246 FRUIT GROWING 



In selecting varieties for the home fruit garden, quality 

 is the most desirable characteristic. The commercial 

 fruit grower must carefully consider hardiness, produc- 

 tiveness, and shipping qualities. These are not so im- 

 portant to the home fruit grower. 



Heeling-in. When the trees arrive from the nursery, 

 they should be unpacked as soon as possible and heeled-in. 

 This consists in selecting a well-drained spot along the 

 north side of a building, fence, or woods, and digging a 

 trench large enough to accommodate the roots of the trees 

 without crowding. The trees are then set in this trench, 

 facing the north and slanting at an angle of about forty- 

 five degrees. The soil is then packed firmly about the 

 roots to keep them in a moist condition. At no time 

 should the roots be exposed to the sun or drying winds. 

 It is essential at planting time to keep them covered with 

 soil, moist burlap, or in water until ready for use. 



The Time for Planting. -- The spring is usually the best 

 time to plant an orchard. In some localities, fall planting 

 is also successful, but if a severe winter follows, the trees 

 are liable to injury from freezing. If spring planting is 

 practiced, it is desirable to get the trees set as early as the 

 ground can be worked. The cool moist spring days per- 

 mit the tree to become established before the warm dry 

 summer sets in. 



Preparation of Soil. --The method of preparing the 

 soil depends upon its nature, texture, and fertility. If the 

 land is in sod it is a good plan to plant it with some culti- 

 vated crop for a season or two before setting the trees. 

 This brings the soil into a uniform and mellow condition. 

 If the soil is shallow or contains a stiff hard pan near the 

 surface, this should be loosened up as deeply as possible 



