1 



FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



HINTS ON TRANSPLANTING, ETC. 



We cannot attempt to give conaplete 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 himself 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 opera- 

 tion, 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 

 tvee, no matter how carefully it may be done, a portion of the roots are broken and des- 

 troyed, 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 

 foriuing a head. These branches should be all 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 proportion ; as a general thing it 

 will be safe to shorten all the previous years' 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, on the Quince Stock, 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 upon Quince Stock 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 

 ior trees of two years' growth. Those having no side branches should b6 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 

 J)e not low enough the pyramidal form cannot afterwards be perfected. 



