How to Plant and Grow 
FRUIT TREES 
DONT’S. Before setting out fruit trees, the home orchardist should 
be cautioned against practices that cause failure. Do not plant 
fruit trees in poorly drained soils. Do not use any manure or fer- 
tilizer in the tree holes. Do not plant when the soil is soggy or satu- 
rated. Do not fail to prune trees as recommended below. 
PLANTING. See Figures 1 and 2. Dig holes more than large 
enough to accommodate the root system. Fill the bottom of the 
hole with topsoil and set the bud union exactly at ground level. Fill 
in with more topsoil, to which has been added peat moss if your 
soil is heavy. Irrigate at once with a slow stream of water in the 
basin constructed after planting. Add more soil as required. 
PRUNING. At planting time, all trees should be cut black at 24 to 
36 inches above the bud union. All of the side branches should be 
eliminated from apricots, plums and prunes. Two or three buds 
should be left on three or four well-spaced branches on peaches, 
nectarines and almonds (see Fig. 1). Apples, pears and cherries 
usually are whips with few or no side branches, but should there be 
any, cut them off. 
Figure 3 shows the development of the average fruit tree after the 
first season’s growth, and how it should be pruned. All varieties 
should be thinned out and cut back as indicated in the right-hand 
diagram except cherries, walnuts and figs, which should never be 
cut back, only thinned out. In general, the same plan for pruning 
is followed in succeeding years. 
CULTURE. Irrigate about once each month during the dry season. 
A balanced commercial fertilizer can be applied after the trees have 
been planted about two months, at the rate of about 2 pound per 
tree. Use a manure mulch in the basin during fall and winter. 
How to Plant BERRIES 
All varieties require planting in friable, rich soil. Use plenty of 
gypsum, peat and manure or compost in preparation to receive the 
plants. 
Strawberries. Trim off the roots straight across, halfway. Set the 
plants so that the crown is exactly level with the top of the ground. 
Pack soil firmly about roots and water. Planting distance: 12 to 18 
inches. 
Berry Vines. These are supplied as rooted tips. Work up the soil 
thoroughly and plunge spade in planting position. Pull back on 
spade and insert plants so that roots will be well covered. Pack 
soil firmly and water. Plant 6 to 8 ft. apart. 
Raspberries. Supplied as rooted cuttings. Cut back to leave only 
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FIGURE 1 



FIGURE 2 
CONCORD GRAPES 
three or four buds. Work up ground, plunge spade and insert with 
roots well covered. Firm soil about roots and water. Planting dis- 
ance: about 2 feet. 
How to Plant GRAPEVINES 
Planting. Grapevines are supplied as one or two-year rooted cut- 
tings. Cut back tops to two buds and trim off roots to two inches. 
This pruning is essential though it may sound severe. Work up soil 
(do not add fertilizer) and plunge spade at planting position. 
Insert stem so that only two inches of the top remains above 
ground. Firm soil around roots and stem and water. 
Training and Pruning. Provide support for canes or plant against 
wall or fence. Train strongest shoot straight up, permitting laterals 
to grow in horizontal position. Begin pruning after second grow- 
ing season, cutting back spurs on laterals to three-or four buds on 
American varieties and to two buds on California varieties. 


Before Pruning After 
— ral. cle 
FIGURE 3 
SWEENEY, KRIST @ Dili, PRINTERS, PORTLAND, OREGON 
