176 



The Principles of Fruit-growing 



harvest will also probably find more time for treersetting 

 in the spring. 



If trees are secured in autumn for spring planting, they 

 should be heeled-in on well-drained land and preferably 

 where the snow will not blow off. They may be stood 

 upright in furrows, or laid down (Fig. 26, adapted from 

 Blake), the latter preferred. Open the bundles and place 



FIG. 26. Peach trees pruned and heeled-in. 



each tree by itself, so that the earth will lie on all sides of 

 the root. Pack the earth. It is well to cover the earth 

 with straw or bedding; but watch must be kept that mice 

 are not attracted by this material, for they are likely to 

 gnaw the trees. 



Distance apart. 



Fruit plants are oftener set too close together than 

 too far apart; in fact, the latter error scarcely exists. 

 Trees, especially, are wide feeders, and the best results 

 are secured when each tree stands far enough from its 

 neighbors to allow it to possess an individuality all its 



