20 THE BOOK OF THE APPLE 



they are removed from the quarter where they have 

 been grown when quite leafless, and transferred to 

 ground that by the end of December or so must be 

 to a great extent cold, and probably wet, it is quite 

 impossible for them to make roots during the winter 

 months. This being the case, it i-s more than likely 

 that some of the roots will decay by reason of their 

 unsuitable surroundings, and the tree will really be in 

 a worse plight in the spring than when planted, and 

 consequently be unable to make a satisfactory start into 

 growth. We see then the evil of planting in mid- 

 winter a late start the following year, which may 

 mean the comparative failure of the tree ever to make 

 a really good specimen. The fact of growth com- 

 mencing late will probably result in the wood never 

 becoming properly developed and ripened as it should 

 be, and this, of course, will be detrimental to the 

 growth of the tree the next year, for the buds also 

 will be immature, and not capable of producing strong 

 healthy shoots. 



If, therefore, planting cannot be done in the month 

 of November or December, it is far better postponed 

 until the spring, say, early in March, for then the 

 ground is warmer, and the tree will at least be 

 able to make a good start. Spring planting, how- 

 ever, is not to be preferred to autumn planting ; it 

 must just be regarded as better than midwinter plant- 

 ing. Spring-planted trees have not had the advantage 

 of being able to establish themselves in their quarters 

 before winter, and do not therefore start the growing 

 season under such favourable circumstances. On light 

 soils autumn planting is particularly to be desired, for 

 upon such land it is often difficult to get trees to start 

 well if planting is deferred until the spring. Much 

 attention is necessary in order to ensure the land being 

 kept well supplied with moisture, especially if the spring 



