FRUIT RAISING ON THE FARM 



141 



they should be " heeled in." Heeling in is done by placing 

 the roots of the trees in a trench with one sloping side, allow- 

 ing the trunks to rest against the earth of the slope. As 

 soon as the trees are removed from the trench or from the 

 original package, the roots of each tree should be dipped in 

 water to which sufficient clay has been added to make a 

 mush. The moist clay keeps the roots frorrf becoming dry. 

 All injured roots should be cut off. 



Setting the trees. First of all, the soil of the area to be 

 planted should be put in the best possible condition, which 



Diagram showing kind of hole to dig for transplanting a tree. 



A . Hole of right size and shape, allowing freedom for good root distribution. 



B. Hole too narrow, roots bent. 



C. Hole carelessly made, roots crowded. (Ohio State Agr. College.) 



includes a liberal application of well-rotted manure. The 

 importance of this careful preparation for setting trees is 

 greater than is commonly supposed. The careless method 

 of setting a tree in a hole in the ground and then letting it 

 take care of itself generally leads to disappointment. Fruit 

 trees need, for their best development, the same care in the 

 preparation of the soil that other plants need. 



Next, the position of each tree should be indicated by a 

 small stake. In laying out or planning the planting, two 

 things must be kept in mind: first, straight rows facilitate 

 cultivation; second, there should be adequate distance be- 

 tween the trees. Usually the latter point is not sufficiently 



