LAYING-IN. 
47 
is followed by a long season of rest and feeble growth, while 
the plantation of young trees is making wood rapidly, and soon 
comes into a healthy and long-continued state of productive- 
ness — often long indeed before the large trees have fairly arrived 
at that condition. The small tree, transplanted with its system 
of roots and branches entire, suffers little or no check ; the older 
and larger tree, losing part of its roots, requires several years 
to resume its former vigour. The constitution of the small tree 
is healthy and unimpaired ; that of the large is frequently much 
enfeebled. A stout and vigorous habit — what the nurserymen 
call a good stocky plant — is the true criterion of merit in select- 
ing fruit trees for transplanting. 
Trees intended for orchards, being often more exposed thar 
those in gardens, should be somewhat larger — not less than six, 
or more than eight feet is the best size. For gardens, all expe- 
rienced cultivators agree that a smaller size is preferable ; we 
prefer plants two years old from the graft. Most gardeners 
abroad, when they select trees with more than usual care, take 
what are called maiden plants — those one year old from the 
graft, and there can be no doubt that, taking into account health, 
duration, and the ease with which such a tree can be made to 
grow into any form, this is truly the preferable size for removal 
into a fruit garden. But we are an impatient people, and it is 
not till after another century of trial and experience in the cul- 
ture of fruit trees, that cultivators generally in this country will 
become aware of the truth of this fact. 
The facility with which the different fruit trees may be trans- 
planted differs considerably. Plums are generally removed with 
most success, and after them nearly in the order as follows : 
Quinces, Apples, Pears, Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, and 
Cherries ; the latter succeeding with some difficulty, when of 
large size. 
Laying in by the heels is a practice adopted as a temporary kind 
of planting, when a larger quantity of trees is at hand than can be 
set out immediately. ' A trench is opened, and the roots are laid 
in and covered with soil, the tops being previously placed in a slop- 
ing position, inclining to within a few feet of the surface. In this 
way they are kept fresh and in good order, until it is convenient 
to plant them finally. In northern districts, where the autumn 
is often too severe for planting, and the spring is frequently too 
late to receive trees in time from nurseries farther south, it is a 
common and successful mode to procure trees in autumn, and 
lay them in by the heels until spring, covering over the tops of 
the more tender sorts if necessary with coarse litter. 
In planting an orchard, always avoid placing the trees in the 
same spot, or near where an old tree stood before. Experience 
has taught us that the growth of a young tree, in such a posi- 
tion, is weak and feeble ; the nourishment suitable to that kind 
