48 
THE APPLE. 
best and lose least time in looking behind them if planted at the season 
here recommended. The earth is then warm from the stored up summer 
and autumn sunshine, and the trees are assisted to re-establish them¬ 
selves by the root renewing power of the descending sap. The roots are 
also in an abnormally active state in November. Trees moved at that 
season form fresh roots faster than at any other time. This is of the 
utmost importance, for the sooner the roots lay hold of the new soil the 
sooner is the tree safe. Boots unattached to the soil are in an unnatural 
and, consequently, dangerous state. Having nothing in particular to do, 
they may set about growing afresh, or they may also wither up, rot, and 
utterly perish. Set them to work earth boring, food collecting, or con¬ 
veying, and they are comparatively safe. The shorter the interregnum to 
growth between the old quarters and the new the better for the well¬ 
being and. safety of newly-planted trees; and hence to a large extent 
the success of November planting. The roots at this season make haste 
to run into the new soil, and, having done so, the safety and success of 
the newly-planted tree is insured. 
Il.-Soil. 
The soil to plant in is of equal, or more, importance to the time to 
plant, though the apple can hardly be said to be fastidious about soils. 
It thrives more or less on all surface strata and on any geological forma¬ 
tion, and, in fact, can be found in more or less robust health from Land’s 
End to John o’Groat’s. Yet it thrives best on the richest alluvial loams. 
On these, if of sufficient depth, the apple may be said to take care of 
itself. It grows with an energy, and fruits with a profusion and a 
quality, altogether unknown on thin, poor soils or heavy tenacious clays. 
On suitable soil the apple may be said to be free from disease. No canker 
eats into the heart of its stems or branches, no bug swells its boughs 
into gouty-like limbs, or weakens and shortens its life. No yellows 
destroy its healthy verdure, as often happens when the apple is planted 
in wet soils ; no stunted growth cripples its energy, as when thrust into 
soils too poor to support its strength. 
So important is soil to success that, where the natural soil is unsuit¬ 
able, it should be supplemented with other and better before planting. 
It is almost better not to plant at all than to plant on unsuitable soils. 
The first point in the preparation of soils is to see that they are well 
drained. Stagnant water will ruin the finest soils in the world. Give the 
water a free exit at the bottom, and its passage through will improve all 
soils and render good loams even more perfect for apple culture. The 
mistake must not, however, be made of draining land twice. This :'s 
