PLANNING AND PLANTING AN ORCHARD 155 



In laying out an orchard, if extensive or if the land is very un- 

 even, it is desirable to use a transit and lay out base lines at right 

 angles. There are several methods in use for locating the indi- 

 vidual tree, but the plan of sighting in stakes from the opposite 

 direction is one of the best. Good generous holes are then dug, 

 taking care to separate the loam and the subsoil. 



After shortening any broken roots, the tree is located by means 

 of the planting board. Use considerable care in filling the hole, 

 aiming to fill all spaces among the roots, and firm the dirt evenly, 

 taking care to reverse the order, filling in the loam first and finish- 

 ing with the subsoil. The tree can well be set two or three inches 

 lower than it stood in the nursery row; It is a mistake to use any 

 stable manure in the holes when planting a tree, although there is 

 seldom any objection to using some as a mulch on the surface. 



After the planting is completed the next operation is the pruning. 

 Do not prune a young newly-set tree in the fall. This should be 

 severe the first time and is especially necessary owing to the greatly 

 reduced root system caused by digging the tree from nursery row. 

 The subsequent shaping and pruning need not be so severe. The 

 tendency of late is to start the limbs much nearer the ground. 

 Nurserymen are now heading the trees in the nursery rows much 

 lower than formerly. 



One of the serious difficulties for the orchardist has been the 

 injury by mice, rabbits, woodchucks, etc. These can be driven 

 away by washes and sprays and even by wrapping the trunks with 

 building paper, and wood veneers. Often tramping the loose 

 snow about a tree will discourage the mice. 



Considering fertilizers for a young orchard, unless the soil is 

 very poor and worn out, I do not believe much special fertilization 

 will be necessary until the trees come into bearing, when a much 

 more thorough system should be practiced. Cultivation should 

 be early, frequent, and thorough in a young orchard. Under no 

 consideration should we let an orchard become crippled for lack 

 of ample cultivation. There is no objection to intercropping with 

 annual crops, if a crop is grown which matures early. Crops like 

 squash, early potatoes, beans, or peas, and perhaps corn are all 

 right for this purpose. Cover crops play a very important part 

 in modern orchard management. Leguminous plants are very 



