Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-01-27

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 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 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 ones
more than that. 1t is better to cut too
tier Of branches be not low enough the
pvramidal 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 prIned as
above directed, let one person hold it in
an upright position and another shovel in
the earth, carefully putting the finest and
the best from the surface in among the
roots, filling every interstice and bringing
every root in contact with the soil. When
the earth is nearly filled in, pail of
water may be thrown on to settle and
wash in the earth around the roots; then
I'LL in the remainder and tread gently with
the foot. The use of water is seldom
necessary, except in dry weather, early in
fall or late in spring. Guard against
planting too deep; the trees, after the
ground settles, should stand in this re-
spect as they did in the nursery. Trees
on dwarf stocks should stand so that all
the stock be under the ground and no
more. In very dry, gravelly ground, the
holes should be dug twice the usual size
and depth and filled in with good loamy
soil. If trees are tall and much
exposed to winds, stake should be
planted with the tree, to which it
should be tied in such a manner
as to avoid chatting. A piece of mating
or cloth may be put in between the tree
and the stake. When the tree is planted
throw around it as far as the roots extend
and a foot beyond five or six inches deep
of rough manure or litter. This is par
ticularly necessary in dry ground, and is
highly advantageous everywhere, both in
spring and fall planting. 1t prevents the
ground from baking or cracking, and
maintains an equal temperature about the
roots. Grass or weeds should not be al
lowed to grow around young trees after
being planted, as it stunts their growth
and utterly ruins them. The ground
should be kept clean and cut loose around
them until at least they are of bearing
size. Place the packages, if frozen, I'M
opened in a cellar or some such place,
cool, but free from frost, until perfectly
thawed, when they can be unpacked and
either planted or placed in trench until
convenient to plant. Treated thus they
will not be injured by the freezing. Trees
procured in the fall for spring planting
should be laid in trenches in a slanting
position to avoid the winds; the situation
should also be sheltered and the soil dry.
A mulching on the roots and few ever
green boughs over the tops will afford
good protection.-N. 7. World.