4 
CATALOGUE SOUTHERN NURSERIES. 
General Information for Planters 
Pi-eparation of tlie Soil. 
The most desirable soil for fruit trees is a rich loam, naturally dry, or made so by drainage. 
Before planting prepare the land hy thorough plowing and subsolling, first using a 2-horse plow, 
followed by a subsoil plow. Lay. off the rows at required distances, and dig holes at least 2 feet 
wide and 2 feet deep; fill the holes by breaking in the sides, commencing at the bottom and go- 
ing upwards. Use surface soil in fHling up, and with this mix a shovelful or two of cottonseed or 
stable manure compost, well decomposed, or about 1 lb. of bone meal. Avoid the contact of the 
roots with heating manures. 
Selection of Trees. 
For this climate experience has taught us that one and two-year-old trees of thrifty growth 
are the most desirable. Purchasers should bear in mind that such trees can be removed from the 
nursery with all their roots; whereas a four or five-year-old tree cannot be taken up without cut- 
ting away a large portion of them. Success in transplanting is increased according as attention is 
paid in selecting well-rooted trees instead of heavily branched ones. Give as many sound roots 
and as little head to a tree as possible. 
Preparation of the Tree. 
Before planting remove all broken roots. Cut back one-year peafli or apple trees to a naked 
stem 1% or 2% feet high — leaving no side branches. Two-year-old trees should have their 
branches cut back to half their length or more, the lower less than those above, cutting in shorter 
as you go upward, and leaving the leader the longest. Plant as deep as the tree was standing in 
the nursery row, except dwarf pears and cherries, which should be planted sufficiently deep to 
cover the stock from 2 to 3 inches. It is best to allow the tree to form its head in its permanent 
place, rather than in the nur.sery row. 
To Insure the Earliest Crop of Fruit After Transplanting, Always Select One and Two- Year-Old 
Trees. 
Thne for Planting — In this climate vegetation, although inactive in winter for the formation 
of leaves and new wood, is never so as to new ro ts. A tree transplanted in November or De- 
cember will, by the ensuing spring, have formed safficient new roots to give it a firm hold in the 
ground and will grow off rapidly when active vegetation commences. Plant as early after the 
first killing frost as practicable, and do not delay it until the spring months. Apple trees can be 
transplanted here as late as March, and in some seasons the first of April, but success is increased 
it the planting has been done in the fall or early winter. 
After-Culture. 
For Gardens — Keep the soil free from grass and weeds, and stir frequently during the summer. 
Remove all suckers and branches which start below the head of the tree. Mulching is advisable 
for trees planted late in spring. 
For Orchards — Sow cow peas broadcast in May or June, 1 to 1% bushels per acre, or keep 
the ground planted in cotton, melons or vegetables. Avoid corn and small grain crops. For stiff 
soils, devoid of vegetable matter, sow rye, scarlet clover or barley in fall, using 50 bushels of 
crushed cottonseed or 10 to 15 loads of stable manure per acre, or if the above fertilizers cannot be 
procured, use from 500 to 1,000 pounds of some good commercial manure, and plow the green crop 
under in the fall. If devoid of lime or potash, supply the deficiency by a top-dressing of bone 
meal, plaster or good commercial fertilizer. 
To insure a healthy growth of fruit trees, the land should be kept well supplied with plant- 
food. Lands exhausted by years of cropping cannot return a crop of fruit unless the trees are well 
cultivated and regularly fertilized. Whenever stable manure is obtainable, use it liberally. 
Care of Trees on Arrival. 
If not ready to plant on arrival, unpack -nithout exposing the roots to cold or air; dig a trench 
and heel in by carefully covering the roots with earth, and give a copious watering. Trees thus 
treated can remain in the trenches until ready for their permanent places in the orchard.' If frozen 
when received, bury the trees and packing material in well-drained ground, or place in a cool cellar 
until thawed, without exposure to the air or light. 
