282 The Principles of Fruit-growing. 



sonal problem to apprehend and to solve. He should 

 not be discouraged, therefore, if he does not secure 

 the desired results from the treatment of his land 

 within the first two or three years. 



THE GENERAL CARE OF THE PLANTS. 



Staking young trees. If fruit trees are stocky 

 and well planted, and if the land is deep and in 

 good condition, it will rarely be necessary to stake 

 them. The staking of an orchard is generally an 

 indication of poor trees or poor management at 

 some point. It occasionally happens, however, that 

 trees must be staked to enable them to overcome 

 some accident or injury, as breaking by heavy 

 winds, or ice, or other means. When it is neces- 

 sary to stake trees, it is ordinarily preferable to drive 

 a stout stake upon two sides and then to bind the 

 tree firmly to each of these stakes, in order to keep 

 it from whipping. The best bandage is one of 

 burlaps or other strong, soft cloth, cut in strips two 

 or three inches wide and firmly tied about the tree. 

 Just as soon as the tree has recovered from its 

 injury or weakness, the support should be removed. 

 Trees which have blown over, but which have not 

 been broken completely off, may be severely headed- 

 in and tied up in this manner, often with the very 

 best results. The wounded and broken surfaces 

 should be thoroughly covered with some antiseptic 

 wash or paint. 



Sun -scald. It is often necessary, especially in 



