326 Peach-Growing 



have shed their leaves and the wood is well ripened, they are 

 ready for winter quarters. This is usually in the fore part 

 of November, in the vicinity of Canon City. The first step 

 in the operation consists in removing the earth from a circle 

 about four feet in diameter around the tree. When sufficient 

 trees have been treated in this manner to make the work 

 progress advantageously, water is turned into the hollows. 

 After the ground has become saturated the trees are worked 

 back and forth and the water follows the roots, loosening the 

 soil around them so that they are pushed over in the direction 

 that offers the least resistance. When treated in this manner 

 the trees go over easily and with comparatively little injury 

 to the root system. That is, providing the trees have been 

 laid down each year. It is difficult to handle old trees in 

 this manner that have never been laid down, and usually it 

 will not pay to try. 



"After the trees are on the ground, further work should 

 be delayed until the ground has dried sufficiently to admit 

 of ease in walking, and in the handling of the dirt. The 

 limbs may now be brought together with a cord, and so 

 lessen the work of covering. 



"After experimentiing with many kinds of coverings, 

 burlap held in place with earth has proved the most satis- 

 factory. The burlap is spread out over the prostrate tree 

 top, as shown in the photographs [Fig. 18], taking special 

 pains to protect the blossom buds from coming in direct 

 contact with the earth covering. A light layer of earth is 

 now thrown over the tree and the protection is complete. 



" The critical time in growing peaches by this method is in 

 the spring when growing weather begins. Close watch must 

 be kept to see that the blossoms do not open prematurely, 

 or that the branch buds are not forced into tender, white 



