DEPTH OF I'LANTING. Ill 



planted one or two inches deeper than originally 

 grown. 



But in wet or compact soils, or on those composed 

 in great part of organic matter, like the Western prai- 

 ries, a preferable plan is, to ridge up the soil six or 

 eight inches high, by backfurrowing, and in the em- 

 bankment plant the trees. Some persons have prac- 

 ticed with success, on wet or clay soils, a plan of plant- 

 ing on the surface of the ground, and covering the 

 roots, by heaping up a mound of earth much wider 

 than the space occupied by them. This may serve 

 temporarily ; but the plan is a mere shift to escape tlie 

 labor and expense of draining, and permanently im- 

 proving the soil. 



But to the rule generally established for the depth 

 of planting, there are two notable exceptions. First, 

 while the Peach, Cherry, Plum, and Apple, cannot be 

 planted much lower than the collar without injury, tlie 

 Quince, the Grape, and the Pear on quince roots, are, 

 from the structure of their bark and wood, capable of 

 adapting themselves to a depth of planting much lower. 

 Second, when the soils have been deeply trenched or 

 subsoiled, their level is much higher than in their 

 former state, and in compacting, they will sink away 

 from the roots planted in them, leaving the upper 

 ones exposed, unless the trees should be i)lanted 

 deeper than grown in the nursery. Yery iibrous- 

 rooted trees obtain a better hold of the soil, and are 

 carried down with it. In ])lanting grounds deeply 

 prepared with pear trees, I have found those on the 

 quince stock, by their fibrous roots, able to main- 

 tain their relative position in the soil, while in its 



