The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-09
when 10 transplant Trees.

II we may judge by the number OF In.
quiries received at this office, says the
Tribune, the interest In fruit-culture has
never been more active than at the pre-.
sent time. Many persons are asking
whether It Is better to transplant in Fall
or walt till Spring. This question has
always been and seems likely to continue
an unsettled one, even among the most
intelligent and experienced men. With
large fruits, including pears, apples and
peaches, much more depends upon the
condition and preparation Of the ground
than upon the season at which the trans
planting takes place. At different times
and under different treatment, we have
instituted experiments, the results of
which We hoped might serve as guide,
but rs YET nothing definite on this point
has been determined. On four or FIVE oc.
casions, in putting out lots of 200 to 300
pear trees, half would be planted in the
Fall and the other half In the Spring,
Twice there was very noticeably differ.
ence In the growth of the trees for year
or two, but invariably this difference
would disappear, so that at the end OF
five years one could not positively diStin.
guish between them. With tall and weak
trees there Is serious objections to Fall
planting. The Winter and early Spring
winds will, unless tlie trees arc staked.
sway them backward and forward to such
an extent as to seriously disturb and dis
place the roots, This Is especially true
Of cherry and spindling apple trees.
When this evil Is guarded against, then
Fall has some decided advantages over
Spring planting. For instance, In the
Fall there is less pressing work to DO
done, and therefore more time can be
given in the transplAntIng to details that
are important to the welfare Of the trees.
Again, the ground Is usually during AN.
tumn in better order for longer period
so that there is no necessity OF hurrying
forward the work, as Is frequently tile
case In the spring. For these reasons We
have on different occasions recommended
Fall planting, of apples, pears, peaches,
aud grapes, nor do We see any good rea.
son to change opinion in. this respect.
THERE'S no doubt, however, that, all things
being equal, the Spring Is decidedly the
hest season in which to do the work.
But tile frost may remain 10 the ground
till the middle of April. Following this
may be q spell Of wet weather, keeping
the soil heavy and cold, and unfit to plant
trees In, and thus the time be so shorten
ed that if the job be done Mt oil it hos to
be done in hurry, in which event many
Important minor matters are likely to 10
neglected. Better wait whole year than
run the risk OF planting the trees in wet
ground, under any circumstances.
Before planting see to 1t that the
ground is in good order, thoroughly pull.
verified by blowing, cross blowing, and
subsolling, until every part Of It, to a
depth of IS inches, is well disturbed.
For fruit trees, ground should be in good
heart, but II Is n great mistake to suppose
that they need to be planted in rich gar
don soil. Ground that will give 1850 to
200 bushels of potatoes to the acre Is
strong enough for them or for grapevines.
Wel,rotted yard manure applied year
or two in advance will best bring the soil
up to the standard of quality. At the
time Of setting, some finely ground bone
or super.phosphate Of lime to sprinkle
around the roots will be of service. As
to the season, however, we repeat that
with good soil in good order, properly
mellowed, It will be safe to transplant ap.
pies, pears. peaches, or grapes, either In
Spring or Fall.