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10 FRUIT GROWING FOR HOME USE IN THE GREAT PLAINS. 
may have some possibility of overcoming and outgrowing defects 
incident to a poor root system. Under the semiarid conditions of the 
Great Plains, however, the risk is too great to warrant the planting - 
of such stock. 
The age at which nursery stock is planted varies more or less with 
different growers; it also depends upon the kind of fruit. In the case 
of apples, pears, plums, and cherries, two-year-old trees are generally 
used. ‘These are trees that have grown in the nursery for two sea- 
sons after being budded or root grafted. One-year-old peaches and 
apricots are usually preferred. One-year grape roots are frequently 
used, but more commonly two-year roots are planted. Either one or 
two year old plants of currants and gooseberries are used. Most. 
of the small-fruit stock, however, is suitable for planting after one 
season’s growth in the nursery. 
It is a question whether good-sized one-year-old trees of all the 
above kinds of orchard fruits are not fully as satisfactory for planting 
in this region as older trees. This view is probably not in accord 
with the prevailing opinion and usual practice. It is, however, sup- 
ported by the opinion of a considerable number of experienced 
growers in this region. The writer is convinced that in many cases 
the younger trees can be planted with a good degree of success. The 
results obtained at the dry-land fruit garden maintained at the depart- 
mental substation at Akron, Colo., likewise point in this direction. 
There is considerable interest in this country at the present time 
in regard to dwarf apples. These are trees propagated on Paradise 
or Doucin stocks, which has the effect of greatly dwarfing the growth 
of the trees. Quite a number of these trees have been planted as an 
experiment at Akron, Colo., in the dry-land fruit garden just men- 
tioned. No conclusions, howéver, are warranted at this time. 
PLANTING THE TREES. 
If the nursery stock is not to be planted within a very few days 
after it is received, it should be unpacked and ‘“‘heeled in.’ To do 
this make a deep furrow and place the roots of the trees or other plants 
in it, with the tops, in the case of trees, nearly horizontal. Pack 
moist soil about the roots so as to keep them from becoming dry. 
Light watering may be necessary occasionally to maintain the soil 
in a sufficiently moist condition. In some cases the tops may need 
protection. If the branches become dry and the bark begins to 
shrivel in the least, soil should be thrown over the entire trees or 
some other means of protection provided. With these precautions 
stock may be held in good condition for some time if necessary. 
When the stock is handled for planting, the roots should still be so 
protected that they will not become dry. This may be done by cover- 
ing them with wet gunny sacks or some other suitable material. It 
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