ORCHARD MANAGEMENT 123 



them. The purchaser then has an opportunity to see the 

 trees before he orders them. Furthermore, nurserymen are 

 likely to feel more responsibility for trees to be planted in 

 their own locality than for those to be shipped to a distance. 

 Trees which are true to variety must be obtained. It is very 

 disappointing and expensive to purchase trees and care for 

 them until they come into bearing and then learn that they 

 are of some other variety than that desired. Trees should be 

 of the proper size for the variety at the time of setting out. 

 They should be of the correct age. The most satisfactory age 

 for most varieties is one year from the bud or graft. Some 

 growers prefer trees of certain varieties to be two years old. 

 In any case, the older the tree the greater the shock in trans- 

 planting. The trees should be smooth and straight, with a 

 good top and root system, and should be entirely free from 

 disease or insect pests. The laws requiring trees sold or 

 shipped to be inspected by competent commissioners have 

 been of great service in preventing the spread of diseases and 

 insects by the sale of nursery stock, but the grower should 

 examine carefully all the trees he receives before they are 

 planted. 



200. Care of nursery stock. After the trees are dug, the 

 roots should not be allowed to become dry. Care should be 

 taken in shipping and hauling not to expose the roots reck- 

 lessly. It is seldom that the grower is ready to plant the trees 

 as soon as they arrive. Immediately on receiving the trees, 

 he should unpack them and "heel them in." A trench is dug 

 in a well-drained shady place, the roots are placed in it with 

 the tops lying at an angle and the soil is then packed around 

 the roots and the lower portion of the tops. This not only 

 keeps the roots moist, but prevents the tops from starting 

 prematurely. 



201. Laying out and staking the orchard. Whenever 

 possible, the orchard should be laid out in rectangular form. 

 Stakes are driven where the trees are to be placed, so that they 



