130 GROWING FRUIT AND PRUNING TREES [CH. 



and let us certainly ask their advice, and act upon their 

 experience. 



It is desirable that fruit trees should be planted so 

 far as possible on their own ground, where there can be 

 no excuse for their roots being disturbed by the spade, 

 and where the earth can be mulched and kept free from 

 rank vegetation while the fruit is setting and growing. 

 No fruit can succeed if its delicate, fibrous surface roots 

 are interfered with : these should rather be encouraged 

 and strengthened as they endeavour to raise themselves 

 towards the sunlight, and just in proportion as they are 

 matured will fruit spurs be found above. 



Where it is possible, planting should be completed 

 early, certainly before the end of November (except for 

 strawberries, which should.be got in by August), and it 

 would be difficult to exaggerate the importance of doing 

 this work properly. If the trees arrive from the nursery 

 in wet, sticky weather, it is best to lay them in and cover 

 up the roots with soil for some days, or even weeks, until 

 the ground is in fair order. If the roots are jagged or 

 torn, the injured parts should be cut off with a sharp 

 knife, and all downward tap roots shortened back. 



It is a good rule not to place the young trees lower 

 in the ground than when they were growing in the nursery ; 

 in wet or heavy land it is best to plant almost on the 

 surface, and to mound up the earth to 3 or 4 inches 

 over the roots, carefully fanning out the young fibres all 

 around, throwing in loose and fresh soil, and firmly tread- 

 ing round the stem as each shovelful is added, then put 



