PREPARATION OF SOIL FOR ORCHARD. 225 



tie the fine soil about the roots very effectually ; fresh 

 earth should always be thrown on after the water, to pre- 

 vent the surface from being caked and cracked. 



The depth at which the tree should be planted is a ques- 

 tion of interest. Most authorities and most successful 

 planters endeavor to regulate this, so that, when settled, 

 the original collar of the young tree may be at the surface 

 of the ground ; deep planting has few advocates. The 

 position of the tree as to the points of the compass, is now 

 believed to be a matter of very little moment, although 

 there are still those who insist that the north side of the 

 tree in the nursery row should be made to occupy the 

 same position in the orchard. With low-headed trees this 

 can make no Difference ; no others are recommended ; on 

 the contrary, if, unfortunately, none but tall trees with 

 naked stems can be procured, it is advised to cut them 

 back severely at planting time, so as to form a new head 

 where wanted. Those who have not the heart to cut back 

 a fine tree, may attempt and will sometimes succeed in 

 bringing out branches below, by nicking the bark with a 

 large sharp p run ing-knife, at several points along the stem, 

 on all sides, but especially to the southwest, where the 

 shelter of the branches is most needed. This, however, 

 requires us to wait at least one season, and that the most 

 trying one to the young tree, during which the naked bark 

 is exposed to the sun and insects ; and the winds may add 

 to the difficulty, by inclining the stem from the southwest. 

 All this may be avoided by planting trees with low 

 branches, which are becoming more and more common 

 as their merits are more highly appreciated. Some of the 

 most judicious planters, especially in windy districts, have 

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