742 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



stem and distributed equally on all sides; fine, rich soil should be thrown upon the roots as 

 they are thus placed and covered. The soil covering the roots should be gently pressed 

 down, and another set of roots higher up be laid in the same manner, and so on, until all the 

 roots are well covered, and firmly imbedded in the soil. The tree should never in being 

 planted, be pulled up and down, to settle the soil, as is sometimes done, but the soil should be 

 carefully and firmly pressed around them, either with the hands or by gently treading upon 

 it. When the excavation is two-thirds filled, it is a good time to place a support for the stem 

 of the tree, either by a single stake or three, according to its size. 



&quot;Water should also be turned in and allowed sufficient time to settle the soil closely about 

 the roots, after which the hole may be filled up and the soil pressed down with moderate 

 treading. &quot;When well set the surface should be left slightly rising towards the stem of the 

 tree, to allow for the subsequent settling of the soil. When the soil is well settled the trees 

 should be left about the same depth as they originally grew, except dwarf pear trees, which 

 by planting from two to four inches deeper than the original depth a larger growth can be 

 obtained. In planting an orchard, avoid placing the trees in the same spot or near where an 

 old tree previously stood, since the vigorous growth of the young tree will require an 

 element from the soil that has already been largely extracted in promoting the growth of the 

 former tree; hence if occupying the site of the old tree, the growth of the young tree will be 

 slow and feeble. 



Fruit trees are generally planted in the spring from the middle of March to early in 

 May, and in the fall from early in October until as late in the season as the ground will 

 admit. When the planting is done in the fall, it will be of great benefit to the trees in a 

 cold climate, especially during the first season, if a mound of earth, a foot or more high be 

 raised about the trunk as a protection. When the planting is done in the spring there are 

 many trees that will produce a much more rapid and strong growth the first season, if at 

 the time of planting or immediately after, the trees are pruned, cutting out all except from 

 three to five of the main branches and then from a third to a half of the previous year s 

 growth. In fall planting this pruning should be deferred until spring. By setting out a few 

 fruit trees every year a good supply of fruit can be had continuously on any farm, while 

 the labor and expense attending it would be comparatively very slight. The old trees of the 

 orchard should be removed as fast as they become useless. 



Proper Size of Trees for Transplanting. With respect to this subject, Mr. 

 Downing says: &quot; The proper size for transplanting varies somewhat with the sort of tree and 

 the kind of culture intended. It is, however, a maxim equally well settled, both among theorists 

 and the best practical men, that health, immediate vigor, and duration are all greatly promoted 

 by transplanting fruit trees of small size from three to six or seven feet. We are fully aware 

 with what impatience the beginner, or a person who knows little of the culture of trees, looks 

 upon trees of this size one who is eager to plant an orchard and stock a garden with large 

 trees, thinking to gather a crop the next year. The latter may indeed be done; but the trans 

 planting so affects the tree that its first scanty crop is followed by a long season of rest and 

 feeble growth, while the plantation of young trees is making wood rapidly, and soon comes 

 into a healthy and long-continued state of productiveness often long indeed before the 

 large trees have fairly arrived at that condition. The small tree, transplanted with its system 

 of roots and branches entire, suffers little or no check ; the older and larger tree, losing part 

 of its roots, requires several years to resume its former vigor. The constitution of the small 

 tree is healthy and unimpaired; that of the large is frequently much enfeebled. A stout and 

 vigorous habit what the nurserymen call a good stocky plant is the true criterion of merit 

 in selecting fruit trees for transplanting. 



Trees intended for orchards, being often more exposed than those in gardens, should be 

 somewhat larger not less than six nor more than eight feet is the best size. For gardens, 



