116 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



may not make so rapid growth, yet they are more hardy and 

 the fruit of higher flavor. 



It is said by some of our best orchardists that clay is almost 

 indispensable for the growth of apples and pears ; it is proba- 

 bly for want of this ingredient in the subsoil that the Baldwin 

 does not mature before the fruit falls from the trees ; therefore, 

 in selecting fields for orchards, judgment should be exercised 

 in relation to the subsoil as well as the surface. If the subsoil 

 be of such character as to retain the water it should be under- 

 drained before transplanting, for when water stands and be- 

 comes stagnant, as most certainly it will at the depth of twelve 

 or fifteen inches, thus far will roots extend, but they refuse to 

 go farther. At this stage the tree assumes a sickly appearance. 

 Now if drains be cut to the depth of thirty or thirty-six inches, 

 the water will be removed to that depth, thus opening passages 

 in the soil for the roots to make their researches at pleasure, 

 which again gives health and vigor to the tree. Draining soils 

 that are impervious to water is in effect giving a new soil to the 

 tree ; for W'hen once freed from constant pressure of stagnant 

 water the soil becomes drier, sweeter, looser and more friable. 



PreparcUion of Soil. — The year previous to transplanting, the 

 •field should be ploughed deep and well manured, and cultivated 

 witli some hoed crops ; at tlie time the trees are " set out," the 

 field should again be well ploughed and manured. In laying 

 out and staking the grounds the rows should be at least two 

 rods distant, and the trees in the rows the same ; if placed at a 

 less distance or only twenty-five feet, as has been done in many 

 cases, in twenty years the branches will interlock and produce 

 less fruit and of poorer quality, and finally prove an injury to 

 the orchard. 



The holes for transplanting should not be less than two feet 

 deep and six feet in diameter, and filled with compost made 

 from rich loam, decayed wood and leaves, and only a small 

 quantity of barn manure. The object of making the holes exten- 

 sive and filling w^ith rich compost is to give a loose rich soil for 

 the small roots to work in the first year or two. In planting 

 out the trees, instead of making a hollow to place the roots in, 

 construct a hillock to place them vpon, and all mutilated roots 

 should be cut ollf in a slanting direction on the under side be- 

 fore setting. Here again care should be taken in placing the 



