MAIDEN TREES 29 



the tree into position. Intelligent juniors, under supervision, 

 can very well be entrusted with this work and can pass over a large 

 quantity of trees in a week. 



Immersion is far more thorough than spraying, because no 

 matter how carefully the spraying may be done, curled and crinkled 

 leaves provide retreats where the spray cannot properly penetrate, 

 and to leave just a few such places with their pernicious occupants 

 is but to scotch the trouble and not to kill it. Even frequent 

 sprayings are not so effective as immersing and washing, and to 

 argue that it is quicker does not meet the necessities of the case. 

 Spraying does of necessity apply to larger and older trees where 

 immersion and washing are impracticable, but for these maiden 

 trees, every portion of which can easily be immersed, there is 

 nothing like the simpler and more thorough method here advo- 

 cated. 



Having done all that is possible for clean and healthy vegetation, 

 it is a simple matter to see that equally careful thought should be 

 given to the welfare of the roots. There is but one tool used for 

 this purpose, and that is the hoe, in some one of its varied forms. 

 Especially in a time of drought, when the lack of moisture arrests 

 growth, the timely hoeing between the trees will effectually counter- 

 act it, so that the progress is maintained. But apart from that, it 

 is quite surprising what a beneficial effect a good hoeing has upon 

 the roots, which is soon reflected in the top by the leaves putting 

 on a deeper and more leathery green and the glistening of the bark. 

 Strange to say, some people have difficulty in crediting the hoe with 

 so much, but experienced hands know that hoeing frequently is one 

 of the important and indispensable conditions in cultivating young 

 fruit trees. Let it not be neglected. 



In September, the trees have put on an inferior second growth, 

 which is no use to them permanently and is pruned off before spring. 

 All activity then ceases outwardly, though within the tree the sap is 

 slowly going back. The leaves ripen and fall, and our maiden trees 

 are before us, made or marred. In the spring it will be our 

 business to ascertain what form each individual tree has determined 

 for itself ; to modify it according to our own requirements, and to 

 assist the tree in making itself, by the judicious use of the knife. 

 But then, they are no longer maidens. 



