PART I. 



FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



HINTS ON TRANSPLANTING, ETC. 



We cannot attempt to give complete directions on all points connected with Tree Planting, but simply 

 a few hints on the more important operations. Every man who purchases a bill of trees should put him- 

 self in possession of " The Fruit Garden," or some other treatise on tree culture, that will furnish him 

 with full and reliable instructions on the routine of management. Transplanting is to be considered 

 under the following heads : 



1st. THE PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.— For fruit trees the soil should be dry, either natural 

 or made so by thorough drainage, as they will not live or thrive on a soil constantly saturated with 

 stagnant moisture. It should also be well prepared by twice plowing, at least, beforehand, using the 

 subsoil plow after the common one at the second plowing. On new, fresh lands, manuring will be 

 unnecessary ; but on lands exhausted by cropping, fertilizers must be applied, either by turning in heavy 

 crops of clover, or well decomposed manure or compost. To ensure a good growth of fruit trees, land 

 should be in as good condition as for a crop of wheat, corn or potatoes. 



2d. THE PREPARATION OF THE TREES.— In regard to this important operation, there are 

 more fatal errors committed than in any other. As a general thing, trees are planted in the ground 

 precisely as they are sent from the Nursery. In removing a tree, no matter how carefully it may be 

 done, a portion of the roots are broken and destroyed, and consequently the balance that existed in the 

 structure of the tree is deranged. This must be restored by a proper pruning, adapted to the size, form 

 and condition of the tree, as follows : 



Standard Orchard Trees. — These, as sent from the Nursery, vary from five to seven feet in 

 height, with naked stems or trunks, and a number of branches at the top forming a head. These 

 branches should all be cut back to within three or four buds of their base. This lessens the demand 

 upon the roots, and enables the remaining buds to push with vigor. Cut off smoothly all bruised or 

 broken roots up to the sound wood. In case of older trees, of extra size, the pruning must be in propor- 

 tion ; as a general thing it will be safe to shorten all the previous year's shoots to three or four buds at 

 their base, and where the branches are very numerous some may be cut out entirely. 



Dwarf or Pyramidal Trees, if of two or three years' growth, with a number of side branches, 

 will require' to be pruned with a two-fold object in view, viz.: The growth of the tree and the desired 

 form. The branches must be cut into the form of a pyramid by shortening the lower ones, say one-half, 

 those above them shorter, and the upper ones around the leading shoots to within two or three buds of 

 their base. The leader itself must be shortened back one-half or more. When trees have been dried or 

 injured much by exposure, the pruning must be closer than if in good order. 



Yearling Trees Intended for Pyramids. — Some of these may have a few side branches, the 

 smallest of which should be cut clean away, reserving only the strongest and the best placed. In other 

 respects they should be pruned as directed for trees of two years' growth. Those having no side branches 

 should be cut back so far as to insure the production of a tier of branches within twelve inches of the 

 ground. A strong yearling, four to six feet, may be cut back about half, and the weaker ones more than 

 that. It is better to cut too low than not low enough, for if the first tier of branches be not low enough 

 the pyramidal form cannot afterwards be perfected. 



3d. PLANTING. — Dig holes in the first place large enough to admit the roots of the tree to spread 

 out in their natural position ; then, having the tree pruned as before directed, let one person hold it in an 

 upright position, and the other shovel in the earth, carefully putting the finest and the best from the 

 surface in among the roots, filling every interstice, and bringing every root in contact with the soil. 



