Introductory 
3 
ERRORS. — In filling orders we use every precaution against errors, but in the 
rush of the packing season accidental errors may occur, which we will correct 
promptly and with pleasure. 
A LESSON IN PRUNING. — If you wish, we will prune one tree (root and 
branch) ready for planting, to show you how the others should be pruned. (See 
below. ) 
PLEASE REMEMBER that this Catalogue quotes prices on one uniform grade 
of first-class, fine, healthy trees. Do not confound such trees with weak, under- 
sized, poorly rooted, poorly dug trees. 
ALABAMA NURSERY CO. 
Huntsville, Alabama 
Just How to Plant so that Your Trees 
Will Live and Grow 
The soil for an orchard should be well drained (trees will not thrive where 
there is stagnant moisture), and as rich and as well prepared as for a crop of corn. 
You should plow with a two-horse plow and follow with a two-horse sub-soil plow, 
then pulverize with a harrow. Have your land ready before the trees come, if 
possible. 
When trees come, dip the roots into water, and keep them protected from 
sun and wind with damp straw, moss or wet coverings, and plant at once if you 
are ready. If you cannot plant at once, the trees should be “heeled in.” To do 
this, dig a trench where the ground is moist, well drained and pulverized ; the 
trench should be about a foot deep ; throw all the earth on one side of the trench ; 
open the bundles, so that you can put the trees in one at a time ; lean the bodies 
of the trees over against the bank of earth, shovel fine, fresh earth over and around 
the roots until they are covered; pour on water enough to dampen the earth around 
the roots, then fill up the trench until the roots and a few inches of the body of the 
tree are covered, and pack the earth with the feet ; then throw on a few shovels of 
loose earth to prevent baking. Your trees will keep perfectly. 
Prune before planting. — Many trees are planted with the tops all on, just as 
they are sent out from the nursery ; this is a great mistake. Some of the tops of 
all trees should be cut away before planting, which lessens the demand on the 
roots, as there is not as much top to support in early spring, and the whole force 
of the tree is thrown into the growth of the remaining buds, with the result that 
you have more growth, and a better and larger tree at the end of the second season, 
and a tree that will bear earlier. 
