THE APPLE 21 



from where they are to be planted, it would be safer 

 to plant in the spring. It is the practice of many 

 orchardists to purchase trees in the fall, and heel them 

 in, as shown in Figure 10, where they willbe protected 

 during the winter and be ready for early planting in the 

 spring. The soil for this purpose should be light and 

 porous and the surface water should be prevented from 

 settling in about the roots. 



PLANTING THE TREES 



Having the holes dug, the trees pruned and every- 

 thing in readiness, the most important part of the work 

 is now to be done. Only a few trees should be exposed 

 to the weather at once, unless on a moist, cloudy 

 day. Three men are required to do the work most 

 rapidly and thoroughly; one to put the tree in place, 

 spread out the roots and press the soil in and about 

 the roots; and two with spades, one of whom carries 

 the planting board. Perhaps ten trees are dropped in 

 place, when man No. 1 takes up a tree, while No. 2 

 fixes the planting board. Figure 5, with the end notches 

 against the two stakes. No. 1 now places the trunk 

 of the tree against the middle notch of the planting 

 board and spreads out the roots in a natural position, 

 while No. 3 is ready to throw in some rich, fine surface 

 soil, working it in about the roots so that it shall 

 be everywhere in contact with them, and after being 

 covered with three inches of soil, pressing the soil 

 down firmly with the foot. As soon as the tree is in 

 its proper place, No. 2 throws his planting board to 

 the next hole, takes up his spade and assists in filling 

 up the hole and leveling off the surface soil about the 

 tree. The soil should be pressed very firmly in contact 

 with the roots, but that on the surface should be left 

 a? light and loose as possible. 



