78 Practical Orcharding On Rough Lands. 



be no danger of washing. It would be some- 

 what dangerous on clay lands that were rolling, 

 as the water is likely to gather in the furrows 

 made for the tree rows, and then when it breaks 

 over, as it is sure to do, it will cause washing 

 which we can never afford to allow. 



The orchard site should be thoroughly 

 plowed in the fall or early winter, so as to get 

 the action of the frost on the soil, as well as 

 to hasten the work in the spring. The tree 

 holes should be dug as early as possible in order 

 that the sub-soil should be allowed to freeze 

 during the winter. This freezing and thawing 

 loosens up the sub-soil in a way that nothing 

 else will, as well as allowing the water to 

 soak into it which acts as a reservoir the follow- 

 ing season in supplying moisture for the young 

 tree. This will not be necessary on gravelly or 

 porous soils. On such land the holes may be 

 opened at planting time with perfect safety. 

 The size of the holes should be governed by 

 the kind of soil in which you are planting. 

 If it is loose and rich, then a medium size hole 

 will be suflScient If you are planting in thin, 

 heavy soils, then you will be well repaid by a 

 better growth, for the extra labor in digging the 

 larger hole, say three feet square and eighteen 

 inches deep. 



