TREES FOR THE ORCHARD. 11 



CHAPTER IV. 



TEE APPLE ORCHARD. 



TREES FOR PLANTING — PROPER FORM, AGE AND SIZE OF TREE — 

 THE LAND FOR THE APPLE — ESSENTIALS TO SUCCESS — LAYING 

 OUT THE ORCHARD — THE PLANTING BOARD — DIGGING THE 

 HOLES — MANURING. 



Trees for Planting. — The best trees for planting are vigor- 

 ous trees that have reached a medium size at the age of tliree or 

 four years from the biul or root-graft. While a large tree is not 

 desirable, on account of the number of roots that must necessar- 

 ily be destroyed in digging, it has more vitality and will stand 

 more ill-treatment and exposure than a smaller one. The fibrous 

 roots of the young tree will be found within a short distance of 

 the trunk ; while in an older one they have been extending a little 

 further each year, and when dug little else but the main branches 

 are obtained. It is a good plan to obtain trees, of medium size, 

 if they are purchased, one or two years before the time of 

 planting and set them carefully in the nursery row eight or ten 

 inches apart; or if the trees were grown iipou one's own grounds, 

 take them up and transplant them again before setting out. 

 Trees in this condition can be moved with nearly all the fibrous 

 roots and not receive much check. 



If the planter has the necessary skill to grow up a tree to the prop- 

 er form and height, after they are planted in the orchard, it would 

 be much safer to plant stocky, low-branched trees; as a tall, slim 

 one is liable to injury from the large surface exposed to a hot, 

 drying atmosphere, after being removed from the .shelter of the 

 nursery. The training or " heading up " to the proper height is 

 illustrated by Figs. 13 and 14, Page 15. For the majority of 

 planters, until this skill is acquired, the nurseryman must grow 

 the trees to the height adapted to orchard cultivation. 



The land best suited for the growth of the Apple is a deep, 

 moist, sandy loam; but the Apple will give fair crops upon almost 

 any soil, excepfa very sandy one. 



Two methods of growth are in common use : The first where the 

 trees are grown in turf; and second, where the land is kept un 

 der cultivation with some other crop. No matter what system 



