PEAR GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 305 



CHAPTER VII. 



SETTING AND CARING FOR THE YOUNG TREES. 



A tree that does not start well shortly after being set and fails to 

 make a satisfactory growth during the first season is liable to be stunted 

 always, hence the necessity for the greatest care in making every condi- 

 tion as favorable as possible for the young tree that has been recently 

 planted in the orchard. There should always be plenty of loose soil in 

 the bottom of the hole before the tree is put in. This should be finely 

 pulverized, and preferably from near the surface. 



If the weather is hot and dry during planting time the trees must 

 be well protected to prevent the roots from drying out. In order to do 

 this, they may be covered with dampened sacks or stood in a barrel 

 partly filled with water, while being transported throughout the 

 orchard. All injured portions of roots should be removed as well as 

 all those that are misshaped and generally undesirable. It must be 

 remembered that the tree is not dependent so much upon the number 

 of roots that it has as on their character. Four or five thrifty roots 

 which do not crowd each other are preferable to a greater number that 

 run criss-cross and interfere. 



The depth of planting should be a trifle greater than the trees stood 

 in the nursery. The whole subject of planting is so ably covered by 

 Mr. A. L. Wisker in his "Planting Suggestions to Orchardists" that we 

 quote from him. While his trees are situated in a foothill section the 

 directions given may in general be followed elsewhere. 



HOW TO PLANT. 



"In the average loose soil of the foothills, plant the tree so that 

 it will stand two or three inches deeper than in the nursery. 

 Usually this will cover the point where the bud was inserted. 

 Budded trees are frequently curved at this point, and the curve 

 should always be set so the two o'clock sun (the hottest of the 

 day) will shine against and not into the curved part. Many 

 trees are lost from sun-scald every year through neglect of 

 this precaution. In windy locations, the trunk should be inclined 

 a little toward the prevailing wind. Spread the roots in their 

 natural positions, avoiding doubling them, and cover with the best 

 soil available. When sufficiently covered to be protected from 

 possible injury, pack the roots firmly in place by treading with 

 both feet, remembering that the tree can not possibly absorb the 

 plant food in the soil unless the roots are brought into the closest 

 possible contact, and that this part of the work is the most 

 important thing in planting. Fill hole nearly full and again 

 tramp firmly, after which the hole is to be filled so the soil will 

 stand an inch or so above the surface. The top soil must never 

 be packed, and should always be kept loose during the growing 

 season ; it is extremely risky to place manure or any of the ordinary 

 fertilizers in the hole with the tree, but old bones or bone meal 



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