New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1861-04-12
Transplanling Fruit Trees.

Club: .......@ 80" -, '"' =, -" :
Gentlemen:-Ample directions for planting
fruit trees abound in almost every Agricultu
raj Journal, and Nurserymen's Catalogue il
our land, and for the most part they art
so appropriate too. that it would seem quite
superf1uous to say more. But, while this il
true, It is e'so equally true that thousands OF
transplanted fruit trees die annually, simply
because 10 much opinionated wrong doing o,
gross negligence is connectsd with their re-
moval and after treatment.
/ deem it most important, therefore, that
] advise tree planters in reference to what
should not be done rather than toll them what
to do.
In the first place then, let me say; Do not
spend many anxious thoughts in regard to
the site or slope for the orchard, but select
the NEST convenient ground near the house,
having due reference to drainage, and mod
crate amount Of protection against sweeping
winds, and If not about right in these respects,
make it 30 by suitable ditching or under
draining, and by planting rapid growing,
low branching forest trees on the north, the
west and tho southwest also if practicable.
End. Do not go to distant stone quarry
for rocks, or send 70 Boston for clam shells
to place about the trees. Lands naturally
rocky are generally far less compact, and
tree roots more easily permeate them; and
besides this, the excesses of heat and cold,
as well as of wet aad dry seasons, are usual.
ly less severe upon such grounds owing chiefly
OF q sott or nn.cc;:;5 nature. All the benefits,
however, which the few rocks or shells, 90
often used, and oftener desired, can possibly
E.,.ek <~no ~
are nearly valuecss when compared with
the melIowing ofsuch soils, and the unspar-
ing use of fertilizing materials with which 20
many barns are constantly surrounded.
3rd. Do not put fiat rocks under the trees
to prevent the central or vertical roots from
following natures plan; for if the surround
ing soil is thoroughly supplied to q good
depth with those food giving substances which
will encourage the vigorous growth and ex-
pansion Of horizontal reefs, then, surely, no
more vertical extensions will take place than
is entirely CONSTANT with the stability and
fruitfulness of the trees. af
4th. DO not set the trees at such unsooial
distances as was formerly practiced at the
East; but plant them from twelve to sixteen
feet apart. thus having about ono hundred
trees upon a half acre, go that thereby they
may afford mutual protection against our Sc.
vere winds; and also to secure, if possible,
the entire devotion and culture of that small
piece Of land for trees
5th. Do net follow the counsel Of those who
live in q climate aad cultivate q soil entirely
unlike our own, when they say plant trees
only about one inch deeper than they stood
in the nursery but rather heed the advice
given BY these whom long and successful OK.
p; rience in this vicinity has fully convinced
them that in our friable, rich, deep soil,
and in this climate deep plantiag-setting
the trees 1t least one fsOt deeper than they
stsod in the nursery-should be the rule with
all kind of fruit trees So said James G. Soul
ard, ESQ, in my Treatise upon Fruit Grow.
ing issued in February, 1889, and 80 now
says nearly every successful fruit grower up
on such soils - arc found in this region Of
country.
The fact is, gentlemen, that the exploded
Terra Culture theory is now just as good as
ever it was, when applied to the planting Of
small seeds, and the culture of annual or
summer plants; but when we are planting .
tree, to stand for the many coming years
and changeable winters, we must permit
that surface culture hnmbug to 60 into an
undisturbed retirement while we give our
fruit tree roots chance to hibernate in To-
C8ClOQ 70 00oU W 10 01VNCI xUiu0U VI 001AVO0ly
injured by the hard freezing to which they
must needs be subjected. OF what permanent
avail to our tree roots Is the increased
warmth secured in summer by shallow plant
ing, if the merciless frost must deal out sure
destruction to them it the first succeeding
winter! Firmness of position, which results
from deep planting, is Of the first importance.
9Th. Do not set tho trees precisely perpen-
dicular, expecting them to remain 90: but
lean them somewhat towards the sun at 2.
P. NJ and thus save their bodies from the sad
effects Of the suns otherwise more direct rays
at that time Of day. At the same time rest
assured that the prevailing winds, usually
most powerful from that direction, will in .
few years bring them into . position sufficient
ly erect for oil practical purposes
7th. De not neglect to use a sharp knife to
cut off afresh tho ends of all the main roots,
the last thing before planting the trees. This
is 20 very important that it should never be
omitted.
stb. Do not put manure in the pits when
the trees are planted, or about them after
wards, except only some coarse litter or
straw, for the purpose of mulching them to
procure moisture from the atmosphere; for, to
enrich that particular spot il actually Offering
q premium to all the roots that will stay at
home thereby preventing them from penetra-
ling the surrounding soilin quest Of suitable
food land whore too they should always be
permitted to find it, 20 that . fast increasing
Hrmness may b secured TO the tree as soon
- possible. -
9Th. Do not plant out fruit trees immedi-
atsly on their arrival, lfthey come to hand in
: frosted, shriveled, or dried up condition;
but place them without delay where they
can be covered-root and branch-with
damp earth, and after covering them to the
depth Of few inches, and wetting the sol,
let them remain few days till their limbs
and buds have become thoroughly swollen
and plump, then plant them on Is damp .
day Is can BE- met with, shade them if con-