12 Fruit Culture, 



make cross furrows first, the distance at which you want to 

 set, then plow the distance the other way, and where you 

 wish to have your water run, dig holes larger and deeper 

 than is required. As freshly stirred ground is a big advan- 

 tage, take your trees as fast as you are ready for them from 

 the heel. Cutting the tops back is beneficial, but in all 

 cases pay attention to the roots ; be sure and cut off all the 

 bruised roots; look at them carefully, and if the ends have 

 begun to kill back, cut till you come to good, sound, 

 healthy wood, then fill up your hole with top dirt till your 

 tree will set as deep, or perhaps an inch deeper, than it did 

 in the nursery. Set your tree in, throw in your dirt, and if 

 the ground is damp enough tread it well, being careful to 

 have it solid next the crown so no air can get in ; throw a 

 little loose dirt over the tramping, and you are done. Do 

 not hill up to them." 



The following instructions are given by D. S. Grimes : 

 In planting trees the holes should be of sufficient size to 

 admit the roots in a natural position, without bending or 

 cramping. Pare off with a sharp knife all broken or bruised 

 roots, sloping from the underside. Do not suffer the roots 

 to become dry ; the small fibres are the feeders, the large 

 roots holding the tree in place. Fresh manure placed in 

 direct contact with the roots is injurious and dangerous. Cut 

 back the tops in proportion to the loss of roots in digging, 

 say one-third. Place the heaviest part of the top of the 

 tree to the south-west, or about where the two o'clock sun 

 will strike the trunk. A stave or stake driven on that side 

 will prove a good protection against the scorching rays of 

 the sun, which kills more trees than the cold. 



As regards the proper time to plant, there is a differ- 

 ence of opinion. Some favor spring, others regard the fall 

 as the best time. J. W. Cook favors the latter method. Mr. 

 J. H. Newcomb says that unless in very protected localities 

 he advises planting in spring as early as trees can be pro- 

 cured, in case there is sufficient moisture; otherwise as soon 



