FRUIT GROWING 291 



to the ground, leaAdng only two or three buds on the short 

 stems. 



A tree should be planted slightly deeper than it was in 

 the nursery row, the roots well spread out, and the soil 

 packed firmly about them. 



222. Cultivation of the Young Plants. — We are al- 

 ready familiar with the reasons for tilling the soil, but we 

 cannot apply these principles in fruit growing without 

 knowledge of the needs of the roots of our trees and vines. 

 The root systems of fruit-bearing plants have been thor- 

 oughly studied; and, as will be seen, the cultivation 

 of each one must be governed largely by the character of 

 the underground part of the plant. 



(1) The Strawberry. — This plant has a shallow root 

 system which does not extend far beyond the area covered 

 by the leaves. Strawberries must receive frequent and 

 shallow cultivation or be mulched with straw between 

 the rows to produce the best fruit. 



(2) The Raspberry. — This plant, too, has a shallow 

 root system and can not endure deep cultivation as the 

 heavy main roots will be torn out or cut off. Moisture 

 should be retained with a dust or straw mulch. 



(3) The Grape. — The grape has a deep root system and 

 should therefore receive thorough cultivation, while the 

 plant itself dehghts in a deep, porous, even gravelly soil 

 where its feeding roots may range deep and wide. 



(4) The Tree Fruits. — Most tree fruits, as the apple, 

 pear and cherry, have deep feeding roots; and in those 

 soils in which the roots are able to penetrate deep and 

 wide, cultivation is used principally to put the soil in a 

 condition to receive and hold moisture. In fact, as the 

 trees become older, the orchard may be planted to some 

 annual or biennial clover. Grasses, however, which are 



