ORCHARDS. 77 



on dwarf stocks should stand so that all the stock be under 

 the ground, and no more.'' 



In very dry gravelly ground, the holes should be dug twice 

 th? usual size and depth, and filled with good loamy soil. 



"Staking. — If trees are tall and much exposed to vWnds, a 

 stake should be planted ivith the tree^ to which it should be 

 tied in such a manner as to avoid chafing. A piece of mat- 

 ting or cloth may be secured between the tree and the 

 stake." (The author is of opinion that some flat rocks around 

 the roots when they are at hand are much better than stakes, 

 as they help to retain the moisture, and the weight 

 keeps the tree in its upright position, without the risk of 

 being chafed, besides securing free motion to the tree — but 

 staking is not needful in ordinary cases, if the trees are well 

 set. 



" Mulching. — When the tree is planted, throw around it 

 as far as the roots extend, and a foot beyond, five or six 

 inches of rough manure or litter. This is highly advantageous 

 everywhere, both in Spring and in Fall planting. It pre- 

 vents the ground from baking or cracking, and maintains an 

 equal temperature about the roots." Leaves are the natural 

 and best mulching, especially when partly decayed, with a 

 few brush to hold them around the trees ; and when the fruit 

 ripens, remove the brush and there is a good protection from 

 bruises and dirt. 



"After Culture. — (The fruit grower cannot be too often 

 reminded of the advantage of culture.) " The grass should 

 not be allowed to grow around young trees after being planted, 

 as it stunts their growth and utterly ruins them. The ground 

 should be kept clean and loose around them, until at least they 

 are of bearing size. 



" Treatment of trees that have heen frozen in the packages^ 

 or received during frosty weather — Place the packages, 

 unopened, in the cellar or some such place, but free from 

 frost, until perfectly thawed, when they can be unpacked, and 

 either planted or placed in a trench, until convenient to plant. 

 Thus treated they will not be injured by freezing. Trees 

 procured in the Fall for Spring planting, should be laid in 



