THE COUNTRY HOME [CHAPTER 
trees with a strong compost made of barn manure, 
ashes and lime. 
Nearly all orchards are seriously injured by lack 
of foresight in planting. The trees are set too close 
together, and when they are grown their limbs not 
only interfere, but shade the fruit, so that it is rare- 
ly perfect and high-colored. A good apple cannot 
grow in the shade. It must be made of sunshine 
and fresh air. Many of the enemies of the apple 
work only in the shade, especially the tripeta fly. 
The true distance for planting apple trees is about 
thirty-five feet apart—better forty, with plums 
and cherries intermediary. 
If you set fruit trees in the fall, it must be only 
when the soil is dry and easily workable. After 
the tree is set it should be staked in, and firmly 
tied with very coarse twine or bast. Leave the 
dirt somewhat mounded, so that the water cannot 
settle about the tree during the winter. Pound 
down the dirt, except a few shovelfuls which may 
be left loose on the top, over which spread the 
mulch. Be sure not to wait until the moisture is 
dried out of the loose top soil, but apply the mulch 
at once. ‘This is particularly needful when plant- 
ing is done in the spring. The whole difference 
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