PEARS, CHERRIES, PLUMS 



hole, in the bottom. After packing the mel- 

 low soil around the roots, fill in the sod and 

 finally the sub-soil. Cut off all broken or mu- 

 tilated roots and prune back the top or branches 

 so as to form a symmetrically headed tree. 



The plum tree requires considerable mois- 

 ture to complete the development of a crop. 

 After planting in the early spring, fifteen to 

 twenty feet each way, mulch the surface of the 

 sod with straw or coarse manure. If the trees 

 are planted on cultivated soil, form a dust 

 mulch about them and continue to cultivate. 

 Of course where there is sufficient rainfall to 

 keep the soil moist, mulching is not altogether 

 necessary. If the cultivation is discontinued 

 about July 1, sow oats and Canada field peas 

 mixed, or rye and vetch as a cover crop to pro- 

 tect the roots in winter. Dig this green ma- 

 nure under in the spring. 



If the "framework" of the tree has been 

 properly constructed (low, loose head), little 

 pruning will be necessary after the fifth year's 

 growth. 



297 



