CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 



269 



BAD PLANTING 



bases of the stems. When the work is finished the roots nearest to the 

 surface of the ground should be at least four or five inches deep. Many 

 cultivators prepare the holes several weeks before planting time, an excel- 

 lent plan. The soil is taken out as above mentioned, a few barrow-loads 

 of new soil are added, the subsoil (that at the bottom) well broken up, 

 and the hole is refilled. Thus, by the time the trees are ready for plant- 

 ing the soil has returned to 

 its normal level and the trees 

 are in no danger of sinking 

 too low after planting. If, 

 however, the trees are made 

 firm in ground that has only 

 been recently prepared there 

 is little danger of their sink- 

 ing low enough to affect their 

 welfare. If the hole be two 

 feet deep, with the subsoil 

 well turned over, the former 

 must be filled in such a way 

 that the tree when placed 

 therein is at its proper depth, 



as shown by the soil-mark on the stem, indicating how deep it had 

 been previously. Say, for instance, that it was necessary to fill the 

 hole twelve inches for this purpose, one or two barrow-loads of fresh 

 soil should be mixed with the natural soil taken out, and a sufficient 

 quantity of both returned together. Make this quite firm by treading 

 it well down, and place upon the top a thin covering of new soil. 

 Remove all bruised and broken ends of roots with a sharp knife by 

 making an upward slanting cut. The root fibres that push from the 



upper portion of the cut 

 end will then remain near 

 the surface and not tend to 

 grow downwards, as when 

 the cut is made in the 

 opposite direction. When 

 the hole is ready to receive 

 the tree the soil therein 

 should be raised a little in 

 the centre, so that when 

 the tree is planted the 

 roots slope slightly towards 

 the sides of the hole. 



In planting, be careful 

 to place a few of the roots 



in at a time. When the lowest of all have been spread out carefully, 

 cover them over with fresh soil. Throw the soil to the base of the stem, 

 and with the hand draw it gently towards the extremities of the roots, 

 which are then kept in position, and the soil is well worked in amongst 

 them. Make this quite firm, and follow the same practice precisely with 



GOOD PLANTING : ROOTS CAREFULLY 

 SPREAD OUT 



