THE HEALTH AND ENERGY OF THE TREE 43 



spread of roots, and the earth fined in the bottom of it. 

 Trees should be planted when perfectly dormant, prefer- 

 ably in spring, at least in the northern parts. 



The roots should be cut back to sound unsplintered 

 wood, and very long roots may well be shortened. The 

 reader is aware that roots have no regular order or 

 arrangement as do the buds from which branches arise. 

 It is not necessary to try to shape the root-system to 

 any formal regularity. 



As a good part of the root-system is destroyed when 

 the tree is dug, so is the top reduced to insure something 

 like a balance. Half or more of the top, on a three-year- 

 old tree, is cut away, the long growths being shortened 

 to perhaps three or four good buds. If limbs are left to 

 form the framework of the future top, they should be 

 alternate with each other at some distance apart so that 

 weak crotches do not form. 



The tree is planted snugly, the earth being filled 

 among the roots so that no air-holes remain. The tree 

 is shaken up and down to settle the earth densely. Once 

 or twice in filling, the earth is packed with the feet. The 

 purpose is to keep the tree firm and stiff against winds, 

 and to give all its roots close contact with the earth. 

 Properly planted, so that it will not whip or dry out, .the 

 tree gets a hold quickly and begins to grow strongly. 

 The first start-oif of the tree is important. 



Apple-trees are held in vigor by plenty of room. For 

 the standard varieties in regular orchards, the recom- 

 mended distance either way is 40 feet, or 35 x 40 feet. 

 Some varieties may go as close as 30 feet ; and in regions 

 (as parts of central and western North America) in which 

 the trees are not expected to attain such great size as in 



