HINTS TO PLANTERS 
Qlen Saint Nary Nurseries 
HINTS TO PLANTERS 
The land for an orchard should be dry, or at least of such a character as will drain readily. 
If it seems to be rather wet, it can, in many cases, be made suitable for fruit trees by throwing 
it up into ridges with a plow, and setting the tree on these ridges with the dead (or water) 
furrows running between the rows of trees in the same general direction that the land slopes. 
Never let the roots of trees be exposed to the sun. Always keep them covered with damp 
straw, moss or wet blanket when planting. 
Most kinds of trees should be well trimmed back before planting. It pays to plant care¬ 
fully. Do not set trees too deep—particularly Oranges. 
Heel trees in, if not ready to plant. Select a shady place and water well. 
Before setting out Citrus trees—Oranges, Pomelos, Lemons and Kumquats — trim back 
the tops well and then trim the foliage by cutting off two-thirds to three-quarters of each leaf. 
This reduces the rapid evaporation of sap, that is always going on through the foliage, and 
makes success in transplanting much more certain. 
If the weather should become dry and hot after evergreen trees, especially Citrus, are 
planted, trees should be shaded with brush or canvas drawn over stakes on east, south and 
west sides, to prevent tops drying out and dying back. This is particularly desirable in sum¬ 
mer planting. 
In watering, remember that one thorough drenching is worth a dozen small applications. 
Tops as well as roots should be watered. 
Banking up Oranges with fine earth in the fall is a great protection against cold. This also 
helps to hold newly planted trees against force of wind. Mounds should be removed in spring. 
Examine Peach trees in orchard frequently near the ground for borers. Dig them out with 
a sharp-pointed knife. 
When Peach trees get into bearing they are apt to set too much fruit. Practice a rigid 
system of thinning. Commence this when the fruit is of the size of a marble and continue, at 
intervals, until it is half grown, always removing stung or imperfect specimens. At the final 
thinning reduce fruit to 3 or 4 inches apart. A heavily loaded Peach tree will produce as much 
fruit — by measure — if three-quarters of the original number set are thinned out ; and the value 
of the fruit on the tree that is thinned will be double that on the unthinned one. 
If curculio are troublesome, jar Peach and Plum trees in earW morning, frequently, after 
fruit has set, and catch insects on a sheet spread under the tree 
In more northern sections—and at rare intervals in the southern—trees get chilled in the 
boxes owing to severe change of weather while en route. If any signs of ice should appear in 
the packing material, bury the trees and packing material in earth and leave several days or 
until the frost is thoroughly drawn out. 
Roses should be pruned heavily—both at time of planting and annually thereafter. Blos¬ 
soms come on new growth and new growth is forced out by pruning. 
If trees should be delayed in transit and arrive in dry condition, take them out of the 
package and bury for two or three days in moist earth—covering tops as well as roots. This 
will fill out shrunken stems and limbs. Trim severely before planting. 
Never plow under rank grass, peas, beggar-weed or other green growth in midsummer. 
Orchards should be well cultivated, the first part of the season at least ; but if ground is lacking 
in humus, cow-peas, beggar-weed or grass may be allowed to grow in late summer and fall, to 
be turned under in winter. Cow-peas, however, should never be allowed in a Peach orchard. 
For quick results, apply a pound per tree of high-grade commercial fertilizer, thoroughly 
mixed with earth, at time of planting. Make a second application of equal amount during the 
spring, and another in summer ; combine this with frequent cultivation. 
Cotton-seed meal and organic fertilizers should be used very sparingly, if at all, in an 
orchard. Complete commercial fertilizers from mineral sources are much better and less liable 
to injure trees should a too liberal quantity be applied. 
