118 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Tree Culture. — In this, deep tillage is of paramount impor- 

 tance, and the time to do it is before any trees are transplanted. 

 We are draining between the rows of an old orchard, on very 

 tenacious soil — the only sub-treatment that can now be given 

 without too much injury to the roots. To " dig round and 

 dung " these trees has been as fruitless as in the case of the 

 ancient fig tree, which was doubtless on untrenched soil ! 

 Haste to get trees into the ground, to remain stinted for years, 

 and never after to thrive and produce as they would on prop- 

 erly-prepared land, is too often followed by regrets to the 

 present and subsequent owners and the early decay of the 

 trees. 



Our plan has been, to be four years preparing and planting 

 four acres. We allow the land trenched in one season to set- 

 tle till spring; then, after levelling and manuring, if needed, 

 when not previously done, set out the trees. If all was imper- 

 fectly done in one year, a great source of enjoyment would be 

 lost. Next to the gratification in observing the vigorous 

 growth of one year's labor is that of preparing for the next 

 plantation. Employment, useful and with an object, is essen- 

 tial to our happiness. 



Just now the universal caution is, not to plant deep. Why ? 

 Not because deep planting is not necessary in point of fact, but 

 for the reason that so many trees are buried in mere graves, to 

 die afterwards by stifling, thirst, and starvation. Where is 

 the tree or shrub, cereal or vegetable, that does not take deep 

 root if it can, and can find food there ? — yea, in preference to 

 superficial growing. Was there ever an old drain or vault not 

 permeated or filled with the roots of trees standing in the 

 vicinity ? We have found them eight feet from the surface. Who 

 has not noticed the rank growth of trees, briers, and weeds by 

 the railroad side? Rich loam and vegetable mould do not 

 abound there — mulching and manures are not applied. What 

 then is the cause but deep stirring and mingling of the earth, 

 its comparative light and porous condition, through which the 

 rains of heaven filter freely, imparting her special manures as 

 they descend, and descend but to return by the slow process 

 of capillary attraction, and by the very rootlets which feed 

 upon them ? 



