40 



YOUR SUCCESS WITH NURSERY STOCK DEPENDS ON PROPER PLANTING 



Successful Planting, Pruning, Care 



Be sure to remove label before tree begins to grow 

 or it will be fatally injured through strangulation. 



In presenting these instructions to our patrons, Tve 

 would earnestly request that thej'^ giA'e the most careful 

 attention to the details. They have been compiled with 

 a view of making them as simple as possible. Having 

 fulfilled our part of the contract by delivering first- 

 class stock in good condition, with full instructions 

 how to care for it, the fault is not ours if any of our 

 customers should lose a portion of their stock. Experi- 

 ence has taught us that purchasers frequently lose Nur- 

 sery stock through neglect ; and we have taken the pre- 

 caution to send a copy of our Transplanting Directions 

 to every customer, so that none may claim that they 

 do not know how to plant and care for their stock. 



We guarantee to deliver the stock in good condition, 

 and could we plant and care for it for the first three 

 months, would willingly insure the growth of every 

 tree and shrub sent out. We seldom lose a plant, even 

 during the summer for fall delivery, and the stock is 

 out of the ground for many weeks. Anything: that is 

 cultivated in the earth cannot live without nourishment 

 and care. 



CARE OF STOCK 



The bundles should be opened immediately, the roots 

 dipped in water, then heeled in moist ground, so that 

 the mellow earth will come in contact with the roots 

 and thoroughly protect them from the air, having the 

 earth tramped solid about them. 



When ready to plant take up only a few at a time, 

 puddle the roots, and do not allow them to lie exposed 

 to the sun or air. 



The ground should be carefully prepared by deep 

 plowing and firming down with a disc and harrow. 



PI.AXTIXG 



The holes for planting must be large enough to re- 

 ceive the roots freely, without cramping or bending 

 them from their natural position. All broken or muti- 

 lated portions of the roots must be cut off so as to 

 leave the ends smooth and sound. All trees should be 

 planted two or three inches deeper than they stood in 

 the nursery row;pack the soil very firmly about the 

 roots by tramping with the feet or post tamper, being: 

 careful not to bark or break the roots. Leave three 

 inches of the surface soil loose to serve as a mulch. 

 If the ground is very dry apply one to two pails of wa- 

 ter before this soil mulch is in place, and after the water 

 has soaked away it can then be placed over the moist 

 soil. Never put manure so as to come in contact with 

 the roots of any plant or tree. 



PRUNING 



Apple and Pear — Select from three to five of the 

 branches to form the permanent head of the tree. These 

 branches should be well distributed around the truiilc, 

 and at a safe distance apart up and down the trunk. 

 If two branches come out, one exactly opposite the oth. 

 er, forming a crotch, a split may occur at this weak 

 point in later life when the tree is full of fruit. Shorten 

 these selected branches to about five buds, cutting the 

 branches just above a bud that points outward. Re- 

 move all the other branches close to the trunk, leaving 

 no stub longer than one-eighth to one-quarter inch. 

 Also shorten back two-thirds the central leader of the 

 tree, if one exists, else the tree assumes a too upright 

 growth for best results in later life. 



Almost Sure to Live 



Almost Sure to Die 



Cherry — Five or six good limbs, well distributed 

 around the trunk, will be sufficient to form a well bal- 

 anced top. The limbs left after pruning should not be 

 cut back so severely as recommended for some other 

 classes. 



Plum — Cut back all branches to about two or three 

 buds. After the tree has grown for a year, remove all 

 but four or five branches, but do not cut them back. 

 These buds will form the permanent framework for the 

 top and subsequent growth may be pruned to meet the 

 requirements or taste of the planter. 



Peach — These should be planted immediately on de- 

 livery; or, if not prepared to do so, the roots should be 

 buried in the ground. They will not stand exposure 

 to the sun and air, and many are lost simply for the 

 want of care. As soon as planted, cut back all side 

 branches to within two or three inches of the main 

 stem. Make this the invariable practice, and never de- 

 viate from it if you wish to save your trees. The 

 growth will be much more rapid and vigorous in con- 

 sequence of this pruning, and by strictly adhering to it, 

 and bv immediate planting or covering the roots in 

 the soil,very few, if any, trees will be lost. Peaches 

 like all other stock we deliver, will be in fine condition, 

 having been carefully handled and kept from exposure 

 bv us. If Tou do not follow our directions and meet 

 with loss, the fault will be entirely with you. 



Grapes— These should be planted ten to twelve inches 

 deep in holes large enough to admit roots without curl- 

 ing them, pressing soil solid about roots. Cut vines 

 back to within three or four buds of the roots. Keep 

 the ground clean by cultivating: if impossible to culti- 

 vate, mulch. Prune in February or early March, be- 

 fore there are any signs of new growth — hence the im- 

 portance of annual and intelligent pruning. 



Newly set 2-year 



Apple ready to be 



pnined 



^ 



X 



Same Apple 

 Tree pruned 



Newly set Peach 



ready to be 



pruned 



Same Peach pruned 

 Prune 1-year Apple 

 same way 



