42 FRUIT-GARDENING. 



such as the Peach, Apricot, Nectarine, and Almond, which are 

 natives of Persia, Armenia, etc., it is necessary for us to consult 

 the operations of climate also ; and, from a consideration of 

 those attendant circumstances, I have come to the following 

 conclusions : In localities south of New York, autumn planting 

 is preferable only for the Apple, Pear, Plum, Cherry, Quince, 

 and all other trees of northern latitude ; whereas, the spring is 

 to be preferred for the Peach, Apricot, Nectarine, and Almond, 

 which, for the reasons before stated, might, during severe 

 winters, suffer from the intensity of the frosts. Still I do not 

 mean to assert that trees of those kinds are certain to be 

 injured by the winter, as in very many seasons they are not in 

 the least affected. Many gentlemen, however, of excellent 

 judgment, make their plantations in the autumn, which only 

 serves to prove that even in the most intelligent minds a 

 diversity of opinion exists. 



HEELING-IN TREES AND PROTECTING THEIR 

 ROOTS. 



As soon as the trees arrive at the place where they are to 

 be planted, let a trench be dug in cultivated ground, the 

 bundles unpacked, the roots well wetted, and immediately 

 covered with earth in the trench, observing to make the earth 

 fine that is spread over them, so as not to leave vacancies for 

 the admission of air to dry the roots, it having been found by 

 experience that the thriftiness of trees the first year after trans 

 planting depends much on the fine fibres of the roots being 

 kept moist, and not suffered to dry from the time they are 

 taken up until they are replanted. Their increase, therefore, 

 must depend principally on the subsequent management on 

 their arrival at the place of destination; for if, when the 

 bundles are unpacked, the trees are carelessly exposed to 



