336 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



HOW TO PLANT AN APPLE TREE. 



(Southern Minnesota Horticultural Society.) 



(First Prize Essay.) 



IRENE E. WARREN, SPRING VALLEY. 



In planting- apple trees great care must be taken in selecting the 

 location for the tree. A northern slope, previously used for a gar- 

 den is preferable. The ends of all roots which have been wounded 

 in being removed from the nursery should be cut off slantingly, so 

 that the roots can sprout out evenly. 



In a hole somewhat larger than is necessary to accommodate the 

 roots, sprinkle the upper soil to the depth of a few inches and pour 

 in a pailful of water. After straightening all roots, place the tree 

 in the hole so that it slants toward the southwest, in order to protect 

 it from the winds which are prevalent from that direction, and in 

 order that the foliage of the tree and the northern slope may protect 

 the trunk and tender buds from the sun until the sap flows freely 

 and the tree is stronger, when it will straighten of its own accord. 



Pack the earth firmly about the roots, until it comes within a few 

 inches of the top of the ground, then sprinkle the dirt loosely to 

 prevent the earth from hardening after a rain and also to keep the 

 dirt about the roots moist. 



Mulch the tree thoroughly with leaf mould. 



HOW TO PLANT AN APPLE TREE. 



(Southern Minnesota Horticultural Society.) 



(Second Prize Essay.) 



ROBERT WEDGE, AGE 16, ALBERT LEA. 



Plant an apple tree on high ground. I saw some apple trees do- 

 ing well on the top of a bluff near the Root river. Prepare the 

 ground and dig a hole according to the size of the tree before taking 

 the tree from the bale. Be sure and not let the roots be exposed. 



It is a good plan to cut off the ends of the large roots so as to make 

 fibrous roots come out. 



If the tree has a long tap root, going straight down, cut some of it 

 off to save labor in digging the hole. Dip the tree in mud before 

 setting. Lean the tree towards the one o'clock sun, and in five years 

 you will find the trees straight or even leaning towards the north. 



Put in moist dirt next to the roots and pack it solid. Put in a 

 little more dirt and pack it down, and so on until you have filled the 

 hole. 



After setting, trim in the longest branches and trim off the need- 

 less ones. 



The best time to plant apple trees in our dry northwestern climate 

 is in the spring. 



