Varieties of fruits* 



565 



NOTES ON PLANTING FRUIT. 



The best months for planting bushes and trees are the end of October, 

 November, February, and the first half of March. Just digging a hole, 

 cramming the roots in, shovelling the soil over, stamping it down, and 

 leaving it, is the wrong way to Plant, and can only result in failure. 



The right way is :— 



(i) Open a hole at least 1 foot broader than the roots cover. 

 Throw out the top spit, then well break up the bottom to the full 

 depth of a fork or spade, replace some of the finer soil in a mound in 

 the centre, and set the tree upon it. 



(ii) If the roots are in any way jagged or torn, cut the ends 

 cleanly off with a sharp knife from the under side, and shorten back all 

 downward roots. 



(iii) Place the tree in position at such a depth that when the 

 planting is finished it will be at the same depth as it was in the 

 nursery, which will be seen by the soil mark on the stem. The depth 

 should be such that the upper roots will be about 3 or 4 inches below 

 the surface when finished. 



(iv) The roots will generally be found to be growing from several 

 parts of the stem. Spread out the lowest roots carefully on the soil, 

 and scatter a little fine earth over them ; then spread out the roots 

 next above these, adding more soil ; then those above them, and so on, 

 giving a small shake now and then to let the soil run in between the 

 fine roots. 



(v) When all the roots are spread out and covered, add a little 

 more soil and tread it firmly (not hard), and fill up slightly above 

 the surrounding soil, as it will sink one or two inches. 



(vi) Put a strong stake to the tree, and be sure the two are 

 fastened together in such a way as to make it impossible for the 

 stem of the tree to chafe itself against the stake when the winds 

 blow. 



(vii) Protect the trees from rabbits, cattle, and sheep. 



It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of all the above details 

 of planting. 



If the natural soil is very poor, a little better garden soil may be 

 brought for (iv), shaking it amongst the roots, just to give the tree a good 

 start ; but no dung whatever should be placed in contact with them, but a 

 thin layer over the surface when the planting is done will be helpful. 



It is very important not to plant too deep (iii), especially in wet or 

 heavy land. In very wet land it is best to plant the trees almost on the 

 surface, and to mound the earth up over the roots. 



It is very important to spread out all the roots down to the smallest 

 fibres (iv), and none should be allowed to take a directly downward 

 direction, but every one ought to be duly spread out, slanting very slightly 

 downwards from the point at which they grow out of the stem. 



