THE FAILURE OF ORCHARD^ AND ITS REMEDY. 209 



calities. But, whatever the varieties may be, the trees that 

 will grow most rapidly and the taller should always occu- 

 py the middle of the belt. If slow-growing varieties be 

 planted in the middle rows, and rapid growers on the out- 

 side, the trees in the middle of the belt will soon be over- 

 grown, and their natural development choked down. 



Just before cold weather, mark out the ground in the 

 quincunx order, and plant the nuts or seeds about eight feet 

 apart, except the two outside rows, which should consist of 

 hardy evergreens that can be obtained most conveniently 

 from nurseries or the forest. Hemlock, cedar, and pine will 

 grow rapidly, if every one has a good tap-root. Hence it 

 will be important to select very small trees, which have a 

 tap-root. The same is true with all nut-bearing trees. It 

 will be found far more satisfactory to plant the nuts where 

 the trees are to grow, so that the tap-root may not be in- 

 jured, than to attempt to transplant trees from nurseries. 

 A protecting belt can be formed much sooner, and the trees 

 will all be of a more uniform height, by preparing the ground 

 as suggested, and planting the nuts and seeds in autumn, 

 than by taking trees from the nursery. Pine-trees will sel- 

 dom flourish satisfactorily without the aid of a tap-root to 

 bring up moisture in hot and dry weather. 



Necessity of Protection. Let the reader understand that 

 we are not advocates of universal protection. It is only 

 advocated in localities where deep snows fall, where pro- 

 tracted cold weather and piercing winds prevail, and where 

 the surface of the earth round about trees freezes up so 

 tight and to such a depth as to check all the circulation of 

 the sap in the roots. Where trees and the ground are 

 thawed out the next day after freezing up tight, no timber- 

 belts will be needed. We should remember that apple- 

 trees are things of life living and breathing existences, as 

 much as many other specimens of animate nature, which 



