152 THE BOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



The following general notes on planting apply for the most 

 part to all the bush and tree fruits mentioned above. They 

 indicate the present practice as followed by the most experienced 

 growers. Readers should, however, consult the reports issued 

 from the Woburn Experimental Fruit Station under the super- 

 vision of the Duke of Bedford and Mr. Spencer Pickering. Their 

 results are not in harmony with the common practice as regards 

 planting, and go to show that a method of planting which 

 seriously checks the tree's root system may give a better result 

 as regards fruit production. Further experiments in methods of 

 planting in a variety of soils and climates are required, and such 

 experiments are very suitable for inclusion in a course of evening 

 school gardening. 



NOTES ON PLANTING 



(i) Bushes and trees should be planted when in the resting 

 stage, and preferably in October and November. 



(ii) Do not expose the roots to evaporation in the air. 



(iii) Cut off with a clean cut all torn roots, and also cut off all 

 large roots which tend to grow vertically downwards. 



(iv) In preparing the hole in which the tree is to be planted 

 see that it has a diameter at least one foot longer than the 

 diameter of the mass of roots. 



(v) Dig out the hole to a depth varying with the kind of tree 

 or bush to be planted, but such that, when covered in the tree, 

 will be at the same depth in the soil as when it was taken up by 

 the nurseryman. This will generally mean a depth of about one 

 foot. Having removed the soil to this depth, dig over the under 

 soil so as to provide a well broken substratum ; over this spread 

 a little of the top soil. 



(vi) Place the tree in position, spread out the roots so that 

 they may occupy their natural position, and carefully crumble 

 over them some more soil, taking care that it is worked in between 

 the roots and is in close contact with them. Shovel in a little 

 more soil so as to cover them and tread it down lightly. Fill 

 in the remainder of the soil and again tread it down, but not 

 hard. There should be no farmyard manure or pieces of turf in 

 contact with the roots of the newly planted tree. When all the 



