152 AGRICULTURE FOR COMMON SCHOOLS 



cultivating the ground. Apple trees should stand about 35 

 or 40 feet apart in the rows, pears 20 feet (dwarf pears 10 

 feet), peaches, plums, and cherries 16 to 20 feet, and quinces 

 about 12 feet. In planting an apple orchard many growers 

 plant peaches, pears, or cherries between the apple trees, be- 

 cause the apple grows slowly and does not begin to bear fruit 

 for several years, whereas the peaches, pears, and cherries 

 begin to bear fruit in two or three years. As the apple 

 trees become larger the other fruit trees can be cut out. In 

 this way the orchard is made to pay returns almost at once, 

 but such practice is often bad for the apple trees, because it 

 crowds them and robs them of their food. Then, too, the 

 grower does not like to cut out a peach, pear, or cherry tree 

 that is thrifty and bearing lots of fruit. 



In transplanting, care should be taken to set the young tree 

 properly. Usually it is leaned a little toward the direction from 

 which the wind generally comes. This is to prevent it from 

 being blown in the opposite direction. As it becomes older it 

 will usually stand straight. If the roots have been badly torn 

 and bruised in digging from the nursery row, the torn ends 

 should be cut off. The wounds will then soon callous, or heal 

 over, and young roots quickly start. Where trees have been 

 " heeled in " this trimming should have been done before the 

 heeling in. The loose soil should be carefully filled in around 

 the roots and pressed down with the foot. The surface 

 should be left loose to act as a mulch. If there is any sod, it 

 should be turned upside down in the hole. It is usually not 

 necessary to pour water around the tree when transplanting. 

 If watering is done after transplanting the ground should be 

 thoroughly soaked, for a slight watering does more harm than 

 good. After the tree is set it will be necessary to prune the 



