to FRUIT GROWING FOR AMATEURS 



planting often causes the trees to make rank growth, which 

 is the chief cause of unfruitfulness. Do not make the middle 

 of the hole lower than the sides, but keep it as level as possible. 



Staking for Support. After the tree has been placed in 

 position, drive in the stake, if support is needed, before the soil 

 is filled in, so that it can be placed between the roots to avoid 

 injury to any of them. Tie with tar twine, and place a piece 

 of old cloth around the stem of the tree to prevent the string 

 cutting into the bark. See that the roots are spread out care- 

 fully .to their full extent, and if the ends of any of them are 

 damaged, trim them off with a sharp knife. Fill in with some 

 of the finest soil around the roots, and tread it down firmly, 

 afterwards leaving all level and tidy on the surface. If a mulch 

 of short stable manure is given it will protect the roots in case 

 \>f severe frost during the winter. 



Concerning Orchard Trees. When large permanent 

 Drchards are required standard trees will be found the best. 

 Whether the land was under cultivation previously or not is 

 not an important matter, as it would require to be deeply broken 

 up in any case. The point is its subsequent treatment after 

 planting ; if the ground is to be cropped with garden produce 

 for a time, all well and good ; but if it is to be laid down with 

 grass, do not neglect to cultivate the soil for a space of at least 

 4 feet from the stems of the trees. Under such conditions it is 

 an easy matter to keep the weeds hoed off when necessary, 

 and the trees will be found to make free and healthy growth. 

 On the other hand, if the grass is allowed to grow up to the 

 tree stems, growth will be far less vigorous and satisfactory. 

 This is an important matter, and deserves the attention of all 

 who wish to make their orchard a success. 



Suitable Trees to Buy. Trees to be purchased should 

 always be of the best possible value. Two-year- or three-year- 

 old trees are perhaps the best with which to begin. Those of 

 the former age have been cut back once in pruning, and have 

 had two seasons' growth from budding or grafting. Choose 

 young trees which have stout but firm young shoots upon them, 

 but do not think that mere vigour is best. Trees may have very 

 strong growths, and at the same lime these, owing to their un- 

 ripened character, may be of little value, and when pruned 

 back fail to grow satisfactorily. When making purchases it 

 should be mentioned to the vendor for what purposes the trees 



