174 



ELEMENTAEY AGEICULTUEE 



closer. . Pears are set about twenty-five feet apart 

 and peaches and plums each twenty feet. There 

 should always be room enough between the trees so 



spraying may 

 be easily done 

 and the crop 

 harvested con- 

 veniently. 

 Setting Trees. 

 When a tree 

 is taken from 

 the ground 

 the more roots 

 that are saved 

 the better. But 

 with the best 

 of care many 



Fig. 93. Irrigating an orchard. 



of them are broken or bruised, and others must be 

 cut. All the broken roots should be cut back from" 

 the injured end with a sharp knife, so the smooth 

 w^ound will heal quickly. Since the tree has lost 

 many of the rootlets that supply it with food, the 

 branches must be cut back, too, else they will need 

 more food and moisture than the roots can supply. 

 People usually leave too much of the top on a tree 

 that is transplanted. The trees should not be ex- 

 posed to the sun and wind before planting, and the 

 planter should not allow the roots to dry out. If the 

 roots are covered with a coat of clay, it is well to dip 

 them in water before setting them. 



