THE HOME FRUIT- GARDEN. 29' 



Planting Fruit-trees, Vines, and Plants. 



The best time and the methods of planting have already 

 been discussed on pages 53 to 61, which see. All trees 

 should have been ordered in the fall or very early in the 

 spring, and everything possible be in readiness for planting 

 when the trees arrive. Trees or plants never should be 

 planted when the soil is so full of moisture as to be sticky or 

 compact into solid masses when pressed, but be in condition 

 to crumble finely when turned over with the spade or plow. 

 The subsoil thrown out in digging the holes should never 

 be put close about the roots, but after planting be spread 

 about on the surface and only good soil be used about the 

 roots. 



Forming the Head and Pruning. 



When trees are set closely and where small fruits are 

 planted between them, the head or main branches must be 

 carried higher than if only trees were planted in order to 

 facilitate comfortable working among them. The main 

 branches in this case must be started about 5 feet from the 

 ground. On the lawn and where nothing is grown under 

 the trees the branches may start at 2 or 3 feet from the 

 ground unless it is desired to have them higher for shade or 

 for obtaining views under the branches. If used as a screen, 

 it is desirable to have them branch from the ground up, and 

 low-headed trees are much more easily cared for, the fruit 

 more easily gathered, and they will generally live longer. 



The amount of after-pruning required, if properly formed 

 at planting, is very small if the trees have full exposure on 

 all sides; and if the trees are examined several times during 



