282 The Principles of Fruit-growing. 
sonal problem to apprehend and to. solve. He should 
not be discouraged, therefore, if he does not secure 
the desired results from the treatment of his land 
within the first two or three years. 
THE GENERAL CARE OF THE PLANTS. 
Staking young ftrees.—If fruit trees are stocky 
and well planted, and if the land is deep and in 
good condition, it will rarely be necessary to stake 
them. The staking of an orchard is generally an 
indication of poor trees or poor management at 
some point. It occasionally happens, however, that 
trees must be staked to enable them to overcome 
some accident or injury, as breaking by heavy 
winds, or ice, or other means. When it is neces- 
sary to stake trees, it is ordinarily preferable to drive 
a stout stake upon two sides and then to bind the 
tree firmly to each of these stakes, in order to keep 
it from whipping. The best bandage is one of 
burlaps or other strong, soft cloth, cut in strips two 
or three inches wide and firmly tied about the tree. 
Just as soon as the tree has recovered from its 
injury or weakness, the support should be removed. 
Trees which have blown over, but which have not 
been broken completely off, may be severely headed- 
in and tied up in this manner, often with the very 
best results. The wounded and _ broken surfaces 
should be thoroughly covered with some antiseptic 
wash or paint. 
Sun-scald.—It is often necessary, especially in 
