GENERAL, INSTRUCTIONS 
S 
4. PRUNE BEFORE PLANTING — Both root and top should be pruned at time of planting 
and before the tree is set in the ground. }'\v;it cut off the ends of the broken and bruised roots 
with a sharp knife, in a slanting direction on the under side. This will cause the wound to heal 
over readily, by throwing out plenty of fibrous root at the end. Then cut back each branch or 
side limb to a bud not more than four to six inches from the body. Then cut back the leader 
or central limb so as to leave it about four or five inches above the highest side limb. When 
there are no side limbs the tree should be headed back to a height proper to form a top. None 
of the lower limbs should be cut off entirely, as it is best to form the heads as low as possible, so 
that the limbs and leaves will protect the trunk from the direct rays of the sun. 
End View of Modern Nursery Storage Building, Mount Arbor Nurseries 
5. DEPTH TO PLANT — Immense numbers of trees are ruined by being planted too deep. 
Most kinds of fruit trees, except dwarf pears and plums on peach roots, should be planted not 
over two or three inches deeper than they grow in the nursery row. Dwarf pears and plums on 
peach roots should be set so that the joint where the body and roots are united will be about 
four inches below the top of the ground. By this means roots will be thrown out from the body 
that is covered and larger and longer lived trees secured. 
6. PLANTING — When ready to plant, take from the trench a few trees at a time; place the 
tree in position and arrange it to the proper depth by filling in or raking back the soil to or 
from where the tree will stand; then fill in the fine mellow soil between and around the roots 
with the hand, arranging the roots in their natural position and packing the soil carefully around 
them. When the roots are barely covered, sprinkle on water to moisten the soil artd settle tt 
among the roots; then fill to the top, press the earth very firm around the tree with the foot as 
you fill in. Throw a bucket of water around each tree to settle the ground, and scatter a little 
soil on to prevent baking. 
7. MULCHING — Mulching prevents the moisture from escaping and maintains equitable tem- 
perature about the roots. The material used may be long manure, litter, straw, grass or hay, 
which should be spread on the surface around the tree for the space of four or five feet and 
three to six inches deep. Bearing trees may be benefited by mulching heavily in winter, which 
will tend to prevent an early development of the fruit buds and assist them to escape the effect 
of late frosts. 
8. AFTER CULTURE — The trees should be kept free from grass and weeds, and no crops 
should be grown In the orchard while the trees are young, except such as can be cultivated with 
the plow or hoe. Cultivate well in the spring and summer. 
