740 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



For fruitage and flowers let praises arise 

 From eartii s utmost bound to heav ns highest skies, 

 Songs of rejoicing where er they are found, 

 Songs of thanksgiving where er they abound.&quot; 



Taking Up Fruit Trees. In taking up fruit or other trees for transplanting, the first 

 thing to be done is to open a trench around the tree from two to five feet from it, according 

 to the size of the tree, and the spreading nature of the roots. Some trees have the rootlets 

 extending much further than others, different varieties of trees differing fully as much in 

 this respect as the manner of growth of the branches. The trench should be open at sufficient 

 depth to reach if possible the extremities of the spreading roots. An occasional straggling 

 root that extends at a great distance from the trunk may be cut off with a sharp knife. Care 

 should be taken however not to cut off any of the roots too near the trunk, or sever too many. 

 It should also be remembered that it is by the delicate and tender extremities of the roots 

 that trees take up their food, and that the tree is injured more or less by the breaking or 

 bruising of any of their little points, hence the less we disturb the roots and soil about them, 

 the better for the tree. 



If we should remove a tree with every fibre entire, it would scarcely afterward show any 

 sign of a change having been made. The small and delicate fibres should therefore be 

 preserved as far as possible in taking up the tree, and the transplanting be done as soon 

 afterward as practicable. The soil between the trench and stem or trunk of the tree should be 

 removed as far as may seem necessary or practicable, care being used not to break or otherwise 

 injure the roots, the roots, as fast as they are liberated being laid on one side, thus working 

 around the trunk. The tree will then be ready to lift from the ground, unless there still be 

 roots that extend downward. &quot;When such is the case, further digging may be necessary to 

 a certain extent; when at a suitable distance from the trunk the root may be cut off, and 

 the tree taken out of the ground. When practicable, it is best to secure a portion of the soil 

 with the roots, so as to disturb them as little as possible, and prevent their drying, if the tree 

 is not to be immediately transplanted. 



Preparation of Soil for Transplanting Trees. It is highly important that the 

 soil for fruit trees should be such as is adapted to their healthful and perfect growth. It 

 is surprising to note the effect of different soils upon trees and plants, each variety of soil 

 ever holding true to its character; hence, if we wish to plant an orchard in a soil not adapted 

 to the variety of fruit desired to be located there, we must change the nature of the soil, or 

 the conditions naturally affecting it in an unfavorable manner. Nature can be relied upon 

 with safety in this respect, as also upon the changed condition to which the soil may be 

 brought, if that condition is continued, thus entirely changing its original quality or 

 condition. 



This renders it safe for those who understand the principles that apply to engage in fruit 

 culture, or any other department of plant growth in agriculture. Notwithstanding the great 

 diversity of soil, this ability to change its character, even that which may seem almost 

 worthless, enables persons of every locality to raise their own fruit successfully, of such kinds 

 as are adapted to the climate. Some plants and trees require a wet soil, others dry, but the 

 greater number of those most important to agriculture avoid these extremes, and require a 

 medium in this respect. Some trees keep their roots near the surface, others penetrate more 

 deeply. In preparing the soil for their reception these facts must not be ignored. The 

 character of the land must be studied, and the trees or other crops adapted to it, or the land 

 be made to suit the crop. To ignore all this, and make no distinction, applying the same 

 treatment to all crops indiscriminately would, to say the least, be inconsistent, and be sure to 

 end disastrously. Deep drainage is essential to all wet soils before an orchard can be grown 

 upon it with any degree of success. Unless this preparation is first made, the ground being 



