6 
Smiths, Powell &• Lamb's Descriptive Catalogue of Fruit 
particular, the union is apt, after the settling of the ground, to come 
out above the surface; this should never be. 
Fill the hole now with good mellow surface earth, working the dirt 
carefully in among the roots with the fingers so bringing it into contact 
with every part. Pack moderately with the foot, leaving the earth in 
all cases a little crowning about the trunk of the tree ; mulch the sur- 
face immediately around the tree with coarse manure, muck or leaves, 
covering a space equal to the extent of the roots. This protects the 
earth about the roots against drying or baking with the wind and sun, 
retains in it the requisite moisture, and obviates all occasion for a prac- 
tice generally of injurious effect, — the watering of newly planted trees. 
4th. Pruning. — The requirements of pruning vary somewhat accord- 
ing to the kind of tree ; we prefer, however, low training for all trees, 
for Dwarf Trees very especially. The pruning should be done each 
year, so that no necessity may arise for cutting large limbs. Dwarf 
trees, particularly of the Pear and Apple, while young, require more 
pruning than any other kind of tree, in order to bring the top to suit- 
able form. For the first two or three years after planting, fully one- 
half the growth of these the previous year should be removed by head- 
ing in or reducing the length of each limb. The top limbs require to 
be cut back more, the lower limbs less. This favors an equal distribu- 
tion of sap and consequent vigor to the lower limbs with the upper. 
Care must always be used to keep the head of the tree open and well 
balanced, cutting away the limbs which may be superfluous. 
After the tree has passed, say the third or fourth year from planting, 
the requirement of pruning is only to keep it in symmetrical shape and 
prevent particular limbs from taking disproportionate growth. Limbs 
so inclined must be headed back sufficiently, and all superfluous wood 
upon the tree kept promptly removed. This regularly attended to will 
obviate the occurrence of any necessity for amputating large limbs. 
5th. Cultivation. — For a young orchard, particularly of Dwarf 
Pear Trees, keep your land in good heart, and under clean cultivation 
to low-hoed crops. Beware, however, of letting the plow among the 
roots of small trees; otherwise cultivate deep as you please. 
Note. — Trees are sometimes frozen in transit. In such case the best 
method of treatment is to put them, without opening the packages, in 
a dry cellar or other cool place free from frost, and leave them there 
until it is removed. They may then be unpacked and trenched or 
planted, and will be found to be uninjured. 
Trenching is done by placing in trenches, setting them obliquely at an 
angle of about 45° and covering the roots and lower trunk thoroughly 
with good mellow earth. 
