The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-04-03

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hill being always warmer at the to
than at the foot-partly because of tn
purity of the atmosphere, there bein
less of malariOus, and all kinds of fun
gus growths, and partly because of tn
prevailing winds, a firmer, shorter
jointed aud ripper wood is produced
which always gives q better quality Q
fruit.
PRUNING AT THE L ME OF PLANTING
There is some variety of opinion
upon this point. I should prune ap
pies, pears, cherries and plums witl
reference only to the future shape 0
verely shortened. In that case shOult
cut to produce nearer equalization be
tween the root and top, preserving il
the latter as symmetrical a form as pos
sihle. In other words, there seems tt
me no good reason for cutting bach
simply to produce the same thing
again, but if there is danger to the life
of the tree from careless digging o.
handling, then certainly there is gooG
reason for cutting. Peach trees are an
exception. With them it is spare the
| or side shoots are mostly weak anC
would die if the tree remained in the
nursery. They should all be cut of
CLOSE, and the top cut down to the
height of trunk desired. The buds will
then burst vigorously, and all but fOul
or five at the top should be rubbed Off
This is easily done when from half an
inch to an inch in length by down
ward movement of the hand, close
around the tree. Treated in this way
robust growth and symmetrical head
will be the result.
am often asked if it makes any diff
fo hot no nf tha <,rirr al
sitiOn is preserved-the north side to
the north. 1 answer, yes, but the diff
ference is SO small that it is hardly
worth naming. The side that has
never had the hot sun fairly upon it,
if turned to the south or south west in
transplanting, would be little more
likely to sunscald. This, however, is
easily guarded against by leaning the
trees little towards the hottest sun.
This should always be done; and as
the hottest sun is very nearly in the
direction of the prevailing wind, the
force of the winds will in time straight
en- up the trees. For the same reasons,
a crooked tree should always be set
with the following side toward the
southwest.
THE PREPARATION AND CULTIVATION
OF THE SOIL.
The neglect of this results in the loss
of more tranSplanted trees than all
other causes combined. This is a
broad assertion, but the facts, I think,
warrant me in making it. Few trees
are lost that are planted in garden, or
q potato field, or a cOrnfield, and is not
a tree that you have paid flom fifteen
cents to a dollar for, of as much conse-
quence as hill of corn or potatoes It
needs the same care-nO more. How
seldom it gets it. Plant where you
can and will, cultivate the whole
ground, and your loss from transplant
ing will be trifiing. Wherever you
plant the ground must frequently be
stirred, and the weeds kept down.
Avoid an oat-field or a wheat-field as
you would a fire, but if you will plant
in them, dig up the grain on all sides
for three feet at least and keep the
whole of this ground loose by frequent
stirring. Neglect this, and even if
your trees should all live, as they might
in favorable season, they will be com,
worthless. Such neglected
trees furnish the exact condition for the
apple tree borers, Sapurda and Bupres-
it's.
WATERING.
do not recommend except in ex-
treme cases and never in planting. 1t
is not necessary or beneficial except in
very dry weather, then it may be re-
sorted to afted the tree has been plant
ed if rightly done. A trench about
six inches deep should be dug around
the tree, and the water should be placed
in this trench, and repeated as it is Ia
ken up by the soil, until the ground
the tree is completely saturat-
ed. Then fill the trench with the dry
soil around and keep it loose on the
cfo Tho OWL nf ic,t
that the soil dries up so quick after
wards, and soon becomes worse than
before. Loose soil is always the best
mulch when it is sufficient, because the |
best growth is produced when there is
} free admission of the requisite air to
The rOOJs.
SEASON TO PLANT.
Fall planting is good for some kinds
If trees, spring planting is good for all |
kinds. In fall planting the labor is
greater because the surroundings are |
and the conditions requisite |
20 success are more complicated. Plant |
ng is then NECESSARILY, in part, the |
of the tree against the sever
ties of the approaching winter. All
summer it has been bracing itself up
md putting on its armOr that it may be
n condition to endure these seventies.
In digging, its braces are all cut off and
must be temporarily supplied. This
nay be done by stalking, but it is best
lone by a mound of earth a foot or
more in height around the body of the
rec. This must positively he leveled
Town early in the spring, or the tree
will suffer for want of air at the roots.
IN the fall trees should be planted early,
hat the ground may settle around
hem before severe weather-befOre the
st of Novembe if possible. In spring
,lant any time when the soil is i'll con-
lition to work, until the leaves show
surface to wilt in the sun, and even
alter in damp weather. My advice is,
ret your trees early-you will be much
more likely to get what you want. 1t
8 an astute mind that can see three or
our years into the future and exactly
anticipate the wants of tree buyers.
rhe most intelligent can only judge of
he future by what has occurred in the
Dast. The Durseryman plants what he
kinks will be wanted, but fashion
rules in tree planting as in
,ther things. If you delay until late
n the season, very likely the stock of
what is most desirable will be exhaust
ID. If you go early you get the best
f you go late you get what is left.
DISTANCES, DEPTHS, &C.
In orchards, apple trees should have
It least two rods of space between them
-even forty feet may be better-and
hey should be set in the form that
Will present the least difficulties in cul-
;ivation, and that form 1 take it is in
straight rows, at right angles. A single
,ow will do very well at twenty-five
eet Standard pears in orchards, twen-
,y-five feet; Dwarf pears, twelve to
sixteen feet; Plums and Cherries,
;Weuty feet Peaches one rod each Wav
md Ounces twelve feet. All kinds
except Dwarfs should be set out at
about the same depth that they stood
IN the nursery, Qwarfs should be
planted deep enough to cover the union
between the stock and graft. 1t is the
character of the stock that dwarfs the |
tree, in most cases, and the slow grow
ing stock should be set out of sight.
Your ground being prepared and
your stakes set, have the tree by you |
and dig the hole to fit the roots, and a