APRIL] THE FRUIT GARDEN. 34t 



Where such planting is intended in the middle States, let it be done 

 in the first week in the month, but in the eastern States it may be 

 continued to the second, particularly with apples, pears, and plums, 

 and even many other kinds, should the season prove late. 



After planting, give each tree a plentiful watering, which will cause 

 the earth to settle close about its roots, and prepare them for pushing 

 fresh fibres ; repeat it once every week or ten days till the new roots 

 are established. For the method of planting, see the Fruit Garden 

 and Orchard in March. 



New planted trees, in general, but particularly such as are planted 

 late in the spring, should be frequently watered in dry weather, once 

 a week or ten days will be sufficient. In doing this, give a copious 

 watering to reach the roots effectually, and let their heads be some- 

 times watered as well as their roots. 



To preserve the earth moist about the roots of new planted trees, 

 let some mulch or half rotted litter be spread on the surface of the 

 ground ; this will keep out the effects of the sun and wind, and the 

 earth will retain a due moisture, with the assistance of a moderate 

 watering now and then. 



DESTROY INSECTS ON FRUIT-TREES. 



Insects often do much damage to fruit-trees if not prevented. This 

 is the time they begin to breed on the buds, leaves, and new advanc- 

 ing shoots of young trees, and also frequently on those of older 

 growth. Proper means should be used to destroy them in time, 

 before they spread over the general branches. 



Where you perceive any of the leaves of these trees to have a 

 crumpled, deformed, clammy appearance, &c., it is a sign of insects, 

 notwithstanding it is sometimes produced by the extreme changes 

 from warm, to wet and cold. Let the worst of these leaves be taken 

 off as soon as they appear ; and if the ends of any of the young shoots 

 are also attacked, prune away such infected parts ; and if furnished 

 with a garden watering engine, it would be greatly serviceable there- 

 with to dash the branches with water in dry weather, which, and the 

 above precautions, if proceeded to in time will do a great deal in pre- 

 venting the mischief from spreading considerably. 



Or where wall-trees are much infested, first pull off all the curled 

 or crumpled leaves, then get some tobacco-dust, or fine snuff, and scat- 

 ter some of it over all the branches, but most on those places where 

 the insects are troublesome. This should be strewed over the trees 

 in the morning when the twigs and leaves are wet, and let it remain. 

 It will greatly diminish the vermin, and not injure the leaves or 

 fruit. 



But fruit-trees are also sometimes attacked by insects of the cater- 

 pillar tribe, contained numerously in a minute embryo state in small 

 webs deposited on the branches, &c. ; animated by the heat of the 

 weather they soon overrun and devour the young leaves, whereby 

 neither the trees nor fruit prosper in growth, and which should be 

 attended to, especially in young trees, by picking off the webs, &c., 

 before the insects animate considerably ; and, if accommodated with 



