74 TRANSPLANTING. 



make a small, compact, smooth earth mound nearly a foot 

 high, around the stem of each young orchard tree. 



6. The roots of a tree extend nearly as far on each side as 

 the height of the tree ; and hence to dig it up by cutting a cir- 

 cle with a spade half a foot in diameter, cuts ofE more than 

 nine-tenths of the roots. 



7. Watering a tree in dry weather affords but temporary re- 

 lief, and often does more harm than good, by crusting the sur- 

 face. Keeping the surface constantly mellow is much more 

 valuable and important — or if this cannot be done, mulch well. 

 If watering is ever done from necessity, remove the top earth, 

 pour in the water, and then replace the earth — then mulch, or 

 keep the surface very mellow. 



8. Shrivelled trees may be made plump before planting, by 

 covering tops and all with earth for several days. 



9. Young trees may be manured to great advantage by 

 spreading manure over the roots as far as they extend, or over 

 a circle whose radius is equal to the height of the tree, in 

 autumn or early winter, and spading this manure in spring. 



10. Never set young trees in a grass field, or among wheat, 

 or other sowed grain. Clover is still worse, as the roots grow 

 deep, and rob the tree-roots. The whole surface should be 

 clean and mellow ; or if any crops are suffered, they should be 

 potatoes, carrots, turnips, or other low-hoed crops. 



11. Constant, clean, and mellow cultivation is absolutely 

 necessary at all times for the successful growth of the peach- 

 tree, at any age ; it is as necessary for a young plum-tree, but 

 not quite so much so for an old one; it is nearly as essential 

 for a young apple-tree, but much less so for an old orchard ; and 

 still less necessary for a middle-aged cherry-tree. 



Distances for Planting Trees. 



Persons about to plant orchards and fruit-gardens are often 

 at a loss to know the most suitable distances to place the trees. 

 The guiding rule should be to allow space enough that when 

 the trees attain full size, the sun's rays may freely enter on each 

 side. The roots as well as the tops should have free space. 

 As a general rule, the tops should never approach nearer than 

 one-half their diameter. 



