Remarks on Planting Fruit Trees. 



65 



Our attention was attracted to this subject, some time ago, 

 while reading that excellent work, Loudon's Suburban Gar- 

 dener^ and it occurred to us that we would make it an article 

 for our pages, at an early opportunity; for we deem it one of 

 importance to every cultivator of fruits. From the observa- 

 tions we have made, it is scarcely necessary that we should 

 illustrate our remarks by engravings, but, as iSlr. Loudon has 

 done so, we copy the annexed drawings, to more fully explain 

 the error of deep planting. 



If we notice the appearance of vigorous trees, as they are 

 naturally found growing, their roots will invariably be found 

 near to, or upon, the surface of the ground, at the junction of 

 the main roots with the trunk, as here represented, (fig. 3,) 

 3 so as to form a sort of mound upon which 



the tree appears to stand. This would 

 seem to indicate, when we see thriving 

 oaks an hundred feet high, and of pro- 

 portionate size, that it should always be 

 imitated in cultivation, for nature gives 

 us useful lessons, and often points out 

 glaring defects. But this is not done: on the contrary, the 

 trees are planted in prepared soil; perhaps a large hole, dug 

 deep, and richly manured, and the soil thrown up as lightly as 

 possible, and as the earth settles down, the roots will be an 

 inch or two beneath the surface: and how many individuals 

 plant in this manner, so as to have a hollow around the stem, 

 to hold a pail or two of water. After a few years, if the 

 soil has been cropped and manured, the trees will have the 

 appearance of the annexed engraving, (fig. 4,) and the roots 

 will be covered with four or six inches of 4 



earth. Now the best manner of guard- 

 ing against this error, is to plant the trees 

 at first, on raised mounds, as in^^. 5, 

 5 



\> 



so that when the 

 earth sinks a- 

 round the roots, 



as it always will, they will still be 

 two or three inches above the level 

 of the garden. No trouble need be 

 experienced about watering, as a 

 basin may be easily formed around the stem, by raising up 

 a circle of earth, at the distance of a foot from the tree. 



