FRUIT-TREES AND GRASS. 43 



food, be brought in contact with the roots. Again 

 I repeat my caution against planting too deeply, 

 one of the commonest and most fatal errors. Let 

 the tree be set about as deeply as it stood before 

 removal. If the tree be planted early in spring, as 

 it should be, there will be moisture enough in the 

 soil; but when planting is delayed until the ground 

 has become rather dry and warm, a pail of water 

 poured about its roots when the hole has been 

 nearly filled will be beneficial. Now that the tree 

 is planted, any kind of coarse manure spread to the 

 depth of two or three inches on the surface as a 

 mulch is very useful. Stake at once to protect 

 against the winds. Do not make the common mis- 

 take of planting too closely. Observe the area 

 shaded by fully grown trees, and you will learn 

 the folly of crowding. Moreover, dense shade 

 about the house is not desirable. There should 

 be space for plenty of air and sunshine. The fruit 

 from one well-developed tree will often more than 

 supply a family; for ten or fifteen barrels of apples 

 is not an unusual yield. The standard apples should 

 be thirty feet apart. Pears, the dwarfer-growing 

 cherries, plums, etc., can be grown in the inter- 

 vening spaces. In ordering from the nurseries 

 insist on straight, shapely, and young trees, say 

 three years from the bud. Many trees that are 

 sent out are small enough, but they are old and 



