248 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



PREPARATION OF LAND, LAYING OUT AND PLANTING. 



BY JOE A. BURTON, ORLEANS. 



It is not well to believe everything you read or hear about planting 

 an orchard. The ground should be fresh plowed, a clover, timothy or 

 pasture sod; or a wheat, oats, rye or cow pea or corn stubble. That 

 is, the land should be cleared and not a bluegrass sod. Its preparation 

 should be what the planter wants it; it don't matter to the tree. 



We plant two rods apart. One way we set three rows of stakes that 

 locate the rows the other way. Then with three stakes we mark the 

 first row the other way. It is well to mark two rows before you begin 

 to plant. Remember, none of these indicate where a tree is to be planted. 

 To find this, we carry an odd stake and set it when we are ready to dig 

 the hole — that is, if we dig our own holes. If a cheap man is to dig the 

 holes, we set a short stake for each hole and tell him to dig the hole with 

 the stake in the center. Of course, he gets it to one side. If you are 

 smart enough, better dig the holes yourself. Dig in the right place. Set 

 the tree in the center and never look back to see if it is in line. 



Be sure to dig the hole big enough. Be equally sure not to dig it too 

 big. If you could hocus pocus the tree into the ground without digging at 

 all, it would be ideally planted. Better spend the time it would require to 

 dig a hole three feet across and deep, packing the dirt around the roots, 

 because you will, very likely, be very slack in packing dirt around the 

 roots. Better cut the roots moderately short. Fibrous roots prevent the 

 packing. Remove them, or, better, plant older trees that have few fibrous 

 roots. 



If it is a very dry time, use plenty of water. If you are doing your 

 work well, you will become thirsty. Drink plenty. Then yovu* feet will 

 become dusty, and should be bathed every evening. But don't put any 

 water around the trees. If you have packed the dirt around the roots 

 properly, they will be all right without watering, and all wrong if watered. 

 Best time is early spring or late fall. Not early fall or late spring. 



President Stevens: J. C. Kimmell is next. 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL, LAYING OUT AND PLANTING THE 



COMMERCIAL ORCHARD. 



BY J. C. KIMMELL, LIGONIER. 



In the introduction of this subject we will presume that a suitable 

 site has been selected, good soil, air and water drainage having been 

 considered. The preparation of the land will depend largely upon its con- 

 dition and the crop that now occupies it. 



