The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1876-04-27
PLANTING TREES.
Farm Journal

The season is at hand all over the
North, and will soon be passed, in which
deciduous trees may be planted. This
planting is sometimes extended uutil the
leaves began to appear, but the best sue
cess is obtained when the planting is done
while yet the buds are dormant Still
with proper care the work may be sue
cessfully accomplished after the leaves
have been obtained considerable size.
This, however, is not to be recommended.
The great point in handling all trees,
shrubs and plants, and especially SO in
handling evergreens, is to keep the roots
moist, and so far as possible from contact
with air. The sun and drying winds are
notably injurious. So much so that we
have known evergreens to be KILLED dead
by exposure to the sun, or a dry wind for
five minutes. Notwithstanding this, we
have often seen them left for hours ex-
posed to this influence. Is it a wonder
that so many trees die?
The class Of men who pursue this
course, if expostulated with, will reply,
"Oh, that won't hurt EN-, they'll look up
again" and then when they do die, will
turn and gravely lay the blame upon the
the nurserymen for selling "dead trees,
when the whole and sole blame lay with
themselves, or those whom they had hired
to set the trees, perhaps at fixed price
per hundred. This is especially the case
with those who plant suburban, public
and private grounds by contract.
Our experience is, that nurserymen, as
class, are especially careful to have
trees and plants leave them in good con
dition. If those who receive them would
carefully observe the printed directions
usually sent with the plants, or which
may be had upon application, very little
loss would occur. 1t is to the direct inter
est of Durserymen that all stock sent Out
should arrive in good condition, and there
after live If directions are carefully FOL
lowed, the roots are kept moist and from
contact with the air, and the soil proper
ly packed about the roots, and the trees
being kept from being shaken and blown
about in the wind they are mulched tt
keep them from drying out, or having t.
be watered, and the surface soil kept mel
low by cultivation. There is no reason
why three per cent. of the trees planted
should die Nor will they.
Evergreen trees may be planted at any
season of the year when the ground is
not frozen. The best time is when thu
buds have just started into new growth
or even when the new growth is half al
inch long. This occurs soon after o.
about the time other trees have come on
in leaf.
We have heretofore advised that al
who could should plant trees this year
and every one can make beginning. Do
no not delay commencing an orchard, anC
especially make a beginning in small
fruits. They will supply the family witt
a most toothsome and palatable dish
while those varieties that require more
time to come into bearing are growing
Particularly in the settlement of new dis
tricts will this advice be found of value
Grapes, early May cherries, currants
gooseberries, blackberries strawberries ar,
among the most healthful adjuncts t.
our daily food, and the truest conserva
tors of health that can be procured in
new country Don't forget liberal bee
of rhubarb-pieplant-in the garden
This will supply the family with sauc
and pies, while you are waiting year O
TIVE for the others-grapes, cherries, ap
pies, pears and other fruits While the
will be in succession. Thus any farm
may be fully supplied, and at light cost
in five years from the planting, with al
fruits we have mentioned.
Buy your trees, whether of fruit, or
namental or timber trees, of responsible
nurserymen, who have regulations to car
for. Leave tree peddlers alone. Som
are honest. A few are regular agents o
responsible firms, but that they are Sc
you cannot alone judge, unless you kno,
them personally. If you have no nurser
near, letter to responsible firms wi
bring you" price lists and other inform;
ton. And, trees properly packed, ar
perfectly safe for transit 100 or so
miles by railroad. Above all, if you G
to the nursery for trees with your wager
do not trust to blanket or buffalo rob
thrown over the roots. Have them pack
ed carefully in damp straw or other suita
BILE material, and thereafter keep the root
moist and from contact with air until the.
are planted.