Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-10-07
For the oxford Democrat
FRUIT CULTURE.
N1mber 5.
Mu,a6er s..
HOW To PLANT.

Wide let its hollow bed be made;
Then gently lay the roots, and there
sin the dark mould with kindly care,
And press it DER them tenderly,
As round the sleeping infants feet
We softly fold the cradle sheet;
50 plant We the apple tree.
bryant.
Too much care cannot be devoted to
the planting of a tree, as its future growth
depends largely upon the manner IN which
it is performed. One should know Just
what to DO and what not TO do.
Many dig a sort of post hole, crowd IN
the roots, dash in pail Of water, then
FL in the soil they have taken out, and
call their work done.
| once knew a farmer, with the help OF
one man, to plant two hundred trees IN
little more than half a day. They were
planted in a moving field, which was
pastured in the fall, and then left to shift
for themselves. The result was the loss
Of half of them the first year, nearly all
the rest going the same way in few years
afterwards, while few continued to lead
a struggling existence, furnishing food for
borers and caterpillars.
FREPARING THE PLACES.
The late A. j. Downing, who was the
leading authority in America on the sub
ject of pomology, said Of planting; ''No
fruit tree should be planted in a hole Of
less size than three feet square and from
eighteen inches 70 two feet deep; and he
further adds: The most Skillful cult
vators among US make their spaces four
or tve feet in diameter, OF three times the
size of the roots.
This extensive loosening Of the soil Is
productive of d marvellous growth and
vigor, and is a method much to be de
sired; but it is hardly probable that the
average planter VIII be inclined 70 take
the trouble TO adop, it in full.
Asa general rule the following Is offered
for planting standard trees. Dwarf trees.
which require different management, VIII
be treated under the head Of dwarf pears.
Dig a hole large enough to receive all
the roots Of the tree, when they are spread
out in their natural position, and conSid-
erably deeper than Is naturally required
for the tree In hand soil It Is needfUl to
dig larger space than in mellow soil.
Next I'll in good, fine, surface soil, rais-
ing a mound in the centre of the space,
sufficiently high for the tree. resting upon
II, TO stand as high, or little higher than
in the nursery.
ROOT AND TOP PRUNING.
No tree should be planted till It's roots
are carefully examined, as they receive
more or less injury in their removal from
the nursery, especially if the digging sea
son Is a dry one. All bruised and man
gled portions should be cut of with a
sharp knife. a bruised root Is ike tes-
tering sore. and unless removed, becomes
q germ Of disease 70 the tree. Next cut
back the branches from one-haf 70 two
thirds, and remove all side limbs up TO
the height 1t Is desired % form the future
head Of the tree. If two shoots grow
clo,e together one should be removed.
This manner Of pruning Is necessary to
restore the balance between the top and
roots, and properly shape the tree.
SETTING THE TREE.
Two persons are needed 20 properly
plant tree. One should place the tree
on the little mound prepared for it, hold
ing it erect. while the other sits in the
filing, and. with his hands, places all
roots and fbreS in their natural position,
carefully working the soil in among them
and filling al spaces. Continue filling IN
this careful manner till the space IS full,
and then make a mound several inches
above The surface around the tree and
tread it firmly down.
The earth taken from the bottom Of
the hole should never be used IN filling,
and if that on the surface Is not natural
" fertile enough, il should be mixed with
well rotted compost; but no manure
should be used in planting. Many fine
trees have been ruined by the liberal use
Of strong manure. To a newly trans
planted tree it Is ike preserves and rich
fruit cake 20 a weak and drSpeptic stom-
sch
DEEP PL ANTING.
Those who plant trees should guard
against extremes. They should neither
Starve them with neglect nor kin them
with over-kindness. While they avoid
loose and shallow planting, they should
not 20 10 the other extreme Of too hard
and deep planting.