264 Planting Trees. 



concerning the depth to which they should be planted ; for trees too deeply 

 set will either die completely, or struggle along for some years until they 

 can throw out roots higher up, nearer the surface, after which they will 

 usually begin to grow. Dwarf pear-trees budded high are an exception to 

 this rule ; for as it is very desirable to get all the quince-wood below the 

 surface, out of the way of the borers, it brings the roots quite low. In such 

 a case, of the two evils choose the least, and plant deep ; for the quince 

 throws out roots very readily, and, in a season or two, will be furnished 

 with a new set of roots at the proper depth. 



When the ground is well prepared, and the holes dug of the proper 

 depth, and the trees selected of the best size, the important work of plant- 

 ing begins. Fruit-trees two or three years old, and six or seven feet high, 

 are the very best size to plant ; though some, who wish to train them very 

 carefully, prefer to take maiden trees, or those only one year from the bud; 

 while still others would have very large ones. Whenever a tree is trans- 

 planted, and the roots are roughly cut with the spade, it is better to pare 

 off smoothly the ends of all the large roots, that they may the more readily 

 throw out little fibrous roots to support and nourish the tree. This cannot 

 be so easily done when large trees are moved with a ball of frozen earth. 

 Cut the root obliquely, as that will give a larger surface for the formation 

 of rootlets. There is a difference of opinion among the best judges as to 

 the expediency of heading in or cutting back the top of the tree when set. 

 We have practised both ways with entire success ; but we are of the opin- 

 ion that it is best to shorten in the top of a tree when transplanted. This 

 remark, of course, will not apply to evergreens, shrubs, or ornamental trees, 

 to any great extent, but particularly to fruit-trees and grape-vines. Many 

 of the roots having necessarily been lost in the removal of the tree, we 

 would remove a part of the top to restore the equilibrium, to promote a more 

 uniform and better growth, to strengthen the trees, and to render them less 

 top-heavy, and, consequently, less liable to be blown about by the winds. 



If the tree has been frequently transplanted, and is furnished with a great 

 many fibrous roots, and is already of good shape, and not too tall, it may 

 be better not to shorten in. 



The work of planting should not be left to ignorant or careless work- 

 men, but should either be performed by the owner or some trusty man well 



