Planning and Planting the Orchard 39 



get a two-year-old graft properly headed, it is a very 

 satisfactory tree to plant. With equal chances, it makes 

 as good if not better growth than the yearling bud during 

 the first season in the orchard, and gives equally as good 

 "stands." Unless the purchaser is quite sure, however, 

 that the two-year-olds are well headed, he should buy the 

 yearlings instead. First-class one-year-old budded trees 

 probably give as good satisfaction as any. 



In the arid states, at least, the age of the tree at the 

 time of setting seems to have little to do with the age at 

 which the orchard comes into bearing, so that one really 

 gains nothing in setting trees too large to start well. 



June-budded peach trees from southern nurseries have 

 been extensively planted in some parts of the inter-moun- 

 tain states, and have generally given good satisfaction. 

 The tree is rather immature and, unless carefully packed 

 for shipment, the tops dry out and the buds refuse to start 

 except from near the base. In buying such stock, the 

 grower should order trees of good size, and insist on their 

 reaching him in good condition. After he receives them, 

 it is to his interest to see that they are well handled. 

 Should they arrive early, and it be necessary to heel them 

 in until the land is prepared, or until the weather is favor- 

 able for planting, the greater part of the top as well as the 

 roots should be well covered with moist earth. 



The grower has a right to insist that his trees be free 

 from insect pests and injurious diseases. If he orders 

 first-class trees, he has a right to expect them to be such, 

 and if he orders second-class trees, he generally takes 

 what comes. Do not expect, however, every first-class 

 tree to be absolutely straight, or those of all varieties to be 



