250 BOARD OF AGKICULTURE. 



vate close to the tree when they are full j?rown, we must trim the tree to 

 a whisp. Bear iu miud, however, you must decide upon the shape of the 

 tree at the time of planting, as a change of plan later will necessitate the 

 cutting of large limbs which may seriously injure tlie tree. Having 

 pruned all of the trees and packed eacji variety by itself, load them on a 

 low wagon and thoroughly dampen the roots, then throw a heavy canvas 

 or blanket over the trees to prevent the sun and wind from drying tlicni 

 out. Two or three hogsheads of water, a plat of the proposed orchard, 

 and a couple of good shovels Tvill complete the outfit. 



A good plan is to set one variety at a time, setting all trees of one 

 variety in a row in order to facilitate harvesting the crop. 



The plat should be arranged before going to the orchard and each tree 

 should be set exactly in the place designed for it. As soon as the tree is 

 set the plat should be checked with a lead pencil. Care should be taken 

 not to get varieties mixed in planting, or the innocent nurseryman will 

 receive censure which is not due him Avhen the trees come into bearing. 



Hitch a team to your wagon and drive to the orchard, going Ijetween 

 two rows. Throw out a feAV shovelfuls of dirt at each crossmark and set 

 the tree immediately while the soil is fresh and loose. Place the tree in 

 the hole no deeper than it stood in the nursery with the l)ody of the tree 

 sharply inclined to the southwest. 



Spread the roots evenly, fill Avith good surface dirt, avoiding litter, 

 maniu-e or ashes around the roots. Shake the tree up and down so as to 

 settle the dirt around the roots, then tread the earth firmly and fill up to 

 within a few inches of the top, leaving a basin about the tree. Fill the 

 basin with water and after it has soaked away finish by filling up with 

 loose dirt to prevent baking. It is important that the trees should be left 

 under the canvas until you are ready to plant them, and it is a good plan 

 to plunge the roots in a pail of water just before placing the tree in the 

 hole. In a few days go over the orchard and stir the dirt around the 

 trees with a hoe and start a horse cultivator or harrow as soon as possi- 

 ble. Any species of truck that Avill admit of frequent cultivation during 

 the entire season may be safely raised in the orchard, but small fruits, 

 shrubbery and grain should 1)e planted by themselves. 



President Stevens: We will now hear D. B. Johnson. 

 PREPARATION OF LAND, LAYING OUT AND PLANTING. 



BY D. B. JOHNSON, MOORESVILLE. 



After the location has been selected, the ne.xt thing is to prepare the 

 ground for planting. I would thoroughly prepare the ground by first 

 plowing deep, and, if in spring, plant with potatoes, tomatoes or some 



