The Kanzas news., 1857-08-29
For THE NEws
Fruit Trees


The season for planting Fruit trees is
rapidly approaching. 1t seems unnecessary
to urge upon an intelligent community the
importance of early attention to this subject;
yet the history of every new country, fur
nishes an example of the procrastination,
almost universal, in regard to planting fruit
and shade trees. The farmer says: 81 can
not spare the money tkis year; next year
viii do as WE'LL Not SO, my friend this
gear is the best time you viii ever have to
attend to this matter. If you cannot plant
a hundred trees, plant ten, plant eae, but
plant, and keep planting, it is certainly the
best investment you can make. Deny
yourself almost anything else, rather than
the pleasure of seeing an orchard growing
up around you; rather than not derive the
profit which is sure to reward you.
As the Apple is the sgreat staple with
Horticulturists, I will confine the present
article to the consideration of the time and
manner of planting this tree, with few re-
marks as to its general culture.
In this climate the Autumn is undoubted-
ly the best time to set out apple trees. The
roots have ample time to adapt themselves
| to their new position, which they do by be-
coming hardened at the cut, or broken ex
tremeties the earth has time to settle and
become thoroughly packed about each root.
and the tree becomes firmly fixed in its
place and is ready to grow with the first
opening of spring Then, our trees must be
brought from distance, and from a colder
climate, which cannot be done early enough
in the spring.
NOa0 IS the time to prepare your groataad
for the reception of trees. The ground
should be Thoroughly and deeply pulVerized
for a considerable distance around each tree
1t is utterly useless to plant trees in the
hard earth, only digging hole just large
| enough for the tree, as you would for post
hole. Dig hole from four to six feet in
diameter, in proportion to the space occu-
pied by the roots and at least foot deep
er than you wish to plant the tree. This
may be done during any leisure time, for
weeks before you plant the tree. When you
are ready to plant the tree, fill up the ertra
depth with the surface earth, making it very
fine, then drive two strong stakes, large
enough to last five or six years, one at the
east and one at the west side of the hole
| Then place your tree as you wish it to stand,
and hold it there, while another person COW
ers the roots, and fills all the crevices about
them with fine earth, being careful to place
the roots in their natural position. Fill the
hole level with the surrounding earth. and
press it over the roots firmly. Secure the
stock to each of the stakes by strip of
cloth or bark, and the tree is properly plant
ed. Do not pour water around the roots,
if earth is properly pulverized, it is not
only useless, but injurious.
In selecting trees get those whose growth
has been steady, and the wood well harden
ed this is of more consequence than the
thrifty groaUth, to which the nurservman
will call your attention. Do not waste your
money on trees of which you know nothing
Buy only of those who kROsC what they
/ have got, and will warrant them. Nothing
can be more aggravating than to wait years
for an orchard to bear, and then find that
you have been nurturing nothing but nat
ural fruit. A good tree, of good Uor4ety of
fruit, is worth all it will cost you, while a
poor tree of an inferior kind, is dear at any
price Examine each tree closely, late in
the fall before the ground freezes, scrape
away the earth an inch or two deep, to as
certain if any ofthe enemies of the tree have
deposited their eggs; if so, be careful to
destroy them, and wash the whole stock
with strong soap suds. This viii remove
the mould which often accumulates in nur-
series, and also destroy the larvae of in
sects.
This washing should be repeated at least
twice a year; it gives smooth healthy ap-
pearanee to the bark, and prevents that rus
ty, cracked appearance, too often seen in or
chards.
If danger is to be apprehended from mice
or rabbits, wind the stock with tarred cloth.
If these directions are attended to you will
in due time reap your reward.
/ HORTICULTURIST
Gang PIoW