RENOVATING FRUIT TREE BORDERS. 321 



Previous to filling up each trench, the 

 roots of the trees will require pruning. All 

 damaged parts must be cut clean away; also 

 cut off about four or five feet from the 

 end of every strong root which may have 

 got to the extent of the border, and prune 

 away such as are inclined to the under stra- 

 tum. In shortening the roots always cut 

 them clean otF close to a lateral. As the 

 trench is filling up, the roots must be regu- 

 larly placed upon the soil about five or six 

 inches higher than their regular level, so that 

 when the soil is finally settled the roots may 

 be at their proper level and natural direc- 

 tion. After the roots are covered with soil 

 a few inches thick, let the earth be pressed, 

 gently upon them, and when the trench is 

 fully filled up, let there be a good portion 

 of drainings from the dunghill or soft water 

 be poured upon it to settle the soil to the 

 roots. The season which I prefer for the 

 performance of this work is the end of Octo- 

 ber or in November, as when done so early 

 the roots get established a little in the soil 

 before the following spring, and which greatly 

 assists their growth during summer. 



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