74 Peach-Growing 



spring planting are practiced, but fall planting can be de- 

 pended on only in well-protected locations and in the milder 

 part of the state. Fall-planted trees sometimes suffer when 

 on exposed sites by being whipped about by the winds. 

 The motion of the trees in the wind loosens the soil from 

 about the trunk, thus allowing water to collect in some 

 quantity, which if it freezes may cause injury to the tree. 



On the Pacific coast, where the annual climatic cycles 

 divide the year into alternating ''rainy" and "dry" seasons, 

 the planting needs to be done with some reference thereto. 

 The condition of the soil and the complete dormancy of the 

 trees are the primary factors to be considered. Because 

 of the tendency for trees to grow very late in the season in 

 California nurseries, fall planting is not desirable. In many 

 parts of California, after the first rains have moistened the 

 soil well, usually early in January, the planting may be done 

 to advantage, though some soils may be too cold and uncon- 

 genial at that time to make it advisable. Planting is usually 

 deferred in such cases until early spring, though there is 

 then some danger of the trees starting into growth before 

 the soil reaches a suitable condition to be properly handled, 

 especially since the period is short in that state when peach 

 trees are thoroughly dormant. 



It will thus be seen that the time of planting is a matter 

 that calls for discretion. It is another illustration of the 

 intimate relationship between climatic conditions and plant 

 life. The principles, however, on which the decision should 

 be based are fairly well defined. 



HANDLING THE TREES WHEN RECEIVED FROM THE NURSERY 



When received from the nursery, the trees are usually 

 packed in boxes if the order is large, or in bales or bundles 



