APRIL.] 325 



THE* FRUIT GARDEN. 



Planting Fruit Trees. 



SUCH fruit-trees as are not yet burst into leaf, may be trans- 

 planted in the early part of the month ; but any that are either in 

 leaf or flower, will suffer considerably by such unseasonable remo- 

 val. However, when late planting, is from some cause unavoidable, 

 and having a previous knowledge thereof; it would, in that case, 

 be highly proper to take up the trees, some time before, to check 

 their shooting, and lay them by the roots in a trench of earth, till 

 they can be planted. 



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

 clone 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 

 fjruit-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 sometimes 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 sun and wind, and the earth 

 will retain a due moisture, with the assistance of a moderate water-, 

 ing 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 

 advancing 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 certain sign of 

 insects. 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 attack- 

 ed, prune away such infected parts : and if furnished with a garden 

 watering engine, it would be greatly serviceable therewith 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. 



