76 PEACH CULT0EB, 



support. The ridge is simply to serve as a temporary 

 protection against water. After the first winter has pass- 

 ed, its use will have heen ended. The roots of the young 

 tree should, therefore, find their home and sustenance in 

 the common level of the soil. The ridges themselves, 

 the spring after planting, will be leveled down and in- 

 corporated with the other mold. 



The holes at the crossings, in the other method, are 

 made substantially the same way. In any case, regard 

 should be had to the size of the roots, the character of 

 the soil, etc. The usual size is about eighteen inches 

 square, and twelve or fifteen inches deep. The admis- 

 sion of the roots without crowding or cramping is the 

 aim, and the intelligent operator can see at a glance what, 

 the proper size should be. 



When the soil is gravelly, or clayey, it is advisable to 

 make them larger, in order that when the young fibres 

 begin to grow, they may not have so compact a soil to 

 penetrate ; but in congenial ground this is unnecessary. 



The trees are usually trimmed at the nursery, but some- 

 times they are not, and have to be trimmed when set 

 out. This is properly done by taking the young tree in 

 the left hand, immediately above the roots, and turning 

 up the latter. Then, with a sharp pruning knife, cut oflE" 

 all injured roots, and shorten such straggling ones as ex- 

 tend more than a foot from the main stem. Now turn 

 the tree in the hand, and cut off smoothly and closely, 

 every limb for the distance of two feet. The ti"ee is now 

 ready to plant. After the holes are dug, two hands, at 

 least, are necessary to plant. The trees are first dropped, 

 one at each hole. One of the hands throws a shovelful of 

 mold into the hole ; the other sets the tree therein in an 

 erect position, and holds it there. The first, shovels in the 

 dirt that was previously ta en out ; or, if this is not suf- 

 ficiently rich or fine, he scoops up some of the surrounding 

 Burface, and fills up the hole, a little above the common 



