THE HOME FRUIT-GARDEN. 295 



man who has the varieties wanted growing on his grounds. 

 Those selected should be young and vigorous, and it will 

 generally be better for the purchaser to go to the nursery 

 during the growing season and make his selection, having 

 them marked for delivery when they are wanted, or if in- 

 experienced in such matters the selection may be left with 

 reliable nurserymen, specifying that the stock shall be of 

 good size, young, and vigorous. Travelling agents, unless 

 known to the purchaser, should not be patronized. 



If the local nurseryman has not the stock wanted, a 

 specific order stating the variety, age, and size of trees or 

 plants wanted sent in early to any of the many reliable 

 nurserymen will be certain to receive prompt attention. 

 If the quantity ordered is not large, such orders should be 

 sent by express, as small packages sent by freight are often 

 delayed in transportation. 



Preparation of the Land. 



If the land is new, i.e., if it has been in turf for some 

 time or if under neglect, and the preparation can be begun 

 in the fall, deep plowing should be done by following the 

 common plow with the trench- or subsoil-plow, whereby the 

 soil may be loosened from 15 to 20 inches deep. This will 

 make a light soil more retentive of moisture and a heavy 

 soil more porous and furnish a deep and well-pulverized 

 bed for the roots to penetrate. 



Digging the Holes for Planting. 



In digging the holes for the reception of the trees, where 

 the land has been deeply worked as above, only a space 

 large enough to hold the roots fully spread out need be 



