Planting Fruit Trees 



be chiefly of the dwarf type, as they will give quick 

 returns ; they occupy little room, and they may be 

 kept well within the reach of the grower for 

 pruning, spraying, gathering, etc. 



One or two half-standard apples might very well 

 be included on fairly large plots, but ten or twelve 

 trees of the " bush " type would be sufficient to 

 commence with on smaller plots, cordons raised at 

 home being added later on. 



MAKING THE HOLES. 



The holes in which the trees are to be planted 

 should be wide, but not- deep. It is seldom neces- 

 sary to take out much more than the top spit of 

 soil, but the holes should be quite 2j feet across, 

 wide enough, at any rate, to allow for the roots of the 

 tree to be spread out at full length from the centre 

 of the hole. 



Dung should not be placed under the tree nor in 

 contact with the roots ; in fact, it is better not to 

 feed the trees with nitrogenous manures until they 

 begin to bear. 



A stake should be driven in the centre of each 

 hole before the tree is planted ; there will be then no 

 damaged roots, as there would be if the stake is 

 put in after planting, and, moreover, if the stakes 

 are in a straight line, the trees will also be in line, 

 provided that each tree is placed on the same side of 

 the stakes. 



The S.W. side of the stake is usually chosen 

 because the prevailing winds blow from this direction 

 and the tree placed thus will not be blown away 

 from the stake. 



14 



