4 
LOCKE NURSERY & FLORAL COMPANY 
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS 
Many do not realize the importance of 
giving 1 trees a little care upon arrival. For 
this reason we are giving this space in 
our catalog for your benefit. Failure to 
get satisfactory results can be largely 
avoided by observing the few simple but 
important instructions here given. 
CARE UPON ARRIVAL 
On arrival of the trees from the Nur¬ 
sery, if unable to plant immediately, and 
if the trees are dug without a ball of 
earth intact (Balled), they should be ta¬ 
ken from the bale or box at once, counted 
and the individual trees examined. Should 
there be a shortage, it should BE RE¬ 
PORTED AT ONCE. Bare-rooted stock 
should be immediately heeled in a well- 
drained, moist piece of sandy ground in 
order that the soil may thoroughly pul¬ 
verize between the roots, keeping them 
from air-drying. The soil should be 
thoroughly packed around the roots. Wa¬ 
ter freely and frequently until the trees 
are planted. 
STOCK ARRIVING IN FREEZING 
WEATHER 
If frozen when received, do not open 
the bales or boxes, but place them in a 
cellar or some cool, dark room that is 
free from frost, and let them remain un¬ 
til all frost is drawn out. If no cellar or 
frost proof room is available, bury the 
box or bales in sawdust or dirt until 
thawed. The point is to get the frost en¬ 
tirely out without sudden exposure of 
stock to heat, light or air. Even if frozen 
solid, stock will not be injured if han¬ 
dled in this manner. 
TIME OF PLANTING 
In this climate vegetation, although in¬ 
active in the winter for the formation of 
leaves and new wood, is never so as to 
new roots. A tree transplanted in the 
early winter will, by the ensuing spring, 
have grown sufficient new roots to give 
it a firm hold in the ground, and will 
grow off rapidly when active vegetation 
commences. Plant as early after the first 
killing frost as practicable, although 
hardy stock can be safely transplanted 
any time during the winter when the 
ground is not too wet or frozen. Planting 
can be continued until the middle of 
March, or until just before the buds be¬ 
gin to swell. 
PREPARATION OF THE SOIL 
The most desirable soil for fruit trees 
is a rich loam, naturally dry or made so 
by drainage. Peaches and plums must be 
planted on high, well-drained soil. Before 
planting, prepare the land by thoroughly 
plowing and subsoiling, first using a 
two-horse plow, followed by a subsoil 
plow. Lay off the rows at required dis¬ 
tances, and dig holes at least two feet 
wide and two feet deep; fill the holes by 
breaking in the sides, commencing at the 
bottom and going upward. Use surface 
soil in filling up. 
PREPARATION OF TREES AND 
HOW TO PLANT 
Before planting, remove the broken 
roots; cut back one-year peach, apple, 
pear, cherry and plum trees to a naked 
stem 1% to 2% feet high, leaving no side 
branches, Two-year old trees should have 
their branches cut back to half their 
length or less. 
FERTILIZING 
Do not use unrotted stable manure or 
compost fertilizer when trees are planted. 
All fertilizers must be thoroughly incor¬ 
porated with the soil. Avoid the contact 
of the roots with heating manures. A few 
pounds of bone meal or a few shovels full 
of well rotted stable manure can be used 
at the bottom of the hole with good re¬ 
sults at the time the trees are planted. 
When tilling the hole use soil which came 
from the bottom of the hole at the sur¬ 
face. Best results with unrotted manure 
are attained by using it as a mulch, after 
the trees are planted. 
WATERING 
Sprinkling or spraying are of little 
value during times of drought. Remember 
the roots of most plants are buried 8 to 
10 inches in the soil and it takes a good 
soaking to reach them. Let the hose run 
slowly for an hour or so, or several 
hours. 
SELECTION OF TREES 
For this climate experience has taught 
us that one and two year old trees of 
thrifty growth are the most desirable. 
