The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-01-27
Hints OH Fruit-Tree Planting.

For fruit-trees the soil should be dry,
either naturally Or made so by thorough
drainage, as they will not live or thrive
on a soil constantly saturated with stag
nant moisture. 1t should also be we'll
prepared by blowing twice at least be-
forehand, using the subsoil pillow after
the common one at the second blowing.
On new, fresh lands manuring will be
unnecessary; but on lands exhausted by
cropping fertilizers must be applied,
either by turning in heavy crops of clover
or well -decomposed manure or compost.
land should be in as good condition as
for a crop of wheat, corn or potatoes. In
preparing soil fatal errors are often ON
mitted. AS a general thing, trees are
placed in the ground precisely as they are
sent from the nursery. In removing a
tree, no matter how carefully it may be
done, a portion of the roots is broken and
destroyed, and consequently the balance
that existed in the structure of the tree is
deranged. This must be restored by a
proper pruning, adapted to the size, form
and condition of the tree, as follows:
Standard orchard trees, as sent from
the nursery, vary from five to eight feet
in height, with naked stems or trunks
and a number of branches at the top form
ing a head. These branches should all be
cut back to within three or four buds of
their base. This lessons the demand upon
the roots and enables the remaining buds
to push with vigor. In the case of older
trees of extra size the pruning must be in
proportion; as a general thing it will be
safe to shorten all the previous years
shoots to three or four buds at their base,
and where the branches are very m
GUS some may be cut out entirely. Py-
ramidal trees, of two or three years
growth, with a number of side
branches, will require to be pruned
with a two-fold object in view, viz: the
growth of the tree and the desired form.
The branches nus be CIT into the form of
a pyramid by shortening the lower ones,
say one-half, those above them shorter,
and the upper ones around the leading
shoot to within two or three buds of their
base. The leader itself must be shortened
back one-half or more. When trees have
been dried or injured much by exposure
the pruning must be closer than if in good
order. Dwarf standard trees and dwarf
bushes must be pruned as recommended
for standards, aiming at producing a
round, well-proportioned head, with the
main branches regularly distributed and
far enough apart to admit free air freely
TO all parts. Yearling trees intended for
pyramids may have a few side branches,
the smallest of which should be cut clean
away, reserving only the strongest and
best placed. In other respects they will
be pruned as directed for trees of two
years growth. Those having no side
branches should be cut back so far as to
insure the production of a tier of branches
within twelve inches of the ground. A
strong yearling, four to six feet, may be
cut back about half, and the weaker snes
more than that. 1t is better to cut too
low than not low enough, for if the first
tier of branches be not low enough the
pyramidal form cannot afterward be per-
fected.
In planting, dig holes in the first place
large enough to admit the roots of the
tree to spread out in their natural posi-
ton. Then, having the tree prlned as
above directed, let mi person, hold it in
an upright position and another shovel in
the earth, carefully putting the finest and