STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 49 



hard}- fruits, such as the apple, b}' enriching. Nothing for general 

 use is equal to stable manure for the basis. The same composted 

 with peat, muck or turf, with a mixture of ashes and bone meal will 

 be found to give uniform and satisfactor}- results. After the soil is 

 prepared as above, stake the ground in rows forty feet apart each 

 way, then one in the center of ever}- square, being careful to make 

 the rows as straight as possible. Make an excavation where every 

 stake stands, in the fall, if possible, from one and one-half to two 

 and one-half feet deep, according to circumstances, and three or four 

 feet in diameter. In early spring, after the trees have been (;arefully 

 lifted in the nursery as recommended, set in straight lines about as 

 deep as when standing in the nursery, having one person to hold 

 the trees nearl}' upright (inclining a little to the westward, if any- 

 thing, and another to straighten the fibrous roots in natural position, 

 and at the same time filling in with fine soil, gently pressing it at 

 the top. It is well to fasten the trees, after the planting is com- 

 pleted, to stakes, for a year or two, until the roots get a good hold 

 of the soil. It is well, also, to make use of some kind of mulching, 

 to prevent the too free evaporation of moisture. 



I have pointed out what I believe to be the proper course to 

 pursue, as far as it goes, to insure success. The old maxim is, 

 " "Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well." Probably 

 no truer words were ever uttered. 



Of the thousands of trees which are ever^^ year planted out in all 

 parts of the country', it is safe to say that more are lost from neg- 

 lected after-culture than from all other causes together. Some destroy 

 their trees by crowding the roots into small holes cut out of a sod, 

 where, if the}' live, the}- have but a stunted and feeble existence, 

 like the half-starved cattle of a neglectful farmer ; others set them 

 out well, and then consider their labors ended. They use no 

 dressing of any kind, and sutler them to be choked with grass aud 

 weeds. I say again, give young trees a good mulching and keej) 

 the grass and weeds out after planting. In winter it excludes frost, 

 and in summer it prevents the evaporation of moisture and tlie 

 effects of drouth. 



WIIKN TO MAXUllE AN ORCIIAHD. 



Tlie answer must be according to circumstances. Tlie exuniina- 

 tion or analysis of the soil will be of little use. but the trees will tell 

 their own story. If the soil is so rich that they make annual .shoots 

 4 



