THE COUNTRY HOME [chapter 



trees with a strong compost made of barn manure, 

 ashes and Kme. 



Nearly all orchards are seriously injured by lack 

 of foresight in planting. The trees are set too close 

 together, and when they are grown their limbs not 

 only interfere, but shade the fruit, so that it is rare- 

 ly perfect and high-colored. A good apple cannot 

 grow in the shade. It must be made of sunshine 

 and fresh air. Many of the enemies of the apple 

 work only in the shade, especially the tripeta fly. 

 The true distance for planting apple trees is about 

 thirty-five feet apart — better forty, with plums 

 and cherries intermediary. 



If you set fruit trees in the fall, it must be only 

 when the soil is dry and easily workable. After 

 the tree is set it should be staked in, and firmly 

 tied with very coarse twine or bast. Leave the 

 dirt somewhat mounded, so that the water cannot 

 settle about the tree during the winter. Pound 

 down the dirt, except a few shovelfuls which may 

 be left loose on the top, over which spread the 

 mulch. Be sure not to wait until the moisture is 

 dried out of the loose top soil, but apply the mulch 

 at once. This is particularly needful when plant- 

 ing is done in the spring. The whole difference 



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