24 FRUIT CULTURE. 



worse than useless, as likely to decay, and also as 

 preventing the even packing of the soil among 

 the roots. Many kinds of roots will endure 

 hours of exposure to the air, or even to the sun, 

 and to cold, drying winds, without being killed. 

 But it is folly to permit results which are sure 

 to follow such want of care. A feeble life is the 

 worst that can befall a tree. Better that it 

 should die outright than continue without mak- 

 ing a good start the second year. In order to 

 this it is necessary to keep the roots from the 

 air, as well as from the sun, except for the brief 

 time necessary in doing the work. Trees should 

 not be transported in open wagons without hav- 

 ing their roots covered and kept moist. They 

 may stand in a damp cellar over night, if their 

 roots are sprinkled, but it is better to "heel" 

 them into the ground even for this short time. 

 Trees may outlive a great deal of abuse, but it is 

 wretched economy to create an enfeebled condi- 

 tion at the outset. The pleasure in orcharding 

 depends entirely upon securing thrift and vigor. 

 How to Plant. Kules for planting are sim- 

 ple. All bruised roots are to be cut away, and 

 also the broken ends of the roots are to have a 

 clean cut, with such a slant that when the tree 

 stands in the hole the cut surface shall press on 

 the surface of the soil and be entirely hidden 



