APPLE ORCHARDS. 117 



roots in their natural order, and the fnie compost sprinkled in 

 and about the roots through fingers till the tree will stand of 

 itself. It is well to be thus careful in setting trees, as the roots 

 send out fibres in all directions through the soil for food. 



Great mistakes are frequently, made in selecting trees from 

 the nursery ; trees of poor quality are purchased for the reason 

 that they are cheap, and the argument is used that they will do 

 about as well in the end. Now it is more economical to make a 

 journey of twenty miles and purchase the best trees in a good 

 nursery, and pay thirty or even forty cents, than to have very 

 indifferent ones brought to the field and given. 



It would also pay the expense to make this journey and take 

 charge in removing the trees and spend hours in the work, 

 than have them taken up as they frequently are in as many 

 minutes, with broken and mutilated trunks and roots. A large 

 amount of good roots is of more consequence than fine-looking 

 trunks and heads ; and all trees should be set as soon as possible 

 after being taken from the nursery, while their rootlets are yet 

 soft and tender. If trees cannot be set out till the roots become 

 dry and withered, some planters have recommended to bury 

 trees, root and branch, for a day or two, till the buds become 

 plump and the roots soft ; and if the transplanting can be done 

 in a cloudy or misty day, " all the better " ; and above all, we 

 should say to the young farmer or orchardist, beware of itiner- 

 ant tree peddlers who are able to make a good display and talk 

 of new varieties, and perhaps give their large experience as 

 orchardists, when they never cared for or set out the first tree. 



Mulching, says Mr. Barry, of Mount Hope nurseries, should 

 be looked upon as an indispensable operation in all cases. It 

 consists in laying on the surface of the ground around the trees, 

 to the distance of three feet or so, a covering of half-decom- 

 posed manure, sawdust, spent tan bark, etc., two or three inches 

 deep. This prevents the moisture from evaporating, and main- 

 tains a uniformity of heat which is highly favorable to the 

 growth of new roots ; it also prevents the growth of weeds 

 around the trees, and obviates the necessity of hoeing, dressing 

 or watering during the season ; a deep mulching should always 

 be given to fall planting to prevent the frost penetrating the 

 roots or drawing up the tree. 



Captain Pierce, of Arlington, says he would rather pay forty 



