FORMING THE HEAD PLANTING. 



15 



more likely to spread from a torn than from 

 surface. 



smoothly cut 



Forming the Head. — In cutting back the top of the tree to 

 make a balance between the root and top, the formation of the 

 head should be kept in mind and all shoots not needed to make a 

 good head should be removed. The trees received from most 

 nurseries are of two forms, with slight modifications, as illustrated 

 by Fig 13, where the branches come out 

 at the same point ; and by Fig. 14, where 

 the branches are distributed along a 

 main axis. The objection to the first 

 form is, that when the trees become 

 loaded with fruit, they are liable to split 

 down in the fork; while in the second 

 case, there is no such danger. A good 

 rule to follow is, to cut away all branches 

 not needed to give the head a good form ; 

 and shorten all others from one-half to 

 three-fourths, according to the amount 

 of injury the roots had received in 

 digging. 



It often happens that the trees received 

 from the nursery are headed too low, 

 and require " heading up." This is ac- 

 complished, by cutting away all but the 

 leading shoot, as is shown by Fig. 13, D, 

 and Fig. 14, A A A, where new branches will be thrown out from 

 the lateral buds, as is shown by the dotted lines. To head trees 

 up to six feet in height, often requires two or three years from 

 planting. Trees vfith a tall trunk ai-e more liable' to injury on 

 account of exposure to sun, and frost, and other causes, than those 

 with a short trunk, while in the latter the fruit is more easily 

 gathered. 



Planting. — Having the holes dug, the trees pruned, and every- 

 thing in readiness, the most important part of the work is now to 

 be done. Only a few trees should be dropped at once, and these 

 with the roots in the holes, that they may not be more exposed to 

 the air than is necessary. Three men are required to do the work 

 most rapidly; one to carry the trees, hold them in place, spread 

 out the roots and press the soil in about them ; and two with 

 spades, one of whom carries the planting board. Perhaps ten 

 trees liave been dropped, when man No. 1. takes up the first tree, 

 while No. 2. fixes the planting board with the end notches against 

 the two stakes. No. 1 now places the tree trunk in the middle 

 notch of the planting board and spreads the roots, while No. 3 is 

 prepared to throw in some fine, rich, surface soil, which No. 1 

 works carefully in around the roots, treading it firmly in place. 

 As soon as the tree is in its proper place. No. 2 throws his board to 

 the next bole, and takes up his spade to assist infilling in the soil. 



