174 



ESTABLISHING THE ORCHARD 



the soil is in proper condition. There are usually marked 

 differences in gro\\i:h between trees planted even two weeks 

 apart in favor of the earlier planted trees. It is important 

 that the tree have the opportunity to esablish itself while 

 moisture is abundant and before the hot dry weather of sum- 

 mer. Trees ought to make a considerable amount of growth 

 the first season. The grower cannot afford not to have them 

 do so. But they will not do this unless planted early and 

 unless completely dormant at planting (see Fig. 63). 



In milder sections^ fall planting is successful if the trees are 

 mature at digging time, the land is well drained, and the trees 

 are set with especial care to insure surface drainage away from 

 them. It is usually safer to plant apples and pears in the 

 fall than the stone fruits. In the fall planting of peach trees, 

 it is common practice to hill up the soil about the trees to 

 protect them, removing it in the spring. 



In those sections where either fall or spring planting is 

 satisfactory, the grower will be governed principally by his 

 labor schedule in determining the time of year to do the work. 



5. Determining Varieties to Plant. The choice of varieties 

 often constitutes the first serious mistake of the grower. 



Procedure: 



(a) Consider market to be served. 

 (6) Consider market tendencies. 



(c) Consider variety characters and adaptations to various 



regions. 



(d) Consider picking dates of varieties. 



(e) Consider importance of cross-pollination. 



(a) Consider Market to Be Served. This factor has already 

 been considered in connection with determining the size of the 

 enterprise. The general or wholesale market knows what it 

 wants. It is better for the grower to bend his views to meet 

 the evident desires of that market than to attempt to educate 

 the trade to accept his personal opinions, though all reason 

 and logic may appear to be on his side. 



