PRUITTREE3. 95 



the nature of the soil. Apply manure generously. Raise a crop of 

 corn or potatoes on green sward. The next season, manure again, if 

 necessary, and sow the ground with oats. Just after your oats are 

 sowed, plant your trees in the soil thus rendered mellow and enriched 

 by manure, in which, the roots can move freely and find nourishment. 

 The oats will protect the trees against the great heat of the sun, and 

 the roots dying will afford them nourishment. The soil formed of 

 turf is appropriate to the nourishment of the roots of the trees. 



IV. Plant tour trees cakefueey. In taking them up, see 

 to it, that the spade does its office by digging a circular trench around 

 each tree, near the end of the roots, which radiate from the trunk or 

 stem. Dig under the ends of the roots towards the trunk or body, 

 without wounding them. Raise each, successively, commencing at 

 the extremity, and the whole gently Avithout tearing them. Keep 

 the roots moist until they are transferred to their new habitation. 

 Dig the hole so large that the roots will not be cramped. If there is 

 any difference between the surface soil and that at the bottom of the 

 hole, let the two be kept separate. Lay the surface soil next to the 

 roots and the soil taken from the bottom, on the surface. Some cul- 

 tivators apply a stratum of well-rotted manure between the two kinds 

 of soil ; but not in contact with the roots. Apply water to the roots 

 after the surface soil is placed on them. The time for doing this in 

 our country and climate is generally best in the spring, just after the 

 buds have begun to swell, rather than in the autumn, though some 

 kinds of trees succeed well Avhen planted in the latter season, if 

 proper care be taken in transplanting them. 



V. Tend your trees carefuley. For the first few years it 

 is advantageous to keep the ground in cultivation, at least occasion- 

 ally. Trim judiciously, not severely, unless the grape is an exception 

 to the rule. The small branches can be taken off at any time of the 

 year. The large branches seem more readily to harden and to be 

 kept from decay until grown over, when trimmed in the winter. A 

 strong soap suds or a very weak solution of potash applied to the 

 body of certain trees, like the apple and pear, is recommended for 

 giving them a smooth bark. Keep cattle away, but let in pigs and 

 poultry, when it can conveniently be done, as it may sometimes. 

 Our limits will not allow us to point out the various modes of de- 

 fending them from their insect enemies. We will venture to suggest 

 a repetition of a series of experiments, tried by one of our number, 

 ten or fifteen years since, which appeared to be eminently efficacious 

 in destroying insect life. Sulphur intimately mingled with quick- 



