REPORT OF THE APPLE AND PEAR CONFERENCE. 



65 



left in the soil, and left in such a condition that it is in the best 

 possible state for the roots to assimilate. Land that has been 

 so dealt with the season previously will require but very little 

 other preparation for planting. 



Should, however, the land to be dealt with be a clover lay or 

 following a cereal crop, I would advise that it be well broken up 

 and pulverised. And it is most important that this breaking up 

 should be done to an even, uniform depth. If it has to be done 

 by hand, let it be double dug, the bottom spit being merely turned 

 over or loosened with a fork, and on no account bring the subsoil 

 to the top. 



If the work is to be done by horses, it may be done by turning 

 a deep furrow by an ordinary plough, followed along each furrow 

 by a subsoil plough. 



But the best and most economical way where a considerable 

 quantity is to be dealt with is to use the steam cultivator. This 

 implement passed twice over the land in opposite directions, to 

 a depth of fifteen to eighteen inches, leaves the soil in a light 

 open condition, allowing free filtration of water, a quick passage 

 through the soil, followed by the air with all its fertilising and 

 beneficial effects. Three years ago we prepared in this way a 

 five-acre field of our own for planting with apples as a permanent 

 orchard. The subsoil was a somewhat heavy clay, but the trees 

 are thriving well, and we have this autumn been trying a new 

 steam digger, which promises to be a useful tool for breaking up 

 heavy land. 



Planting. 



The ground having been prepared for the reception of the 

 trees, proceed to plant by digging very shallow holes, and placing 

 the tree almost on the surface, bank up the soil round the roots. 

 This allows a space of loose aerated soil below the tree, in which 

 the roots can grow and spread laterally, thus encouraging the 

 development of fibrous roots near the surface, discouraging and 

 delaying the tree from sending down tap-roots into the cold and 

 ungenial subsoil, with the usual, and as regards many varieties 

 the certain, result of unhealthy growth, canker, and other 

 diseases. 



The foregoing remarks apply equally to the ordinary standard 

 or to pyramid trees upon the free stock. Some varieties, however, 

 that will under any treatment persist in penetrating the subsoil 

 to their own detriment and destruction, may be successfully 

 grown upon the Paradise stock, when they will not only fruit 

 early, but continue to flourish in health and fruitfulness for 

 many years. 



Where it is required to plant standard trees on grass land 

 without breaking up the turf, there is no alternative but to dig 



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