Apple Culture. 



585 



nursery quarters until the ground has been well soaked with 

 rain, or the roots may be materially damaged. To define the 

 position of the trees various methods have from time to time 

 been advocated, many of them taking up a considerable amount 

 of valuable time. All methods aim at one common end, viz., to 

 get the trees into their proper position, and it is an accepted 

 rule that all newly-planted trees need staking. If a straight 

 line is taken along one side of the proposed orchard, and 

 another opposite, quite parallel, and one at each end at right 

 angles, the four sides are defined. A stout, whitened stake 

 should be placed at each corner. Stakes for sighting should 

 then be placed at the distances apart that the trees are to be 

 planted all along the four sides in straight lines. Three men 

 should" be employed, one directing from one of the base lines, 

 another from one of the lines at right angles, the third to place 

 the stakes to define the positions of the trees. If stakes suitable 

 for the trees are used for this work, they may be driven into the 

 ground firmly, and the holes dug around them for the trees. 

 This method will avoid any further measurement or sighting. 

 If standards are to be mixed with bush trees, care must be 

 taken to place longer stakes at the proper places. 



The holes should be dug shallow and broad. Any damaged 

 roots of the trees should be carefully pruned from the under side 

 before planting. The trees should be so planted that the roots 

 are just below the surface of the soil. On land inclined to be 

 wet, the rcots may be slightly above the ordinary ground level 

 in shallow moulds of earth. Secure the trees to the stakes, 

 taking care to use straw bands to keep the trees secure yet 

 quite clear from them, so that they do not get their bark chafed. 

 The trees should then be mulched with short manure. This 

 mulching should cover a space equal to the original size of the 

 hole before the trees were planted. 



P tuning. 



This matter needs careful consideration and much study to 

 procure good results. Many people profess to thoroughly 

 understand the work, but it is doubtful if anyone is really 

 master of the art. Those who have studied the matter care- 

 fully are generally agreed that they are not yet decided upon 



