PLANTING AND PKUNING. 17 



In spring the trees may be transplanted any time after the ground is 

 in a workable condition and up to the period when the buds are about 

 to burst into growth. Spaces intended to be planted should be deeply 

 worked beforehand by plowing and harrowing, and after planting the 

 weeds should be kept down. 



The distance between the trees should not be Less than 10 feet in the 

 rows, and the rows should be the same distance apart. If the field 

 devoted to the trees is more than 2 or 3 acres in extent, wider spaces 

 should be left at intervals for wagons, etc. It is certain that trees 

 planted 10 feet apart will eventually occupy all the space; but when 

 there is danger of their becoming too much crowded, enough of 

 the plants may be rooted out and burned to allow the remainder 

 abundant space to develop. If this is done, those which are to remain 

 permanently should be trained accordingly. The above arrangement 

 is the best for trees nearly all the branches of which can be reached 

 from the ground, not only for pruning, but also for leaf gathering. 



In planting trees similar precautions should be taken to those in the 

 case of ordinary forest trees; that is, not to allow the roots to become 

 in the least dry from the time they are lifted from the nursery rows 

 until planted in the field. As soon as they are lifted the roots should 

 be dipped in a mixture of soil and water and kept covered until planted, 

 so that the}' will not become dry. If the ground is naturally hard and 

 the soil is poor, dig large holes, even for very young trees, as they grow 

 rapidly and should be encouraged to make good, stout growths from 

 the beginning. Put some good soil in the hole, spread out the roots 

 on this, and cover with several incnes of line soil before firming with 

 the feet. Allow the roots to be about the same depth in the hole as 

 they were in the nursery rows. Prune back the growth of young trees 

 one-half in the fall, and if necessary cut back to strong buds in early 

 spring. 



PRUNING. 



The pruning of the trees presents no special difficulties so long as it 

 is done early enough in the season to avoid late growth, which, if 

 caught by cold weather before ripening, will perish during the winter. 

 The principal pruning should be done in winter and should consist of 

 shortening back strong growths so as to form a low, spreading tree. 

 Keep the central part of the tree as free of growth as possible, to admit 

 light and air. 



After the first cutting back, select three or more of the strong- 

 shoots to form the principal branches. If they are strong and show 

 a disposition to grow upright, they may be kept apart by using three 

 sticks tied in the shape of a triangle; place these in the center of 

 the tree and tie the branches to them until they grow in the desired 



11805— No. 34—02 2 



