The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-04-14
For the PiOnc

NUMBE TWO.
Jransplanting and treatment Of trees.

Perhaps there many who have not forgotten
the remarks Of the late Col. Goodhue, relative TO
large lot of fruit trees that disgraccd the lower land
Ing of ST. Paul, nearly year ago According to
the Pioneer the trees alluded to ''not green
but those who bought them must be certainly - IL
was OF course a severe comment upon the wisdom Of
those who were induced to purchase; vet time has
proved the correctness of the Coils assertion. The
trees were much injured TO he unsuitable for
TRANSFORMING under the favorable eli cums,ances
from the fact that they half dead before they
could be set out Nor those the only bfot
into Minnesota in miserable condition. The same
firm and a few others have carried on brisk trade
IN such trees Tor two years. TO the great dctiment Of
the Territory. 1t will not from the IN
jury sustained by these operations in tree planting.
That Is certainly one very conclusive why
so may fruit trees have failed during the last two
years. besides there several others that have
t-buied not little to the sad failure.
Trees have very frequently been set ont too late
which is another very good reason why they have
not lived and third is, they not well enough
transplaned and taken OF To secure d vi orOs
growth, even in wet season. 1t is not to be won
derci at, in the least, that many trees have failed
when these three most important considerations arc
taken nto the account, well As the dryness Of the
season.
If the climate Of Minnesota j. not favorable to the
growth Of fruit and fruit trees, whv is it that good
trees properly managed have done 80 well already d!
here SO luNmricntly! These certainly two very
important questions, and they have not been
ed IN IA manner satisfactorily 10 at least.
propose to give the directions laid town by Barry
and Downing, for transp anting and managing trees.
not for the benefit Of experienced hands, but merely
for the information Of those beg inning the business
that have not to suitable work the sub
lect 1t may he well however for those who need no
''insttuctons" to merely ask themselves ii they have
come up 10 the mark in every respect.
First-Thc trees should be in good condition.
Second-The top branches should be cut back.
Third-Ihe utmost is necessary in acting
out.
Fourtli-MuIching shout be rcso ted to in all ca
scs
Fifth--Stakcs should he set about trees, especial
~ they are large, and situations exposed the
wind.
BY the time tree Is set out in Minnesota after be-
ing taken from the nursery below, and brought il
long distance it is natural TO expect tina, the roots
Will be more less injured, need quite a severe
pruning. Before putting into the ground, all multi
lated roots should he cut off with a sharp knife
The next thing 10 be done then is reduce the top
IN Il corresponding manner. As matter Of course
we could not expect the remaining support as
many branches as before, even if the tree had not
been taken UP. In order then TO preserve balance
each limb should he cot back within two or three
buds of its base. The common practice oi eating the
entire limb of in order to reduce the top should be
trees are ina very bad condition pruning is
needed. When top pruning Is neglected, !! Il tree
should chance To i've IT cOull attain health,
and vigorous growth, and in MANY CASES they viii
die bciuc the close Of the first summer, porchance
during the first winter. Indeed it hot unicqucntiy
happens that such trees die IN the second sum-
and winter, which think has been the case with
not few trees in this part of Minnesota. When
such thing takes place the unfortunate pIantoi very
seriously cAcitms, ono need OF setting trees here -
and ut charges the failure upon the climate,
when IL Is altogether owing to his own misnanage-
ment.
There is generally much carecssness in '',ct,inc
OUT as in pruning trees. The trenches shodId b..
made about three or four feet in diameter, and souc
two feet in depth. After that the holes should be
partly flied, beng left higher in the middle. OF
course none but rich surface soil should be put ia The
bottom about the roots. Great care must b. taken
TO place fine dirt about the small thses, and when
the trench Is half filled, the dirt should be gently
trodden down. Care should be taken To place the
trees no deeper than they grew in the nursery.
Alter the trees suitably prunei and 'set out the
next thing To be done is to obtain some coarse ma
nurc, SAN dust. or litter for muching. In dry sea-
son We could not expect trees to succeed well with
out muchmg; and Barry says it is Indispensable IN
der all circumstances. In Summer il prevents the
moisture from evaporatng, and in winter the ground
will not he so much exposed 10 frost have seen
but few trees that properly mana, ed this re-
tHc Tdst icinatk;tN nfy season, AMI
many trees doub, ess failed ior want OF some pro-
lection of this kind.
There is generally great want Of care in stalking
after trees tian>panted One or two good stakes
should lie set about the tree to which IT must be tied
carefully to prevent its being injured b, the wind In
situations well protected by hills trees hot so
much needed grounds more or less cxposcd.-
1t should no, however be neglected in eases il
any.
In conclusion, would say those y 10 set out
this spring, by ali means, follow the directions
given above, unless YOU have better plan Of YOUR
own At all events do not traasp liant a tree il
cannot do ii well l.. VI. L.
Groveland, MIN. Apr. s, 1853.