The Placer herald., 1873-02-01
HOUSE AND FARM.
TRANSPLANTiNG TREES.

All trees should now be planted as soon as
possible, and while the ground is most moist
after the late beautiful rains. TO delay is
only TO incur more expense and labor. hen
the soil becomes drier, the holes have to be
dug deeper and wider, more pains have to be
taken to ensure success, and water has to be
poured over the roots before the final filling
up of the holes. Besides at this time there
appears to be rather superabundance Of
Young trees of all kinds among the nursery
men, and before next season, as is usual,
there viii probably be a reaction and nur-
sery stock will be scarce, and therefore com
mand IA higher price. In addition to what
we have said, the general success OF trans
planting depends mainly on two prerequisites
young trees well taken up and in good
condit on, and good, well prepared soil to
set them in. II dug last Fall, ana properly
heced in, they will be in excellent condition
for setting out for some time to come, il
planters cannot possibly now spare the time.
If not dug till Spring, they should be taken
up Immediately, or before the buds swell and
the young roots start, and heeled or buried
in until wanted for transplanting. This is
much better than taking them up later, as
have known trees thus treated to succeed
well even when set out several weeks after
ward when trees generally were in full leaf.
1t is, however, quito essential that they be
well taken care OF, by not allowing the roots
to become dry for an hour, and by filling i'll
all the interstices among them with fine earth,
when heeng in as well as setting out. 1t is
very common, we have observed, for such
trees to be spoiled or ruined by leaving the
roots exposed day or two to the sun or dry
ing air, and them bnryng them badly, by
throwing on Jumps of earth or large masses
Of earth by the shoyeful-'eaving vacancies
all through Tie lower parts Of the roots. A
good soil for the trees is, of course, import
ant, especially one that has a good natural
or artificial under drainage, but it is still
more important, if possible, that it be i'll Il
good, mellow condition when they are set
out and ihat it be kept SO throughout the
season. Observe the following directions in
setting out each tree, namely: to spread ont
The roots il all directions, Ike the arms of an
extended umbrella. ! his will s,iilen the
tree against the wind, aud give the trunk an
upright, stout growth, and to FIJI n fine earth
SO that there will be no orcvices. II is well
to settle the soil among the roots, by pouring
in water till the hole is partly filed, unless
the ground is as wet as it is at present. If
the tree is large and the roots small Ga bad
disproporion thongh) it will be necessary to
stake the tree against the wind; but not
otherwise.
As all newly set trees require some small
shortening back both for the purpose OF
forming an even, wel-shaped head, and for
lessenng the number of Ieaf-buds, so as to
correspond with the necessary looping of some
of the roots, careful attention should be given
that this cutting be done before the buds swell
or expand If done afterwards it checks
growth, and has induced some persons
wrongly to suppose that cutting back is al
ways useless or hurful.
1t sometimes happens in setting out young
orchards that it is inconvenient to prepare the
whole surface of The ground for young trees
that are to occupy it at distances Of thirty or
forty feet. 1t answers, we think, about as
well to plough some six feet wide, where the
rows are to stand, and plant the trees in the
middle OF these strips, which are to be kept
clean and mellow through the season, either
by planting with potatoes, beans, beets or
cabbases, or by leaving it unoccupied by any
crop; but our soil and climate will generally
well bear some crop or other. The wide
spaces between the rows may be planted
with many suitable things, sown with grain,
or occupied with alfalfa, provided that in the
latter instance rather more breadth is given
to the cultivated strips in which the trees
stand. .-Ru1dl Press.
LUBRIcATIoN WITHOUT FATTY MATTER. 1t
has been a long time the practice, with
horologists to use graphite as reducer of
friction, in even the most delicate pieces OF
mechanism. In blowing engines, also, if the
gearing is copper, graphite is the only lubr
cation used. These facts have led to the
simple experiment of ascertaining the effect
of a mixture of graphite-preparei by de-
cantation-and hog S lard, first in the stuf6ng
box of a pumping engine. and subsequently
upon a steam engine The result proved to
be very satisfactory in the case, the only
especial care requisite being to keep up the
necessary quantity of graphite in the mixture,
as otherwise it becomes too fluid In another
experiment. in which a part of graphite and
water was employed, the result proved
equally effective; the slight escape of steam
into the stuAingbox was sufficient to keep
the graphite ina moist condition, and the
fabrication seemed quite perfect, although
there was no fatty matter present.
EyERGREENs FOR PouL1RY RoosTs.-A
correspondent of The Practical Farmer,
truthfully says:--"l Turkeys and hens prefer
roostinS upon evergreen trees, to being shut
up in filthy coops all nisht--the branches
are arranged to suit fowls to roost upon they
are sheltered and are beyond the reach OF
foxes and other animals that prey upon them;
they keep free of vermn, enjoy good health,
and are generally more profitable. In the
heat OF Summer they get under the trees for
shade, and the lower branches being nearlhe