TRANSPLANTING. 29 



the trees in the autumn, and it is not practicable or convenient to 

 obtain the trees direct from the nursery in the spring. But in such 

 cases the roots must he "well secured from frost, and the tops also 

 should be covered with branches of evergreens. Shortening 

 the side branches and a portion of the top of the tree at the time of 

 transplanting iu the spring is advisable, in order to restore the 

 proportions between the root and the top. Judgment must be 

 exercised in this operation, keeping in mind that the object is to 

 lessen the amount of foliage somewhat, because the quantity of 

 roots have been lessened. As a rule, about one-third of the top, 

 including the side branches, may be removed. In cutting away 

 the side branches, it is better merely to cut them back, leaving 

 three or four buds, instead of cutting them off close to the body of 

 the tree. The circulation through the trunk of the tree is kept up 

 by the foliage that will form on these spurs, whereas, if cut off close 

 to the trunk, the exposed wood seasons back into the trunk, and if 

 there be many of them, seriously interferes with the circulation 

 of the sap. For this reason do not cut off the small spurs and 

 leaf-buds which may be on the body of the tree. They materially 

 aid in keeping the body firesh and sound, and the sap in free and 

 healthy circulation. After the tree has become established they 

 may be removed, and then the sUght wound will rapidly heal 

 over. 



The After-treatment of young orchards consists in keeping 

 the ground mellow and in good heart. Doubtless the very best 

 thing for the trees is to keep the ground thoroughly cultivated, 

 the surface loose and friable, and free from weeds, without 

 attempting to raise any cropj but this is not to be expected of 

 the most of our planters, who hardly feel able to till the soil so 

 thoroughly for so many years without any return. Hoed crops 

 are the best to raise in an orchard, treating each tree as a part of 

 the crop, giving it the same manuring and cultivation as the rest. 

 Cereals, as rye, wheat, barley and oats, are not so suitable, and 

 there can be nothing worse for a young orchard than to seed it 

 down and let it lie in grass to be mown or pastured. If put 



