THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



163 



The orchard is mapped out and stakes 

 are driven in the place where trees are to 

 be planted, before the dynamiting is be- 

 gun. A post hole digger, crowbar or 

 auger is used to sink a hole about six feet 

 deep, just where the tree is to stand. 

 When the hole is finished, a charge of 

 about one half pound of 30 per cent, dyna- 

 mite is prepared to explode at the bottom. 

 This is done by fastening a fuse, as long 



strata, to a depth of ten feet or more and 

 extend outward several feet. The surface 

 will not be disturbed and no danger need 

 be feared from any uplifted stones or 

 earth. When the explosion occurs, the 

 hole is dug for the tree directly over the 

 spot loosened. Most fruitmen dig to a 

 depth of two feet or more and fill with 

 sand, leaf mold, manure or soil to the point 

 where the tree roots come in planting. 



as the hole is deep on the dyarnite stick, 

 with a fulrainating cap fixed in the explo- 

 sive tube. The dynamite is gently let 

 down to the bottom, by the fuse, which is 

 tied on substantially* Then the hole is 

 filled with dry soil or sand, and tamped 

 with a rounded pole or stick, after which 

 the shot is fired as any other fuse charge. 

 A good, deep shot, with the fuse tamped 

 solidly, will loosen the soil and under 



Then the roots are pruned, with a sharp 

 knife, and the tree is set in the position 

 desired. I have seen small cobble rocks 

 tamped round the tree in filling in, to 

 make it more solid. This is always gov- 

 erned by the ideas of the planter. 



The cost of dynamiting usually is less 

 than 20 cents per tree, in addition to the 

 regular planting expense, and the results 

 can hardly be estimated. I have assisted in 



