The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-11-18
PLANTING TREES.
A Plain and destructive Article.

great merit of conveying important in
formation on an important subject in
so plain manner that the least skillful
cannot fail to understand:
! So much has been written upon this
subject, that it seems almost or quite
impossible to offer anything that will
prove of interest to the readers Of the
Journal. 1t is true, however, that there
are some entering the field of Horticul-
ture every year who are novices in tree
planting, to whom even that which
which may appear quite simple to the
experienced fruit-grower will be OF
great interest. If one is to plant an
orchard, or even ornamental trees, he
must know how to do it, if he would
have them live and flourish. There is a
great degree Of ignorance on this sub
ject, Notwithstanding all that has been
lpublished; and even those who do know
do not always pay sufficient regard to the
ditionS and requirements of the trees
and shrubs. 1t shall be our object to
treat the subject of tree-planting so
plainly, that any person of ordinary ca
pacity may understand it sufficiently
we'll to perform the work with good
degree of success.
One of the first conditions to the sue
cessful planting of trees is good soil;
and. without this, the best results can
rot be expected. Presuming the soil to
favorable, then it should be trenched, or
subsoiled, and, if needful, drained.
If the former be done, the soil is greatly
deepened, giving the roots Of the trees
or plants ample opportunity to stretch
themselves far and wide, though, to have
them do we'll when planted on land that
has been so treated, large quantity of
we'll deeonposed maure should be used,
and either ploughed or dug in, because
much poor subsoil is brought near the
surface and mixed with the good. If
the land has been so treated, the holes
may be dug for the trees only large
enough in diameter to conveniently al
low all the roots to bo Strengthened out,
and deep enough to admit of their being
planted a little deeper, say one or two in
ches, than they were in the nursery. 1t is
quite important to observe this sugges-
tion concerning the depth to which they
should be planted; for trees too deeply set
will either die completely, or struggle a
long for years until they can throw out
roots higher up, nearer the surface, after
which they will usually begin to grow.
Dwarf pear-trees budded high are an ex-
ception to this rule; for as it is very
desirable to get all the ounce wood
below the surface, out of the way of
the borers, it brings the roots quite
low. In such a case, of the two evils
choose the least, and plant deep; for
the ounce throws out roots very read
lily, and, in q season or two, will be
! furnished with new set at the proper
depth.
When the ground is well prepared,
and the holes dug of the proper depth,
and the trees selected Of the best size,
the important work of planting begins.
Fruit trees two or three years old, and
six or seven feet high, are the very
fbest size to plant; though some who
wish to train them very carefully, pre-
fer to take maiden trees, or those only
one year from the bud; while still others
would have very large ones. Whenever
tree is transplanted, and the roots are
roughly cut with the spade, it is better
to pare off smoothly the ends of all the
large roots that they may the more read
lily throw out little tibrous roots to sup
port and nourish the tree. This can
nat be so easily done when large trees
are moved with bail of frozen earth.
Cut the root obliquely, as that will give
larger surface for the formation
of rootlets. There is q difference
of opinion among the best judges as to
the expediency of heading in or cutting
back the tree when set. We have prac-
ticed both ways with entire success; but
we are of the opinion that it is best to
shorten in the top of tree when trans
planted. This remark, of course, will
not apply to evergreens, shrubs, or orna-
mental trees, to any great extent, but,
particularly to fruit-trees and grape
vines. Many of tho roots having nee
essarily been lost in the removal of the
trees, we wonld remove part of the
top to restore the equilibrium, to pro-
mote a more uniform and better growth,
strengthen the trees, and to render them
| less t0p-heavy, and, consequently, less
liable TO he blown about by the winds.
The work of planting must not be
left to ignorant and careless workmen.
but should either be performed by the
owner or some trusty man well ac-
quainted with the business. A man
should hold up the tree with one hand,
and with the other straighten ont the
roots, placing them in the true and nat
ural position, or in such a position rs
will induce them to grow readily.
Then let another person with shovel,
scatter into the hole the best of tho
soil; the man VINO is holding the tree,
all the time working the same in among
the roots with his hand, making sure
that every crevice is we'll filled, and oc.
casionally putting in his foot to press
down the earth when tho hole is nearly
full, and, when quite full, giving the
soil good treading-down about the
! tree to hold it in it's proper position.
planting should never be attempt
ed unless the soil is dry enough to be
easily sifted in among the roots. A
good rule would be, that, when the soil
is dry enough to be planted with field
crops, it would do to plant trees.
1t may be well to consider also the
time of planting the various trees.
Many contend that autumn is the bet
ter time to attend to the work; while
others are equally sanguine that spring
| is the only tlmc Wneu tnlS WoTk can Oe
successfully performed, when all the
genial Influences of the season combine
to bring forward the buds, leaves, and
blossoms. Now we think it may safely be
said, that, wherever the winters are Sc
we're, the fall planting Of stone-fruit and
evergreen trees is Rot safe, unless, per-
haps, the latter are quite early, say in
August or the first of September.
Neither has it been found quite SO
profitable to plant grape-yines at this
season of the year as in spring. Car
experience does not lead US to favor
planting small fruit-trees, bushes, grape
vines, or small ornamental trees or
shrubs, with some exceptions, in the fall
of the year.
But we have planted large pear, apple,
and other deciduous trees, to great ad-
vantage. Trees, whether planted in
fall or spring, will be greatly benefited
the following summer, especially if il
should prove q dry season, by a liberal
mulching of hay, straw, leaves, or any
thing of that kind that will retain the
moisture. This should be raked away
in the following autumn, for fear of
damage to the trees from mice that may
harbor in this loose material. The