PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 2*13 



of the European nations are in advance of us in this branch of 

 industry. Besides, we have no patience; when we undertake to 

 plant trees we hurry through the job. If it is well done, so be 

 it ; if poorly done, we blame somebody (generally the poor nur- 

 seryman), but never ourselves. 



As fall planting of trees is the question for to-day, it may be 

 asked, "Is the fall of the year the best time to plant trees?" 

 To which question we would answer, "Yes, for some kinds, but 

 not for all." We would never plant evergreen trees in the fall, 

 but always late in the spring, just at the time they commence to 

 grow. Apples, pears, hardy ornamental trees and shrubs, we 

 would plant in the fall, provided our soil was well drained either 

 naturally or artificially. If trees are planted in wet, heavy soil 

 in the fall, the roots are very likely to rot or be very much 

 injured before spring. 



When trees are planted in the fall, in suitable soil, the w^ounds 

 that are made on the roots while being transplanted become 

 healed over, a callosity is formed, from which or near which the 

 new roots put forth. It is a disputed point among vegetable 

 physiologists whether the callous which is formed on the root is 

 indispensable in ihe formation of new roots. But one thing we 

 do know, and that is it seems to be natural for plants to form this 

 callous before they emit new roots. 



We make cuttings of hardy trees and shrubs in the fall, for we 

 have found that cuttings made at this time root much more 

 readily than if deferred until spring. This is evidently owing 

 to two causes ; first, they are not exposed to the cold, by which 

 they lose much of their vitality and power of emitting roots 

 from the alburnum or inner bark, which is always more or less 

 injured by severe cold ; second, when cut and put away in a dark 

 place, and where the frost does not reach them, they are placed 

 in a position to commence the change from branches to roots, 

 which they must undergo, if they live. Now, it takes time for a 

 plant to make this change, and it is evident that we had better 

 give plenty of time than too little. Further, roots will form at 

 a much lower temperature than that at which leaves are pro- 

 duced, and owing to this fact we can have our plants rooted and 

 ready to furnish nourishment to the leaves as soon as they put 

 forth. 



Trees transplanted in the fall and the roots properly prepared, 

 cutting off all broken parts, and smoothing the ends with a sharp 



[Am. Inst.] R 



