The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-01
Plant Trees, and How to 90 L.

The ,aw settlers who are 1ocslng to
This state by the thousands annually
and even the older ones, may be pehe-
fitted bv a p~erusal of the following item
which we copy from The Albert Lea
Standard. furnished to that paper by
its HAYWOOD correspondent:
Freeman Briggs is enjoying no little
amount of satisfaction in the manufac-
ture of maple sugar from tress OF his
own planting. We are informed he has
already made nearly two mar
rounds. which is something quite re,
markable. Some of the trees are hard
and some are soft maple, and have all
been planted within fifteen or sixteen
wears. If all farmers III this town fau
planted maple trees on opening their
tarms. thev would now not only have
axceIlent fuel but would have means OF
supplying their families with a culinary
luxurv-pure maple sugar.
And here allow us 10 remark that, as
the season is upon Us for tree planting,
no time should be lost in making judi
| cious selections, and putting out orna-
mental as well as productive trees,
Procure only such as are adapted to the
| climate. thrifty, and OF a size that VIII
secure the most satisfactory and quick
est returns. DEMONSTRATING the larger
trees. cut back the tops or branches to
correspond with the amount OF roots
that YOU may be able to retain when
dug from the native bed, keeping IN
view the fact that the small tlberous
roots are of paramount Importance IN
retaining or maintaining Vitality IN their
new home. 50 TO speak. Keep the
roots from the hot sun while the trees
is IN transit from its old to its destined
bed. Care In this respect, and III the
r~eplantine. will avoid many disappolnt-
ments. Forest trees, in fact all trees,
when transplanted, should be put into
tho ground SO that they shall preserve
the same position III relation to the
points of the compass, in which they
originally grew-the north side towards
the north. and SO III. A very slight
mark on the tree before being taken up
will be sufficient to indicate their Orlgl-
nal position. This is an important
point and should not be overlooked nor
neglected and a friend at our elbow,
who has had an extensive experience in
tree planting, maintains that it is very
essential that the points of compass be
observed. In digging the tree from its
native bed cut the earth about the tree
with a spade a sufficient distance from
the trunk SO as to loosen the soil and
prevent the small roots from being
mangled and torn from the main body
when the tree is pulled over-tor a tree
two and a half inches in diameter, the
circle of sp~ade-cutting should not be
less than four feet in diameter, or two
feet in all directions from the trunk.
All broken or mangled roots should be
trimmed smoothly with a sharp knife.
In setting, make your excavation to re-
ceive the roots a foot or more larger in
diameter than the size Of the hole from
whence it was taken, so that the roots
may assume their original position as
near as may be, and then carefully sift
the soil among the roots so there will
be no vacant spaces about them, and
press down gently but frmly-not
beating down too hard. Never put
n or mulch close to the body of a
tree, but keep the ground we'll stirred
with a spade 0 fork, and if manure is
used, spade it In ava from the body.
BY following the above directions
tree-planters will meet with a very
small percentaSe of loss.