TREATMENT OF FRUIT TREES, 321 



cow-yard scrapings, well incorporated, and treated with 

 lime and ashes, or some other judiciously pre2:)ared com- 

 post, will be available, but should have been prepared 

 beforehand. In filling up around the tree, less care will 

 be requisite as to the character of the earth. The surface 

 should be made a little rounding, to allow of settling, and 

 also to prevent the accumulation of water in a wet season ; 

 this is to be particularly observed in Fall planting. Care- 

 fully examine the roots, and remove, with a sharp knife, 

 all those portions that have been unfortunately torn, or 

 wounded by carelessness, in digging at the nursery, or 

 in transportation. Set the roots upon a bank of mellow 

 earth, spread out every fiber in its natural direction, fill 

 in with the most mellow soil, or comj^ost, shaking the 

 tree very gently, and working in the dirt thoroughly ; fix 

 the roots by a gentle pressure of the foot, and then fill up 

 the hole to the proper level of both tree and surface. In 

 dry weather it may be necessary to leave a slight con- 

 cavity or hollow about the stem, so as to retain moisture 

 until it can soak into thei earth ; but in newl^-planted 

 trees it is better to sprinkle the tops. ^luJching, or cov- 

 ering the whole surface above the roots with straw, etc., 

 to prevent the evaporation of moisture, will be found of 

 inestimable value, particularly in a season of drought. 



vSubsequent Summer treatment will depend, in a great 

 degree, upon the manner in which the ground had been 

 prepared for the 3'oung orchard. According to the best 

 authorities, the soil should have been thoroughly loosened 

 b}' deep 2:)lowing, and, if practicable, subsoil plowing, in 

 most soils, before the trees were set, for such complete 

 culture can never afterward be api)lied, on account of the 

 presence of the trees. If this kind of preparation has 

 been made, it will be best to continue stirring the whole 

 of the ground, with the plow or cultivator, so as to destroy 

 the weeds and maintain a good tilth during the season ; 



