOR THE 



TREES. 



If the ground has been well loosened with the plough fol- 

 lowed by the subsoil plough, or deeply w^orked with the spade 

 to the depth of 14 or 16 inches, the job of digging the holes 

 will be- light. As has already been stated, drainage of some 

 sort is indispensable. In the uplands this expense is unne- 

 cessary, as the natural drainage is sufficient. Slaty hill-tops 

 and declivities and gravelly soils are naturally well drained, 

 and most elevated situations are dry enough. Level, clayey 

 soils should be drained, in some way before trees should be 

 planted, as they will not thrive in wet land. When holes are 

 dug with the spade, without drainage, in such soil, you are 

 apt to set your trees in a bed of mortar; then water 

 will stand around them, and will often kill them. Mr. 

 Baldwin's plan is to " plough the ground just to the depth 

 that you wish to set the trees, plough three or four fur- 

 rows wide and in the direction in which the ground slopes ; 

 and then you will have no standing water about your 

 trees. Tlie water does not stagnate but runs off. And then, 

 by this method, I can set five trees while you are setting one 

 with the spade." Dr. Long ridged his wet land and plant- 

 ed upon these ridges, and succeeded well in growing his 

 trees. In regard to deep planting, the Dr. also says, " we 

 must be very careful about digging a deep hole — deep plant- 

 ing is very injurious to apple trees for the reason above named, 

 besides you deter many from setting out trees by telling them 

 that they must subsoil, dig great holes, and underdrain." 



Mr. Baldwin was of opinion that it was not often necessary to 

 subsoil and underdrain in planting an apple orchard, and would 

 state in reference to the whole subject, that any body who wishes 

 to make trees grow must consult nature. We know where the 



