TRANSPLANTING FRUIT TREES, ETC. 



303 



Oil Transplanting Fruit Trees and the Care of Orchards. 



BY L. C. EATON, OF PROVIDENCE, R. I. 



We do not expect to add any thing new 

 upon this subject, to that which has already 

 been written, but carelessness or ignorance 

 still prevails to such extent, that some ad- 

 vantage may result by repeatedly noticing 

 the directions which experienced cultivators 

 have recommended. 



Before transplanting trees, the ground 

 should be well cultivated and in good con- 

 dition. Deep ploughing is highly benefi- 

 cial in promoting their growth and vigor. 

 The holes should be dug at least three times 

 as large as will admit the roots, extended 

 in their natural position, and to the depth of 

 twenty inches to two feet. The earth 

 should be well mixed with a liberal allow- 

 ance of well rotted manure and peat or 

 muck, the whole so finely pulverized as to 

 be admitted freely around the smallest 

 roots. The bottom of the hole should be 

 loosened up by the spade and the prepared 

 earth filled in to the height at which it is 

 proper to set the roots of the trees, and be 

 sloped off in each direction, so as to form a 

 slight mound or hillock. Pare off the 

 Avounded parts of the roots smoothly, to 

 prevent canker or decay, and to enable 

 them to heal over the sooner. 



Place the tree upon the hillock and sep- 

 arate the roots, and extend them to their 

 entire length ; fill in the earth, observing 

 that no cavities or hollows are left, and that 

 the fibres are not crowded together. When 

 the earth is entirely filled in, press it down 

 with the foot, and " finish by making a 

 slight hollow or basin to catch the rain and 

 convey it to the roots." Shaking the tree 

 to settle the earth, injures the smaller roots 

 and lifts them from the correct position. It 



has been frequently recommended to set the 

 tree deeper than it formerly stood. We 

 are not aware that any one has given a rea- 

 son for so doing, or that any benefit can 

 possibly result from it. Much injury is lia- 

 ble to be sustained by deep planting. The 

 roots, buried too low beneath the surface, 

 are deprived in a great measure of the in- 

 fluence of air, heat and moisture, and are 

 " starved by the poverty of the soil." In 

 preparing the soil, " a compost of two thirds 

 muck or peat earth reduced by fermenting it 

 for several months in a heap with one third 

 barn yard manure," has been highly, and 

 we believe most deservedly recommended. 

 We had an opportunity a few years since of 

 observing the beneficial effects of peat alone 

 upon trees. We made several heaps of it 

 in our orchard, of ten or fifteen loads each, 

 not intending to make use of it immediate- 

 ly. The second summer after, we noticed 

 that the trees nearest the heaps, though 

 several feet distant, had grown much more 

 vigorously that season than any others, and 

 that the leaves Avere larger and of much 

 deeper green. This difference of growth 

 was observable at som.e distance, and when 

 the aitention of others "was drawn to it, it 

 was so marked that it was presumed the 

 heaps must be in part composed of manure. 

 When the heaps were removed, it was 

 found that the roots had pushed up through 

 the earth, and that the peat, in some places, 

 was matted with their numerous small 

 fibres. We have since used it in large 

 quantities in cultivating trees, and with 

 much advantage. 



If any one intends to have his trees trans- 

 planted in the best manner, the only way 



