56 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



a large proportion of potash, soda, lime, and phosphoric acid. 

 It is well if a soil can be found containing these substances in a 

 proper condition to be taken up by the roots; if not, they must 

 be supplied by the application of such manures as contain them. 



Too much care cannot be taken to bring the ground in proper 

 condition before transplanting the trees from the nursery, and 

 every dollar spent in thoroughly pulverizing and mixing the soil 

 will be paid back ten-fold. It is impossible to go too deep, for 

 try your best, and roots will penetrate beyond. 



The distance apart at which apple trees should be planted, 

 depends very much upon the variety, some being naturally of an 

 upright growth, others more branching. It being desirable to 

 keep all varieties so pruned as to groAv so near the ground as 

 possible, we should never advise planting less than twenty-five 

 feet apart, and think thirty preferable. If, however, you are 

 determined to have fruit and other crops in the same field, the 

 distance should be greater. We cannot, however, recommend 

 this plan. 



For setting in the orchard, select trees four or five years from 

 the bud, straight and thrifty, with low branches — say from four 

 to five feet above the ground. At this age they should be from 

 one and a half to two inches in diameter, and from six to eight 

 feet high. Those trees that require seven or eight years to 

 attain this size, show, either from disease or neglect, too slow a 

 growth, and are worse than worthless. 



Transplanting on proper soil is best done early in the fall, as 

 the roots will get in place and commence growing in the winter, 

 ready to give the tops a good supply of food in the spring. On 

 wet, heavy soils, however, spring planting is preferable. 



Take the trees up carefully, in order to cut and bruise the 

 roots as little as possible. Shelter them from wind and sun. 

 Examine carefully every portion of the roots, remove all parts 

 that are in any degree mutilated, and cut in others, always 

 remembering to cut upward in such a manner that the incision 

 will be on the lower side of the root, where it will be more likely 

 to come in direct contact with the soil. If cut downward, the 

 rootlets will not start so readily, and the ends will be very likely 

 to decay in consequence of the water that rests on them as it 

 settles. 



It is impossible to give definite directions as to shortening in 

 the top. That it should be done to some extent seems evident, 



