224 AlOfUAL llEPORT 



the roots from the rays of the sun while setting them. If the soil 

 is poor, scrape in plenty surface dirt around the roots. Get down 

 and place it in with your hands, taking pains that no spaces are 

 left under the tree for dead air to dry up its forces before the root- 

 lets take hold of the ground. Don't tramp or pack the dirt too 

 solid, and place the roots in as near the same position as the}'' were 

 in the nursery as possible. Set from one to three inches deeper 

 than they stood in the nursery. Not more, as the roots must and 

 will come to the surface for nourishment. In setting, use no 

 water unless the ground is very dry. Then use two pails for each 

 tree; one in the hole around the roots, and one on the mulching 

 after the tree is set. Do not leave the dirt around the tree in the 

 form of a basin to hold water. Mulch as soon as possible after 

 setting with coarse manure, bagasse, or any material that will hold 

 moisture and prevent evaporation. Flat stones are excellent. 

 See that the mulching remains about the trees through the first 

 season; after that I do not recommend it until the grass needs 

 subduing and the tree needs nourishment to perfect its fruit, for I 

 prefer to grow a tree slow in this climate. If your tree has good 

 roots do not mutilate the top by cutting it back, but trim it in 

 proper shape, forming the head about three and one-half to four 

 feet from the ground, and if your tree does not have roots that will 

 support and sustain it you had better throw it away, as in this cli- 

 mate it will not pay to start with a stunted tree no more than to 

 try to raise profitably a stunted animal. Set your trees on the 

 ridges running north and south, before mentioned, and twenty 

 feet apart in the row. I would go further right here and say 

 if you are setting your trees in sandy or very alluvial soil, do not 

 set a large orchard, but go to the nearest place you can get some 

 firm clay soil and draw a good load for every ten trees, and place it 

 about the roots of each tree, and it will pay a good per cent, of the 

 cost in its future usefulness. 



Now, having planted your orchard, you should raise in it for the 

 next four seasons at least, hoed crops of some kind, such as corn, 

 potatoes or beans; and when the trees begin to bear, then seed to 

 clover, as its roots run deep and do not interfere with the tree 

 roots, being particular after seeding to mulch at least once in two 

 years to prevent the grass growing close or under the tree to take 

 the strength from the soil which rightfully belongs to it, as no 

 tree can produce an annual crop of fruit while the soil around it is 

 producing a crop of grass. When planting, set a good oak stake 

 on the northwest side to support it if it inclines to grow crooked 



