250 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



grow ; but if it finally survives after a long time of doubt and 

 delay, it creeps along with a snail's pace, making little re- 

 turn to the owner. When the tree is crooked, confine it 

 with a straw band to a stake firmly planted in the ground. 

 This is the best ligature, as it does not cut the bark, which 

 small cords often do, and it gradually gives way as the tree 

 increases in size. When thus planted, well manured and 

 well looked after, the tree thrives, and in a few years, re- 

 wards the owner with its delicious arid abundant fruit. 



The season of planting may be any time after the fall of 

 the leaf in autumn, till its re-appearance in the spring, pro- 

 vided the ground be not frozen. Early spring is to be pre- 

 ferred for planting stone fruits. They may be removed 

 while in embryo leaf and blossom with entire success, but it 

 is better to do this before the bud is much swollen. If one 

 time be equally convenient with another, fall planting is to 

 be preferred for fruit generally, as the earth then becomes 

 settled about the roots early in the following season. This 

 is particularly advantageous when the spring is succeeded 

 by a severe summer's drought. The transplanting of trees 

 is an operation of the greatest importance to their success. 

 More fruit may be reasonably anticipated for the first ten 

 years, if not forever, from one tree well planted, than from 

 three indifferently done. 



It sometimes occurs in removing trees from a distance, 

 that they arrive at their destination after the ground is 

 frozen. In such cases, a trench should be dug in soft earth 

 and the trees laid in it, at an angle of about 45, three or 

 four inches apart, the roots carefully placed to prevent 

 breaking, and the earth piled on them for a foot up the trunk, 

 and eight or ten inches over the roots. This will preserve 

 them until spring without detriment to their future growth, 

 and it is often done by nurserymen and others, who re- 

 move their trees from one location to another without loss. 

 Apple trees should never be planted in the orchard at a less 

 distance than from thirty to forty feet ; the distance to de- 

 pend on the fertility of the soil and the kind of tree, some 

 growing much larger and throwing out their branches more 

 laterally than others. If too near, the trees do not receive 

 the requisite quantity of sun and a free circulation of air, 

 both of which are essential to the size, flavor and perfection 

 of fruit. 



. Cultivation. A previously uncultivated or virgin soil is 

 the best for an orchard ; but if such is not available, then 



