Practical Orcharding On Rough Lands. 1 09 



Treatment of Dried or Shrivelled Trees. 



— ^When trees are received in this condition they 

 should be buried completely in loose, moist soil, 

 and allowed to remain until they regain their 

 plumpness. They should never be put in water 

 and left to soak for twenty-four to forty-eight 

 hours as is sometimes practiced, with bad re- 

 sults, as the soaking causes the bark to separate 

 from the wood. Should they be received in 

 packages and frozen they should be allowed to 

 thaw out in the package. A good plan is to 

 place in a cellar. 



Heeling In. — ^When trees are received from 

 the nursery they should be heeled in at once, 

 even if planting is expected to begin the follow- 

 ing day. If they are to remain over winter a 

 trench should be opened east and west, draw- 

 ing or throwing the dirt out to the south side. 

 It should be deep enough to allow the roots to 

 be slightly beneath the natural surface. Then 

 the trees should be laid in with their tops to 

 the south, allowing almost or quite the entire 

 length of their bodies to rest upon the soil. 

 Remove all wrappings, as straw or moss will 

 make an inviting harbor for the mice, and they 

 can soon ruin the trees by eating the bark of 

 both roots and bodies. Spread the bunches, for 

 if left tied up it will be hard to fill all the 



