The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-04-30
Hints OH TranSplanting.

The soil Tor fTult trees must DC OIy, tHHeI
naturally, or made so by thorough drainage,
for they cannot thrire in any soil which re-
tains siagnant moisture. IL should be deep
ly dug and pulyerized or twice plowed, the
second time being followed by the subsoll
plow, and enriched by plenty Of well de-
composed or compost manure.
Prepare the trees by cutting of smoothly
the end ofeach root, taking away any bruised
portions. A finger chopped with spade
may as well be expected 10 heal kindly as a
root so treated. both are portions OF organ
lied tissue, and subject 10 the laws of life.
Dig large holes-spread the roots In their
natural position without bending or crowd
ing-let one person hold the tree and anoth-
or I'LL in carefully and thoroughly with fine
surface soil, bringing every root IN close con-
tact with II, and leaving no vacancies which
cause mold and decay. Let no manure
touch the roots, unless very old and well
incorporated with the soil. Rank manure Is
little better than poison.
DEPrn.-As general rule trees should
be planted at the same depth as they stood
in the nursery, or not more than an inch
lower; but to this rule an exception must be
made in the case OF Dwarf Pears, which
should be planted so that the junction be-
tween the pear and ounce shall be just one
inch belotp the surface when the planting Is
finished, without reference TO the height al
which they budded or grated in the nurse
~. so planted and properly mulched the
ounce will emit roots close 10 the junction,
and these will soon become the main roots,
and thus the tree grow vigorously. Leaving
any portion of the ounce above the ground
is Objectionable for many reasons.
HEADING IS.-The roots OF tree being
necessarily shortened in lifting, however
carefully il may be done, THE small roots
usually extending as far as the branches,l
the top should be shortened enough to re-
store the balance. "A safe rule Is to cut IN
the last years growth to three or four buds.
This so lessons the demand on the roots that
the remaining buds grow vigorously y, and
soon the tree is larger aud healthier than II
planted with the top entire.
MuLcn.-When the tree is planted, by no
means forget or neglect TO mulch It, by lay
ing around, four feet in width and three inch
es in depth, covering OF some kind. Half
decayed leaves from the forest are best, and
course manure next best. Refuse hay, straw
or seaweed will answer good purpose, and
even spent tan or sawdust Is better than
nothing. Such covering preserves UNI
formity Of temperature and moisture about
the roots, and its value is IN little danger OF
being over estimated.
SEAsoS.-The question IS often asked
whether spring or fall be the better time for
planting. The opinion formerly prevailed
that spring was preferable, but such Is not
now the opinion Of the best cultiyators.-
From necessity first, and now from decided
choice, our own practice is changed TO ear
ly autumn, October 10Th to November 10th
is prefenble.) The following reasons are
strongly in its favor:
The ground is in better condition to work.
II is a time OF more leisure, and the planting
is likely to be more faithfully done. The
trees get better established before the heat
OF summer oyer,akcs them, and suffer far
less from drough,s the succeeding season.
Where there are doubts OF the hardness
Of any tree or plant, spring is the safer sea-
son, and the character Of the soil should al
WAYS be taken into consideration, as in light
and dry soils autumn planting succeeds bet
ter than in heavy loans. Trees planted In
autumn should Gi,rdys hare hiiiOek Of earth
piled around them, 20 be removed IN spring,
and replaced BY a mulch.
AFrER CuLruRE.-When tree is well
planted, Its culture Is only well b,gun-keep
The soil tree from weeds and grass. Bestow
an unusual supply Of food, and once year
At least, wash the trunk and limbs with
soap-suds.
II orchards must be laid down to grass.
wait until the trees are well grown, and It
YOU triR demand Of the soil hay and fruit,
feed il tor both crops.