56 FRUIT-GROWING 



become matted together in the ground and con- 

 sequently perish. It has been found that by 

 following this system trees can be replanted 

 even in the same places where other trees have 

 died of the disease and the trouble does not 

 recur. 



After the roots are pruned they are dipped 

 in a mixture of mud and water stirred until it 

 is of the consistency of thick paint. This forms 

 a coating over the roots which, although it may 

 dry out itself, protects the roots from the in- 

 jurious effects of the dry air. Some planters 

 haul the trees to the orchard in a spring wagon 

 on which is mounted a barrel containing this 

 mud mixture and the trees are handed out to 

 the planters as they are needed. I have found 

 it conducive to more rapid work if the trees 

 are carried from some central point in bunches 

 of ten. Such a bunch can be protected with an 

 old burlap sack until the planter has placed 

 them in the ground. 



Digging the hole for the tree is a simple job, 

 but like all other orchard work it contains pos- 

 sibilities for error. To begin with the hole 

 should be made large enough to take in all of 

 the roots without crowding and deep enough to 

 permit the tree to stand a trifle deeper than it 

 stood in the nursery. The bottom of the hole 

 should not be a hard surface, but should be 

 worked up with the spade so as to offer a soft 



