RECEIVING THE PLANTS 11 



to say that this field yielded little profit, except in 

 experience. 



The care of young plants when received from the 

 nursery is an important matter. If ordered from a dis- 

 tance it will seldom be convenient to plant them at 

 once. They should be unpacked as soon as received, 

 the bunches loosened enough to bring all the roots in 

 contact with earth when heeled -in, which should be 

 done on the north side of a building or in a cool cellar 

 in moist earth. A shallow trench should be opened 

 with one side somewhat slanting, laying the plants 

 against this side and covering the roots with earth, 

 which should be closely pressed about them. Tier af- 

 ter tier may be packed in this way. Plants so treated 

 will remain in a cool place with safety for some time. 

 If dry when received dousing the roots in water or thin 

 mud before heeling -in is advisable. Even burying the 

 plants entirely in the earth may assist them to recover. 



When well fitted the field should be marked and 

 furrows plowed the desired distance apart. If check- 

 rows are used the marking should be done in both di- 

 rections, to facilitate rapidity of planting, though fur- 

 rows need be plowed but one way. Most workmen will 

 make a straighter furrow if the land is previously 

 marked, though a good driver will plow them very 

 straight by using stakes and ranging with objects in 

 the fields beyond. 



Some successful growers recommend deep planting 

 for all bush-fruits, urging that plants set deep are 

 better able to withstand drought, and will stand up 

 better. The plants are set in the bottom of the fur- 



