THE OECHAED. 



175 



is necessary that a balance should exist between tbe stem 

 or branches and the root ; consequently, when a tree is 

 ^transplanted, its branches shonld be reduced by shorten- 

 ing so as to correspond with the roots. A standard tree 

 that has four or five branches forming a head, should be 

 pruned at the time of planting to within three or four 

 buds of the base of each of the branches. These remain- 

 ing buds, receiving all the nourishment, will push vigor- 

 ously ; whilst if the branches had been allowed to remain 

 entire, they would have required a greater supply of food 

 than the roots could have furnished, and the tree would 

 either have died or made a very feeble growth. Every 

 bud we leave on the top of a tree, will produce either 

 leaves or shoots, and these are so many new individuals 

 requiring sustenance. If we leave on one hundred, it is 

 plain the demand will be much greater than if we leave 

 only twenty. The roots must be dressed by cutting back 

 all bruised points to the sound wood, with a smooth cut 

 on the under side of the root. Trees thus prepared are 

 ready for planting. 



10th. Planting Orchards.— -When the soil has been 

 thoroughly prepared by subsoil ploughing, or trenching 

 and manuring the season previous, the planting is a sim- 

 ple matter, but if this has not been done, planting properly 

 requires considerable labor ; for large holes three or four 

 feet wide and two feet deep must be dug for the trees, 

 and the requisite composts procured to be mixed with the 

 earth in which the roots are to be placed. Whatever ma- 

 nures be applied at this time should be perfectly decom- 

 posed ; as, if fresh and warm, they will burn the roots. Trees 

 are often killed in this way. The planting ofiers an excel- 

 lent opportunity for supplying any defects in the soil ; for 

 instance, if too compact, sand, leaf mould, muck, &c., may 

 be added to render it more porous ; and if too light, clay, 

 stiff loam, ashes, &c., may be added to make it more 



