STARTING THE YOUNG ORCHARD 321 



be such as to avoid the blasting winds of the southwest in the 

 warmer climate, and of the winter northwest winds in the colder 

 climates. The exposure usually preferred is northeast, because of 

 the protection from northern winds and because the fruit is not 

 forced into blossom so early in the spring as the southerly exposures. 

 Trees for the new orchard should be young and vigorous. If 

 one-year-old apple trees can be secured of large size they are better 

 than older trees which have been stunted in their growth. When 

 the trees are secured from the nursery they should be heeled in 

 that is placed in a sloping position with the roots in a trench 

 covered with soil (Fig. 212). When the orchard is ready for 

 planting the tree is examined and pruned carefully (Fig. 213); 



FIG. 212. FIG. 213. 



I 



FIG. 212. When trees are first received from the nursery they should be unpacked 

 promptly and "heeled in" by placing the roots in a trench and covering well with soil, as 

 here shown. (New Jersey Station.) 



FIG. 213. Young peach trees received from the nursery to be set in the orchard. Those 

 in the man's hands have been pruned; the others are yet to prune as much as those. (New 

 Jersey Station.) 



the roots are pruned to cut off wounded or broken parts, and the 

 top may be pruned then or just after setting. Some of the top 

 should be removed to reduce the bud and leaf area in harmony 

 with the root. The lower branches, if any, are usually left as they 

 are to form the main branches of the tree as it grows larger. 

 Trees of one year's growth have side buds on the main switch and 

 by properly heading back the switch the location of the lateral 

 branches may be forced out at any height desired. Trees with 

 the side branches very low are called low-headed trees. It is now 

 more common to head the trees low than formerly. They may be 

 pruned and sprayed with much less labor and the cost of harvest- 

 ing is not so great. The trees will require some annual pruning 

 21 



