PLANTING HARDY FRUIT TREES 321 



Next the roots of the tree should be carefully looked over, and 

 if any of them be found to be jagged and torn the points should 

 be cut off cleanly with a sharp knife. It is a good plan at the 

 same time to shorten back all thick straight downward shoots. 

 The object of this is to induce the roots of the tree to spread in an 

 outward horizontal direction, so that they may thrive upon the 

 good soil near the surface, instead of thrusting themselves down- 

 wards into the coarse and less nutritive soil beneath. 



Sprinkle some fine soil over the surface of the hole, and then 

 place the tree firmly upon it, carefully spreading out the lowest 

 roots and adding more soil as the work proceeds. Shake the tree 

 from time to time so that the soil may run in between the fine 

 roots. As each layer of roots and soil is placed in position it 

 should be trodden down lightly. This should be done with dis- 

 cretion. The tree must be planted firmly, but not trodden in so 

 that the surrounding soil is like a block of concrete after the work 

 is finished. 



In the case of standards it will be advisable to give the tree some 

 support against the buffetings of the wind. This can be supplied 

 by inserting a stout round stake at the time of planting. For 

 attaching the stake to the stem there is nothing more serviceable 

 than a piece of sacking fastened round both the stem and the 

 stake to prevent chafing. Care should be taken not to bind 

 this so tightly round the stem of the tree as to hinder its 

 expansion. In future years it will be necessary from time to 

 time either to loosen the binding or to renovate it, as circum- 

 stances direct. 



These rules for planting apply to all kinds of fruit trees, except 

 that dwarf and pyramid trees do not require any permanent 

 staking, though it may be advisable to afford them a little support 

 during the first winter until the roots have become firmly estab- 

 lished in their new quarters. 



For the espalier-trained tree it will be necessary to obtain a 



supply of stoutish stakes and galvanised wire. The stakes may 



be made either of iron or of wood. The iron stakes, of course, have 



the advantage of permanency, but the initial outlay is heavier. 



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