ig: 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTUR!Sl 



Planting Fruit Trees 



SMITH & REID CO., ST. CATHARINES, ONT. 



1^ O beginners in fruit growing a few 

 hints, at this season, on the planting 

 of trees may be of value. There are a num- 

 ber of important points which should be 

 carefully watched. Before the planting is 

 done both the soil and the trees require to be 

 carefully prepared. For fruit trees the soil 

 should be dry — either naturally so or by 

 thorough drainage. It may be well pre- 

 pared by twice plowing. Manuring is 

 necessary in all cases, except on new land. 

 To insure good growth, the land should be 

 kept in as good condition as for a crop of 

 wheat, corn or potatoes. 



PREPARATION OP THE) TREES. 



Fruit trees as sent from the nursery vary 

 from five to seven feet in height, with the 

 naked stems or trunks and a number of 

 branches at the top forming a head. These 

 branches should all be cut back to within 

 three or four buds of their base. Cut r.ff 

 smoothly all bruised or broken roots up to 

 the sound wood. In case of older trees 

 prune in proportion. When digging the 

 holes for the trees make them large enough 

 to permit the roots of the tree to spread out 

 in their natural position. When the tree 

 has been pruned, as before directed, let one 

 person hold it in an upright position in the 

 hole while a second shovels in the earth. 

 The finest and best soil from the surface 

 should be placed among the roots, care be- 

 ing taken to bring every root in contact with 

 it. In dry weatner, when the hole is nearly 

 filled, a pail of water may be used to wash 

 the earth in around the roots. Guard 

 against planting too deep ; after the ground 

 settles trees should stand as they did in the 

 nursery. In dry gravelly ground the hole 

 should be dug twice the usual size in depth 

 and filled in with good loamy soil. If the 

 trees are tall and much exposed to winds, 



Compressed Air Sprayer at work. No, 2. 



A large orchard can be effective ly sprayed in a short time by one 

 of these sprayers equipped with a spar as here shown. This spar is 

 adjustable and can ))e moved when desired, until the upper part is 

 entirely above the lower, thus not duplicating the spray. The 

 gasoline engine, used to load the tanks, is usually kept at thw nearest 

 point to the orchard where a good supply of water can be obtained. 

 (See article by Mr. Tweddle on page i88 in this issue.) 



tie to a stake in such a manner as to avoid 

 chafing. 



MUIvCHING. 



When the tree is planted place around it 

 as far as the roots extend and a little beyond, 

 five to six inches deep of rough manure or 

 litter. This prevents the ground from bak- 

 ing and cracking and maintains an even 

 temperature about the roots. 



After they have been set out the ground 

 should be kept clean and loose around all 

 trees, as a growth of grass will stunt their 

 growth. 



I spray the ordinary Bordeaux mixture on 

 plums three times a season and several times 

 on apples with good results. — (W. O. Bur- 

 gess, Queenston, Ont. 



