White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-09-13
for tbe farmer,
r.n planting Of Fruit Trees.

Fan Planting Of Fruit Trees.
There is always good deal Of preparation
made suong nurserymen for the "fall trade"
and Il Is common to hear them assuring the
people that the fall is the best time to
plant. We propose to bring forward At this
point some Of their discussions Of this subject
which have been had, and the opinions which
have been given n favor Of and against fall
planting BY some Of the best orchardists and
horticuiturists in the West.
1t the annual meeting Of the Wisconsin Fruit
Growers, held at Whitewater, last winter, Mr..
Conger said he could see no reason why they
should net plant in the fall in that State as we'll
az in Illinois and New York; is true that trees
in the nursery do not always ripen their wood
early enough to admit of il, and this is the res-
son 80 many of our imported trees fail; but the
objection may be overcome.
Mr. Bayton was opposed TO fall planting.
1.-THE roots cannot heal and establish themselves
without leaves. Trees received from the nur-
sery in the fall should be covered up, root and
branch, for winter. Much blame attaches to
neglect of trees after taking up; the roots must
be protected from the sun Immediately and ev.
err"
A.G. Hanford says, "Roots will heal and
form without leaves, even ii simply 'heeIed IN
have seen it repeatedly -and know an instance
in which fifty trees were frozen up solid in the
earth the day after planting, all Of which lived
and lourished, except one or two. Fall plant
ing, however, should be early. Some care
should be used to bring earth in contact with
the roots, ETC., as in spring. Just before winter
sets in, raise a mound of fifteen inches about
the stem, and mulch the roots with coarse ma
nure or litter
J. C. Plumb would plant in September or car
ly in October, and give the roots chance to
form. Mulching is important as a preventive
of evaporation Of vital sap, by drv freezing
winter weather. If We plant in spring, trees
should be taken up before the sap starts, and
may then be planted at leisure. The we'll doing
10 more important than size or age. What we
want is the roots.
Mr.. Conger would have all the roots, then
leave all the tops; would prefer young trees,
and is consequently sensible man. We would
not pay as much for q tree four or five years
old. were We going TO plant in the fall or any 9th
er time, as for one only two years old. Our
Western planters will learn to distinguish in
this way some day.
d. F. Kinney, Of Rock Island, says, 81 have
had good success in planting late in November,
and the best in December. Spring is the safest
time jim this region, but when planting in au.
tumn, would wait till the leaves have fallen.
and if the trees could be set late and imnedi-
ately freeze in, should consider them safer
than planting early in October, for I have not
been very successful in planting then"
DR.. J. A. Kennicott regards October the sa-
fest autumn month for transplanting all hardy
trees, which, he says, should be planted in au
tumn, unless with an unbroken ball of Garth
attached to their roots. With that you may
transplant when you will with most gratifying
success. But the Doctor does not recommend
planting deciduous trees in the autumn with the
leaves on, nor before the wood had matured or
been checked in growth by frost. He urges
that in early autumn planting, water should be
given to the roots, If the soil be dry, the same
a. you would in April or May, because vitality
and especially Transportation is still moderately
active in October, and without . full supply OF
moisture, trees must perish before they have a
chance TO become established in their new stu
alton. Later in the season, or during open
weather in winter, when the trees are nearly
dormant, and there is no danger from transpi.
ration, they may be trassplanted and do we'll;
for then cold water. winds and weather are the
difficulties, and if the trees Immediately freeze
in. so much the better, provided they remain
90 till spring. But we all know the uncertain
ties Of our climate. "Last year." says he,
"the ground froze in November and opened
again in December, and we sold trees then
which were planted Immediately, and lived
And have known several such cases late in
November, but never when the result was un-
fortunate; and judging from what have seen
aud heard would certainly prefer open wealth
er in winter to the average chances in Novem.
her any where north of Bloomington. If we
could count on q covering of snow, or even on
covering Of the ground by frost, not to be bro
ken till spring, should have no fear of late
planting; and perhaps in dry soil and shell
tered situation, it may be just as safe to plant
in November as in the preceding month, but
not 30 in mucky, clay bottomed exposed prairie
regions. Far south, believe fall planting is
best, and November good month for the work. :"
Prairie Farmer. A 2. st'a