THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



FEBRUARY. 



PLANTING FRUIT-TREES. 



Fruit-trees of all sorts may be planted any time this month 

 when the weather is open. Let every sort be planted at a pro- 

 per distance, that the trees may have, for some years, plenty of 

 room to grow, without interfering with each other. For the) 

 respective distances, see the Introduction to the Fruit- 

 Garden. 



The distances at which they should be planted may, at the 

 first sight, appear considerable, but under favorable circum- 

 stances, they will soon fill the spaces allotted to them. Trees 

 planted on low walls require to be planted at a greater distance 

 than on higher ones, in order that they may have gi'eater 

 scope to be trained horizontally, where they cannot be trained 

 in the fan manner. 



In planting all kinds of fruit-trees, it is of the greatest con- 

 sequence to them not to be planted too deep. Open for each 

 tree a circular hole or pit, wide enough to receive the roots 

 when fully spread out, so that none of them will rest upon the 

 sides of the pit. Then prepare the roots by pruning away all 

 injured or broken ones, and shortening the long naked roots, 

 that are not furnished with fibres. The good roots even, if 

 too many, should be thinned out, for as the branches are to 

 undergo a similar operation, by thinning out weak, useless, 

 or decayed shoots, and shortening the strong and luxuriant 

 ones, according to their strength, in order to cause them to 

 push out shoots, where required, for forming the head of the 

 tree ; the roots, likewise, should be pruned in proportion to 

 the branches, and the branches in proportion to the roots. In 

 thinning the roots, be careful not to cut away but as few 

 possible of the smaller ones or fibres, as they are the principal 

 organs which procure and convey nourishment to the trees. 

 This done, spread out the roots and fibres, carefully bedding 

 them in the compost prepared for that purpose, already noticed. 

 If it be considered necessary, from the nature of the soil, to 



