404 Remarks on the Ribston Pippin. 



summer drought; and last, but not least, the fruit would 

 be larger and finer, and would not ripen so early by a fort- 

 night or three weeks. 



A rich deep soil, rather wet than dry, is best adapted for 

 the apple tree; land half covered with rocks, that cannot 

 be Avell cultivated with the plough, would l3e a desirable 

 locality, especially in a dry season, as the trees would not 

 suffer so much with drought. 



As almost every farmer professes to be well acquainted 

 with the taking up and transplanting of an apple tree, it 

 appears to be altogether superfluous to say any thing on 

 this part of the business ; nevertheless, I will venture to 

 make a few remarks. It would be very much for the in- 

 terest of the purchaser of trees to have some person to su- 

 perintend the drawing of them from the ground, — for this 

 important operation is often performed as the name imports, 

 that is. drawing the roots out of the ground regardless of 

 consequences, mangling, twisting, bruising and breaking 

 them. From such rash treatment what more can be rea- 

 sonably expected than a weak puny growth after the tree 

 is set out, for it often is set more like a post than a living 

 tree, cramped up with its mutilated roots, and the earth 

 pressed down upon them quite solid ; there the tree remains, 

 for it is firmly set, and if it does not die about midsummer, 

 it may linger along in a feeble state — for to grow, it cannot 

 be for a moment expected, after such unmerciful treatment. 

 In order to be successful in the transplanting of trees, as 

 many of the roots as possible should be taken up with it 

 uninjured ; and if holes are dug out, they ought to be three 

 times as large as the roots will extend at the time of plant- 

 ing. It is a bad practice to dig deep into the subsoil, for it 

 must be remembered that the nearer the roots are to the 

 surface, the better for the future health and well doing of 

 the tree. When the ground is well dug up and broken 

 and all is in readiness for commencing the operation of 

 planting, set the tree in its place, hold it firm in its proper 

 position, and have the earth put on the roots as you arrange 

 them in regular order, leading them out to their full length, 

 and at regular distances, tier above tier, until you come to 

 the surface, pressing the earth down with your hand, as 

 you go on, amongst the roots; there will be no need of 

 stamping the earth down with your feet, but if the trees are 

 large, a gentle pressure with the foot may be necessary. 



