FRUIT TREES. Chap. II. 51 



It would be better to remove a few inches of earth extending two or two-&-a-half feet 

 from both sides of the base of the tree, replace it with a layer of straw litter or ferns three 

 or four inches thick, water it with two or three pailfuls of water, and toss the earth back 

 on top of it. If the length of the dry spell requires repeated waterings, the earth must be 

 removed before each new watering & replaced afterwards, so that it will remain dry & 

 friable and won't crack and allow sunlight in. This kind of help can be given to the trees 

 while they're being planted. It will be needed from time to time in this type of terrain 

 beyond the first few years after planting. It would be superfluous & perhaps even harmful 

 in fresh or moist soil. 



It's not unusual for newly planted trees, especially those that take root slowly & 

 languish, to be attacked by vine grubs & other insects that devour the buds & the bark 

 around wounds. This debilitates the trees & often kills them. Look for them behind 

 trellises or at the bases of the trees under small clumps of earth, or catch them in the act 

 around sunrise & sunset, and destroy them. Grafts can be protected by covering them 

 with well closed paper cornets. 



