DIAET OF HONEY PLANTS. 161 



cut, under the impression that they injured the fruit; but, in less than 

 two years, the edict was removed, because their loss was felt in the failure 

 of the fruit to set, and all were convinced of the wrong done the bees 

 and the bee-keeper. 



Cherries, peaches, pears, and apples, furnish the first good honey 

 harvest. Every bee-keeper should therefore have his orchards to build 

 up the bee3 fir?t, and afterwards repay well in fruit for many years and 

 sometimes for generations. Fruit trees are almost the only kind of farm 

 produce which continue to bear for the next generation. 



Fruit trees of all kinds may be obtained of nurserymen, but we advise 

 always to purchase direct, and not from peddlers, who will often deliver 

 them at the most inopportune time. If one is not able to purchase, 

 they may be raised from the seed and grafted the second year, or buds 

 or grafts may be inserted on any natural stocks. Good dry soil is best 

 for fruit trees. Let it be well worked as if for a crop, and then given a 

 good dressing with manure. A few words may be useful concerning 

 the mode of planting : The holes should be dug large enough to 

 hold the roots without bending from their natural position. The finest 

 and best soil should be worked in and around the roots ; filling every 

 space and bringing every root fully in contact with it, so that no open- 

 ing is left among them. If very dry, a pail of water should be added, 

 and dirt drawn up a little higher than the surrounding soil, and packed 

 down firmly with the foot. It should not be planted deeper than it 

 stood in the nursery after the ground settles. If in an exposed position 

 the tree should be staked and tied firmly to it with a band of straw or 

 other material. The first summer all fruit trees should be mulched with 

 coarse manure or litter, from three to six inches deep and extending a 

 foot or two farther in every direction than the roots. In a fruit orchard 



